Lighting and Performance

The GMMK 2 Compact TKL supports N-key rollover USB out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and above are all the functions with dedicated keys on the base layer. There are 67 keys in total, with the Fn key not showing in Switch Hitter. As with most such 65% keyboards, a secondary Fn layer is how you get back most of the missing functionality on a full TKL keyboard. Indeed, the reviewer's guide had 3.5 pages filled with a table going over all of this, with the front-facing legends on the keycaps identifying them. In addition to the expected layered functions, such as the Fn keys tied to the number keys, Glorious pre-programmed some additional functions to improve the user experience. This includes media playback and volume control, onboard lighting control, and even profile switching despite this last set not getting dedicated legends. It reduces the entry barrier for smaller form factor keyboards considerably, though these particular legends being opaque doesn't help much if in a poorly lit environment.

When first connected, the GMMK 2 Compact TKL lights up in what the company calls a "Glorious Mode," which is seen above. This is a dynamic lighting effect that goes through the 16.8 M colors on offer, and the coordinated side lighting makes for an impressive light show. It also confirms that the keyboard is powered on and recognized by the PC, and gives us a good first look at the new ABS doubleshot keycaps.


Seen above are some of the other available lighting effects, which are accessible via both onboard controls and software, with full 16.8 M RGB per-key lighting actually being made better use of through some QMK tools than in Glorious Core with its limited presets of static, dynamic, and reactive effects. But those in Glorious Core are still plenty for the average end user, and at least the per-key/zone lighting works well enough. One of the default presets is a multi-color palette I used to test for light bleed. There is some courtesy the floating keycaps. That said, the white keyboard and RGB-compatible switches and keycaps make for a well-diffused color field. I will also give props to Glorious for getting the LED drivers to produce a fairly authentic white with these R/G/B LEDs, and note that the side lighting has a functional role too, as it blinks to show when Caps Lock is on.


There's not much else to talk about here, but I will mention the key mapping and macro recording options for users to try different typing layouts and make the most of the various layers and profiles for productivity. As for the actual typing experience, the GMMK 2 pre-built editions only comes in a single switch option—the new Glorious Fox. There is very little information on the Glorious Fox online at this time. It debuted with the recently launched GMMK PRO pre-built editions, along with the company's ABS doubleshot keycaps, and is a pre-lubed linear switch that aims to replicate the functionality of the Cherry MX Red. As such, actuation takes place at 2 mm travel and ~45 gf average force; peak travel is 4 mm, so you will likely bottoming out since the spring doesn't fight back much after actuation. That having been said, the switch itself is plenty fine as a stock keyboard option. It is smooth enough for linear switches, which has more to do with the factory lubing. I would have liked to see the Glorious Panda and Lynx as options, even at a slightly higher price, but having the GMMK 2 available in different colors, layouts, and form factors presumably was plenty to handle already. The barebones kit will be more relevant if you have already decided on switches and keycaps anyway.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the GMMK 2 Compact TKL keyboard sample at ~75 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Glorious Fox switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out constantly, which isn't surprising for the reasons mentioned above. The rest of the keyboard built around these switches improves the typing feel and sound signature as best as possible, and the combination punches above its price point. The weights and thick foam remove any reverberations, and the primary sound signature is from the switches bottoming out on the aluminium frame. This is also not as high-pitched as I thought it would be. It sounds solid and reassuring, especially if you come from having used, say, Cherry MX Red switches on keyboards with a mostly empty case and steel plate.