I'm a creature of habit and I don't like to change the tools I use every day. Anyone who spends hours in front of a computer knows that replacing a keyboard means a few days of annoying keystrokes and muscle memory. That's why when I finally switch, it has to be worth it, and why choosing the keyboard that best suits your needs is so important.
I am set in my ways. For example, I have to have a num pad. It's ingrained in me and not having one there to use would feel completely strange and unfamiliar. Fortunately, the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 provides exactly that, and even some extras.
Novelty or essential feature?
The first thing you immediately notice about the KB5 is the touch screen. It's one of those distinctly eye-catching features that feels like a bit of a novelty, but is undeniably cool nonetheless. Do I need a small touch screen? No. But after a few weeks of using the keyboard, can I imagine not having my little touch screen? Not either.
The 2.4″ touchscreen includes programmable buttons that you set up with the Turtle Beach Swarm II program. This allows you to set up different profiles, each with three pages, for different uses, from shortcuts to macros, OBS systems, monitoring system statistics or media controls; all at your fingertips. Mine is set up with shortcuts for all those programs and websites that I myself first tried and when I first used it I used it all the time and it has become an integral part of how I use keyboard.
There are also five dedicated macro keys on the left side of the keyboard, fully customizable RGB backlighting for each key, and it also comes with optional highly textured WASD keys (and a key puller so you can install them). Overall, KB5 feels like it was made to create a highly personalized user experience.
But it's not all bells and whistles. When it comes to something we use every day, functionality is just as important as features. And when it comes to keyboards, feel is just as important. The low-profile Titan mechanical switches offer a softer, quieter feel than I'm used to, while the dual PBT keys feel robust and premium under the fingertips. As an added bonus, the quieter switches have brought me fewer complaints from my family, who generally hate loud typing coming from my office.
The KB5 features an 8K polling rate and an ultra-low latency of 0.125ms, making it said to be up to 8x faster than a standard keyboard, making all the difference when you're in the middle of a game and need instant feedback and precision. To really test its power, I enjoyed an evening of dungeons and test drives in Final Fantasy 14 to see if the KB5 helps or hinders me in fast-paced battles where timing and reaction times are critical. It worked exactly as I hoped, with a consistently responsive keyboard and no noticeable input lag or issues.
A winner for the right audience
I had a few minor issues with the keyboard. The touch screen became unresponsive a few times, but I soon realized it was because it needed to be updated in the Swarm II. Adding to this frustration was the inability to use the keyboard when it was updated. Fortunately, it only takes a few minutes. You then need to reapply your own template to the screen, so don't forget to save it to make it easier after updates.
For a £140 keyboard equipped with premium dual PBT keys, I'd expect the secondary legends to be just as durable as the primary ones. However, only the main legend on each key is backlit; the secondary is simply printed on the surface. This makes it not only harder to see in low light, but also more prone to wear and tear. After only a few weeks of use, my colon key is barely legible and the @ symbol is not far behind.
The Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 is a solid choice for the right type of user. If you just want a keyboard for casual use, you won't use or appreciate the extra features on offer to make it worthwhile. However, if you're a competitive gamer who likes custom macros, or a streamer or content creator who appreciates a built-in touchscreen to make streaming easier, or even a more general gamer, this is a great keyboard for £139.99.
