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Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1: one-minute assessment
The Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 is a wired mechanical keyboard with the straightforward goal of delivering nice gaming efficiency.
Its modern look is achieved due to the low profile keycaps with their distinguished indentations, and regardless of being made out of ABS, they appear and feel each bit as premium as their PBT counterparts.
What’s extra, the very brilliant RGB lighting appears to be like significantly hanging on the white colorway. The metallic chassis, nevertheless, appears to be like much less spectacular, coming throughout just a little low-cost.
Luckily, it feels extra strong than it seems – as does the entire board for that matter, equaling what the greatest gaming keyboards have to supply. It’s fairly heavy because of this, however not onerously so.
The removable USB cable additionally feels premium. It’s braided which makes it extra versatile, and it’s fairly lengthy, too, which makes it simpler to route on numerous setups.
The software program that attends the MX 3.1 is sort of restricted in comparison with these of different gaming keyboards, containing solely a handful of shortcuts rebind choices and a primary macro facility – and never a lot else apart from. It will little question disappoint players after deep customization choices.
To sport with, the MX2A switches within the MX 3.1 are heavier than you would possibly anticipate. They really feel fairly clicky with minimal dampening, which might make them really feel just a little harsh when hammering away at them.
This side isn’t helped by the brief journey of the keys. Fortunately, these indentations on the keycaps are snug and safe, which makes them preferrred for each gaming and typing.
I additionally appreciated the rounded again fringe of the house bar, which softens the affect whenever you hit it. That is particularly helpful given the shallow angle of the structure: as an alternative of fold-out toes, the MX 3.1 comes with two units of screw-in pins with totally different heights. Irrespective of which set I put in, the structure all the time appeared too flat for my liking. Mixed with the thick physique, this implies the MX 3.1 can get uncomfortable after lengthy classes.
It’s priced barely under what you would possibly anticipate from a wired mechanical gaming keyboard, however in as we speak’s market there are many nice worth fashions providing extra options and stronger efficiency for much less.
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 assessment: worth and availability
- $129 (about £100 / AU$200)
- Obtainable now in three colorways
- Slight below-average pricing
The MX 3.1 prices $129 (about £100 / AU$200) and is accessible now in black, white, and pink colorways, though the latter is presently solely out there in Asia.
This can be a slightly-below common worth for a full-size wired mechanical keyboard, however there are many wired and even wi-fi options that carry out simply as properly, if not higher, for much less cash.
Take the Roccat Magma, for example, which is our choose as the very best gaming keyboard for these on a funds. It could characteristic membrane reasonably than mechanical switches and exhibit less-than-stellar construct high quality, however its efficiency is sharp and correct and has a miniscule price ticket compared to the MX 3.1.
Even the wi-fi MonsGeek Fun60 Extremely is cheaper than the MX 3.1, albeit not by as a lot. This board helps each 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, and options TMR analog switches that enable for a lot larger customization. I additionally discovered it nice to each sport and sort on.
Worth: 3 / 5
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 assessment: specs
|
Format |
Full measurement |
|
Change |
Mechanical |
|
Programmable keys |
Sure |
|
Dimensions |
17.1 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches (435 x 138 x 35mm) |
|
RGB or backlighting |
Sure (customizable) |
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 assessment: design and options
- Strong and durable development
- No folding toes
- Restricted software program
The MX 3.1 has a easy but modern design. The speckled metallic chassis that frames the complete board options angular contours and sporadic holes, all of which add some curiosity. Nevertheless, this body in the end appears to be like just a little low-cost and harks again to a bygone period of gaudy gaming peripherals.
The very brilliant and vibrant RGB lighting, however, is hanging but tasteful. It definitely attracts loads of consideration, particularly on the white mannequin, which it enhances reasonably properly.
Construct high quality is superb as properly, with the entire unit feeling fairly sturdy and heavy, extra so than maybe it appears to be like. That metallic chassis is strong as you may want for, and so too are the plastics, which suggests the MX 3.1 ought to stand the take a look at of time.
The keycaps look elegant due to their low profile and deep indentations. Regardless of being made out of ABS, they really feel each bit as premium as PBT varieties. They really feel tremendous smoother below the finger ideas, too.
Their total measurement is sort of small in comparison with these on different mechanical keyboards, which makes the entire of the MX 3.1 really feel extra compact. It’s a disgrace, nevertheless, that there’s no quantity dial, with F-row shortcuts relied on for this perform instead.
As a substitute of foldable toes, the MX 3.1 comes with two units of pins of various lengths that screw into the again finish of the board to regulate the angle. Whereas this technique arguably affords a safer footing, it’s a much less subtle and extra time-consuming answer.
What’s extra, even the longer pins aren’t tall sufficient to create an angle I used to be fully snug with. This challenge is exacerbated by the thick chassis – and lack of wrist assist – which meant my wrists needed to bend upwards greater than I’d’ve favored.
The MX 3.1 comes with a protracted, braided USB cable, which makes it amenable to varied setups and routing choices. The central placement of the USB-C port additionally helps with these elements.
The companion software program for the MX 3.1, the Cherry Utility Software program, is sort of sparse in comparison with rival instruments. Each key could be remapped to a different, however there are solely a handful of system and media shortcuts out there to assign, whereas the macro creator could be very primary. These searching for extra efficiency based mostly tweaks can be dissatisfied.
Design & options: 3.5 / 5
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 assessment: efficiency
- Switches heavier than anticipated
- Good for typing
- Thoughtful house bar design
The MX2A Silent Pink linear switches are fairly clicky with little dampening, which makes them really feel harsh when hit onerous. They’re additionally fairly heavy to press, which is most noticeable when utilizing the WASD keys for in-game motion. This resistance is considerably stunning, given the brief journey of the keys themselves.
This brief journey makes the MX 3.1 nice for typing on, although, as do the aforementioned keycap indentations, since they supply each safety and suggestions when contact typing. Their low profile additionally helps to compensate for the entire unit’s lack of tilt, permitting my fingers to remain comparatively flat whereas dancing across the keys, which I discover extra snug.
One other side of the MX 3.1 I appreciated is the smooth curve on the again fringe of the house bar, as this cushions impacts with the thumb. It’s a disgrace this curve is confined to the middle reasonably than extending alongside the complete edge, however I nonetheless appreciated its inclusion.
Efficiency: 3.5 / 5
Ought to I purchase the Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
It prices lower than the common worth for a mechanical keyboard, however there are cheaper options with extra options. |
3 / 5 |
|
Design and options |
The MX 3.1 is elegant, regardless of the considerably dated design of the metallic body. It’s constructed to a surprisingly excessive customary, too, though the software program is underwhelming. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
The switches are heavier than you would possibly anticipate, however typing is satisfying. The dearth of angle may cause some ergonomic points. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Total |
The MX 3.1 doesn’t do something to set the gaming keyboard world alight. Whereas it’s strong in some regards, it’s too costly for what it affords. |
3.5 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 assessment: additionally take into account
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 |
MonsGeek FUN60 Extremely |
Roccat Magma |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Format |
Full measurement |
60% |
Full measurement |
|
Change |
Mechanical |
Analog (TMR magnetic) |
Membrane |
|
Programmable keys |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
|
Dimensions |
17.1 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches (435 x 138 x 35mm) |
11.5 x 4 x 1.1 inches (293 x 102.5 x 28.5mm) |
17.8 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches (452 x 157 x 39mm) |
|
RGB or backlighting |
Sure (customizable) |
Sure (customizable) |
Sure (customizable) |
How I examined the Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1
- Examined for every week
- Used for gaming and dealing
- Intensive gaming keyboard expertise
I examined the MX 3.1 for a couple of week, throughout which era I used it for gaming and dealing.
I performed Counter-strike 2, which is a good take a look at for keyboards given the calls for it locations on quick and its requirement of exact inputs. I additionally performed video games that make larger use of the complete structure, corresponding to Abiotic Issue.
I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and through that point I’ve skilled an unlimited array of gaming keyboards. I’ve additionally examined a variety of them, in addition to different Cherry XTRFY merchandise.
