Customisable mechanical keyboards are nothing new, but Glorious has pushed the boundaries with the GMMK 3. This product offers more than you would expect from the top peripheral brands since you can change everything. Today, our Glorious GMMK 3 Review will feature this fully customisable keyboard and what makes it unique.
The GMMK 3 may be expensive, but its price is reasonable for its impressive customisation options. It has swappable plates, gasket mounting, cases, switches, keycaps, and more.
Glorious GMMK 3 Review – Design and Functionality
Glorious offers the GMMK 3 in two types: a pre-built keyboard or a customisable version via the Boardsmith. Our keyboard for this Glorious GMMK 3 Review is pre-built with a 65% layout.
When purchasing this keyboard, you can also choose a keyboard with 75% or 100% sizes. In addition, Glorious offers language options. Aside from UK and US English, other options include German, Arabic, French, Turkish, and Nordic.
The Boardsmith offers more customisation options, allowing you to select colours, materials, switches, cables, and other keyboard parts. It lets you digitally create your uniquely personalised keyboard.
Since our GMMK 3 has a compact 65% size and layout, the Numpad is not present. It does not have some function keys but retains the navigation keys. The top right portion has a rotary knob and an RGB accent badge.
By default, the rotary knob works as a volume knob when rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. Pressing it mutes or unmutes your audio while double-tapping cycles through the customisable layers of the GMMK 3. You can change its functions via the Core 2.1.
We loved its overall appearance and build. It has a premium finish and is heavy enough to keep it stable on the desk during intense gaming sessions. You can switch the aluminium plate to another type to reduce the weight of the GMMK 3.
The RGB lighting is noticeable and vibrant. All colours illuminate through the solid PBT keycaps, perfectly accenting the magnetic badge. This keyboard also has side-mounted RGB strips that glow brightly, enhancing its overall appearance.
Rear of the Keyboard
The rear of the GMMK3 has a standard interface featuring the USB-C port. The PC/Mac toggle switch is on the left, while the profile switch is on the right. You can shift between three profiles, which you can customise via the companion software.
Glorious Raptor Switches
Our keyboard for this Glorious GMMK 3 Review features the Glorious Raptor Switches. These offer clicky keystrokes with a distinct sound and tactile response, making them ideal for users who like auditory feedback.
The Glorious Raptor switches offer 55g actuation, providing a firm typing experience. They are best for fast and responsive performance with their 1.8mm pre-travel distance. These switches also have a 3.9mm travel distance, making them suitable for gaming and fast typing.
The sound levels of the Raptor are high, making it ideal for users who prefer pronounced clicks.
Key Features of the Glorious GMMK 3
What makes this product better than other customisable keyboards? Will it meet the demands of custom keyboard enthusiasts? Our Glorious GMMK 3 Review will discuss each primary feature to answer these questions.
GMMK 3 Ecosystem
The GMMK 3 offers nine modularity points, allowing you to customise your keyboard without limits. With its customisable features, it will be the perfect keyboard for enthusiasts.
Swap and Adjust Everything
Glorious provides many customisation options for the GMMK 3. Swapping out the top and bottom cases lets you customise your keyboard’s appearance for a perfect fit.
The modular gasket system allows you to fine-tune the firmness or flexibility of your keystrokes. This keyboard has a simple building block-inspired design for more convenient customisation.
The GMMK 3 also supports hot-swapping, allowing you to choose from the broad range of Glorious MX switch styles. You can change the typing sound and feel of your keyboard without soldering.
In addition to these parts, you can change the keycaps, rotary knob, cable, badge, and switch plate. You can change every single part of the keyboard.
Customise Each Key
Core 2.1 lets you customise each key on the GMMK 3. You can record macros, customise RGB, adjust keybindings, and more.
We used the app before testing the keyboard for this Glorious GMMK 3 Review. Its user-friendly app made navigating menus and customising the GMMK 3 a breeze.
You Design, and Glorious Will Build
When purchasing the GMMK 3, you can customise the keyboard of your dreams. Glorious will hand-build it in Texas and deliver it to you, ready for use.
Aluminium Switch Plate
The GMMK 3 has an aluminium switch plate for balancing firm and flexible typing with a neutral sound. You can also change it with a plate made of another material to customise the keystroke acoustics, haptic feedback, and overall typing experience.
Hands-on with the Glorious GMMK 3
Before we discuss our user experience while testing for this Glorious GMMK 3 Review, we will focus on the software.
The Glorious Core 2.1 is the companion software for the GMMK 3 keyboard. It provides customisation settings for its RGB lighting, custom macros, keybindings, and more. One of the things we liked about this app is its compatibility with macOS and Windows.
Its streamlined, user-friendly interface allowed us to easily navigate when we used the software for this Glorious GMMK 3 Review.
We immediately noticed the fast performance when we used the GMMK 3 for gaming. It worked excellently for FPS titles like Valorant and Apex Legends, allowing us to perform commands faster. The keyboard also worked well for slow-paced solo adventures.
Thanks to the Glorious Raptor switches, we enjoyed fast and reliable performance. All the keybindings and macros we programmed via Core 2.1 worked perfectly and smoothly during our tests for this Glorious GMMK 3 Review.
When we tested the keyboard for typing, we noticed the Glorious Raptor switches felt like typing on a typewriter.
Wireless connectivity was also reliable. Whether connected via 2.4GHz or Bluetooth, the connection was seamless and stable. There were no drops and latency, even when gaming.
Glorious GMMK 3 Review Summary
The Glorious GMMK 3 stands out as a premier choice for customisable keyboards, offering unparalleled options for personalisation. Its modular design and hot-swappable components make it ideal for enthusiasts seeking to tailor every aspect of their typing experience.
The performance of the GMMK 3 is exceptional, thanks to its robust build and the reliable Glorious Raptor switches. Whether for gaming or typing, its responsiveness and tactile feedback ensure a satisfying user experience. Additionally, the vibrant RGB lighting enhances its aesthetic appeal.
The keyboard’s Core 2.1 software is another highlight, providing an intuitive platform for customisation. From keybindings to RGB effects, it offers seamless integration and user-friendly features for both macOS and Windows.
With its premium construction, advanced functionality, and extensive customisation options, the Glorious GMMK 3 redefines what a mechanical keyboard can be. It is a top-tier product that will meet the demands of professionals, gamers, and custom keyboard enthusiasts alike.
