The Redragon Magicwand SE K655 is a budget-friendly wired RGB mechanical keyboard featuring red switches. It was recently launched in the Indian market with an attractive price range of around 3500-3800 INR. The price point was one of the reasons I chose to review it, as it looks quite promising on paper for the cost.
But the main reason I picked it was its compact and efficient design. Despite its 75% layout, it includes dedicated number keys, adding up to a total of 78 keys. It also has dedicated media and macro keys, reminiscent of the old Corsair mechanical keyboard series. One of my favorite features is the metal scroll wheel for adjusting volume and brightness, which you can also use as a stress reliever, just like I do.
I’ve been using this gaming keyboard for the past week, and I’d like to quickly share my overall experience and any compromises I found. But before that, let’s talk about what’s included in the box.
Box Content
You’ll find a user manual and some branding stickers. Since it’s a wired keyboard, it comes with a detachable USB Type-C cable, which is quite long, so you won’t face any issues even if your PC cabinet is under the desk. Additionally, the package includes a keycap puller and a switch puller, plus four extra switches in case you need replacements.
Design
The Redragon Magicwand SE K655 looks quite stylish with its white and gray color scheme, giving it a cool appearance. The build quality is solid and noticeable at first glance. Design-wise, it’s definitely impressive, even without a top cover, which I usually prefer. However, the absence of a cover makes the keyboard slimmer and enhances the RGB effects.
It features over 20 RGB effects, including music and popular rainbow modes. There’s also an option for unlimited single-color lighting, and you can customize the effects. All the settings for RGB, including brightness and speed adjustments for each effect, are available. While you can adjust these settings directly on the keyboard, it’s not the most convenient method. Using software to control these settings is much easier and offers more options.
You’ve noted that the media and macro keys at the top of the keyboard are not mechanical; they use standard switches. This makes them a bit harder to press, but they are sturdy and function well. Additionally, you have the ability to customize the macro keys through software, offering added utility.
User Experience
From a user experience perspective, after using the Redragon Magicwand SE K655 for a week for activities like gaming, coding, and article writing, you find the overall experience to be quite positive.
Although I typically prefer brown switches due to the amount of typing I do, red switches work well for gaming. While the exact brand of red switches isn’t mentioned, but I think these are Outemu red switches, which are often used in budget mechanical keyboards and are known for their good performance at an affordable price.
The keyboard has a good performance, with the keys having an approximate travel distance of 2 ms and requiring an actuation force of about 40 grams, which makes them responsive and quick to press. The response time is fast, and even though the exact n-key rollover support isn’t stated, it does indeed support this feature, which is beneficial for both gaming and fast typing.
As a budget mechanical keyboard, it comes with some trade-offs. The keycaps could be of higher quality, but considering the affordable price, it’s an acceptable compromise. The keyboard is designed without a base plate and uses a tray-mounted system, meaning the stabilizers are directly mounted on the tray, which might cause a bit of rattling. However, the keyboard is hot-swappable, allowing you to change and customize switches and keycaps easily. It supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, providing flexibility in customization.
The linear switches provide a smooth typing experience with minimal noise. Despite minor compromises, the Redragon Magicwand SE K655 offers many value and customization options for its price range.
Verdict: Best Budget Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Overall, the Redragon Magicwand SE K655 gaming keyboard is a solid choice. While there are a few minor compromises, they’re to be expected at this price point. The overall user experience is quite good, and there aren’t many gaming keyboards at this price that offer similar satisfaction. Whether you’re upgrading from a membrane keyboard for gaming, coding, or typing, the Redragon Magicwand SE K655 is definitely worth considering. It’s unlikely you’ll find a better package, so it’s a good buy.
