Lemokey X5 review — Clickity Clack

As a PC gamer and purveyor of written reviews a good keyboard is essential. A couple of weeks ago my trusty Logitech started experiencing numerous issues that put me on the hunt for a new keyboard. When Lemokey reached out to us with an opportunity to try out their X5 keyboard, I was enthusiastic to give it a shot. Well, now that I have been using it daily for a few weeks, is it any good? Let’s find out.

The Lemokey X5 is a 96% layout wired mechanical keyboard. Featuring Keychron mechanical switches and ABS keycaps with shine-through lettering that allows the red backlight to shine through, it looks sleek on your desktop. The Lemokey Launcher can be used to set up custom key mapping while the onboard QMK firmware provides 1000 Hz polling rate and onboard memory plus a calculator shortcut.

Typing on the X5 feels natural and the multi-point adjustable feet allowed me to angle it at the perfect height. With a satisfying but not obnoxiously loud clickity clack, this keyboard delivers a satisfying typing experience. As a tool for typing, the X5 works wonderfully. The keys feel lightning fast and reset with a pleasant amount of return pressure. I’m not the world’s fastest typer by any means but at what is probably (hopefully) average typing speed, the X5 has not missed a beat. I have not encountered any input lag or missed keystrokes in the month or so that I have been using it. The X5 is a solidly built keyboard as well. Surprisingly heavy, it features an EVA foam gasket between the PC plate and Bottom Case to minimize noise and make keystrokes feel buttery smooth.

Besides writing and gaming, I use my PC for some actual work as well as budgeting and other tasks where a full number pad is a requirement. The 96% layout of the X5 slims the overall desk footprint down while preserving the full number pad. Lemokey has accomplished this by squeezing the arrow keys over and eliminating the cluster of function keys that sits between the main keyboard and number pad on a full-size keyboard. You don’t really lose those keys, they are just combined into other keys. For the most part, I haven’t missed that key cluster except for the Delete key. I tend to utilize Delete when I am going through and editing my writing to delete characters in front of the cursor in some areas and backspace in others. Having to press Shift + . to delete isn’t really convenient and has forced me to alter my workflow a bit.

For gaming, the X5 has yet to stumble. I almost exclusively play Counter Strike 2 and responsive keys that register every press can be the difference between life and death. The X5 comes equipped with Anti-Ghosting technology via N-key rollover that ensures every keypress is registered even while pressing multiple keys at once. Combine that with the 1000 Hz polling rate and there is no noticeable latency.

At a retail price of just $49.99, you are getting a lot of bang for your buck with the Lemokey X5. I paid much more for my now busted Logitec G910 and it only lasted a few years. The X5 comes with a 12-month warranty but does not cover any issues that you may cause yourself if you decide to swap keycaps. The keycaps themselves only have a 3-month warranty which is long enough to cover any factory defects but I wouldn’t expect the keys to start wearing out before then. Besides the keyboard itself, the box includes the cable to connect it to your PC, keycaps to swap out the red keys if you want a solid black vibe, and a switch puller.

Overall I have no real complaints with the X5 besides my minor gripe about the Delete key. Whether I am typing or gaming, the X5 outputs consistent performance and has all of the features I need for daily use. What it lacks in extra features and programmable macro keys, it makes up for with a solid compact design that delivers consistent performance.

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