HyperX Alloy Elite

Overall, the HyperX Alloy Elite is a fairly priced gaming keyboard with almost all the features of its more expensive competitors. Due to lack of software, its advantage is the simple setup, but again, it misses any customizable lights or macro programming. Therefore if those features are essential to you, you might need to consider some other options.

The solid construction and simple, frame-less design makes the HyperX Alloy FPS one of the best and most affordable keyboards ever! The keyboard is basically everything the Alloy FPS was, with the addition of a few features such as a light bar, a palm rest and media keys.

Design

In case you’re wondering why the HyperX Alloy Elite seems familiar to you, it’s essentially a non-RBG version of Kingston’s upcoming Hyper X Alloy RGB (first revealed at CES 2017).

The clean and frameless design for the Alloy Elite is taken from the previous Alloy FPS gaming keyboard and adds a new dedicated media button row above the main group of keys. Mute, play/pause, as well as skipping forward and backward buttons are quite large, just as is the volume rocker. Fortunately, none of those controls feels mushy. At the same time, there’s the added palm rest that features the same satisfying textured finish as on the HyperX Pulsefire gaming mouse.

Another addition of this keyboard that’s worth mentioning is the 16-zone light bar sandwiched between the media buttons and standard keys. It’s actually a new element that’s seen for other peripherals, such as the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum.

As unnecessary as lighting bar seems on a keyboard that’s already-fully-lit, it’s still hard to deny that the illumination doesn’t look diffused and gorgeous.

The only ridiculous thing about the HyperX Alloy Elite’s design is the seriously thick braided cable. It’s clearly less flexible and so much fatter than the cords seen attached to the other gaming keyboards.

Performance

HyperX Alloy Elite comes with Cherry MX Red switches that feel excellent for gaming. The keyboard is also available with Blue and Brown switches. The underlying sturdy steel frame makes it a very stable platform, regardless which type of switch you prefer.

Another fine point is that in order to replace the WASD and first four number keys, HyperX includes a set of titanium-colored keys with a textured surface. These have become a standard set addition for most gaming keyboards, and they are pretty great for creating your main gaming keys more distinguishable.

Features

Just like many of HyperX’s peripherals, it’s not necessary to install any software after plugging it in. To switch between all of the lighting modes you just have to hit the effects buttons. There’s also a quick access button, which can be used for changing the backlight brightness, as well as the gaming mode that disables the Windows key.

Even if it’s cool to not have to install any other application on your PC, the HyperX Alloy Elite doesn’t provide any sort of macro support. And since the keyboard comes with only a few built-in modes, the lighting customization is pretty limited.