Redragon K552-R Kumara Keyboard Review 0

Redragon K552-R Kumara Keyboard Review

Value and Conclusion

  • The Redragon K552 Kumara is available in a single switch option, and as of the date of this review, it costs $58 from the Redragon web store for customers in the USA. Street pricing is far lower at just $30 for the black version, and there is even a white version for $5 more from resellers, including Amazon.com.
  • Fantastic value for the feature set at street prices
  • Tiny footprint makes it comparable to 65% keyboards in size while offering TKL functionality
  • Onboard controls over functionality and form alike
  • 6-color backlighting with lots of lighting effects and options, including brightness and effect speed
  • PBT doubleshot keycaps are of good quality
  • Switches are rated with some dust resistance
  • Full N-key rollover USB and zero key chatter in use
  • Only one switch option, and it is mediocre too
  • Claiming RGB lighting is quite misleading
  • Keyboard-specific legends are laser etched and not backlighting-compatible
  • The included keycap puller is terrible
  • The Redragon shop claims hot-swappable switches, which is not the case
Redragon really needs to sort out its marketing for the K552 Kumara, and the language barrier excuse won't fly for much longer. There are some real issues here, including one page claiming hot-swappable switches, which is not the case, and nowhere else do you see this mentioned, including on the retailer product pages. Then there is the whole part of the original K552 having had single-color LEDs, while this update has six colors with one color per row, and there is barely any distinction made aside from calling this variant "RGB backlit" or, in some cases, "RGB LED Rainbow backlit," which still does not tell you that there is no per-key lighting. Chances of customers buying it and then wondering whether something is wrong only to then be disappointed and/or angry at the keyboard and Redragon alike are high.

While you are at it, perhaps also address the pricing disparity between your web shop and Amazon store, will you, Redragon? It's funny that Amazon prices are lower to begin with since the e-tailer takes a cut, so Amazon listings are usually more expensive than when directly purchased from the manufacturer. At $58, the Redragon K552 once again competes with the likes of 1STPLAYER, Aukey, and a few other Asian brands, including Motospeed and a few Aliexpress specials. But at $30 for this black sample, all of these complaints can be swept aside as the overall impression is still positive. Some shortcuts were taken, some features omitted, and even some mistakes from before retained. But it's extremely hard to find an equivalent keyboard at this price point, especially on major retail channels around the world, to where I absolutely have to commend the value offer here!

Update: Redragon has corrected the pricing on its web store now!
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Jan 7th, 2025 07:49 EST change timezone

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