With the Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch, the manufacturer is now also offering a new edition of its popular gaming keyboard in this country. The new model comes in either a more compact TKL or full-size layout and is equipped with particularly quiet Outemu Peach switches. The keyboard offers impressive features at an absolutely fair price. Find out more in our test.
Technical data
| Product name | Thor 303 Silent Switch |
| Switch type | Mechanical |
| Button switch type | Outemu Peach (linear) |
| Switch types offered | Linear |
| Switch interchangeable | Yes |
| Keycaps interchangeable | Yes |
| Material | Plastic; aluminum |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 355 mm x 136 mm x 36 mm |
| Weight | 865 grams |
| Onboard memory | 3 profiles |
| Cable connection | USB Type-A |
| Rollover technology | N-Key Rollover |
| Keycaps | ABS Double Shot |
| Operating modes | Typing; Gaming |
| Sampling rates | 1.000 Hz |
| Special features | Macro function; Media control |
| Colors | Black; White |
| Price | € 64.01 * |
Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch Test: Robust and high quality
A mechanical keyboard. For around 60 euros. The Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch impressively proves that this doesn’t have to be just any old keyboard. This is a new edition of the model of the same name without the “Silent Switch” suffix, which comes with a number of detail improvements.
The TKL version is 355 mm long, 136 mm wide and 36 mm high. It weighs in at 865 grams, which suggests a high-quality finish. In fact, the keyboard is partly made of ABS plastic and a solid aluminum base, which is well made.
Compared to the Rapoo V500Pro we recently tested, which is in the same price range, the Genesis keyboard is worlds ahead in terms of workmanship and functionality.
However, the keyboard is very susceptible to dust, as the pictures – which were taken directly after unpacking – prove. If this bothers you, you can also opt for the white color variant, which should be significantly less susceptible.
The glossy, slightly anodized surface is surprisingly resistant to fingerprints. Genesis has not provided the keyboard with dedicated media keys or a rotary wheel, but special functions are controlled via FN key combinations.
Visually, the keyboard is kept rather simple. Only the slightly eye-catching key lettering and, when activated, the RGB lighting are evidence of the gaming affinity.
Four large rubber feet on the underside ensure a secure hold. In addition, the two feet can be folded up to set up the Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch at a slight angle. I would have liked an additional, slightly steeper angle here.
Practical test of the Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch
Genesis not only includes a keycap puller with the Thor 303 Silent Switch, but also a switch puller and two additional mechanical switches. This already reveals that both the keycaps and the mechanical switches can be replaced.
The ABS keycaps are manufactured using double injection technology and are therefore somewhat more robust and durable than standard ABS keycaps, but they do not come close to the higher quality and more grippy PBT caps – but you can upgrade them quite inexpensively if you wish.
These can be removed quickly and easily using the enclosed tool, which unfortunately cannot be said of the mechanical switches. They are so firmly attached to the housing that I have already broken a switch when trying to remove one of the Outemu Peach switches.
With a little time and calm, however, it does work and the second removal is much easier. The keyboard is hot-swappable and therefore allows the switches to be changed quickly. All 3-pin switches can be used, including those from other manufacturers.
As already mentioned, the switches used come from Outemu and trigger linearly with an actuation point of 2 mm and 40 g actuation force. They are also around 30 percent quieter than the manufacturer’s brown switches (or corresponding counterparts from Cherry and the like), from which the keyboard gets its name suffix.
Typing and typing feel, software
- somewhat spongy trigger point
- full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting
- good stabilizers
The typing feel on the Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch is quite pleasant, even if it takes some getting used to at first. The Peach switches offer a slightly spongy pressure point, which cannot quite match the precision of the familiar Red switches.
This results in a few typing errors, at least at the beginning, for example because the low actuation force does not confirm a key press. On the other hand, the keyboard impresses with full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting.
After getting used to it, the typing feel is fine. However, I personally prefer the tactile brown switches, which the manufacturer also provided us with a test sample of.
The volume of the keystrokes, where the silent switches live up to their name, proves to be pleasant. The keyboard is so quiet that it is almost reminiscent of a rubber dome keyboard when triggered – but with the advantages of a high-quality mechanical keyboard.
This is also ensured by additional damping and padding, while the stabilizers do a good job, especially with larger keys such as Enter or the space bar.
The accompanying software is compact, both in terms of design and functionality. Only three different profiles can be selected here, in which only the RGB lighting effect can be adjusted. It is also possible to create and save macros. Unfortunately, there are no more settings.
Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch test: Conclusion
With the Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch, the manufacturer has released a good mechanical gaming keyboard that combines high-quality workmanship and convincing features. The simple yet convincing design is just as appealing as the ability to replace keycaps and switches quickly and easily.
Points are deducted for the built-in Outemu Peach switches, which are pleasantly quiet and linear, but have a somewhat spongy pressure point. But maybe that’s just a matter of getting used to them and they can also be changed.
Unfortunately, the software is also very straightforward, but otherwise there is not much to complain about. Considering the low price, the Thor 303 is an absolutely coherent overall package.
Genesis Thor 303 Silent Switch
Workmanship
Features
Ergonmics
Software
Value For Money
86/100
Inexpensive and technically convincing mechanical gaming keyboard with harmonious RGB lighting and quiet switches, which can even be replaced, but are a little spongy.
