Peripheral manufacturer Cherry is best known in the gaming sector for its popular MX switches, which are used by many manufacturers. In December of last year, the Swedish peripheral manufacturer Xtrfy was taken over, and in April of this year, the first three gaming keyboards of the new Cherry Xtrfy brand were introduced. The Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 Compact Wireless, which is available to us for testing, is a slim and compact keyboard in a 65% form factor that relies on the company’s own MX Low Profile switches of the MX Speed type. The backlit keyboard is available in white and black and stands out visually from the crowd with its partially colorful keycaps.
Technical data of the Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1
| Key switch type | Cherry MX Low Profile Speed |
| Switch types offered | Cherry MX Low Profile Speed |
| Replaceable switches | no |
| Shape factor | 65% |
| Keycaps | ABS |
| Keycap label | Laser inscription + UV coating |
| Rollover technology | Full-Key Rollover |
| Features | Onboard memory (3 profiles), WIN key lock for gaming, height adjustment with reversible rubber feet |
| Lighting | Per-Key RGB LEDs |
| Connection | Wireless (Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4 GHz RF), USB-C |
| Dimensions | 308 x 99 x 27 mm |
| Weight | 423 g |
| Color | White/light blue/red, black/grey/orange |
| Scope of delivery | Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 keyboard, dongle, USB-A to USB-C cable, user manual |
| Price | € 129.69 * |
Scope of delivery
- Includes only the keyboard, a USB receiver and a USB cable
- A keycap puller or other extras are not included
The Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 comes in a mostly black cardboard box with a large picture of the keyboard on the front. Only the red Cherry logo and the red-backed designation stand out from it. Furthermore, the mechanical MX switches and the RGB illumination are mentioned, which are described in more detail on the back.
In addition to the Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1, the package also includes a USB receiver, a 1.60m USB-A to USB-C cable, and an instruction manual. Thus, we find everything necessary in the scope of delivery, a palm rest, a keycap puller or other extras are omitted.
Design and workmanship of the Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1
- Currently available in two different color combinations
- Compact 65% form factor with only 68 keys
- Good workmanship, keycaps made of ABS
The Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 is currently available in two different color combinations. These are a model with predominantly black keys, gray keys and orange Enter, Escape and Space keys, and a model with predominantly white keys, light blue keys and and red Enter, Escape and Space keys. The white model is available for our test. As the name Compact suggests, the Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 is a keyboard with a smaller form factor. Cherry omits F-keys, multimedia keys as well as the number pad, resulting in a 65% form factor with only 68 keys.
The keycaps used are made of ABS, which is the standard for keyboards. Cherry advertises these as abrasion-resistant and still legible after years, but they are still considered less high-quality and durable compared to PBT keycaps. The ABS keycaps are also smooth, while PBT is rather rough. Underneath the keycaps, we find Cherry’s linear MX Low Profile Speed switches on an inserted metal plate, where the overall height could be reduced by 35% compared to conventional MX switches. Furthermore, the larger keys of the Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 use switch stabilizers, which ensure a smooth movement of the keys.
The frame and the underside of the Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 are made of white plastic, many small red, differently strong, dots form a slight contrast. Furthermore, a Cherry logo is engraved on the right side. The USB-C port is in the center of the back and the power button is to the left of it. The Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 is rather light at 423 g, and four rubber feet prevent the keyboard from slipping. The rubber feet can also be removed and turned around, allowing the keyboard’s tilt angle and height to be adjusted.
Material quality and workmanship
The material quality and workmanship of the Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 can convince in the test. The keyboard is well manufactured and leaves a high-quality impression, although PBT keycaps would be desirable in this price range. Furthermore, it looks stable, nothing creaks or wobbles, also thanks to the built-in switch stabilizers.
Software and RGB lighting
- Cherry Utility allows for adjustments and remapping…
- … but only worked with cable and wireless in testing
- Lighting control with static lighting and nine effects
The software used is Cherry Utility. Within the software, keyboard settings, such as polling rate, suspend or even deep sleep time, can be changed and keys can be remapped. The reassignment is possible for all keys, besides other keys you can also select macros, text or media player actions. The settings can be saved in several profiles, the onboard memory has room for up to three profiles.
Furthermore, the software enables lighting control. Cherry lets the user choose between four brightness levels, deactivating the illumination, static illumination, nine different effects or even self-created effects. Switching between the effects and changing the brightness or speed of the effects is also possible directly via the Fn key.
The software thus offers all the functions that are basically expected in a gaming keyboard. Unfortunately, it only works so far when the Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 is connected via the cable or USB receiver. When connected via Bluetooth, no device was detected on our end, but the keyboard itself works without any issues.
Practical test of the Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1
- Very fast switches, ideal for gaming
- Pleasant typing feel, also thanks to built-in stabilizers
- Reliable connection without noticeable lag
In the practical test, the Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 knows how to please. The keyboard is visually appealing, the colored keycaps are a successful change from the classic white or black, and the workmanship can also convince. The pleasant RGB lighting also contributes positively to the looks. The form factor is very compact at 65% and is ideal for gaming. Despite the only 68 keys, all functions, including multimedia control or adjusting the lighting, are covered by the many double assignments.
The typing feel is pleasing thanks to the switches and stabilizers, although the surface is a bit slippery due to the ABS used. However, we also have to note that we last used a keyboard with rough PBT keycaps. The installed MX Low Profile Speed switches (other switch types are not available), which Cherry describes as uncompromisingly fast, are rather quiet and trigger very quickly due to a low actuation force of only 45 cN and an advance travel of only one mm. While you benefit from the fast switches in gaming, it can quickly come to unintentional inputs in the office area. Furthermore, the keyboard also has Full-N-Key rollover, anti-ghosting, which detects all inputs simultaneously and also incorrect inputs. On the ergonomics side, the rotating rubber feet offer various tilt angles and heights, we used the keyboard slightly tilted.
In everyday use, we also tested all three connection options of the Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1, which Cherry summarizes as Triple Mode Connection. All three connections worked reliably and we couldn’t feel any delays during inputs. The only noticeable thing was the slow and clearly noticeable connection establishment via Bluetooth after switching on or deep sleep. The battery life dropped to 25% within the test, with static white illumination on medium level within 15 hours. Below that, the illumination is automatically disabled.
Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 test: conclusion
The Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 turns out to be quite an interesting gaming keyboard in the test. It offers an appealing design that stands out from the crowd as well as good material and build quality. Thanks to the compact form factor and the fast MX Low Profile Speed switches, it is very well suited for gaming in our opinion, but less so as an all-rounder. An onboard memory and features like Full-N-Key rollover and anti-ghosting are also offered. The keyboard can also be connected to one or more devices in many ways via the Triple Mode Connection.
On the other hand, the battery life, which is rather short especially with RGB illumination, and the software, which still has room for improvement, are cause for criticism. Furthermore, keycaps made of PBT instead of ABS would be desirable in this price range, as some of the competition also offers them.
Cherry Xtrfy MX-LP 2.1 Compact Wireless
Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value for money
83/100
Good wireless gaming keyboard in a compact 65% form factor with very fast switches.
No replies yet
Neue Antworten laden...
Gehört zum Inventar
Beteilige dich an der Diskussion in der Basic Tutorials Community →