As always, the awesome folks over at Redragon sent me their Dharma Pro K556 Aluminum keyboard to use and review. This is a keyboard I was very excited to get since it’s a full sized, 104-key layout keyboard which is something I really need and enjoy since I work and game from the same PC.
Design And Build Quality
The Redragon Dharma Pro K556 has a minimalist design, with a metal top and side plates, and a plastic bottom frame. The keys are floating over the top plate, which gives the keyboard a sleek look and makes it easy to clean. The keyboard is also quite heavy and sturdy, which adds to its durability and stability. The Redragon logo is displayed on a metal badge above the 10-keys, and there are four rubber feet on the bottom to prevent the keyboard from sliding.
The keyboard has a standard 104-key layout, with the right Windows key replaced by an FN key that allows access to additional functions, such as media controls, lighting modes, and macro recording. The keyboard also supports full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting, which means that every key press will be registered accurately, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously.
The keyboard comes with Redragon’s own mechanical red switches, which are similar to Cherry MX switches. The switches are hot-swappable, which means that they can be easily replaced without soldering, either for customization or repair. The keyboard also comes with a switch puller and a keycap puller, which are useful tools for swapping switches and keycaps. The switches are available in different colors, each with a different feel and sound. The red switches are linear and quiet, the brown switches are tactile and quiet, the blue switches are tactile and clicky, and the black switches are linear and heavy.
The keycaps are made of ABS plastic, with double-shot injection molding, which means that the legends are part of the keycap and will not fade or wear off. The keycaps have a standard font and size, and are compatible with most aftermarket keycaps. The keycaps also have a slight curve and texture, which makes them comfortable to type on.
Wireless And Wired Connectivity
The keyboard supports three modes of connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and USB-C wired. The keyboard can be paired with up to three Bluetooth devices, and can switch between them with a simple key combination. The Bluetooth mode works with most devices that support Bluetooth, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and consoles. The 2.4 GHz wireless mode works with a USB-A dongle that can be stored inside the keyboard when not in use. The 2.4 GHz wireless mode has a lower latency and higher stability than the Bluetooth mode, and is ideal for gaming. The USB-C wired mode works with a braided cable that can be plugged into any USB port. The USB-C wired mode has the lowest latency and the highest reliability, and also charges the keyboard’s battery.
The keyboard has a built-in 1600 mAh lithium battery, which can last for up to 50 hours with the RGB lighting on, and up to 150 hours with the RGB lighting off. The battery life depends on the usage and the brightness of the lighting. I managed to get right about 48 hours with RGB enabled.
The keyboard also has a battery indicator on the top right corner, which shows the battery level with four LED lights. The keyboard can be used while charging, and it takes about 4 hours to fully charge the battery.
RGB Lighting And Software
The keyboard has per-key RGB lighting, which means that each key can be customized with a different color and effect. The keyboard has 18 preset lighting modes, which can be accessed and adjusted with the FN key and the arrow keys. The keyboard also has a music mode, which makes the lighting react to the sound of the music or the game. The keyboard also has a game mode, which disables the Windows key and other keys that might interfere with gaming.
The keyboard can be further customized with the Redragon software, which can be downloaded from the Redragon website. The software allows the user to create and save custom lighting profiles, assign macros and shortcuts to any key, and adjust the keyboard settings, such as the polling rate, the debounce time, and the sleep mode. The software is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface.
Pros And Cons
The Redragon Dharma Pro K556 keyboard is a great choice for gamers and typists who are looking for a wireless, mechanical, RGB keyboard that offers a lot of features and performance for a reasonable price. Here are some of the pros and cons of this keyboard:
Pros Wireless and wired connectivity options Hot-swappable mechanical switches Per-key RGB lighting Full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting Durable and sturdy build quality Long battery life Customizable software Cons Heavy and bulky No wrist rest or dedicated media keys Software only works in wired mode
Discount Code
Thanks to the awesome folks over at Redragon for allowing me to review this product and others that they have sent over in the past. They have also provided me with a special URL that anyone can use to save a total of 10% off of your entire purchase across their site. So if you’re interested in purchasing the Redragon Dharma Pro K556 Aluminum keyboard, or any of their products, you can click this link: Save 10% On Your Entire Order. I believe if you don’t click the link, you can always manually input DECRYPTED as the code during check out.
Final Thoughts
The Redragon Dharma Pro K556 keyboard is a versatile and powerful keyboard that can satisfy the needs and preferences of most users. It has a minimalist and elegant design, a solid and durable build quality, a wireless and wired connectivity options, a hot-swappable mechanical switches, a per-key RGB lighting, a full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting, a long battery life, and a customizable software. It is also reasonably priced at $79.99 currently directly from Redragon, compared to other similar keyboards on the market. Overall, the Redragon Dharma Pro K556 keyboard is a great value for money, and a worthy addition to any gaming or typing setup.
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