TECKNET RGB Gaming Keyboard Review UK (2026). Tested & Rated

Keyboard manufacturers love throwing around terms that sound impressive but mean nothing. “Mechanical feel” is marketing speak for “this is still membrane, but we’ve made the keys slightly stiffer.” I’ve tested the TECKNET RGB Gaming Keyboard for several weeks across typing work and gaming sessions to work out what you’re actually getting at this price point. Spoiler: it’s not mechanical, but that doesn’t automatically make it rubbish.

This is a membrane keyboard with rubber domes, not individual mechanical switches. The metal plate adds stiffness, creating a firmer press than typical membrane boards. Quiet operation (TECKNET claims 90% quieter than mechanical), but lacks the tactile bump or satisfying click of real switches.

During several weeks of testing, I used this for everything from spreadsheet work to Valorant sessions. The typing experience is… fine. The keys require a full press to register, which means you can’t develop the light touch you get with proper mechanical switches. There’s a slight resistance from the rubber dome, then a mushy bottom-out. It’s not unpleasant, just uninspiring.

The metal top plate does add something, though. It prevents the flex you get on cheaper membrane boards where the entire keyboard bends when you press hard. During intense gaming moments (panicked ability rotations in League), the board stays rigid. That’s worth something.

Standard ABS keycaps with laser-engraved legends. They’ll develop shine within weeks of regular use (already visible on my WASD keys after several weeks). The stepped design on F and J keys is pronounced, which helps with touch typing. Keycaps are removable for cleaning, but you can’t replace them with aftermarket sets since this isn’t mechanical.

The ABS plastic feels thin. After several weeks, my most-used keys (WASD, spacebar, E, R) already show early signs of shine. That’s expected at this price. The laser-engraved legends are clear and let RGB light through nicely, but they’ll fade with heavy use. I’ve seen similar keyboards where the lettering on W and S becomes barely visible after six months of gaming.

The metal top plate is the standout feature here. It’s not thick aluminium like you’d find on a custom mechanical board, but it’s proper metal, not painted plastic pretending to be metal. When you tap it, it sounds and feels solid. This prevents the keyboard from flexing when you press keys hard, which is common on cheap membrane boards.

One niggle: the wrist rest. It attaches magnetically, which is convenient, but it’s thin foam wrapped in pleather. After a few hours of use, my wrists start feeling the hard desk beneath. It’s better than nothing, but don’t expect the cushioning you’d get from a proper padded rest.

Proper UK ISO layout with correct Enter key and pound symbol. Twelve multimedia keys accessed via Fn combinations (volume, play/pause, brightness). FN+W swaps WASD with arrow keys for left-handed gaming. FN+WIN disables the Windows key to prevent accidental desktop minimizing mid-game.

The multimedia controls work well. FN+F1 through F12 handle volume, playback, and RGB controls. They’re responsive, though I’d prefer dedicated media keys like you get on more expensive boards. Having to remember which F-key does what gets tedious.

The WASD/arrow swap function (FN+W) is genuinely useful if you’re left-handed or want to use the numpad for movement in certain games. I don’t use it personally, but it’s a thoughtful inclusion.

Windows key lock (FN+WIN) is essential. I tested this during several Valorant matches, deliberately trying to hit the Windows key during tense moments. With the lock enabled, nothing happened. Without it, I minimized the game twice and got properly annoyed. Keep this locked if you game.

Tested in Valorant, CS2, and League of Legends over several weeks. The membrane switches add input delay compared to fast linear mechanical switches. For casual gaming, it’s absolutely fine. For competitive play where milliseconds matter, you’ll feel the difference. The 25-key anti-ghosting worked flawlessly – I couldn’t trigger any missed inputs even with deliberate complex key combinations.

I spent several weeks gaming on this board across different genres. In single-player games (Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur’s Gate 3), it’s completely adequate. You’re not losing anything meaningful. The quiet operation is actually brilliant for late-night sessions when you don’t want to wake anyone up.

In competitive shooters, though, the membrane nature becomes apparent. Counter-strafing in CS2 requires precise, rapid A-D taps. With mechanical switches, you can feather the keys with minimal travel. Here, you need full presses every time. It’s not game-breaking, but it’s noticeable if you’re used to proper mechanical switches.

The 25-key anti-ghosting is more than enough. I tested this deliberately by pressing absurd key combinations (WASD + Shift + Ctrl + Q + E + R simultaneously). Every input registered. For normal gaming, even complex MMO rotations, you’ll never hit the limit.

Polling rate is 125Hz, which is standard for budget boards. That’s one update every 8 milliseconds. Gaming mice run at 1000Hz (1ms). Does it matter? For most people, no. For high-level competitive play, maybe. I didn’t notice any input lag that felt attributable to polling rate rather than the membrane switches themselves.

The cable isn’t detachable. That’s a shame because it makes the keyboard harder to transport and means you can’t replace it if it gets damaged. For a desk keyboard that never moves, it’s fine. If you take your peripherals to LAN parties or between locations, it’s annoying.

No USB passthrough port, which isn’t surprising at this price. You’re not losing a USB port on your PC, but you can’t plug your mouse into the keyboard either.

• Software: None – all controls via Fn key combinations
• Software Quality: N/A – no software required or available
• Profile Storage: Last-used lighting mode saved onboard

Each key is individually backlit, which means the lighting effects actually look good rather than being single-zone blobs of colour. The fifteen modes include the usual suspects: rainbow wave, breathing, reactive typing, static colours, and various chase patterns.

Brightness is controlled via FN+Up/Down arrows. At maximum brightness, it’s genuinely bright – almost too bright for evening use. I keep mine at about 60% most of the time. At minimum brightness, it’s still visible in a dark room, which is perfect for late-night gaming without eye strain.

The lack of software is both a limitation and a benefit. You can’t create custom lighting patterns or per-key colours. But you also don’t need to install bloatware that runs in the background eating system resources. For a budget keyboard, I prefer this approach. The presets are varied enough that you’ll find something you like.

No macro support, no key remapping, no software customization. For most users, that’s fine. If you need macros for productivity or MMO gaming, look elsewhere. The NEWMEN GM610 offers software customization at a similar price point.

The TECKNET sits in an interesting middle ground. It’s more expensive than the cheapest membrane boards but offers better build quality. It’s cheaper than entry-level mechanical keyboards but lacks the switch feel and longevity.

If you value quiet operation and don’t mind membrane switches, this is the better choice. If you want the mechanical experience and can tolerate noise, the MageGee MK-Box offers hot-swappable switches at a similar price. But its plastic case flexes noticeably compared to TECKNET’s metal plate.

The Sumvision Seeker Destroyer is cheaper but feels significantly cheaper too. Hollow plastic case, mushy keys, and single-zone RGB that looks naff. The TECKNET is worth the extra tenner.

For the price, this keyboard offers exceptional value if you prioritize build quality and quiet operation over switch type. The metal top plate alone would cost you extra on most budget boards. The RGB implementation is better than keyboards costing twice as much.

But you’re compromising on longevity. Membrane switches are rated for 50 million keystrokes according to TECKNET, but in practice, they deteriorate faster than mechanical switches. After a year of heavy use, expect the keys to feel mushier and less responsive. Mechanical switches maintain their feel for years.

The keycaps will shine. That’s inevitable with ABS plastic. If shiny keycaps bother you aesthetically, this isn’t the board for you. There’s no upgrade path since you can’t replace membrane switches.

If you’re buying your first gaming keyboard on a tight budget and noise is a concern (housemates, family, recording audio), this is an excellent choice. You get RGB lighting that doesn’t look cheap, build quality that feels premium, and quiet typing that won’t annoy anyone.

If you’re coming from a mechanical keyboard or you’ve tried mechanical switches before, you’ll notice the downgrade immediately. The mushy bottom-out and lack of tactile feedback will frustrate you. In that case, save a bit more and get the MageGee MK-Box or stretch to the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL when it’s on sale.