Cooler Master CK721 Mechanical Wireless Keyboard Review

Up Close

The packaging sticks to Cooler Master's design philosophy closely. Clear product imagery, recognisable purple accents, high quality cardboard. With the CK721 being a TKL chassis, and including a full width wrist rest, the box is actually about as tall as it wide, a rarity for keyboards.

If you buy your keyboards in bricks and mortar places rather than online then the back of the box gives you all the important information in an easy to read fashion.

Within the box we have a Quick Start guide which provides a handy reference to all the onboard controls. Because the entirety of the CK721, from Macros to lighting, can be setup without software it is worth keeping it nearby until you've learnt all the FN+[key] controls you'll need. There is a simple guide to how to take off the cover if you want to, and it's simply locked in place using a panel on the left of the keyboard. Lastly we have the cable and dongle that provide the connectivity, and a key puller if you want to go with some custom key caps.

The keyboard itself is compact and comes with a handy form-fitting dust cover. Given how cheap they must be to produce we're always surprised at how few keyboards have these, and so it's always a tick in the box when a company provides us with one. This is especially important on such a flexible keyboard that is likely to be pulling multiple duties rather than just sitting on your desk. Included in the box is a deep foam wrist rest, something which is invaluable. As someone who has been typing for forty years, most of them before ergonomics were a thing, trust me, your wrists will thank you later on down the road.

Finally the Cooler Master CK721 itself. It looks gorgeous and feels like a premium product in the hands. Without the number pad or FKEYS there are a lot of keys pulling double or triple duty, but if you're familiar with smaller keyboards it's all where you would expect.

On the underside are the two position feet that allow you multiple angles for maximum comfort. On the left of this photo you can see the three position switch that moves between wireless, off and Bluetooth modes, whilst the cable port is at the back centre.

Although these aren't Cherry switches, they feel just like the most famous ones around, whilst also having the compatible stalk for any custom key cap shenanigans you might want to invest in.

There are two notable things here. Firstly, and by now you're wondering why we haven't brought it up, the dial at the top right has so many controls we'd be regurgitating the manual to explain them all. Volume, lighting, profiles, it's all available to you. The one thing you can't tell from this photo is the incredible solidity of it. No wobble. No plastic nonsense. It's a serious piece of kit that screams build quality.

Secondly, between the shift and the top arrow are two very subtle LEDs that show the CAPS Lock status and Wireless status. As someone who has endured keyboards whose lock indicators could double as a lighthouse, the subtlety is much appreciated.