GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro Keyboard Review

The GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro keyboard immediately makes itself known with an eye-catching design that demands attention. It’s impossible to ignore the alien skeleton-like frame and generous RGB lighting. In a market where minimalism and subtlety is the trend, GravaStar has gone in completely the opposite direction, with a striking and bold design. Of course, an impressive aesthetic is one thing, but how does the underlying keyboard perform? Here is my K1 Pro review.

More than meets the eye

It’s easy to think that the K1 Pro is all show without substance, but this keyboard actually touts many modern keyboard enthusiast must-haves. 

The 75% layout makes it ideal for gamers, with the number pad removed but essential keys remaining. The knob is worth highlighting, too, for convenient volume control and muting, though this can be customized. 

GravaStar has made an effort with dampening foams and plates to make the K1 Pro sound and feel high-end, which complement the Kailh Linear Mint switches. 

Big on lighting

When powered on, the RGB lighting becomes a standout feature that adds to K1’s overall drama. Per-key RGB combines with edge lighting with various effects. 

Since this is a wireless keyboard — though, it can still be enjoyed wired — the K1 Pro thankfully comes equipped with an impressive 8,000 mAh battery which enables long usage even with RGB enabled. Wireless connectivity can be achieved through Bluetooth, for an energy-efficient connection that is ideal for typing, or 2.4 GHz with the provided dongle, which is the go-to connection for low-latency gaming inputs. 

Gets the job done

In use, the K1 Pro performs excellently for both gaming and typing applications. While it doesn’t boast the trendy magnetic switches, the linear option here works perfectly well for those who aren’t looking to fine-tune actuation points or utilize analog controls. The foam and plate materials truly make for a complete, premium feel and sound.

However, the main selling point of the K1 Pro is obviously going to be the design. For those who like the bold look that stands out more than any other keyboard I’ve seen, I’m happy to confirm that it’s just as eye-catching in real life. 

Some downsides

When it comes to downsides, there are a couple I have to mention. First is the lack of a wrist rest, which I feel is a large oversight. I’d love to have seen a themed wrist rest included, as the keyboard is quite tall and, I think, demands support. 

My other gripe is the software, which is fairly basic and barebones. Though users may rarely visit it, an extra bit of effort would have been appreciated. 

Disclosure: Review sample provided by GravaStar.