Experience Unmatched Typing and Gaming with the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL Keyboard

One enjoyable aspect of mine is testing out new keyboards. It’s always fun for me to explore and try typing on the newest models, no matter if I’m at Best Buy, Microcenter, or any other store that offers them.

I’m constantly seeking out new sensations or adventures, and since I spend so much time on a keyboard, I find myself caring more than most people might. That’s why I was thrilled to get the chance to test the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL Keyboard, especially with its magnetic switches – absolutely intriguing!

Let’s dive straight into the topic and discuss why this choice offers a top-tier experience for those seeking quality.

Function Elite MiniTKL: Pricing and specifications

Features that match the high price.
Magnetic hall effect switches that will change the way you game.
Incredible range of options to customize your experience.

Initially, let’s examine the cost of the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard. This compact model retails at $199.99. Although it’s not an inexpensive option, considering its price, you’re getting a fantastic assortment of top-notch features. From premium RGB illumination to precise performance enhancements, the Function Elite MiniTKL’s price is strategically set to rule the market.

To ensure a fair comparison among competitors, we will design our keyboard in a compact size, similar to other keyboards in the market, adjusting its dimensions where it makes sense when comparing prices. For instance, consider the NZXT keyboard, which is priced competitively at around $219.99, aiming to challenge market leaders.

As a diligent analyst, I’ve had the pleasure of examining the Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard. Available in both pristine white and sleek black, this device boasts the most sought-after switch type currently dominating the market – Hall Effect switches. The tactile feedback from these switches is nothing short of sublime, providing a buttery smooth response with unerring precision on each keystroke.

Equipped with superior software personalizations and hardware features surpassing competitors, NZXT is well-prepared to conquer the premium gaming keyboard sector, offering an exceptional product that retails slightly below $200.

Function Elite MiniTKL: Design and build quality

A premium experience to the touch.
Compact design that’s aesthetically pleasing to look at.
Top-end keycaps that match the industry leaders.

You anticipate a high-quality keyboard for $200, and NZXT delivers just that. In fact, it’s similar to their PC cases regarding the quality of its finish. The exterior is wrapped in sleek cold-brushed aluminum metal, creating an elegant, luxurious appearance, texture, and durability against external impacts. Occasionally, I tend to accidentally push my mouse too far towards the keyboard while playing a 1v1 FPS game, only for it to knock against the keyboard with a loud bang.

This small-sized device has an impressive weight of 1.09 kg. Remarkably, my Logitech G815, which includes a numeric keypad and side macro buttons, weighs only slightly less at approximately 1.03 kg. Despite its size, the extra weight ensures stability during intense gaming sessions and might even prevent it from moving on a rocking boat.

On the edges of this keyboard, you’ll find a textured surface designed to enhance comfort during movement or repositioning. Similar to modern keyboards, it can be set either horizontally or inclined with the included legs. The textured grip provides an extra delight when adjusting its angle.

Inside the box, users will discover four essential items:

1. A standard USB-C to USB-A connector cable, approximately two meters long, sits next to the keyboard.
2. For those who might want to customize or clean their keys, there’s a 2-in-1 switch and keycap puller tool provided.
3. If unfortunate events damage your keyboard, you’ll find three extra replacement switches in the box for your convenience.

Enjoy exploring your new keyboard!

As a researcher examining this keyboard, I must say that it truly stands out. With its Double-shot PBT keycaps, dual-rail switch design, pre-lubed switches, and sound-dampening foam, it offers an extraordinary typing experience. It’s almost as if you’re typing into a cloud of pure softness. The addition of the hall effect switches only enhances this sensation, making it one of the most delightful typing experiences I’ve encountered.

Speaking of typing experience!

Function Elite MiniTKL: Typing experience

Dreamy hall effect switches give a buttery feel
I could do without the space bar ping

Having grown up using keyboards from Corsair, Ducky, and Logitech, I found myself facing some formidable rivals when it came to NZXT; they certainly held their own. From the very first touch, I was smitten with the dual-rail switch design, complemented by the sound-dampening foam. It’s one of the most visually appealing keyboards my fingers have ever encountered. I don’t typically favor overly loud, clicky boards that would make even the people of Gondor wince; this keyboard, however, is a delightful exception.

Every keystroke seemed akin to using a comforting fidget toy, soothing my spirit. Though it might appear overly poetic and lacking in practicality, I aim to convey the pure joy and dreamlike quality of typing on this keyboard. To be clear, it was a genuine pleasure to use, and writing this review required me to persist with the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL long after my usual Logitech G815 had served its purpose during the initial testing phase due to the sheer delight it provided.

Previously, I mentioned that Hall effect switches, along with other improvements in build quality, significantly contribute to this distinct sensation. To put it simply, optical switches provide a cutting-through-the-air feel, which is direct, precise, but not particularly pleasant. On the contrary, the Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard offers a buttery smooth feeling that’s hard to describe, yet easy to experience. It’s an action that seems effortless while still being tangible. I strongly recommend giving it a try yourself.

As a tech enthusiast, I find myself encountering certain quirks with my trusty keyboard that I could do without, particularly the space bar. More often than not, I either tap or press it forcefully when typing, producing a subtle ‘ping’ noise that stands out from the usual keyboard clicks. At first, I thought I could overlook this sound, but after prolonged use, it’s become apparent that I’d prefer a quieter experience. So, in the pursuit of long-term comfort and harmony with my keyboard, I’m planning to muffle that space bar noise.

Not having a numeric pad implies that the keyboard might not be ideal for typing at high speeds. A keypad is generally quicker for specific tasks and can be advantageous in games such as Arma. However, since you’re perusing a TKL review, I felt it necessary to address this aspect of the overall typing experience.

Function Elite MiniTKL: Gaming experience

Customizable actuation gives gamers access to better response times.
Rapid Trigger and Snap Tap are gaming-changing, although be careful these features aren’t banned by your favorite games.
The ability to sync polling rates is a niche option that I hope all keyboards offer going forward.

This advanced customization on the board makes this keyboard a futuristic device and is ideal for professional or gaming enthusiasts alike. The exceptional actuation settings, comparable to Razer V3 Huntsman boards, are optimized here, offering per-key adjustments from an almost imperceptible 0.6mm to a comprehensive 4.0mm. That’s an impressive 40 unique actuation levels per key! This NZXT keyboard has much more to offer than initially meets the eye, all thanks to my preferred gaming switch: the hall effect switch.

Optical and Hall effect switches each possess unique benefits, particularly in dealing with beginners. Optical switches are faster because they rely on light instead of magnetism to determine the keystroke’s activation point, taking advantage of the speed of light. However, when considering overall latency, the results can vary slightly. On the other hand, Hall effect switches provide superior actuation measurement and debouncing compared to traditional optical switches.

Optical analog switches, distinct from typical optical switches, are capable of detecting actuation and removing any issues related to bouncing. On the other hand, standard Hall effect switches inherently address these problems due to their underlying technology. Besides this, Hall effect switches could provide an additional advantage: precision or accuracy.

Optical analog switches measure the actuation process but the gap between keystrokes can range as much as 0.5mm. On the other hand, hall effect switches maintain a consistent 0.1mm range. Although we don’t conduct tests here, you may notice a difference in latency; for instance, the Wooting 60HE has a latency of 1.8ms compared to Razer Huntsman V3 Pro with 3.4ms. In terms of optical analog switches versus hall effect switches, it appears that hall effect switches are superior due to their smaller actuation range and lower latency.

The switches on the NZXT motherboard are said to be quicker and more precise than typical hall effect switches, according to NZXT. These switches utilize 905 Gauss magnets, while most competitors use ones of around 700 Gauss strength. Gauss is a unit that measures magnetic strength, so a magnet with 905 Gauss is approximately 30% stronger than one with 700 Gauss strength.

NZXT has packed their CAM software with a range of gaming features tailored to perfectly fit your switches, aiming to boost your gaming performance even more. With Rapid Trigger technology, pressing a key at any distance and then moving it downwards will reactivate the same key. This feature, supported by Hall effect switches and 40 points of actuation, ensures quicker, more precise responses, even for small movements, promoting faster, repetitive actions.

Apart from its other features, the Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard offers a unique 2-in-1 functionality. This means that each key can perform two different actions when pressed. Imagine moving as simple as pressing ‘W’ all the way down to run, but only halfway to walk. Get ready, racing games; you’ll soon experience an analog gas pedal right on your keyboard!

This package includes a keyboard with a polling rate that matches the fastest ones available in today’s market. With an impressive 8000 Hz, it eliminates any possibility of your PC missing key presses or experiencing delays. Furthermore, it boasts a sync function that harmonizes your computer’s input polling rate with the keyboard’s output polling rate, ensuring you’ll never miss another keystroke again. Frankly, these devices have evolved to such an extent that they deliver both speed and precision in a truly remarkable way.

Function Elite MiniTKL: RGB

So many options, you’ll never use them all.
Colors are vibrant, and play off well against the white casing.
Not all colors match what was selected, a sure bummer.

Moving forward, let’s discuss the impressive color output of this board. Generally speaking, it’s top-notch quality. The hues are vivid and radiant, often matching or surpassing the colors I’ve seen on other keyboards I’ve previously used.

The customization options are impressive indeed. You can pick colors for each key, and they can host different animation styles. This might result in a complex visual design, but having full control over every single key is definitely an advantage. After all, wouldn’t it be confusing if your WASD keys didn’t change color from green to pink gradients while the number keys switched rainbow colors and the space bar pulsed red? Absolutely!

In some cases of RGB color display, the colors may appear different from what they are supposed to be. For instance, when you choose the typical darker shade of green, it might look more like turquoise instead. This isn’t a major issue, but when I invest $200 in a keyboard, I expect the colors to closely resemble their original depiction.

I’ve spotted some inconsistencies with the purple RGB perimeter lighting compared to the keys when using the same hexadecimal color. This discrepancy arises because the light from the perimeter is visible directly to the user, while the key-specific RGB light emanates from beneath each key, resulting in a reflection that users observe. It’s a minor issue, but it’s an inconvenience nonetheless.

Function Elite MiniTKL: Competition

Many keyboards within this budget and design are abundant on the market, particularly from well-known brands associated with PC accessories. However, when considering NZXT, one might associate it more with pre-built computers or case components, rather than keyboards. Yet, this keyboard is worth changing that perspective.

In the gaming keyboard market, you’ll find two noteworthy options: The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro and the SteelSeries – Apex Pro TKL V2. The Razer model offers a TenKeyLess (TKL) layout with extra controls in a more expansive design, along with optical analog switches. On the other hand, the SteelSeries – Apex Pro TKL V2 is a newer iteration from their premium Apex series, also featuring hall effect switches and a size that matches the Huntsman’s, but is slightly larger.

The Keychron K2 HE comes with hall effect switches and can be used wirelessly, but it costs $140. However, its polling rate is only 1,000Hz instead of the ideal 8,000Hz for some users. Anything below 1,000Hz doesn’t meet my requirements, and the RGB lighting on this keyboard could use improvement as well.

This board’s competition may be intense, but it falls short when considering the complete deal. If you’re after a premium Hall effect gaming keyboard that offers durability, lightning-fast performance, and countless customization possibilities, then the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL stands out as my top choice. In terms of precision and tactile experience, it ranks among the best I’ve encountered.

Function Elite MiniTKL: Final thoughts

To put it simply, I must say that this keyboard ranks among the top ones I’ve used in gaming so far. There are a few minor issues, easily manageable, that won’t deter me from making it my regular choice moving forward. If I need a numeric pad often, I can rely on other keyboards. The only challenge might be entering my 4-digit PIN for PC login, but overall, it’s an excellent pick.

My ideal keyboard is The Function Elite, and if they introduce a numeric keypad model, I’ll consider investing in the complete version eventually to satisfy my wishes. With its silky-smooth key strokes, extensive customization possibilities, and exceptional accuracy, it exceeds all expectations. It’s undeniably top-notch.

You should buy this if …

✅You want a high-end board for gaming

A gaming enthusiast seeks an advanced keyboard boasting top-tier polling rates, vibrant RGB lighting, and the precision of hall effect keyswitches. This keyboard caters perfectly to budget-conscious gamers wanting to save some money compared to the Razer Huntsman series.

✅A keyboard that feels as good as it looks

The framework of the Function Elite is top-notch quality, boasting a stunning appearance that shines brilliantly in all types of lighting. Customize it with your preferred RGB hues for an eye-catching visual effect.

You should not buy this if …

❌You want a wireless keyboard

This board does not support wireless connectivity; it requires a wired connection for operation. If you’re a gamer seeking a cordless device, I’m afraid this one isn’t the right fit for you.

❌You’re looking to save money

Although they might lack certain features, there are alternative keyboards available at a lower price point that can still deliver comparable performance to the Function Elite. Spend less if it doesn’t meet your specific needs or preferences.

All in all, I found the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard to be an enjoyable device, and I plan to use it regularly from now on. Whether it’s due to placebo or not, I had one of my best immersive gaming sessions with this keyboard, and there were only a few features that I missed out on because it is in the TKL format.

2025-02-02 19:11