Logitech G915 Lightspeed Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review: Specifications And Price

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 Introduction

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Update as of June 2nd, 2020: Logitech released a smaller and more affordable version of this keyboard. It's called the Logitech G915 TKL, which doesn't have a numpad. Right now, it's selling for $230, while the full-sized version costs $250.

In the original review from December 28th, 2019:

Keyboards can be tricky to judge for gaming performance. With a mouse, you instantly feel its speed and responsiveness, and with headsets, you notice differences in sound clarity. But let's be honest, have you ever blamed bad gameplay on faulty mechanical switches or a keyboard's limitations?

Even without hard performance data, you just know when a gaming keyboard fits you perfectly. Logitech's G915 Lightspeed, though quite pricey and luxurious, gave this reviewer that sense of absolute satisfaction from the first few keystrokes. The low-profile mechanical keys on a sleek slim surface make typing much smoother than most other mechanical keyboards. While it may not have the flashy 'gaming' look of some Razer keyboards, Logitech's new top-tier wireless keyboard matches the performance of anything else out there.

Selling at $249, this keyboard's price might seem high for many fans of keyboards. Its main job is to show why it's worth paying more for those sleek keys. There are three types of mechanical switches: tactile, clicky, and linear. These differ from the usual color-coded Cherry switches. It also offers a few lighting options and three choices for macros. Additionally, Logitech's G Hub software allows for lots of customization and adjustments that can keep you busy for hours.

Specifications

Type of Keyboard: Logitech GL (thin keys; feels bumpy, noisy or smooth) Storage on Keyboard: Can save 2 lighting styles and 3 special settings Buttons for Media: Yes Special Gaming Mode: Using Logitech G Hub software Brain of the Keyboard: 32-bit microcontroller How Many Keys Can Work Together: 10 keys at once How Often It Talks to the Computer: Every 1 millisecond How It Connects: Wireless using Lightspeed (needs a USB plug-in) or Bluetooth No Cable Included Extra Ports: None Type of Key Caps: Made by injecting two materials together Materials Used: Top plate made of strong metal, keys made of shaped plastic Extra Stuff Included: None Software Used: Logitech G Hub Size: 18.7 x 5.9 x 0.87 inches (475 x 150 x 22mm) Weight: 2.26 pounds (1,025g) Guarantee Period: 2 years

Pros And Cons

Advantages:

• Keys are comfy and low

• Great for both gaming and typing Looks sleek and slim
• Simple to switch between Lightspeed and Bluetooth

Disadvantages:

• Quite costly
• Keys get marks easily
• No pass-through feature
• Doesn't come with a wrist rest

Design

It's important to mention upfront that everyone's preference for a keyboard can be different. Some like keys that feel a certain way, while others prefer a different type. This keyboard offers low-profile keys, giving a different experience compared to those with taller keys. But let's focus on its build quality and how well it works. The Logitech GL switches in this keyboard have a 1.5mm actuation distance, a total travel distance of 2.7mm, and need 50g of force to press a key. In comparison, Razer's switches need 45-50g of force and have a travel distance of 3.5mm-4mm. This shows that the keys here are lower and quicker to press than many other mechanical keyboards.

The layout is pretty standard and easy to use. It's comfortable to type on, and it looks stylish too. It seems to take design cues from keyboards made by Microsoft and Apple. Despite this, it's equipped with RGB lighting and extra buttons for custom shortcuts and media controls, making it suitable for both gaming and regular use. The keyboard's aluminum plate looks nice, with a brushed gunmetal grey finish. It has special buttons for macros, Lightspeed and Bluetooth pairing, a game mode toggle, and a lighting control. The 'G' logo lights up, and you can change its color just like the other keys. It also has media control buttons and a sleek volume scroll above the number pad.

On the bottom, there are two sets of feet that let you adjust the angle of the keyboard. However, it doesn't come with a wrist rest, which would have been a nice addition considering its price. Many keyboards that cost less include a wrist rest. This one, though, is a bit closer to the desk, which might make it a bit more comfortable for your wrists. Since it's a slim wireless keyboard, there's no USB port to plug in another device. You'll need to connect your mouse directly to your computer. Or, you could use a wireless mouse to keep everything wire-free, which might be what Logitech prefers.

Typing Experience

The keyboard we tested had GL tactile switches. These switches have a small notch that creates a noticeable 'bump' when you press down, making it easy to feel when the key press is registered. If we compare them to Cherry MX switches, the closest match would be the brown switch. However, this model also offers GL linear (similar to Cherry MX red) and GL clicky switches (producing a distinct 'click' like Cherry MX Blue switches).

Although there's a bit of side-to-side movement if you wiggle the keys, they stay steady when you're actually typing. This stability resulted in fewer mistakes while typing. The shorter travel distance allowed me to type faster and with more confidence. Logitech claims that with 25% shorter travel, you can type 25% quicker, but that might be a bit too optimistic.

Wireless Modes

When it comes to how well it works without wires, there are no problems with disconnection or delays because of Logitech's unique Lightspeed technology. Instead of using parts from other companies, Logitech created Lightspeed entirely on their own, from the hardware to the software. This results in a 1 millisecond response rate which, according to the company, performs better than many keyboards that have wires. We didn't notice a significant difference in performance during our use, but it felt just as quick as a keyboard with a wire. We also didn't experience any issues with disconnection or difficulties connecting to multiple devices, even when using different Bluetooth setups.

Gaming Experience

The idea behind the low-profile design is that it should help you type and react faster when playing games. However, in reality, no keyboard can replace the skills and experience you gain from playing games for a long time. But what you can expect from this keyboard is that your fingers might feel more comfortable, especially if you're not used to traditional mechanical keyboards. We didn't see a big change in our performance when playing games like CS:GO and Quake Champions compared to our usual Corsair K95 keyboard, which is pretty much what we expected. However, we did notice that our fingers stayed comfortable, and we made fewer mistakes when typing.

You can customize the G915's game mode using Logitech G Hub, and the row of G buttons on the left side can be handy during games. You can map them to things like adjusting your mouse's sensitivity instead of using a button on the mouse. They're also useful for streamers who switch between different apps while broadcasting, chatting, and playing games.

One of the best things about this keyboard is its battery life. It can last for 12 days if you use it for eight hours every day on one charge. If you turn off the RGB lighting, it can last for 135 days. If your battery dies at a critical moment, it's really your own fault. And when it comes to wireless delay, you won't even notice it. It's not a problem at all.

Lighting and Software 

Logitech G Hub is quite simple compared to other programs for devices. With just a few clicks in the menus, you can make your own lighting styles to change or go along with the three preset options. You can also adjust how the game mode locks the keys and, after creating a Logitech account through a few more menus, download presets and setups made by other people. If you want to set up the G keys on the left side, this software is necessary.

The lighting itself could be better. Because there's space between the keys and the board, some light shines out between the keys, but it's not too distracting or too much. You can even set the lighting to sync with the audio if you want, which is a more advanced feature, though not incredibly useful.

Conclusion

Is life really improved by having a $249 keyboard on your desk? Well, your performance might not drastically change, but the G915 offers a great mix of accurate typing, speed, and comfort. It looks sophisticated and mature in a way that few gaming accessories do, and apart from lacking a wrist rest, it has everything you'd want in a keyboard. It might not be on the same level as Razer or Corsair's slightly less expensive high-end keyboards, but for those who miss the reliability of older membrane keyboards, this is a dream come true.