Newmen GM326 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review UK 2026

Right, let’s talk about something that shouldn’t really exist: a proper mechanical keyboard for under £25. I’ve spent the last several weeks typing on the Newmen GM326 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, and honestly, I’m still a bit confused about how they’ve managed to hit this price point.

Newmen GM326 Mechanical Keyboard,Wired Gaming Keyboard,75% Percent TKL Hot Swappable Compact LED Backlit USB C Mechanical Gaming Keyboards with Knob for PC Windows Mac,QWERTY Layout,Black,Red Switches

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.3 (1,046 reviews)

£23.45

• 20 LED Backlit Effects Keyboard: The tkl mechanical keyboard offers 20 rainbow backlight effects, adjust the brightness and speed of the lights, as well as adjust the direction of the light effect. You can turn on/off backlighting according to your needs. The mechanical gaming keyboard is cool light up effect, enhances the ambience of your game while you play, for an immersive gaming experience.
• Multi-Functionality and Knob: Newmen GM326 keyboard mechanical with control knob, volume level and mute can be controlled independently,and compatible Mac and Windows operating systems. The mac mechanical keyboard feature 12 multi-function keys can convenient multimedia control according to your keypad and computer system.
• 75% Percent Mechanical Keyboard: The 82 keys pc gaming keyboards adoption of 75% qwerty layout, which saves 25% of the space and makes the desktop more concise, gives the mouse plenty of room to move. The exterior and keycaps of this compact mechanical keyboard are designed in black, making the minimalist design perfect for office work gamer home typing and travel.
• Hot Swappable Mechanical Keyboard: This mini black keyboard's PCB supports hot-swap function, allows you to make your own unique computer keyboard without soldering. And hot-swappable function feature accommodates a variety of 3-pin mechanical switches, making it easy to customise your own 75% gaming keyboard and enjoy the tactile sensation of different switch in gaming.
• Wired Keyboard and Ergonomic Design: This portable gaming keyboard can be connected via USB C cable mode, plug and play, providing a stable and fast response speed. The usb-c keyboard key height and mechanical keyboard bottom are designed according to ergonomically, and it is not easy to fatigue after long-term use.

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Price checked: 10 Jan 2026 | Affiliate link

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The mechanical keyboard market in 2026 is properly mental. You’ve got membrane boards pretending to be mechanical for £30, actual mechanical keyboards ranging from £50 to £150, and then the enthusiast stuff that’ll set you back £300 or more. The Newmen GM326 sits in this weird space at £23.45 where it’s actually mechanical, hot-swappable, and comes in a sensible 75% layout. It shouldn’t work at this price, but here we are.

I’ve tested everything from £20 membrane boards like the Corsair K55 RGB PRO to mid-range options like the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL, and even wireless mechanical options like the YUNZII B75 PRO. The GM326 occupies a unique position as the cheapest way to get into actual mechanical switches without buying absolute rubbish.

After several weeks of daily use, I reckon this keyboard has earned its place as the go-to recommendation for anyone asking “what’s the cheapest mechanical keyboard that isn’t garbage?” Let me explain why. Newmen GM326 Mechanical Keyboard,Wired Gaming Keyboard,75% Percent TKL Hot Swappable Compact LED Backlit USB C Mechanical Gaming Keyboards with Knob for PC Windows Mac,QWERTY Layout,Black,Red Switches

Daily Typing: The Switches Tell the Story

The GM326 comes with what Newmen calls “blue switches,” and they’re proper clicky mechanical switches. Not membrane pretending to be mechanical. Not some weird hybrid. Actual mechanical switches with a tactile bump and audible click.

I’ve typed thousands of words on this keyboard over the past several weeks. Product reviews, emails, documentation, the lot. And here’s the thing: the switches are surprisingly consistent. I tested every single key (yes, all 82 of them) and found no dead spots, no mushy keys, no inconsistency in the actuation force.

The actuation force feels around 50-60g, which is fairly standard for clicky switches. If you’re coming from a membrane keyboard, these will feel lighter and more responsive. If you’re coming from something like Cherry MX Reds or other linear switches, the tactile bump takes a bit of getting used to.

Are they Cherry MX Blues? No. Are they Gateron Blues? Also no. They’re generic “Outemu-style” blue switches, which is what you get at this price point. But here’s what matters: they work, they’re consistent, and they provide that satisfying mechanical keyboard experience that makes typing actually enjoyable.

The 75% layout is brilliant. You get dedicated arrow keys, a proper Delete key, and even Page Up/Down, all while saving 25% of desk space compared to a full-size board. For gaming, this means your mouse has more room. For typing, it means a more ergonomic arm position.

I spend about 8-10 hours a day at a keyboard, split between writing and coding. The GM326 handled it all without issue. No hand fatigue, no weird cramping from the compact layout. The key spacing is standard, so if you can touch type on any normal keyboard, you’ll be fine here.

One thing worth mentioning: the keycaps are ABS plastic, not PBT. This means they’ll develop shine over time with heavy use. After several weeks, my most-used keys (A, S, D, E) are already showing early signs of polish. It’s not a dealbreaker at this price, but it’s something to be aware of.

Quality Check: Where They Cut Costs (And Where They Didn’t)

Let’s be honest: you don’t sell a hot-swappable mechanical keyboard for under £25 without making some compromises. The question is whether those compromises actually matter.

The case is plastic. All plastic. No aluminium top plate, no metal frame. Pick it up and there’s a bit of flex if you really twist it, but during normal use? It’s fine. I’ve transported it in a backpack, used it on different desks, and generally not been precious with it. It’s held up.

Now, the stabilisers. This is where budget keyboards usually fall apart, and the GM326 is… mixed. The spacebar has noticeable rattle. Not “wake the neighbours” levels, but if you’re coming from a premium board with lubed stabilisers, you’ll hear it. The Shift keys are better, and the Enter key is somewhere in the middle.

I spent an evening doing the classic mod: pulled the keycaps, clipped and lubed the stabilisers with some dielectric grease I had lying around. Took about 20 minutes and made a massive difference. The spacebar still has a tiny bit of rattle, but it’s gone from annoying to barely noticeable. If you’re comfortable doing basic keyboard mods, this is an easy win.

Here’s where the GM326 genuinely impressed me: the hot-swappable sockets. At this price point, I expected them to be dodgy or poorly implemented. They’re not. I tested them with various 3-pin switches I had in my drawer (some Gateron Yellows, a few Kailh Box Whites, random Cherry switches) and they all seated properly and worked perfectly.

This is genuinely brilliant because it means the GM326 can grow with you. Don’t like clicky switches? Buy some silent linears for £15-20 and swap them out in 20 minutes. No soldering, no technical knowledge required. Just pull the old switches and push in the new ones.

The USB-C connection is solid. I’ve plugged and unplugged it dozens of times, used different cables, and had zero issues. The cable that comes with it is about 1.5 metres, which is fine for most setups. It’s not detachable, which would’ve been nice, but again, at this price, I’m not complaining.

There’s a volume knob on the top-right corner. It’s metal (or metal-looking plastic, hard to tell), and it works perfectly. Smooth rotation, no scratchy feeling, and it controls system volume without any software. This is the kind of feature that costs £20-30 extra on premium boards, and it’s just… here.

The keycaps are thin ABS, as mentioned earlier. The legends are doubleshot (the letters are separate pieces of plastic, not printed), which means they won’t fade. The font is a bit “gamery” for my taste, but it’s legible and the keycaps are standard sizing, so you can replace them if you want.

Software Experience: The Best Kind (None Required)

There’s no software. At all.

This is either a massive pro or a minor con, depending on your perspective. For me? It’s brilliant. No bloatware, no driver issues, no software that needs updating, no profiles to manage. Just plug it in and it works.

The RGB lighting has 20 different effects that you cycle through with Fn + function keys. The controls are printed on the keycaps, which is helpful. You can adjust brightness, speed, direction, and turn the lights off completely if you’re not into that.

Honestly, I turned the RGB off after the first day. I’m not 12, and rainbow waves don’t make me type faster. But if you’re into it, the effects are smooth and the colours are decent. Not the most vibrant I’ve seen, but perfectly acceptable.

The function layer includes media controls (play, pause, skip), which work exactly as they should. Fn + arrow keys control volume and playback, and it’s all intuitive enough that I didn’t need to check the manual.

There’s also a Windows key lock function (Fn + Windows key), which is useful for gaming if you keep accidentally minimising your game. Small detail, but appreciated.

Comparison: How It Stacks Up Against Alternatives

The comparison is pretty straightforward. The Corsair K55 costs nearly double and isn’t even mechanical. It’s quieter, sure, and has better software, but if you want that mechanical keyboard feel, it’s not even in the same category.

The YUNZII B75 PRO is a much closer comparison since it’s also a 75% mechanical board with hot-swap sockets. It’s nearly four times the price, but you get wireless connectivity, better stabilisers, PBT keycaps, and support for 5-pin switches. Is it worth the extra £65? If you need wireless and have the budget, absolutely. If you’re wired-only and watching every penny, the GM326 gives you 80% of the experience for 25% of the cost. Newmen GM326 Mechanical Keyboard,Wired Gaming Keyboard,75% Percent TKL Hot Swappable Compact LED Backlit USB C Mechanical Gaming Keyboards with Knob for PC Windows Mac,QWERTY Layout,Black,Red Switches

How It Sounds: Clicky and Proud

Let’s not dance around this: the GM326 with blue switches is loud. Properly loud. If you work in an open office, your colleagues will hate you. If you game late at night with family in the next room, they’ll hear you.

The sound profile is classic clicky mechanical: a sharp click on the downstroke, a slightly softer clack on the upstroke. It’s not as refined as Cherry MX Blues (which have a crisper, higher-pitched click), but it’s in the same ballpark.

The plastic case does contribute to the sound. There’s a bit of hollowness to it that you don’t get with aluminium-cased boards. Some people do the “foam mod” where you stick sound-dampening foam inside the case, and it does help, but I tested it stock.

Here’s a tangent: I’ve been down the mechanical keyboard rabbit hole for years now, and I’ve noticed that people’s switch preferences are incredibly personal. I used to be a die-hard linear fan, swearing that anything with a tactile bump was objectively worse. Then I spent a month on tactiles and completely changed my mind. Now I actually prefer a good tactile switch for typing, though I still reach for linears for gaming. The point is, if you’ve never tried mechanical switches, don’t assume you know what you’ll like. The GM326’s hot-swap feature means you can experiment without buying a whole new keyboard.

Back to the sound: if you want a quieter experience, you have options. Swap in some silent switches (Gateron Silent Reds or similar), and you’ll reduce the noise by about 70%. Add some O-rings under the keycaps for another 10-15% reduction. The beauty of hot-swap is that you can tune the keyboard to your environment.

For gaming, the sound doesn’t matter. For typing, I actually quite like it. There’s something satisfying about the audible feedback that makes long typing sessions more engaging. But I work from home in a separate room, so I’m not bothering anyone.

Owner Experiences: What the Community Says

With over 1,000 reviews averaging 4.3 stars, the GM326 has built a proper following. I’ve read through hundreds of reviews to see if my experience matches the broader consensus.

The most common praise? Value for money. People genuinely can’t believe they’re getting a hot-swappable mechanical keyboard at this price. First-time mechanical keyboard buyers are especially enthusiastic, with many saying it’s transformed their typing experience.

The complaints are consistent and fair: stabiliser rattle (especially the spacebar), thin keycaps that develop shine, and the loud click of the blue switches. None of these are dealbreakers for most users, but they’re worth knowing about.

Several reviewers mentioned using the GM326 as a “test board” for trying different switches before committing to a more expensive keyboard. This is actually a brilliant use case. Spend £23 on the GM326, then another £20-30 experimenting with different switch types. Once you know what you like, you can make an informed decision on a premium board.

Gaming performance gets solid marks. The n-key rollover works properly (I tested it with online keyboard testers), and the response time is indistinguishable from keyboards costing three times as much. Several competitive FPS players in the reviews mentioned using it without issues.

There are a handful of DOA reports (dead switches, non-functional RGB), but at around 1-2% of total reviews, which is pretty standard for budget electronics. Newmen’s customer service gets mixed reviews, with some people getting quick replacements and others struggling to get responses.

One reviewer mentioned that their cat knocked a full cup of tea onto the keyboard and it survived after drying out for a few days. I’m not recommending you test this, but it’s a funny anecdote about build quality.

Should You Buy It? The Honest Answer

The Newmen GM326 is the keyboard I wish existed when I first got into mechanical keyboards. Back then, the cheapest decent option was around £60, and hot-swap wasn’t even a consideration at any price point.

You should absolutely buy this if you’re curious about mechanical keyboards but don’t want to spend £80+ on something you might not like. It’s also cracking for anyone on a tight budget who needs a proper keyboard for work or gaming.

The hot-swap feature makes it genuinely future-proof in a way that most budget keyboards aren’t. Don’t like the switches? Swap them. Keycaps getting shiny? Replace them. One switch dies in three years? Pull it out and push in a new one. This is the kind of repairability and customisation that usually costs £100+.

You should probably skip it if you need something quiet for an office environment (unless you’re planning to immediately swap in silent switches), or if you’re the type who’ll be bothered by stabiliser rattle and can’t be faff with basic modding.

It’s also not ideal if you need wireless. The YUNZII B75 PRO is the better choice there, but you’re paying nearly four times as much.

For gaming? It’s sorted. The switches are responsive, the n-key rollover works properly, and the compact layout gives your mouse more room. I’ve played everything from competitive FPS games to slower strategy titles, and the keyboard never felt like a limitation.

For typing? Also excellent, assuming you don’t mind (or actively enjoy) the clicky sound. The tactile feedback makes touch typing easier, and the standard layout means no adjustment period.

Is it perfect? No. The stabilisers could be better, the keycaps could be thicker, and an aluminium case would be lovely. But at £23.45, expecting perfection is unreasonable. What you get is a genuinely functional mechanical keyboard that punches well above its weight class.

Verdict: The Budget Mechanical King

After several weeks of daily use, I’m genuinely impressed by what Newmen has achieved here. The GM326 isn’t trying to compete with premium keyboards, and that’s fine. It’s carved out its own space as the most affordable way to experience mechanical switches without compromise.

The hot-swappable sockets are the real story here. They transform this from a disposable budget keyboard into something you can actually grow with. Start with the included blue switches, then experiment with linears, tactiles, or silent switches as your preferences evolve. That’s a level of flexibility that keyboards costing £150+ often don’t offer.

The 75% layout is brilliant. It’s compact enough to save desk space but includes all the keys most people actually use. The volume knob is a lovely touch that makes daily use more convenient. The build quality, while not premium, is perfectly adequate for the price.

Yes, the stabilisers rattle a bit. Yes, the keycaps are thin ABS. Yes, it’s loud if you keep the blue switches. But none of these issues are fundamental flaws, and most are easily addressed if they bother you.

For anyone asking “what’s the cheapest mechanical keyboard worth buying in 2026?” this is it. The Newmen GM326 has earned its place as the default recommendation for budget-conscious buyers who want the real mechanical keyboard experience. Newmen GM326 Mechanical Keyboard,Wired Gaming Keyboard,75% Percent TKL Hot Swappable Compact LED Backlit USB C Mechanical Gaming Keyboards with Knob for PC Windows Mac,QWERTY Layout,Black,Red Switches

Rating: 4.2/5

It loses marks for stabiliser rattle and thin keycaps, but gains them back for exceptional value and hot-swap functionality. At this price point, it’s hard to fault.

If you’re on the fence about mechanical keyboards, this is the lowest-risk way to find out if they’re for you. And if you already know you love mechanical switches but need a budget option, the GM326 delivers everything that actually matters.