I ' m not exactly sure why a keyboard manufacturer would want to merge mechanical - and membrane - switch technology; membrane ' s only real advantag e is its low price. Still, the Razer Ornata Chroma ($100) aims for this unusual hybrid, and while the system works fine, it offers neither the...

Good in-game performance; Convenient wrist rest; Pretty RGB lighting

Hybrid keys add nothing; Similarly priced keyboards are better

Razer and its peripherals have often stood as an example of excellence in modern gaming. This level of performance, however, usually comes at a price. The Razer Cynosa Chroma ($59.99) gaming keyboard, however, is an exception. This entry-level model is the second keyboard entry in Razer's "Essential" line, which offers similar performance to some of its more elaborate models, but sheds mechanical switches in favor of membrane or mecha-membrane hybrid designs. These more conventional switch designs lower the price point you might associate with a gaming-grade keyboard, while allowing you to retain the excellent proprietary Razer Synapse software. Bare Essentials The design of the Cynosa Chroma is simple: With the exception of the RGB lighting, from a cursory glance it does little to differentiate itself from a stock-level keyboard. The shallow, recessed keys, similar to the ones on the Razer Ornata Chroma($68.26 at Amazon), are housed in a black plastic chassis, with no additional...

The Razer Cynosa Chroma is a versatile and inexpensive bare-bones entry-level gaming keyboard.

Inexpensive; Whisper-quiet switches; Great RGB options; Synapse 3 client integration

Keys have a slightly mushy response with virtually no haptic feedback; Synapse 3 is still in beta

First entry to gaming keyboard and mouse looks and feels great, kids keep pressing the colour changing buttons everytime i turn around

Everything bout this keulyboard is awesome but unfortunately, while I'm trying to edit my colors, the whole keyboard freezes and I have to restart my pc. It doesn't happen often but just keep that in mind. 4/5

Performs as advertised Keys are very slippery - to the point of causing difficulty in typing (hitting wrong key due to finger ideas slipping across tops of keys). No capability to improve brightness of illuminated keys - eventually they're not vibrant enough.

When it comes to my keyboards and mice for my PC, I am a creature of habit. I find a good quality keyboard or mouse that fits my hand, feels good to use, and performs well and I stick with it. It's a pretty rare occasion that a review item replaces one of my standard items for daily use.

The Razer Cynosa Chroma is a keyboard that's aimed squarely at the budget consumer, offering decent gaming performance and awesome RGB lighting at a low price.

Inexpensive; Amazing RGB implementation; Low-profile build

Membrane switches; No dedicated macro keys

Well, Razer crossed the mechanical to membrane line and did so with class. Many mechanical imitators just slam in a heavy tactile bump and a click, Razer there’s a hint of a click and tactile feedback but not so heavy as to dominate the room’s acoustics.

Who says the best gaming keyboard has to be a mechanical one? Razer’s Cynosa Chroma has been stuck on my desk for a couple of weeks now and hoo boy have I given it a baptism of fire, as this ended up being the keyboard I used to put together my Monster Hunter: World graphics performance article.

At S$99 and and S$129 respectively, one of their strongest selling points is their price. Unfortunately, those of you hoping for an affordable mechanical keyboard will be disappointed, as both of them feature decidedly ordinary membrane keys.