Melgeek Real81 review
PC Gamer reviewed the Melgeek Real 81 keyboard, a gaming peripheral featuring solid build quality and strong competitive specifications. The keyboard delivers super snappy and responsive keys with quick actuation, making it technically capable for both gaming and productivity use.
However, the review identified several practical drawbacks that limit its everyday utility. The keyboard’s RGB lighting, while visually striking, makes the keys difficult to read in dark environments—a significant concern for users who work in low-light conditions. The typing feel is described as stiff, which may require an adjustment period for users accustomed to lighter key switches. Additionally, the keyboard exhibited inconsistent sound profiles across different keys, which some users may find distracting.
PC Gamer compared the Real 81 against Melgeek’s other offering, the Centauri 80, which takes a substantially different approach with heavier construction, more elaborate aesthetics, and a built-in OLED screen at a $360 price point. By contrast, the Real 81 positions itself as a more straightforward competitive gaming keyboard.
PC Gamer’s verdict concludes that while the Real 81 offers competitive features and strong hardware construction, its practical shortcomings—particularly the readability issues in dark conditions and stiff typing feel—make it somewhat cumbersome for everyday typing despite its technical merits.