G.Skill’s newest mechanical keyboard skips flashy RGB lighting and costs $50

In a refreshing change of pace, G.Skill unveiled a new mechanical keyboard that mostly sticks to the basics, and is relatively affordable to boot. Specifically, the KM360 costs $49.99.

That's more than $100 less than something like Corsair's K95 RGB Platinum, a more fully featured plank and one of the best gaming keyboards around. Obviously the KM360 is a different animal, though it at least plays in the same zoo—it uses Cherry MX Red key switches rather than an off-brand switch, or even worse, squishy membrane key action. Well, most of the keys use Cherry MX Reds—the space key uses a heavier (but still quiet) Cherry MX Black switch.

While there is no RGB lighting to speak of, the KM360 does have white LED backlighting that can be adjusted to 25/50/75/100 percent brightness, or turned off entirely. Beyond that, you won't find amenities like gaming keys or dedicated media controls.

G.Skill touts a "solid aluminum top-plate" and "wear-proof" ABS double injection keycaps. According to G.Skill, the latter means the lettering will not fade or wear from long-term use.

Take note that this is a tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard, meaning it lacks a dedicated number pad. It's therefore shorter than a full keyboard, but if you do a lot of number crunching, this is not the ideal choice.

In any event, the KM360 is available now in black or white.

Paul has been playing PC games and raking his knuckles on computer hardware since the Commodore 64. He does not have any tattoos, but thinks it would be cool to get one that reads LOAD"*",8,1. In his off time, he rides motorcycles and wrestles alligators (only one of those is true).