Cooler Master CK720

{Cooler Master} makes a lot of keyboards for a company that is mainly known for its PC cases, cooling solutions, and support components, like extension cables and power supplies. That doesn't keep them from making no less than 57 different keyboards currently.

One of the most popular formats is the 65%, of which the CK720 is, but it also has a few other tricks up its sleeve. While most companies that normally don't deal in peripherals - such as mice and keyboards - often just rebrand existing models made in OEM factories, {Cooler Master} has decided to use fully lubed {Kailh Box V2 White} switches, meaning they are hot swappable, and in our opinion, superior to the standard {MX Cherry} switches used by most competitors. It also means that you can switch some, or all, of the switches to something else, thus having a different sound or feel to specific buttons.

It also comes with one of those fancy spiral cables with a metal clad interlocking mechanism as many DIY keyboard enthusiasts know from Keychron and the like. In the box is also eight {Cherry MX Green} switches that are significantly different in feel and sound from the Kailh switches, just to get you started.

This kind of hardware does require a bit more attention than standard setups; new stabilisers that are lubed, more rigid chassis construction, and sandwiching in layers of silicone damping pads to ensure an inert platform for the switches and a removable aluminium top plate when needs arise to clean or customise it. However, the keyboard is actually screwless.

As expected from more premium keyboards it comes with PBT keycaps in either white or black, but while it's a neat party trick mostly, I am actually somewhat more impressed with the rattle free control dial at the top that also functions as a built-in control centre for media playback and the eight different RGB modes. The kickstand is stable, sturdy and comes in two styles, but I actually do love the natural five-degree sloping it offers.

For those who prefer software, the MasterPlus+ driver suite is the answer, and I actually like how visual it is, and the fact that it's only a bit over 300 MB, while other need more than 1 GB of your limited and precious storage is a big plus. The only thing it is missing, because it even comes with a very fancy tool for removing the keys, is a wrist rest - as once you have gone down that road, there is no turning back.

While the switches and keys are switchable, and intended to be changed, I must add that this keyboard is really good as is, with a fast yet strong mechanical feel, and switches that reset to the start position extremely fast. I would go so far as to say that I would actually continue using the keyboard without making any changes, it's that good.

While paying £100 isn't cheap, it isn't expensive either for this level of build quality, flexibility and not to mention fast and precise switches. I am actually very impressed that a general hardware manufacturer is capable of making a keyboard as good as this, it is rather rare.