I was having a hard time finding the Sharkoon SKILLER SGK50 S4 for sale in the US, which is the market we base pricing on, since most companies tend to do the very same and it ends up as a great equalizer in the absence of the inclusion of the sales tax in the MSRP. But then I remembered that Sharkoon is a German brand that focuses a lot on the European market. Combine that with ongoing logistics issues and I did not want to wait to see what the US retail window is going to be like—if at all. It's still funny then that the US ANSI layout version of this keyboard is being sampled to reviewers and is also the first one in the user manual itself, really the biggest market for Sharkoon would be all the various European users who would be glad to find a reasonably priced 60% keyboard that is found locally, has more than one year warranty, and also supports their specific language and layout!

I appreciate also that Sharkoon did a good job in not making the SGK50 S4 look and feel cheap. There are several simple tweaks made to enhance the user experience of the keyboard in the form of not only different colors and switch options, but also enthusiast features such as hot-swappable switches, and foam sheets between the plate and PCB as well as between the PCB and the case. The stabilizers also come lubed, albeit not as evenly as I would have liked on this sample, and the accessories provided also make for a more premium feeling than the selling price would indicate. The drawbacks come in the form of a reasonably nerfed USB controller and lack of software customization, along with the keycaps having minor issues as pointed out here. The switches are also not the best by any means and yet better than what budget keyboards used just 1-2 years ago. Indeed, there is enough here to where calling the Sharkoon SKILLER SGK50 S4 simply another budget 60% keyboard would be doing it a disservice. Couple that with the various switches, keycaps, and desk pads sold by the brand and you can have an all-Sharkoon experience that looks the part without breaking the bank. If you are looking for a 60% keyboard—especially one supporting a European layout—then do consider this one.