Lemokey L4 review | Tom’s Guide

Lemokey, Keychron’s gaming division, has launched a brand new totally metallic gaming keyboard, the L4, in its L-series lineup. Whereas Lemokey will not be strictly a price range producer, the model has launched some improbable boards at ludicrously low cost costs, just like the Lemokey X1 ($36). The L4, however, will burn fairly the opening in your pocket.

The L4’s $214 price ticket is steep for a gaming keyboard, particularly one with out the gaming options of highly effective Corridor Impact keyboards just like the Corsair K70 Max ($230) or the Wooting 60HE+ ($174).

That being mentioned, the L4 deserves reward for its wonderful switches, lusciously easy typing and full metallic case — it’ll serve you properly whether or not you’re working within the workplace or gaming at dwelling, so long as you might have the money to spare. I can safely say that this metallic beast is among the best mechanical keyboards I’ve used.

Learn on for my full Lemokey L4 keyboard evaluation.

Lemokey L4 evaluation: Cheat Sheet

• What’s it? A metallic and mighty mechanical keyboard
• Who’s it for? These in search of a keyboard that would face up to even probably the most rage-inducing gaming periods
• What does it value? Lots — $214, to be actual. If you have already got keycaps and switches, you possibly can decide it up for $194, solely from the Lemokey web site
• What will we like? It has among the greatest switches I’ve used on a mechanical keyboard, and the metallic case is each lovely and sturdy
• What don’t we like? This value places it above many Corridor Impact keyboards, that are arguably higher choices for a gaming efficiency

Lemokey L4 evaluation: Specs

Lemokey L4 evaluation: The ups

The L4 excels because of its sturdy metallic design and pleasant Cherry profile keycaps. Geared up with Keychron Tremendous Switches, the keyboard is responsive for gaming and easy for typing. It’s additionally extremely customizable, with help for QMK firmware and Lemokey’s easy-to-use Launcher app.

Sturdy construct

You possibly can relaxation straightforward understanding that the L4 is constructed to final. The case is a giant outdated slab of metallic, weighing in at a hefty 4 kilos and rivaling among the heaviest boards we’ve examined: the hulking Keychron Q3 Max ($214, 4.5 lbs) and Keychron Q6 ($195, 5.3 lbs). The load naturally provides to the board’s sturdiness and retains the keyboard well-planted in your desk, and the metallic case provides a visible edge over even one of the best plastic-cased keyboards, at the least for my part.

Very similar to a tank, the L4’s armor-plating naturally comes on the expense of maneuverability. In testing, the burden and dimension might be irritating when making an attempt to regulate the keyboard to my most well-liked place for video games like Counter Strike 2. This isn’t an enormous challenge, although, particularly for much less competitively inclined gamers. Simply don’t anticipate to be taking advantage of the wi-fi and Bluetooth performance, as this factor will not be designed to journey.

Easy switches

The L4 comes with Keychron’s Tremendous Switches (if choosing the pre-assembled mannequin), with my keyboard that includes the Crimson linear model. The Tremendous Switches are just like Gateron Reds in Keychron and Lemokey keyboards, however they supply a slight gaming edge with a firmer preliminary press and a lighter maintain.. For gaming, this implies unintentional inputs are decreased whereas sustaining a press — holding down the W key to maneuver forwards, for instance — doesn’t tire out your fingers.

The 45g of power required to actuate the switches is the usual for many Crimson switches. However, in contrast to the Cherry MX Reds I used within the Cherry MX 3.1 ($119), a full press of a key doesn’t have a tough sensation to it — the switches are remarkably easy.

Typing expertise

Whereas my typing speeds and accuracy weren’t one of the best of the keyboards I’ve examined, the L4 nonetheless carried out above common. What the stats can’t present you is simply how straightforward and cozy it was to kind on. Cherry profile keycaps provide a big floor space, particularly on larger letter keys, and are angled to cut back finger stretching.

In the meantime, the Keychron Tremendous switches use a double size spring that gives a extra constant feeling to the press. The added foam layers and gasket mount design contained in the case additionally serve to make typing on the L4 as comfy as attainable.

The L4 sounds nice whereas typing, too. The heavy metallic case, an honest quantity of sound dampening and heavy PBT keycaps imply they continue to be comparatively quiet but extremely satisfying, with a lightweight tapping sound even throughout quick typing.

Gaming efficiency

The Cherry key profile additionally makes the L4 very comfy to play on. In testing, it allowed my hand to relaxation simply and naturally whereas enjoying, with out requiring awkward stretching. The keyboard felt a bit cumbersome for FPS video games like Counter-Strike 2. Nevertheless, it was very best for MMOs and RPGs, offering lasting consolation for lengthy periods, particularly when leveling a brand new character in Last Fantasy XIV.

The switches have been reactive in video games, with efficiency just like different Linear Crimson switches on different keyboards — they’re straightforward to press because of a reasonably low power requirement of 45g, and a pre-travel of 2mm implies that they’re fast to actuate. Add to this the help for a 1,000Hz polling charge out of the field, and the L4 is greater than able to getting used on your subsequent aggressive match. The response instances additionally served me properly whereas enjoying League of Legends and in tactical shooters like Insurgency Sandstorm.

Customization

You possibly can totally modify your keybinds, modify the lighting and replace your firmware by way of Lemokey’s handy Launcher app, accessible by a browser and with out a obtain. The keyboard additionally runs QMK firmware, which supplies loads of customization choices for lovers — excellent for individuals who wish to arrange some extra advanced macros, for instance.

The software program is straightforward to entry, however I respect the built-in {hardware} shortcuts for fast changes, so that you don’t at all times must open a browser or plug within the keyboard.Adjusting the lighting was very easy utilizing keyboard shortcuts, so I used to be capable of flip off the garish default rainbow lighting sample with none hassle.

The keyboard can be totally hotswappable, and consists of the package you’ll must take aside the keyboard. For many who have already got a set of switches and keycaps able to go, or quite construct their keyboard from scratch, you possibly can decide up the barebones model of the keyboard for $194.

Lemokey L4 evaluation: The downs

Though $214 isn’t an excessive value level for a completely metallic keyboard, the L4 nonetheless increased than most of the best gaming keyboards accessible. Additionally, I used to be underwhelmed by the lighting, which dampened the in any other case stellar visible design of the board.

Worth for cash?

When evaluating the Lemokey L4 to different premium gaming keyboards, I query how worthwhile the board is for its gaming options, or lack thereof. Positive, the L4 has barely gaming-focused switches and makes use of Cherry profile keycaps, however there’s little or no to set this keyboard other than the productivity-oriented Keychron Q3 Max.

Crucially, our favourite gaming keyboard, the Keychron K2 HE ($130), might be picked up for a fraction of the L4, which packs magnetic Corridor Impact switches for in-depth adjustment of particular person key actuation. It additionally comes full with Speedy Set off, which brings a bonus to FPS video games specifically permitting for faster inputs — this board has far more going for it than the L4 so far as gaming goes.

What’s extra, Lemokey has opted for an easier design with the L4: lacking are the knob and macro keys which assist set the Lemokey L3 ($214) and Lemokey L1 ($214) aside. These are each a defining a part of the vary’s seems, but additionally present a tempting purpose to spend the additional cash for a premium keyboard.

The macro buttons specifically are supremely helpful when gaming, with 4 easily-bindable keys permitting you to set-up regularly used shortcuts. Contemplating the L3 is offered for a similar value because the L4, the L3 is the higher choice for these in search of a keyboard with extra distinctive options.

Dim Lighting

The RGB lighting was underwhelming on the L4, with the lights unable to supply an encompassing glow across the keys. Keychron Tremendous Switches are marketed as higher at spreading gentle than different Keychron switches, however this didn’t maintain up in gentle or darkish settings. The south-facing RGBs weren’t vibrant sufficient to completely illuminate the plate, lacking an opportunity to reinforce the keyboard’s look.

Lemokey L4 evaluation: Verdict

I’ve loved my time with the Lemokey L4, and respect the mixture of tanky construct and easy typing. The Keychron Tremendous switches are greater than competent at each gaming and for typists, that means this can be a keyboard that may do all of it.

Nevertheless, given that is supposed to be a gaming keyboard, I would favor somewhat extra for the cash — the metallic case and switches don’t by themselves justify the premium value in my opinion. That is very true when you think about cheaper gaming keyboards constructed to an analogous high quality, which supply as many or extra gaming options.

Lemokey’s personal fully-metal Lemokey P1 Pro gives the identical switches, polling charges, Cherry keycap profile and QMK firmware, all for $129. In the meantime, Keychron’s K2 HE gives most of the identical advantages however with the gaming energy of Gateron’s Double Rail magnetic switches, once more for $129.

The Lemokey L4 is little doubt a stable choice for individuals who can afford it, particularly if a metallic case is desired. It’s simply troublesome to suggest a $200 gaming keyboard that, properly, doesn’t carry out like a $200 gaming keyboard.