The Logitech G715 gaming keyboard is the company’s wireless option within the new Aurora series (opens in new tab). The edge designs in this collection are based on a ‘dreamy aesthetic’, where customization and inclusivity are central. Just like the company’s Color Collection (opens in new tab), the designs move away from stark black sheaths and invite more customization with options in their “ethereal” pastels. But there’s a bit of a snag that I’ll get to in a moment.
When it comes to the “low-key vibes” G715, there’s a lot to love: great Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, dedicated media controls, and excellent overall build quality. The company has also had a great sparkly aesthetic, opting for everything rounded, as well as large gaps between the keys for those who type with stubborn claws.
On the face of it, I should also enjoy the fact that Logitech hasn’t forced us to stick to a single all-over color, as is the case with most major keyboards out there. Here we are actively encouraged to express ourselves by mixing and matching the funky front plates and keycaps on offer. The color options are the same throughout the collection. There’s the base color, White Mist (literally just plain white), Pink Dawn, and Green Flash. The more colorful of the three looks great, but there’s a catch: nice colors cost extra.
The basic white keyboard itself costs $200 (opens in new tab) (£170 (opens in new tab)), but if you want it to look something like the ad creative, you’ll have to spend an extra $20 for a magnetic replaceable top plate (opens in new tab). Then it is another $40 (£35) for a full set of colorful keycaps – there’s not even a way to buy a few select keys yourself for a little flair.
The exchangeable top plate is a nice thought, and since it’s not CNC machined, it’s a lot cheaper than something like the alternative top frame for Glorious’ GMMK Pro (opens in new tab). But all this color mixing feels like an afterthought, one that brings the cost of the advertised color combinations a little higher than seems reasonable for what’s being advertised.
It’s like when you get to the checkout to be told the price tag doesn’t include tax – rude.
Logitech G715 Specifications
Switch: Linear Logitech GX
Tests: PBT double shot
Relief: ~16.8 Million Per Key, 16 LED Perimeter Lights
Storage on board: Yes, room for one profile
Connection type: USB Type-C, Bluetooth, Pro Lightspeed wireless
Cable: 1.7m, white, not braided
Weight: 976kg (2.1lbs)
Price: $200 (opens in new tab) (£170 (opens in new tab))
Still, I’m glad the Logitech G715 uses GX switches; the GX switch’s Cherry-esque cross stem allows for some degree of compatibility with aftermarket keycaps. That’s in contrast to the proprietary approach of many previous Logitech keyboards that used Romer G switches, or the Logitech G915 Lightspeed (opens in new tab)‘s low profile GL switches.
However, the GX switches have a lifespan of 70 million keystrokes and feel great. I’m usually a clicky girl, but the feel of these linear switches did make me think twice, especially since they don’t suffer from that ringing, hollow sound I’ve noticed when using Romer G switches.
It’s a little disappointing that an 87-key tenkeyless layout is the only option for both the wired and wireless versions of the G715, as I’m a sucker for a numpad myself. However, it manages to block out all the F-keys (which are easily programmed with macros) below the media controls and even the game mode and lighting buttons, and it doesn’t feel too compact, either.
It looks fantastic all over, with little pastel-lilac flairs on the dedicated media buttons — a feature you’d expect on a $200 board.
Overall, the keys are stable even when you press the corner of the spacebar, and the keys are all double-shot PBT (as they should be). That means they should last a really long time without getting that greasy shine feeling. The board itself has a little flex, but it’s a damn sturdy board, as can be said for most of Logitech.
Logitech has also thrown in a padded palm rest with an interesting cloud-like design, not something you’d expect, but it’s actually pretty damn comfortable with its little bushes. It’s nothing like the premium feel of the $200 Razer Huntsman Elite (opens in new tab)‘s wrist rest, but it’s at least padded (and frankly cute).
Again, there’s a lot to be said about the G715’s wireless capabilities. It has a ridiculously long range of about 30 feet for those of you with huge home theater setups, and a full charge took about 24 hours of full use – that’s over three business days for most of us. And while the board’s RGB lighting has some trouble handling colors (opens in new tab) (specifically light green, which it seems to think is blue), Logitech G hub is still one of my favorite peripherals thanks to its ease of use and stylish user interface. There’s also a single profile slot on board, which is nice.
But despite all this, as well as the G715’s 2-year limited hardware warranty, it still feels like something is missing.
A full-sized version would have been nice at least for the price.
For a board costing $200, I would have expected some sort of passthroughs or special macro keys so you can keep the F keys as they are. A full-size version would have been nice at the very least for the price, since you can find functionally the same white TKL boards on the market for under $100. Take the $79 G.Skill KM360, for example, which, while it’s not has RGB or dedicated media controls, is the same size and color, and even has Cherry MX switches. Admittedly, Logitech has done a great job of mimicking the feel and compatibility of Cherry switches, but it still doesn’t feel like that extra $120 is going to much, save for some basic media controls and subpar RGB treatment.
I’m happy with the build quality from Logitech as usual, and there are some really great features on the G715, but nothing that makes me think, “Wow, that was $200 well spent.” Since the major sales of those mix-and-match pastel accessories drive the costs up so much afterwards, I’m not sure the pros here are enough to recommend a TKL board at that price. I have a feeling the rest of the keyboard enthusiast community will be here with me – with the obvious alternative if you’re looking for a high degree of customization, well, build your own.
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