Redragon K655 75% Wired Mechanical Keyboard: features, specs and who it suits

The Redragon K655 is a wired mechanical keyboard with 78 keys, an aluminium top plate and RGB backlighting. It aims at people who want a compact board that still keeps a number pad, with switches they can swap without soldering. Here is what its main specs mean in daily use.

The 75% layout

A 75% keyboard trims the empty space around a full-size board while keeping most of its keys. Redragon says the K655 has 78 keys, cuts needless space, and still includes a number pad for practicality, with extra on-board macro keys and media scroll and control keys. In practice, this means a smaller footprint than a full-size board, leaving more room for mouse movement, but the keys are packed closely, so there is typically a short adjustment period if you're used to a standard layout.

Hot-swap sockets

Hot-swap means each switch plugs into a socket on the circuit board rather than being soldered in place. You can pull a switch out with a puller and push in another, which is how people change the feel of a keyboard or replace one that has failed. Redragon says its socket design makes mounting easier with less wobble, and that the board works with 99.8% or more of switches on the market, whether three-pin or five-pin. As a general tip, check that a switch's pins are straight before pressing it into a socket.

Linear red switches

This version comes with quiet linear red switches. A linear switch moves straight down with no tactile bump or click, which typically makes it smoother and quieter than clicky designs. Redragon describes soft key travel that registers easily. If you later prefer a tactile or clicky feel, hot-swap sockets let you change that.

Aluminium top plate

The top board is solid aluminium with a frosted finish. Metal cover plates usually add rigidity and a more solid feel at the desk, and Redragon says it keeps the keyboard steady and gives a premium typing experience.

RGB lighting and software

There are up to 20 backlighting presets selectable from the keyboard itself, with brightness and flow speed adjustable on board. Redragon also offers software, available from its own site, for designing custom effects and assigning macros, meaning a key can run a sequence or a shortcut. Check that the software supports your operating system before relying on it.

Connection and size

This is a wired board, so it plugs in and needs no batteries or pairing. It measures 13.9 x 5.0 x 1.3 inches (about 35 x 12.7 x 3.3 cm) and weighs 1.5 lb (roughly 0.7 kg).

What to check before you buy

• Whether you want a number pad in a compact form, or prefer a tenkeyless or full-size layout.
• Switch feel: linear suits some typists, while others prefer tactile or clicky.
• Whether you plan to swap switches, and if so whether you have a puller and replacement switches.
• Keycap legends and layout, if you use a non-English layout.
• Software compatibility with your computer for macros and lighting.
• Desk space and cable length for your setup.

The short version

• A wired 78-key 75% keyboard that keeps a number pad.
• Hot-swap sockets that Redragon says accept almost any 3-pin or 5-pin switch.
• Quiet linear red switches, an aluminium top plate and 20 RGB presets.
• On-board macro and media keys, plus optional software for custom effects.
• Measures 13.9 x 5.0 x 1.3 inches and weighs 1.5 lb.

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