In our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review, we’re going to discuss the new flagship keyboard of HyperX, the HyperX Alloy Elite 2. We currently have the Linear Red switches among the three available switches.
HyperX is well-known in the gaming industry, and it’s because their peripherals are always in excellent quality. Back in 2018, the HyperX Alloy Elite Gaming Keyboard was released. It has two variants, the first one is RGB, and the other one only has the Static Red LEDs.
The keyboard also still used Cherry MX switches, which are Blue, Brown, and Red switches. But here on our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review, we’ll focus on the new features that HyperX added.
Unlike its predecessor, the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 now uses their HyperX switches which were released last year. Kingston updated the design of their previous flagship keyboard, the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB. They’ve added their switches instead of using Cherry MX, and the LEDs shine better because of the new durable pudding keycaps.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 costs $129.99, which is $40 cheaper than the previous keyboard. The only downside is that the wrist wrest isn’t included with the HyperX Alloy Elite 2, which is weird considering that the earlier version had one.
With all that said, let’s first proceed with the packaging.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Packaging
The first part of our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review is the packaging and its contents. This section is essential to discuss because you’re going to see if the item is secured firmly.
The box design is elegant and clean, mostly in red and white colours. The box design firmly secures the product, providing maximum protection if you accidentally drop it or when it was shipped.
On the front side, there’s a sample of the keyboard and the light bleed. Premium mechanical keyboards can also be judged on the box when you see it on the market at first glance.
The box design looks promising, allowing you to see the features they offer and what layout the keyboard is.
Instead of the Razer ones that expose their arrow keys for actuation test, HyperX instead indicates what switch you get located on the top-right of the box.
At the back, you’ll see the product design that HyperX boasts. They also offer a 2-year warranty if you want to RMA your product for defects.
Unboxing is quite easy, you’ll see a tape seal underneath. As you open the box, you’ll get the keyboard wrapped in plastic.
The braided cable is at another part of the box, located on the top. Underneath are the Quick Start Guide, Product Signature, and a card that showcases most of their gaming peripherals.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review – Design and Functionality
In this section of our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review, we’re going to describe the design and functions it offers.
For the first impressions of the keyboard, we were ultimately amazed by its design. The shine-through keycaps look superb, they’re made of PBT keycaps and are double shot. The switches feel overall better than what Cherry MX offers.
Newer and Better Switches
The Alloy Elite 2 is mostly a sequel to the Alloy Elite RGB, which offers the same feel, but with better looks. The notable differences between the two are the keycaps and switches.
With the Alloy Elite 2, you’re going to see the red colour of the switch, which is not ideal for people who have an OCD. But if you choose the static red colour, that should fix it.
RGB and Premium Design
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 offers the best RGB experience with their side glow keycaps and vivid lighting. The translucent pudding keycaps make everything flashy that shines through the dark. Turn off your lights and enjoy RGB with the HyperX Alloy Elite 2!
Simple Software Design
With the HyperX NGENUITY Software, you can easily adjust the lighting modes and specific functions for each key. You can create and store macros and button bindings in just a few clicks. Check out their software to learn more!
Sweat Resistant
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 has a matte-black design to resist oily sweats, making it easier to clean your keyboard. The matte-black stainless steel frame also does an excellent job of resisting fingerprints.
Key Features of the HyperX Alloy Elite 2
This part of our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review shows each essential feature that HyperX offers. We’re going to enumerate the key features and see if this suits your needs.
HyperX Switches
Enjoy the new switches of HyperX with their new HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Keyboard. Currently, the only option is the HyperX Red switch. In the future, there could be a different variant like the HyperX Aqua version.
Built-in USB Passthrough
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 provides you with the best convenience when it comes to connecting USB devices. Behind the keyboard, there’s a USB 2.0 passthrough in which you can connect any USB device without standing up.
Designed to Last Long
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 offers durability and sturdiness that other mechanical keyboards lack. Although the cables are non-removable, they’re braided and give extra protection.
On-the-go Dedicated Keys
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 provides dedicated multimedia keys for painless adjustment of your in-game or overall volume.
On the top-left corner, you’ll also get 3 buttons, which are brightness adjustment, profile switcher, and the G Gamer key, which disables keys that shouldn’t be for gaming.
The G Gamer key disables your Windows key and Alt + Tab function by default, which is modifiable through the use of NGENUITY Software.
Specifications
In this section of our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review, we’ll talk about the technical specifications. Let’s start with the switches.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 currently only has the HyperX Red switch, but there’s a rumour that an Aqua switch version will be released soon. Like the previous model, the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 offers a long lightbar on top that makes it aesthetically pleasing. Each key provides an RGB colour that the HyperX NGENUITY software can change.
It has onboard storage for up to 3 different profiles, and this feature is essential if you always bring your keyboard and connect it to different computers.
As for the construction of the keyboard, it has a steel top plate and a plastic base. The dimensions are 17.5 inches in length, 6.9 inches in width, and 1.5 inches in height. The whole keyboard weighs 3.4 pounds (1,530 grams).
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 works with PS4, Xbox One, and PC through USB Type-A Interface. It also has a USB 2.0 Passthrough port which functions just like a regular USB extension cable.
Hands-on with the HyperX Alloy Elite 2
In this section of our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review, we’re going to describe the look and feel based on user experience. We’ll share more of our thoughts and opinions on the review summary section later on.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is packed with durable parts, which offers better typing & gaming experience. The HyperX Red switch is excellent, it has the same actuation force as the Cherry MX Red, but the feel is quite unique with the HyperX ones.
Ghosting isn’t a problem with the HyperX Alloy Elite 2, because key combinations were surprisingly accurate. Movement in shooter games like strafing can be easily achieved with the HyperX Red switch.
Volume control is very easy, because you have a volume scroll on the upper-right portion of the keyboard, just like many Corsair keyboards.
With the lights off, the pudding keycaps shine like a normal LED strip, except it’s more vibrant. The structure is very sturdy, there are zero flexings. The keys are made of PBT plastic material, and pressing them loudly when you rage isn’t a big problem here.
Lastly, we’re going to utilize the software. The HyperX NGENUITY provides additional features, mostly for the lighting of the keyboard. The color preset selection is small, but it shows you the animation & colours in real time.
Saving a preset to your keyboard is a little bit of a hassle because you have to save the preset after hitting apply. Although it isn’t much of a big deal, we would like to see some improvement on the software side.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review Summary
Overall, HyperX does an excellent job of delivering price-to-performance ratio. You’re paying for what you get. The keys are satisfying to press, and the beautiful lighting gives gamers a say.
If you’re a fan of full-sized mechanical gaming keyboards, this keyboard is for you. Full-sized keyboards are best at home desktop PCs. We’re hoping that HyperX releases a TKL version so that you can bring it elsewhere.
To wrap up our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Review, we were very pleased with the keyboard’s look, performance and durability. We highly suggest it to gamers who want RGB.
If you’re looking forward to buying HyperX Alloy Elite 2, click here. HyperX provides more than just a mechanical keyboard, so click here if you’re also interested in their other gaming products.
