CHERRY XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Keyboard Review

The CHERRY XTRFY K63W Pro Compact aims to deliver high-end wireless gaming performance in a space-efficient, low-profile keyboard. Features such as Ultra-Wideband connectivity, an advertised 8,000 Hz polling rate in wired and wireless modes, and a large internal battery help it stand out in a crowded market. Does it do enough to make the shortlist for your next keyboard upgrade? Here is my review.

Ultra-Wideband advantage

CHERRY lists an 8,000 Hz polling rate in wired and wireless modes, with the latter handled by a dedicated Ultra-Wideband dongle. The company says UWB is less vulnerable to interference from other wireless devices, which could be particularly useful in gaming setups filled with wireless peripherals.

For users who already rely on a wireless headset and mouse, reducing the possibility of competing signals is a welcome benefit. In real-world testing, I can’t say I experienced any interference, but I don’t normally have any issues. If you do have wireless concerns, then this should help alleviate them.

Big on battery

Battery life becomes an important consideration when moving to a fully wireless setup. The K63W Pro Compact contains a 6,000 mAh battery, which CHERRY rates for up to 1,100 hours of use.

That maximum figure will fall when the polling rate and RGB brightness are increased, but the large battery capacity still gives the keyboard considerable endurance potential.

I charge my devices on a weekly basis, plugging everything in each Sunday, but this routine is clearly overkill for this keyboard. I’d expect closer to 2-3 weeks with heavier use.

The 8,000 Hz polling rate is also more of a bonus than an essential feature. Most users are unlikely to notice a meaningful difference between 8,000 Hz and 1,000 Hz on a keyboard, particularly outside highly competitive gaming.

Solid switches and construction

As expected, the keyboard’s CHERRY switches perform well. It uses MX LOW PROFILE 2.0 switches, which feel smooth and controlled while retaining the short travel suited to gaming.

The plate moves slightly under firmer key presses, taking some of the hardness out of bottoming out without making the keyboard feel unstable. This gives the K63W Pro Compact a more forgiving response than many rigid low-profile gaming keyboards.

The combination of the gasket-mounted construction and internal materials also produces a deeper, less hollow sound than I normally expect from such a slim design.

No Bluetooth here

The lack of Bluetooth is the biggest negative for me. The Ultra-Wideband receiver works well for a fixed gaming setup, but Bluetooth would have made the keyboard more convenient for switching between a desktop, laptop, and tablet.

Users who only plan to connect it to one gaming PC may not consider this a major issue, but it limits the keyboard’s versatility compared with wireless models that support several connection methods.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by CHERRY.