HyperX Alloy FPS Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review

Another pleasant surprise is the inclusion of an attractive branded carry case.  The case is lightly padded and includes a pocket to carry the cable and extra keycaps safely. 

Long time readers will know I love a good detachable cable on all my peripherals.  The cable and connections are the most common fail points on today’s quality products.  HyperX has gone with a detachable 1.8 meter cable nicely covered by a black and red braded sleeving.  The cable looks sharp and very well built.

No software is needed to run the Alloy FPS.  Simply plug it in and get to fragging.  This means the onboard red LED lighting is controlled directly from the hardware.  A total of 6 LED modes and 5 brightness levels can be adjusted using the function + arrow keys. Backlight modes are: Solid, Breathing, Trigger, Explosion, Wave and a Custom setting.

Remove the red FPS keys and turn off the lighting for a stealthy, more business like demeanor.  But when it’s time to turn the lights down and get your game on the Alloy FPS looks like keyboards costing much more.

The HyperX Alloy FPS Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a confident first keyboard effort from HyperX.  Clear thought has gone into what features are critical for a FPS gamer and these elements are flawlessly executed.  The use of a steel frame and Cherry MX keys means you will be gaming on the Alloy FPS for quite some time.  I like the minimal footprint and textured keys to provide a custom look that also reinforced FPS usability.  Choosing your Cherry MX key style is a definite plus that will elevate a good keyboard to greatness over time.

As with all sub $100 keyboards some compromises are required.  No programmable macros may take the Alloy FPS off the list for some gamers for example.  I find I rarely need them myself and most FPS purists will probably agree (or program them to the mouse).  I also hoped to be able to plug in a USB device rather than just charging for the two ports I have to give up in back.   Though even I must admit these are pretty finicky complaints.

Overall I loved the feel of the Cherry MX Brown switches and the size was a plus for my smaller desk real estate.  If you are looking for a confident mechanical gaming keyboard the HyperX Alloy FPS is a solid choice at a great price point.

Compact size
Cherry MX switches
Tactile red FPS keys
Removable USB Cable
Carry Case

USB only supports charging
No wrist support
No software/macro support