Glorious has quietly stepped away from Hall effect switches and membrane boards to release the GMMK Eternal keyboard, a compact mechanical board that leans on tried and tested MX-style switches instead of the magnetic sensors the brand has been pushing lately. It is a deliberate change of direction, and one that suggests Glorious wants a foot firmly planted in the traditional mechanical keyboard camp as well as the analog one.
The GMMK Eternal keyboard uses a 1800 layout, sometimes called a 96% layout, which squeezes a full number pad into a footprint far smaller than a standard full-size board. That compact arrangement has become one of the more popular formats for gaming keyboards because it keeps the mouse hand closer to centre while still giving spreadsheet warriors and accountants-turned-gamers their beloved numeric keys.
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What the GMMK Eternal keyboard actually offers
Unlike Glorious’s recent GMMK 3 Pro HE, which relies on Hall effect magnetic switches for adjustable actuation points, the Eternal goes back to basics with standard 5-pin and 3-pin MX-compatible switches. It ships with the brand’s own GMMK Fox linear switches as the stock option, rated for 50 million keystrokes and requiring between 50 and 60 grams of force to actuate, figures that sit comfortably in the middle of the pack for gaming-focused linear switches.
Connectivity is kept simple too. The board is wired only, connecting via a detachable USB Type-A to Type-C cable, which at least means a damaged cable does not mean a dead keyboard. There is no wireless mode here, a sensible trade-off for a board pitched at players who want consistent, low-latency input above all else.
Key specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Layout | 1800 (96%) with num pad |
| Switch type | Standard 5-pin/3-pin MX-style, hot-swappable |
| Stock switch | GMMK Fox linear, 50-60 gf actuation, 50 million keystroke rating |
| Connection | Wired, detachable USB-A to USB-C cable |
| Sound dampening | Silicone pad plus two layers of PU foam |
| Keycap compatibility | Standard MX-profile keycaps |
Hot-swap sockets and sound dampening set it apart
Where the GMMK Eternal keyboard tries to punch above its station is in the build details usually reserved for pricier enthusiast boards. Every switch socket is hot-swappable, so owners can pull the stock GMMK Fox switches and drop in tactile or clicky alternatives without touching a soldering iron. The same applies to keycaps, since the board uses standard MX-profile stems that accept most aftermarket keycap sets.
Internally, Glorious has stacked three layers of sound-dampening material into the case: a silicone pad sitting beneath the plate, plus two separate layers of polyurethane foam. That combination is aimed squarely at reducing the hollow, tinny resonance that cheaper mechanical boards are often criticised for, giving each keystroke a deeper, more muted thock rather than a sharp clack.
It is a sensible move given how crowded the compact mechanical keyboard market has become. Boards like the ASUS ROG Azoth 96 HE and the Corsair Vanguard 96 have already normalised premium acoustic treatment and hot-swap sockets at the 96% form factor, so Glorious needed more than a familiar switch type to stand out.
How it stacks up against Glorious’s other boards and rivals
The GMMK Eternal keyboard is a curious release for Glorious specifically because it moves in the opposite direction from where the brand has recently focused its energy. The GMMK 3 Pro HE leaned into Hall effect switches with adjustable actuation, rapid trigger, and other analog tricks that competitive shooter players have come to expect. The Eternal drops all of that in favour of a simpler, more familiar switch standard that works with the enormous catalogue of MX-compatible switches already on the market.
That is not necessarily a step backwards. Plenty of players still prefer the tactile feel and predictable behaviour of a standard mechanical switch over the tuning menus that come with Hall effect boards. Compared with something like the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, which uses optical switches for speed, or the analog-focused Razer Huntsman V3 HE, the Eternal is aimed at buyers who want a no-fuss board that just works straight out of the box, with the option to tinker later if they choose.
The compact 1800 layout also puts it in direct competition with a growing number of 96% boards from Keychron, Corsair, and ASUS, all chasing the same audience of players and typists who want a num pad without the bulk of a full-size keyboard.
What it means for buyers
For anyone shopping for a compact mechanical keyboard, the GMMK Eternal keyboard is a reminder that not every new release needs to chase the latest switch technology. Hot-swap sockets, layered sound dampening, and a proven switch standard cover most of what a typical gamer or typist actually wants, without the added complexity of tuning actuation points.
Full details, including regional availability, are listed on the official GMMK Eternal product page. Buyers weighing it up against rivals from ASUS, Corsair, or Razer will find the decision largely comes down to whether Hall effect tuning matters to them, or whether a well-built, easily customisable mechanical board is enough. For a company better known lately for its analog switch work, Glorious returning to a classic mechanical format shows there is still healthy demand for keyboards that keep things simple.
