Software

There is no dedicated software driver support for the Redragon K552 keyboard—all functionality is hardware based. As such, I have chosen to combine the Software and Performance pages into one. There is a firmware updater on the general Redragon software page that is unfortunately still classified as software. While it technically is, this may leave those thinking of a GUI for further customization disappointed.

Performance

The Redragon K552 keyboard supports N-key rollover USB out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys. As per usual, the R. Win key is replaced by an Fn key.


When first connected, the keyboard lights up in a static multi-color effect with one color per row. This is the extent of the "RGB" lighting here, making the use of RGB in some product listings quite misleading. What you actually get are a grand total of six colors, of which at least two look quite similar, too. There is no light bleed courtesy the non-floating keys and matte finished plate.

Here are some more of the lighting effects demonstrated, and all are enabled using the onboard controls described in the manual. Nine preset modes cover static, dynamic, and reactive typing effects. These are in addition to some game-genre specific modes wherein only some specific keys usually associated with said genres light up. Custom lighting is available as well, but the inability of any one key to be lit in anything other than that single color the LED underneath is programmed for limits the potential for custom backlighting effects.

In addition to the lighting controls with some more options pertaining to brightness level and speed, the keyboard has some pre-programmed functions over the Fn keys, including media playback and volume control, as well as some shortcuts to programs, such as pulling up the default email client, search, and calculator. This is about it for distinct keyboard functionality, and I will also mention that the indicator LED placement might confuse initially as you look for whether Caps Lock is on or not. Using the keyboard is quite simple, but here too the smaller footprint will be a small challenge to overcome before you begin to really appreciate the provided space savings. There are ergonomic benefits too, in addition to using this on a crowded or smaller desk while retaining full TKL functionality. Right-handed users in particular can have the mouse closer to the keyboard, and typing on this smaller keyboard will have your hands more naturally in line with your shoulders, too.


As we discussed before, the Redragon K552 is only available with the Redragon-branded Outemu Red switch as this is written. This is a linear switch that was originally a clone of the MX Red down to the design, but has since changed slightly with the walled column seen above. The rated specifications will be similar to most low-medium weight linear mechanical switches, with an actuation force of 45 gf at 2 mm and a total travel of 4 mm, although the peak force is actually closer to the Cherry MX Black than the MX Red, as testing from Input Club shows. What this means is that you don't bottom out with as much force as lighter switches, which results in slightly reduced downstroke noise. It's also quite smooth in travel, but I think there are much better switches to type on today. Outemu (Gaote) is a budget switch manufacturer, and these no doubt were used to hit a bottom line for the bill of materials of the Redragon K552.


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 Redragon K552 sample at ~95 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Outemu Red RGB switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out more often than not owing to the relatively lighter actuation switches this keyboard employs compared to my preference, but also did so purposefully now and then to show you that this keyboard ends up being quite loud and rattly. In fact, I'd personally rename this the Pingmaster given how pronounced those get. A lot of reverb goes through and around the empty case as well. Needless to say, this won't win any typing contests.