EVGA had aggressively marketed the launch of the Z20 and Z15 keyboards with massive discounts for their Elite members, which itself is a loyalty program of sorts. Over two months down the line, the Z15 has settled down in pricing generally, but there is a clear difference between the two switch options. It could be that the Kailh Speed Bronze is harder to manufacture, or just as easily that this version does not sell as well. Either way, there is a $25–$35 difference between the two depending on where you look for them. As such, it gets hard to judge the EVGA Z15 as a whole, and do be aware that the value offering at $90 is vastly different from the $115 option, and both are in turn a different proposition from the $130 MSRP.

The Kailh Speed Silver switch version is probably the way to go thus at current pricing, also because the entire keyboard has been designed with gaming in mind. The fast 4000 Hz polling and quicker actuation courtesy a shorter travel distance all help eke out the slightly faster response rates, which I am working on quantifying for future keyboard reviews. In the meantime, the very fact that you do get two rarely seen switch options is worth a mention. The hot-swappable switch sockets are just as relevant, allowing you to basically go with any 3-pin compatible switch wherever you want on this full-size keyboard. That is an added cost, however, I would rather see go towards a replacement keycap set first. The stock keycaps are a weakness in the ~$100 range from a brand with as much recognition as EVGA in our hobby, even more so at MSRP.

EVGA had to make enough changes to the feature set compared to the Z20 not to cannibalize sales of the latter, and the review has gone over all the changes in detail, beginning with the unboxing experience and ending on performance, so I recommend going through all the pages if interested. Some features are kept, such as the new USB microcontroller that allows for the 4000 Hz native polling rate, which is not even on a handful of keyboards at this time, and the hot-swappable switches are not even on the flagship Z20! I think the Z15 is more balanced than the Z20 that is more experimental with the TOF sensor in an attempt to appeal to those who want something more. The problem is that the Z15 is thus harder to recommend among a sea of similar keyboards today, including many that can be had for less and with better quality keycaps. It is thus the two switch options here that are the main reason to consider the EVGA Z15, but the price discrepancy between the two does not help, either.