The Syntech Chronos 68 is priced aggressively considering the modern features it offers. For budget-conscious gamers who want the advantages of 8,000 Hz polling rate and Hall Effect switches, Syntech’s offering certainly looks good on paper. But how has it fared during my testing? Here is my review.
Bang for the buck
It might be more budget, but the Chronos 68 still boasts a quality aluminum frame, PBT keycaps, and dampening foam. Syntech even includes a wrist rest, which is minimal but appreciated.
Once set up, users can take advantage of the Chronos 68’s 8,000 Hz polling rate to limit input latency, and the Hall Effect switches to tune actuation points between 0.1 mm and 3.5 mm. These switches also enable functions like Rapid Trigger and Snap Tap, which offer clear benefits in competitive shooting games like Valorant and CS2, or even more casual titles like Call of Duty and Battlefield.
The big game advantage
In games, the Chronos 68 delivers a very responsive experience. With Rapid Trigger enabled and actuation points tuned low on WASD, this keyboard matches the performance of keyboards twice the price. Quickly changing directions while strafing is where the biggest advantage lies, in my experience. The immediacy of how quickly you can stop and change direction can make a big difference in face-to-face gunfights. Ultimately, this can lead to more kills and fewer deaths.
Outside of games, the typing experience is pleasant enough, though a step down from more traditional mechanical switch keyboards.
Keyboards using current magnetic switch tech are unfortunately at a disadvantage when it comes to sound and feel compared to more traditional mechanical keyboards, which focus more on acoustics than gaming prowess.
Some nitpicks
In addition to its “just okay” typing sound and feel, the Chronos 68 also has a rather generic-looking web app. While I’m thankful that the web app works fine for customizing settings and isn’t a required install, it does feel a little unpolished.
Disclosure: Review sample provided by Syntech.
Final Verdict
At $179.99 — though often discounted to $139.99 — the Syntech Chronos 68 offers a compelling mix of modern gaming features and solid build quality for the price. Its strengths are clearly in responsiveness and in-game performance, while areas like typing feel and software refinement are more average. Overall, it’s a sensible option for gamers who value performance first and are willing to accept a few compromises.
Positives and Negatives
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Excellent price-to-performance ratio
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8,000 Hz low-latency polling
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Adjustable Hall effect actuation
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Adjustable Hall Effect actuation
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Included wrist rest
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Average sound and feel overall
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App could be improved
