This was my first (and only,) mechanical keyboard that I've bought. I was honestly hesitant to even buy one, because you know, how much better could they be? But oh man, I was blown away by this keyboard. It's pretty much one of the only ones in this price range that has individually controllable RGB LEDs (ARGB) and macros, and it's remarkably stylish. The typing experience is amazing; I'm actually using it to type this review! The lights are vibrant and shockingly bright; my first reaction to plugging the keyboard in was 'oooooh wow.' The lighting can be customized using the keyboard or the software, which is a nice touch. And, I mean, you can play snake with the lights on your keyboard :D That said, there are a few niggles. The wrist pad rest thing that was ... MoreThis was my first (and only,) mechanical keyboard that I've bought. I was honestly hesitant to even buy one, because you know, how much better could they be? But oh man, I was blown away by this keyboard. It's pretty much one of the only ones in this price range that has individually controllable RGB LEDs (ARGB) and macros, and it's remarkably stylish. The typing experience is amazing; I'm actually using it to type this review! The lights are vibrant and shockingly bright; my first reaction to plugging the keyboard in was 'oooooh wow.' The lighting can be customized using the keyboard or the software, which is a nice touch. And, I mean, you can play snake with the lights on your keyboard :D That said, there are a few niggles. The wrist pad rest thing that was included with the keyboard has a fabric top layer, much like a mousepad, and has already started to fray at the edges. The software leaves a fair bit to be desired, and for some reason, the keyboard doesn't work with alternative software like Project Aurora. One last thing that bothers me a little is that the keyboard software feels the need to use my system microphone, but on the positive side the keyboard can be used without any software at all, if you're paranoid about yet another tech company stealing your data. That said, I'm incredibly pleased with my purchase, and plan to keep using this keyboard for the foreseeable future.

Bad

Strange issues with this keyboard, like in some video games the game won't detect keypresses the first time, I'll have to hit WASD a bunch before it starts to detect it. Also had issues where a game will think I am holding down keys I haven't touched yet at all, have to alt tab out and back in to fix this. Finally had some issues with typing emails where keys pressed will come out as other random keys. Even if I repeatedly press the same key such as aaaaa I will get random strings like 7z12h.I thought for the price I would be getting a reduced feature keyboard missing things like N-key rollover but instead what I got is a slab of garbage. I'll be buying a better keyboard in future and smashing this one with a hammer. Avoid at all costs.

Buy it for the Lighting Effects Alone

I ordered the blue mechanical key switches and even though I was looking forward to that reassuring mechanical clatter, they are REALLY LOUD, certainly louder than the reds. Shopping around just a little, it became apparent that this is a quality keyboard at a very good price. Wanting to use this keyboard for mostly non-gaming – but very heavy – uses, I gotta say that the general key positioning is somehow different. I cannot pinpoint how or in what ways – and I did not deduct an egg for it – but if you are a touch typist, you may notice the same difference. To put it another way, I sincerely believe this is a gaming keyboard first and foremost and a typing keyboard secondly. Buy it with that thought foremost in your mind.

CM joins the keyboard party with a formidable offering

I did find it odd that I had to install the Cooler Master Portal software, which then detected the CK550 and installed a separate keyboard software utility. Once the keyboard utility was installed, the CM Portal seems to be unnecessary and can be uninstalled. Why not make it one complete software package to cover all CM devices, like the other guys do? Overall, I am very satisfied with both the quality and functionality of the CK550 and its supporting software. I believe the price point is fairly reasonable, but something around the $75usd mark would put the CK550 right in the sweet spot with the competitors. The market has been flooded in recent years with mechanical keyboards from almost every major PC component manufacturer, so I think CM is going to have to ... MoreI did find it odd that I had to install the Cooler Master Portal software, which then detected the CK550 and installed a separate keyboard software utility. Once the keyboard utility was installed, the CM Portal seems to be unnecessary and can be uninstalled. Why not make it one complete software package to cover all CM devices, like the other guys do? Overall, I am very satisfied with both the quality and functionality of the CK550 and its supporting software. I believe the price point is fairly reasonable, but something around the $75usd mark would put the CK550 right in the sweet spot with the competitors. The market has been flooded in recent years with mechanical keyboards from almost every major PC component manufacturer, so I think CM is going to have to swallow some pride and drop the price sooner than later. Thanks to Newegg.com and Cooler Master for providing the review sample! If you found my product review helpful in your search, please check Yes below. Thanks!

CoolerMaster CK550 Gaming Mechanical Keyboard ----MEH!

In this era of Gaming "schtick" or gimmick, you can get just about anything. I personally like the idea of a heavy compact keyboard that doesn't move around much. I like the idea of the tactile clicky style keys, it reminds me of the quality keyboards that came with the first home PC's that hit the market many, many years ago. This is definitely a quality built keyboard. The software controlling the LED's is a little quirky. It can become very easily confused if you try to mix too many colors and levels. For a normal gaming keyboard, it will work well. The price, compared to what some other gaming keyboards go for, is within reason. All in all I rate the CoolerMaster CK550 Gaming Mechanical Keyboard a solid 4 eggs. I would have rated it higher except for it not ... MoreIn this era of Gaming "schtick" or gimmick, you can get just about anything. I personally like the idea of a heavy compact keyboard that doesn't move around much. I like the idea of the tactile clicky style keys, it reminds me of the quality keyboards that came with the first home PC's that hit the market many, many years ago. This is definitely a quality built keyboard. The software controlling the LED's is a little quirky. It can become very easily confused if you try to mix too many colors and levels. For a normal gaming keyboard, it will work well. The price, compared to what some other gaming keyboards go for, is within reason. All in all I rate the CoolerMaster CK550 Gaming Mechanical Keyboard a solid 4 eggs. I would have rated it higher except for it not having a decent readable manual, and built in software that needs a good tweak.

Excellent keyboard, less than stellar software.

The keyboard has a very tactile key stroke without being overly "loud and clacky". The programmable led layouts and visuals built in are great.The only downside is not with the keyboard persay, but with its companion software. The support software doesn't allow older versions to use features in the app, but it also can't seem to update the software in the keyboard. I have checked with multiple users with similar results.Tldr: mechanically great keyboard, the macro and rgb software with it is hit or miss.

Limited & Pricey

The keyboard although lacks macro keys and dedicated media control buttons, it's still a big and fat keyboard. It's expensive for little things that it offers. No usb pass through really does break a deal for me since I know many like to use that for their headsets or mouse. I personally use different mouses for different games. (FPS vs. Click Based Games) This would be a DECENT choice at a much lower price. Way too much competition at its current price tag. Cooler master not being known for their gaming keyboards and this keyboard definitely shows why. They are lacking in both features and design.

Not bad! A good starter mechanical board.

I found myself in need of a keyboard after a spill took out my previous one, and after some shopping I settled on the CK550 for its blue switches and inclusion of a numpad. As a very nice bonus, its RGB backlighting is incredibly customizable via Cooler Master's software, and its keys can be remapped to whatever suits your needs best. Typing on this keyboard is a decent experience. Its blue switches, while not quite as nice as Cherry switches, are still fairly satisfying to type on. I do wish the keyboard included USB pass-through, but it's not a deal-killer. I'd certainly recommend this keyboard to anyone interested in checking out mechanical keyboards!

Pretty Good Keyboard

The Cooler Master CK550 Gaming Mechanical Keyboard has a brushed aluminum finish and with bright RGB LEDs. The keys have blue switches with a single RGB LED above each blue switch. The keys are loud, which is noticeable to others when on phone calls or during gaming online. Each key cap with an assigned secondary function is clearly labeled which includes Multimedia and RGB Control functions. While this keyboard does offer software controls, the keys offer a multitude of RGB controls without the need of software. The Cooler Master software for this keyboard allow management of the RGB LEDs per key, Macros, Key Map Reassignment and Profiles. I found the software easy to use when programming the LEDs and Key Reassignment, but I have used better implementations of ... MoreThe Cooler Master CK550 Gaming Mechanical Keyboard has a brushed aluminum finish and with bright RGB LEDs. The keys have blue switches with a single RGB LED above each blue switch. The keys are loud, which is noticeable to others when on phone calls or during gaming online. Each key cap with an assigned secondary function is clearly labeled which includes Multimedia and RGB Control functions. While this keyboard does offer software controls, the keys offer a multitude of RGB controls without the need of software. The Cooler Master software for this keyboard allow management of the RGB LEDs per key, Macros, Key Map Reassignment and Profiles. I found the software easy to use when programming the LEDs and Key Reassignment, but I have used better implementations of Macro creation. Additionally, the software does not allow the keyboard LEDs to sync up with the Cooler Master MasterFan Pros or Cooler Master CPU Cooler I have installed in my computer. The keyboard feels extremely nice to type, but due to the loud blue switch it would be difficult to use in an office setting without annoying others near the keyboard or over the phone. If you work from home or do not play online games, this keyboard is a great option. However, if you work in an office environment or plan to use the keyboard for online gaming, the Brown or Red switch versions of this keyboard would probably be a better choice.

This keyboard works great, but the key icons are swapped.

Honestly I'm only making this review because I only now noticed a weird thing, and might have went with a different keyboard had I seen it sooner. I've had this keyboard for months and will continue using it because it works great functionally. I never really noticed anything off because I, like everyone else, know where the number keys are located and know not to press shift when pressing them. However, I don't use = or + very often. I couldn't figure out why every time I pressed that key, I'd get the symbol I wasn't expecting, until just now when it hit me that the top row doesn't match the rest of the board. Holding shift and pressing a key gets you the top icon on every keyboard I've ever seen, and for the majority of this keyboard as well, exempting the top ... MoreHonestly I'm only making this review because I only now noticed a weird thing, and might have went with a different keyboard had I seen it sooner. I've had this keyboard for months and will continue using it because it works great functionally. I never really noticed anything off because I, like everyone else, know where the number keys are located and know not to press shift when pressing them. However, I don't use = or + very often. I couldn't figure out why every time I pressed that key, I'd get the symbol I wasn't expecting, until just now when it hit me that the top row doesn't match the rest of the board. Holding shift and pressing a key gets you the top icon on every keyboard I've ever seen, and for the majority of this keyboard as well, exempting the top row. To that I say why why why just the top row why any at all why would someone design it that way I have no clue, but it really throws me off now.