Lighting and Performance

The GMMK 2 Full Size 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 99 keys on this US ANSI model, with the Fn key not showing in Switch Hitter as per usual. As with most such 95–96% keyboards, the dedicated numpad is added by effectively making do without some keys from the arrow key column. In this case, we are missing R.Win or Menu depending on whom you ask, as well as Scroll Lock, Pause/Break, Home, and End. Positioning of the other keys also is not exactly how it would be on a typical full-size keyboard, so spend some time to get around any memory training should you be used to touch typing on a 100% keyboard or larger. Glorious also has pre-programmed some additional functions to improve the user experience, including media playback, volume control, onboard lighting control, and profile switching. Most of these get dedicated front-facing legends, which does help quickly identify these onboard controls, although these particular legends being opaque doesn't work as well in poorly lit environments.

When first connected, the GMMK 2 Full Size lights up in what the company calls "Glorious Mode," which is seen above. This dynamic lighting effect goes through the 16.8 M colors on offer, and the coordinated side lighting makes for an impressive light show. It also confirm that the keyboard is powered on and recognized by the PC while giving us a good first look at the new ABS doubleshot keycaps. I will also point out right away that the white models will come off brighter, so consider that over the black options if RGB lighting is a big selling point for you.


Seen above are some of the other lighting effects, which can be accessed both via onboard controls and software, with full 16.8 M RGB per-key lighting actually being made better use of via some QMK tools than Glorious Core with its limited presets of static, dynamic, and reactive effects. But those in Glorious Core are still plenty for most, and the per-key and zone lighting work well enough. One of the default presets is a multi-color palette, which I used to test for light bleed. There is some light bleed courtesy the floating keycaps, but the black frame and RGB-compatible switches and keycaps make it near-negligible in practice. I will also give props to Glorious for having the LED drivers churn out a fairly authentic white from these R/G/B LEDs, and the side lighting has a functional role as it blinks 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, which allow 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 come in a single switch: the new Glorious Fox. There is very little information about the switch online at this time. It debuted with the recently launched GMMK PRO pre-built editions, as did the company's ABS doubleshot keycaps, and is a pre-lubed linear switch that aims to replicate the functionality of the Cherry MX Red in terms of actuation at 2 mm travel and ~45 gf average force, and a peak travel of 4 mm you will be hard-pressed to avoid given the spring doesn't fight back much after actuation. Bottoming out is mostly inevitable thus, and the switch is plenty fine as a stock keyboard option. It is smooth enough for linear switches, albeit more due to the factory lubing. I would have liked having the Glorious Panda and Lynx as options, even at a slightly higher price. However, having the GMMK 2 available in different colors, layouts, and form factors is probably plenty to handle already. The barebones kit will be more relevant for those who have settled on other 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 Full Size keyboard sample at ~85 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 pretty much every single time, which isn't surprising. The rest of the keyboard built around these switches improves the typing feel and sound signature as best as it can, and it's a combination that punches above its price class. There are steel weights in the case, and these combined with the thick foam sheet between the PCB and case remove any reverberations. As such, the primary sound signature is from the switches bottoming out on the aluminium frame. It is also not as high-pitched as I initially thought it would be—the keyboard sounds reassuringly solid in use, especially if you come from having used, say, Cherry MX Red switches on a keyboard with a mostly empty case and steel plate.