Lemokey X0 review: Poor ergonomics let down an otherwise competent keypad

The Lemokey X0 keypad is a curious factor. Primarily the equal of what a gamepad is for a console, the $32 X0 is a 35-key one-handed mechanical keyboard that may be arrange with Purple or Brown switches, double-shot ABS keycaps, and a built-in silicone wrist relaxation.

However whereas the keys themselves have been snappy and exact, this area of interest product has a number of main faults that prevented me from eagerly going again to it. Poorly thought out ergonomics led to a good quantity of hand pressure whereas utilizing the X0, and it didn’t save as a lot desk house as I anticipated. These points are barely eased by the flexibility to change between 4 key layers, permitting you to quadruple the operate out of the 35 keys. 

Sadly, I discover it robust to simply advocate the Lemokey X0 until you’re particularly searching for a less expensive various to a keypad just like the Razer Tartarus V2 ($79), or the Redragon K585 ($36). It may possibly’t actually be in comparison with the best mechanical keyboards, however needs to be thought-about as a stable choice for a price range keypad.

Learn on for my full Lemokey X0 evaluate.

Lemokey X0 evaluate: Cheat Sheet

• What’s it? A mixture of keyboard and gamepad, with simply 35 keys for space-efficient gaming
• Who’s it for? Avid gamers in want of a secondary peripheral, with out ditching mechanical switches
• What does it price? Simply $32, from both Amazon or Lemokey’s website. The X0 will not be at present accessible within the UK
• What can we like? The keys really feel actually nice to play on, and there is sufficient of them to not really feel like a drawback
• What don’t we like? It’s solely barely smaller than a mini keyboard, and with awkward ergonomics which make it harder to make use of than it needs to be

Lemokey X0 evaluate: The ups

Though it is the most cost effective entry in Lemokey’s ‘X’ sequence of keyboards, the X0 makes use of prime quality switches that really feel nice to make use of. The efficiency is supported by a 1,000 Hz polling charge, with a number of key layers permitting for an excellent degree of customization by way of QMK firmware help. 

Efficiency

I put the X0 by means of its paces in quite a lot of video games to become familiar with the enchantment of the format, and I discovered quite a bit to love. It really works brilliantly as an MMO keypad, giving me fast entry to all my talents in “Last Fantasy XIV.” Utilizing a compact keyboard helped me concentrate on the important keys, bettering my gameplay.

The principle disadvantage right here was not having the ability to sort in chat, which I discovered to be fairly a limitation as a extra social participant, notably when organizing my subsequent dungeon group.

Because of a 1,000Hz polling charge, the X0 feels snappy in video games the place each millisecond issues. Taking part in MOBAs like “League of Legends” and FPS titles like “Valorant” have been nice on the X0 because of the comparatively primary management schemes. 

A stumbling block was in additional advanced video games like “Hell Let Free” or “Insurgency: Sandstorm,” the place I discovered myself spending more and more extra time rebinding controls for lacking keys — the absence of the ‘B’ key, typically standing for ‘Purchase’ or ‘Construct’ in video games, was irritating specifically.

Switches

Supporting the nice efficiency are the wonderful switches. My model of the X0 used Keychron Brown switches, though it can be purchased with Purple switches. You probably have used Keychron’s switches earlier than, you already know the standard to anticipate right here — the Brown switches had an ideal quantity of resistance and a satisfying feeling. 

They have been extremely responsive and had an incredible actuation distance, which have been flawless throughout the entire video games I examined them on. As one of the vital inexpensive methods of accessing these switches, that is positively a serious energy of the X0.

For an inexpensive keypad, I used to be additionally actually impressed with the sound of keys — it sounds satisfying to make use of, particularly when gaming. The clack of the keycaps towards the metal plate was fully non-metallic, and the noise degree was usually quiet. That is thanks largely to the standard of the switches, because the keycaps are a usually low-quality ABS plastic which don’t lend themselves effectively to an excellent sound alone.

Customization

Lemokey’s X0 makes use of QMK firmware that permits you to customise keybindings and macros, all from the consolation of your internet browser. Opening the Lemokey launcher means that you can modify what every key does throughout 4 accessible layers. 

The keypad comes with two Perform keys that can be utilized to cycle between these layers. These additionally mean you can change quickly for one button press, which is helpful when implementing a key like Delete, which is lacking from the format by default.

I actually respect the comfort of not having to put in a clunky companion app to rapidly customise the keypad throughout a number of gadgets, which can be a energy of different Lemokey and Keychron keyboards. The software program may be very straightforward to make use of, because of it being effectively designed and having a smooth look. Whereas it isn’t appropriate with Safari, and MacOS will not be listed as a appropriate system, I used to be in a position to get the keypad working with the QMK internet app in Chrome on a Mac, with no points.

Lemokey X0 evaluate: The downs

One of many primary issues with the X0 are the issues with the structure of the keypad, which actually gained’t win you over until you’re already a fan. Different issues within the design make the keypad arduous to abdomen utilizing for longer intervals, and limit the utility of the keypad.

Keypad Format

Whereas I can see the advantages of getting this as a secondary keyboard, particularly in case your primary keyboard has switches unsuited for gaming, the X0 goes to be a extremely arduous promote for somebody not already onboard with the keypad structure. Utilizing the X0 felt like self-limiting myself for no actual acquire, as you will have an everyday sized keyboard in your desk already. Whereas Lemokey indicated that this might be used for productiveness, there simply will not be sufficient keys for this to be handy.

The wired-only connection is one other letdown, because it restricts the methods by which it might be used. I’d have liked to make use of the keypad in my front room whereas utilizing the Steam Link or on my Amazon Fire stick, for instance. The keypad is mild sufficient to be simply introduced with you away out of your desk, so a part of me needs this was taken benefit of.

House button

On paper, the spacebar changing into an arcade-style button makes a whole lot of sense for a gaming keypad. Sadly, this was carried out fairly poorly on the X0. The button is mounted very loosely in a raised part of the case, in an analogous technique to a D-pad on a retro controller. It will have been candy to see this used as an arrow key alternative, however as a spacebar it feels oddly low-cost and unresponsive. It supplies an even bigger, extra gamepad-esque enter, on the sacrifice of the precision of an everyday spacebar, which prompted me to have to essentially hit the important thing fairly than the delicate presses I’m used to, notably in additional aggressive conditions. Button mashing Fast Time Occasions felt way more enjoyable with a giant button to hit, although.

Ergonomics

The terrible ergonomics are the nail within the coffin for my enjoyment of the X0. Regardless of having medium sized palms, and by no means having an issue with every other keyboard, I skilled hand pressure whereas utilizing the X0 for prolonged intervals, notably when utilizing the house key. Stretching my hand to achieve the standard ‘WASD-Shift’ place whereas preserving the house button accessible was actually troublesome, which notably was annoying in journey RPGs or platformers the place these motion keys are crucial. 

I additionally want the keypad was an excellent deal smaller in dimension. Even with out utilizing the house button, I discovered that there was a whole lot of unutilized house, making it more durable to make use of the pad. Particular person keys are spaced fairly far aside with some unintuitive gaps, equivalent to between the Management and Alt keys. Past having to retrain my muscle reminiscence, I continually discovered myself stretching to achieve keys.

The wrist relaxation was positioned a lot too low for it to be very helpful to me, which solely makes the spacing challenge worse. It additionally had a tough, uncomfortable texture which grew to become more and more irritating over time, and is angled to the left in a method that encourages you to have the keypad at an odd off-angle place.

Lemokey X0 evaluate: Verdict

Whereas Lemokey doesn’t disappoint with the keys on the X0, the general format and case are too missing to simply advocate this as your subsequent keypad.

Don’t let a budget value tempt you, both. You’ll be able to decide up the Lemokey X1 ($36) which presents an analogous high quality and the identical switches, however in an 80% key format. Getting greater than double the keys for $3 makes you query whether or not it is actually price it to accept much less. I’d additionally advocate an inexpensive 60% keyboard just like the Newmen GM610 ($39), which presents extra versatility because of wi-fi connectivity, whereas nonetheless being solely barely longer than the X0.

When it comes to keypads, the Razer Tartarus V2 is sort of double the worth of the X0 — however the superior ergonomics and thumbstick management provides it worth for cash. For about the identical value because the X0, you may decide up the Redragon K585 ($36), that includes hot-swappable switches and extra on-board performance.

I don’t blame you in the event you’re nonetheless tempted by the thought of a straightforward to make use of, one-handed gaming keypad, particularly resulting from how nice the switches are and the extent of customization open to you. Nonetheless, whereas the asking value isn’t a lot for a mechanical keyboard, it nonetheless looks like quite a bit for a keypad that has restricted performance and much more restricted ergonomic help, which makes me marvel how good of an concept the X0 actually was.