Move over, Keychron — here’s why the Gamakay LK75 just became my favorite keyboard

A space-themed Gamakay LK75 wireless mechanical keyboard
(Image credit: Future)

I’m privileged that I get to test a lot of keyboards as a reviews writer here at Tom’s Guide — that means that I’m testing at least two keyboards a week. The Keychron V1 has been my daily driver for about two months now, and I was under the impression that keyboards didn’t get any better. Enter the Gamakay LK75, and now, I don’t even want to look at the V1 again. Is this one of the best mechanical keyboards around? You betcha.

Out of this world

A space-themed Gamakay LK75 wireless mechanical keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

As far as aesthetically-pleasing keyboards go, the Gamakay LK75 might be the prettiest board I’ve ever seen. I’m a sucker for anything space-themed so it’s great to see a company bring us a design that doesn’t look gimmicky or pretentious (unlike the MelGeek CYBER01 that hit every branch on the way down).

The little astronauts and planets gracing the MDA profile keycaps put a big smile on my face. And even though the LK75’s body is made of ABS plastic, it feels and looks premium, and the keycaps feel lovely under my fingertips.

Typing never felt so good

A space-themed Gamakay LK75 wireless mechanical keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

I type approximately 7,000-10,000 words a week, so having the right keyboard is a necessity. I’ve always been a fan of the clickity clackity sounds of tactile switches, but I’ve recently turned into a quiet-typing fan. I know my loud typing distracts my coworkers, even if they don’t say it. That’s why linear switches are a lifesaver, and they make the LK75 the quietest keyboard I’ve ever used. Don’t get me wrong, the V1’s linear switches are great too, but the layers of acoustic silicone implemented throughout the construction of the LK75 make it much better dampened, and therefore quieter. The Phoenix switches I tested sound smooth, almost buttery, and my goodness do they feel good to press.

I consider myself a productive person, and once I put my head down, I can bash out a thousand words in one sitting on my MacBook Air M2 (2022). Sometimes I need to swap operating systems as a lot of apps I test are Windows-only, which is why I adore the fact that the LK75 — when plugged in — automatically detects the OS and remaps the keys. I don't need to pull out a separate keyboard or sigh in exasperation as I mistake Alt for Cmd.

The importance of being you

A space-themed Gamakay LK75 wireless mechanical keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

I’m very lucky to work with people I’m not afraid to be myself with. Oftentimes, your IRL-self can feel very detached from your work-self, and the LK75 has just reaffirmed that you shouldn’t hide who you are. Yes, it’s a typist and gamer’s dream because it serves both purposes, but its customizable smart dial is my favorite feature. It’s unlike any other I’ve seen on a keyboard, because you can upload any image or GIF to it. Combine this with the keyboard being hot-swappable and you’ve got a peripheral that you can truly make your own.

Puffins are my favorite birds so I uploaded a photo of two cuddling, and even tried adding a GIF of Gale throwing a fireball in Baldur’s Gate 3 — so everyone knows I’m a geek. I love that I can show off my love for certain things in a subtle way, bringing more personality into the professional space. I haven’t been able to do this with any other peripherals, so the LK75 earns a bunch of brownie points from me.

My preciousss

A space-themed Gamakay LK75 wireless mechanical keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Not only is this keyboard stellar for productivity and gaming, to me, it emphasizes the important of letting your personality shine. The LK75 is the antithesis of the Ducky One 3 TKL and the MelGeek CYBER01.

If there was only one keyboard I had to use for the rest of my life, it would be the Gamakay LK75 (for now, at least).

More from Tom's Guide

More from Tom's Guide

Nikita Achanta
Staff Writer, Reviews

Nikita is a Staff Writer on the Reviews team at Tom's Guide. She's a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, flying a drone (she's a licensed drone pilot), at a concert, or watching F1. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro.

Read more
A black Hexgears Immersion A3 TKL hot-swappable mechanical low-profile keyboard
Hexgears Immersion A3 TKL review: Silent as a lamb
A black and blue Keychron Q7 wired mechanical keyboard that's made of metal
Keychron Q7 review: My new favorite keyboard is a metallic wonder
An 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard (N Edition) that's wireless and hot-swappable
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard review: The best-looking keyboard I’ve ever tested
Photograph of the Lemokey L1 keyboard
Lemokey L1 review
A beige, brown and off-white Epomaker RT100 wireless mechanical keyboard
The Epomaker RT100 lets me work like a machine and stare at puffins to relax — it’s a winner on all fronts
The NuPhy Kick75 on a wooden surface with a blue wall in the background
NuPhy Kick75 review: Modder’s delight
Latest in Computing Peripherals
A purple Chilkey ND75 LP mechanical keyboard
This low-profile keyboard is what I needed to get me into modding — and it stuns with its performance
A black Keychron K10 V2 mechanical custom keyboard
I just tested one of the most customizable keyboards of the year — and the price is just right
A white Glorious Model D2 wireless gaming mouse with a perforated design
I just tested this $99 mouse that’s great for gaming — but it’s left me with mixed feelings
A GravaStar Mercury K1 Lite mechanical keyboard with shine-through keycaps
I just tested a keyboard that's so bright it could help land planes — but its performance is killer
The NuPhy Kick75 on a wooden surface with a blue wall in the background
NuPhy Kick75 review: Modder’s delight
A white and blue Epomaker TH99 96% mechanical keyboard
Typing on this $82 mechanical keyboard is the most fun I’ve had being productive — here’s why
Latest in Features
Proton VPN logo and in-app screenshots
"If you control online, you control everything" – Proton is taking the fight to internet censorship
A woman with dark hair lies in bed yawning because she is so tired and ready to sleep
Tired all the time? Sleep experts share how to tackle hypersomnia — plus what might be causing it
A woman with long dark hair falls asleep quickly in a comfy bed dressed with soft white linens
I'm an ex-insomniac turned sleep coach — my 3 top tips to fall asleep quickly
LG G4 OLED in living room
This is the one setting on your HDR TV most people don't know about — here's how to tweak it
Chelsea Manning speaking at the NymVPN launch event
Chelsea Manning-backed NymVPN launches in bid to win the "censorship arms race"
Samsung Q60D QLED TV on console in living room
Here's why more sports games aren't broadcast in 4K — but streaming might have the answer
  • 10basetom
    What's the little bump on the right side for? It's a little odd.
    Reply
  • COLGeek
    10basetom said:
    What's the little bump on the right side for? It's a little odd.
    The smart dial. It is described in the article.
    Reply
  • 10basetom
    COLGeek said:
    The smart dial. It is described in the article.

    Not the dial, the bump on the side.
    Reply
  • Nikita Achanta
    10basetom said:
    Not the dial, the bump on the side.
    Hi! That's a dongle compartment for storing the 2.4GHz dongle. It magnetically snaps into place — very handy.
    Reply
  • wolf7
    Okay so first I am all about keeps but you say this is better than the V1. First Keychron has way better legends, and supports QMK/VIA. This keyboard has trash legends and does not support VIA. It does have 2.4GHz support though which is great. I would also like to hear how this thing sounds.
    Reply
  • null_ptr
    wolf7 said:
    Okay so first I am all about keeps but you say this is better than the V1. First Keychron has way better legends, and supports QMK/VIA. This keyboard has trash legends and does not support VIA. It does have 2.4GHz support though which is great. I would also like to hear how this thing sounds.
    Suppose I don't remap my keyboards very often - is that the main draw of QMK/VIA? I've been looking at the Keychron and this alternative caught my eye too!
    Reply
  • kuangmk11
    null_ptr said:
    Suppose I don't remap my keyboards very often - is that the main draw of QMK/VIA? I've been looking at the Keychron and this alternative caught my eye too
    Remapping keys is only the most basic functionality of QMK. I use the tap dance functions all the time as well as key layers, autocorrect, auto shift and macros. I won't even consider a keyboard without it.
    Reply