EVGA USB Z20 RGB Optical Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Optical Mechanical Switches (Clicky), 812-W1-20US-KR, Black

As a quick aside, my judgment on keyboards is mostly based on the functionality/specs and I can overlook some things if it allows me to perform better, although in my opinion this keyboard doesn't really disappoint me in terms of how it feels to use. Also, ever since I experienced the lower input delay of an optical switch board, I'll probably never go back to traditional mechanical, so I've been stuck in the limited optical switch/hall effect switch keyboard market. I've tried several of the other optical switch keyboards as more brands begin to offer them, and up until now I concluded that Bloody provided the best performing optical switch boards for my uses. The Z20 takes the functionality of Bloody's optical switches and puts a better build quality and feel on it. The Bloody B820 (linear) was my favorite keyboard before this, and the reason the Z20 caught my eye was because it's also a 3mm travel distance optical switch keyboard, which there are very very few of.I'll first explain the main thing I'm very picky about when it comes to optical switch keyboards, that can make or break a keyboard for me no matter how good it otherwise is.I primarily do very hard challenges in precision platformers and play osu!mania. As a result, I'm part of the subset of people who perhaps benefit the most from the lowest latency/fastest/most consistent hardware. For the things I do in platformers, I need to be able to consistently do inputs of at least as low as 2 frames (so at least as low as 16ms-17ms). I was surprised to find out that pretty much EVERY other optical switch keyboard was capped at a minimal input of 22ms-28ms (this effectively makes it so that about half the time I do the lowest input the keyboard is capable of, it will actually output as a 3 frame input). The reason I liked the Bloody keyboards was because they had no limitation and were able to do inputs as low as 1ms, giving me full control. The Z20 can do inputs of as low as 1ms just like with Bloody's optical switches, which is more than good but doesn't really matter because anything below 15ms is essentially useless.The second thing I'm picky about when it comes to optical switch keyboards is how low the travel distance is. Ever since I experienced 3.0mm travel I pretty much can't go back, at least for the keyboard I use for osu!mania; travel distance makes a huge difference for speed and stamina for rhythm games, or really any game where you need to mash as fast as you can. The Z20 linear has a 3.0mm travel, which is incredible not only because I feel right at home again, but because SO few other brands offer that, Bloody being the only other one up until now as far as I'm aware. For other games low travel distance isn't really important, but it's nice to know that I'm not really limited in how fast I can press buttons.My thoughts on all the other personally less important miscellaneous things about the keyboard that I can think of:- keypresses are just as responsive as I've experienced with other optical switches, very low input delay- 45g actuation force is great for mashing speed/stamina; I wish brands would make switches with lower actuation force but as far as the main standard values go this is as low as you could ask for- I like that the keys feel softer to press and have lower clack pitch than the Bloody B820 I used before (typing doesn't sound like a rattlesnake to Me LOL)- 4000hz doesn't really matter for the games I play- don't care about special dedicated hotkeys or media buttons- the Top Sensor feature is cool but not really important I feel- there is some key ping, but I can't hear it with headphones on, and otherwise you kind of have to be listening for it- I don't usually use wrist rests, so I can't tell you how good I think it is. All I can say is that it's soft, squishy, and made with leather material.- RGB looks nice with the side bars- RGB software is more limited than others, but I'm fine with any of the default rainbow effects. (it's at least not as bad as Bloody's software lmao)The Z20 is basically a keyboard that functions the same as the Bloody B820 but feels better and has a lot of added features that may or may not matter to you. Nonetheless it's the best keyboard I've used so far, and I've used a lot. If you're thinking you want a keyboard like this but don't want to totally break the bank, I'd recommend just getting the Bloody B820.EDIT 9/3/22: this is now significantly cheaper than the Bloody B820, just buy this if that is still the case.

I can't stress enough this is NOT a clicky keyboard! There is a clicky version, but it's not this one. Linear keys are more quiet with VERY little resistance when you press the key down.I started off my search for a mechanical keyboard expecting to spend less than $50 for both a keyboard and a wrist rest. I quickly realized I would not be able to find a decent mechanical keyboard at that price range so I raised my budget to $70. I honestly didn't do too much research, but I noticed this keyboard had good reviews overall and would occasionally be discounted to as low as $50 so I waited for it to go on sale. I Finally pulled the trigger when I noticed it was being sold for $60.Honestly, I thought I bought a tactile mechanical keyboard so I was thrown off when I pressed a key down for the first time and there was no resistance and there was no clicky sound! That said, I've had the pleasure of using this keyboard for two weeks now and after getting accustomed to it, I can say I do like the feel and sound of it. I've had no issues with the hardware at all, and I haven't downloaded the recommended software. The only thing I've really done is manually change the RGB settings and light levels.Some warning for those who are still interested though: I can't type nearly as fast on this keyboard as my previous one. My max speed has dropped from 140 wpm to maybe around 110 wpm. The keys are EXTREMELY sensitive which makes it prone to many typing errors. I only need to press a key probably 20 - 30% of the way down for the key to register. That makes this keyboard absolutely terrible for typing but very good for gaming if input speed is important and accuracy isn't.

UPDATE 14.07.2023. The volumen wheel quit working now completely. It is an hardware failure. I programmed PG UP/PG DN now to control the sound. EVGA is abandoning support and going out of business as I heard.UPDATE 29.08.2022. See my Review of the "clicky" Z15, which is complimentary to this review here. Once in a while suddenly the Z15 starts again to disconnect when the PC boots up.UPDATE 23.07.2022. I reset Windows 11 now and never installed anymore the Unleash software. After that the Z15 never frooze my PC (1 week test). The macros and key assignement are stored to the keyboard and I do not use the Unleash software. RGB settings are not stored to the Z15 so they are lost. Macros you do with ALT + ASCII code (e. g. ALT + 225 gives you ß, etc.) - no other macro worked for me. Like that it is fairly easy to write all western languages with the Z15. Once in a while I noticed the letters are in CAPS without CAPS being on. That's an Microprocessor fault (hangup, etc.). I observed as well the space bar being 2 mm lower on the right side where I press it exclusively. Thats strange and a sign of wear out (stabilizer?) after 1 month of use. EVGA Customer Service stopped respondig now even for any technical question I have. They don't care about the customer and you are on your own. They even did not tell me how to do macros as I had lots of troubles with that at the beginning. Crappy Customer attention.MAIN REVIEWQuality, built, materials, fit & finish: 100% satisfaction.Typing accuracy: 20% satisfaction (out of the box). 85% safisfaction after installing 2 homemeade silicone disks under each key cap for shorter bottoming outEVGA CS & Warranty: 20% satisfaction (first encounter); 65% satisfaction (final communication with CS).PC compatibility, issues, problems: 70% satisfaction.>>I am writunbg the first sentences of this review withouit correcting any typos this EVGA Z15 keyboard produces out of the box. The shape, tilt, design, incl;ination of the keyboard and short actuiating distanmce of thjese Kailh Silver Speed switches cause these typos on the Z15. I goit way less tuypos whjen I use the feet of thje keyboard to their full extension. Thios Z15 keyboard is definatelly not for typiunmg texts unless you type slowly anmd withj only aimed finmgers. The keys do not doubnle type but neighbouring keys ghet actuated accidentally while typing. There is a reasson the Cherry red switches have a l;onger actuation way to travel. Chiclet style keys are better for precision writing than these traditional old style keys (this I typed slower and with looking to the keys). End of typ;ing withoput vcorrection.<<At first I had problems with this keyboard connecting to the AMD Ryzen 7 based PC. When plugging in at first it did not work. Then after a time it started to work but started to freeze my PC once in a while suddenly. Scannow and other analysis did not find any error. So it's definatelly the Z15 keyboard causing the PC to freeze. It never did this with the Dell membrane keyboard. After several restarting and using other keyboards it started to work. Now it stays connected reliably. I never installed the Unleash EVGA software. Only plug and play. I use this keyboard without RGB backlight and it works as an normal old style keyboard like that.Without backlight the keys are sufficiently good lettered in white colour as to see clearly in an well lit room the writing on the keys. You switch the RGB backlite completely off without the software by cycling through the preset functions using FN + > or < till it gets to the function where it lights up only a single key when that key is pressed. Then you switch off the backlight completely by pressing FN + Arrow Down as many times till the light is dimmed down completely (switched off). That’s how on the keyboard without software you switch off the backlighting. I can not see how there will not be errors while gaming on right handers when they use the ASDEW keys. I am a left hander and thus lucky to use the arrow keys and the number pad for any few gaming I do. That’s why I allways go for the full size keyboard. The Z15 is an vast improvement over any membrane keyboard except for the typos.The EVGA Z15 electrifies you once in while if you touch the aluminum backplate (it must build up statical charges). I use the Z15 without the wrist rest. That’s for an surprise anytime when the keyboard sends an electrical current through your finger or hand. There is a reason I switched over to an full desktop PC since over time unvoluntary electrical shocks are not pleasant. The Z15's chassis is very stable but you can bend it a bit down when you press in the middle part on front and back. It's considerably more stable than an Dell membrane keyboard. Extending the feet to full height reduces your typos. In 2 days the Z15 "frooze" already 2 times my computer. Before using the Z15 it did never "freeze". There are definatelly incompatibilities of some sort.The Z15 just "frooze" my AMD PC again so I pressed reset on the tower (nothing else works) and installed the "Unleash" software. It immediatelly updated the Z15's firmware. I do not run the software on the background nor does it start with the system but checks at every boot the firmware updates. RGB lights are off, polling rate is 1000 Hz and keyboard sleep is set to 300 minutes (the maximum). We will see it it keeps freezing the PC. That’s definatelly a flaw.The Kailh switch sockets are only rated for 100 cycles. Meaning you can only change 100 times the switches – end of life of the sockets. Then the PCB gets potentially damaged and you have to soldering off and on an new Kailh socket. These Kailh sockets are commercially availlable but not the PCB for the Z15. So you have to do some soldering if the PCB or socket gets damaged if you change lots of times the switches. EVGA did not allow me to buy the PCB or USB cables and volume cable from them for this Z15. Supposedly "that’s propietary" as they told me. That’s called as well “planned obsolescence”. If a switch fails, you can change it, but if the Kailh socket fails or the PCB fails, the Z15 is beyond repair ability for the customer since EVGA does not ship you any spare parts in order you can repair it (even if you are willing to pay for it). So do not change to often the switches since the sockets are rated only up to 100 cycles. It is the same as plugging in your PC only 100 times till the plug is done or as if you light switch would last only 100 times switching on and off the light before the switch is not working anymore.Spare switches EVGA offers on amazon. That’s a good thing. But they do not offer the part which will fail first: the USB cable, Microprocessor and the PCB. That’s built in obsolescence.The volume wheel is connected to the PCB as well via an cable and connector. Same as the power (USB) cable. EVGA did not respond me which connector it is which connects these 2 to the PCB. The USB cable connector is 5 pin and the volume wheel cable connector is 3 pin. Typically the USB power cable is the part to fail first. And that’s not swappable here since you do not know which connector it is connected to the PCB. But you could technically change it since it has an connector to the PCB and is not soldered directly to the PCB. That's an advantage. On eBay there are connectors and USB cables to order for this Z15 if one knew which type of connector it uses.I find the EVGA silver metal logo very nice on the keyboard. It shines as if it is pure silver. Very nice estetically and qualitative wise. The logo does not send you electrical shockwaves through your fingers if you touch it. The logo is indeed something I like very much on this Z15 keyboard. It gives an premium feel.The volume wheel is very nice and metal and does not electrify you when you touch it. The volume wheel is fairly responsive.The media keys are not switch based although EVGA did not respond my questions about these if they where membrane or some sort of scissor or switch based keys. They make an audible click when actuated kind of if they sit right on top of an switch on the PCB. If they fail they are not repairable.I installed some rubber/silicone o-rings on the key caps. The typos are caused by the long bottom out travel of the switch after the contacts being actuated - you hit with your fingers the neighboring keys when bottoming out the keys. That causes the typos.On the Z15 you can type very fast but then you will have lots of errors, basically every word will have an error. But if you type slow, like 28 wpm, then the typing errors are just about 5%. The Z15 lends well for an typing speed of roughly 32 wpm with acceptable typing accuracy (75% accuracy). Overall the typing experience is way better on the Z15 than on the Dell membrane keyboard. There is no comparison.I like the sound this Z15 makes when typing. You need just to touch the keys and they register the typing already. I tend to bottom out the keys when typing - that causes the typos. It is not advised to hammer the Z15 with your fist if you got shot down in a game since the Kailh switches have just an plastic edge where it sits on top of the aluminum plate and then they are plugged into the Kailh sockets which are soldered to the PCB. The PCB can get damaged if this gets hit by a fist - an membrane keyboard would stand such blows. Mechanical keyboards not likely.The 4000 Hz polling rate I never will use. The keys are stable enough and I do not see why other people want to "lubricate" something or change stabilizers, etc. Rough handling of this already high end electronic device can however break things. If you would be able to purchase an PCB for the Z15 then no worries. But since you just can not get the PCB and not even the power cable, then once those fail this is trash. And that’s the sad thing about the Z15.These are IMHO not worth the 129$ MSRP but are worthed the 45$ when they are on "deep sale”. I find it hilarious to ask over 100$ for an single keyboard considered you can get an decent midrange desktop tower already for 600$. I can not see any difference in responsiveness between this EVGA Z15 (129$ MSRP) and an 10$ Dell membrane keyboard despite the complicated controllers and polling rate included in the Z15 which add to the expensive price.I did now stamp out myself some silicone disks to put them under the cap stems. That solves almost the typo problems. I used some silicone mug/tumbler bases which I ordered for my mugs from eBay which did never work well (they constantly slide off). I stamped for all letters now 2 disks out and put the 2 disks on each cap of the 3 row lettering (qwertyuiop[]asdfghjkl;'zxcvbnm,./ keys) and up and down arrow. That rises these letters by at least 1 to 2 mm. The others stay clacky. That solves greatly the typing error problem and the Z15 approximates now almost to the Dell membrane typing accuracy. And the typing I do fairly quick like about 32 wpm. With an typing accuracy of about 80% without looking constantly to the keys. Looking to the keys improves the accuracy further to 100% accuracy at 25 wpm. The stem of the cap is now full of these silicone disks (there is no room for any more) and fits barely on the switch stem. Just one cap flew yet off from silicone back pressure (of the 2 disks installed) but then not all are equally thick since I stamped them out myself getting often the edge of the cup base which thickens them almost double on the edge. An vastly improvement and this solves the typing error problem of the Z15 from EVGA.From factory the Z15 is almost not usable for typing - that much errors it made. This is the way to go. These 2 silicone disks on the caps shorten the bottom out of the switch right after it gets actuated. The Z15 sounds now almost like an membrane keyboard. I do not care about that but only about functionality. Backlighting still works but as I used black silicone and pink/red as dampening disks, some letters are not light out on all corners equally. I do not care because I do not use backlighting anyways (it's off). These Kailh Silver Speed switches are the optimal switches when using 2 silicone dampeners on the cap stems. That give the perfect “chiclet style” like typing experience and is optimal for this system. Short actuation distance with immediate bottom out of the key/switch for reduced typing errors. That’s the best and only reasonable combination there is.Yesterday the EVGA Z15 frooze again my PC. So the firmware update did definatelly not solve this freezing issue. Meanwhile EVGA replaced me this Z15 honourably for "one time" as they said. I own several Z15 keyboards from EVGA.Others have experienced constant disconnects and freezings as well from other EVGA peripherals like their gaming mouse, the Z20 and Z15 keyboards, etc. It's an firmware, Microprocessor or controller/PCB issue of EVGA. Even EVGA confirmed to some customers (YouTubers) that that is an hardware issue (faulty controllers, PCB). Mine now works stable and acceptable well but freezes again the computer once in a while.If the PCB, cables and case could be exchanged by the customer, that would be an gamechanger. One question: What happens with this relatively expensive Z15 keyboard if EVGA stops updating the firmware and drivers after 3 years for the Z15/Z20? Then this keyboard could be useless on any new Windows OS since EVGA stopped supporting these keyboards. That’s a real problem which could be solved when Windows provides automatically the correct drivers and supports them on any new OS. I feel planned obsolescence for this asking price of 129$ or 180$ asking price for the Z20.I now have installed the EVGA unleash software but can not figure out at all how to make makros or assign a second layer of symbols and letters for another language to the keys. I am new on these "programmable" keyboards but rest assured I can not figure it out how to program the keys. I believe it does not work at all eighter with the Z15 or the software. This problem others have experienced as well with EVGA mechanical keyboards, specially the Z15 one. Otherwise the lights can be controlled by the software. Additional letter assignation is very complicated to the user (totally user unfriendly) or does not work at all with this Z15 but it is supposed to work according to the software. Maybe it is still an hardware issue (PCB, controllers, etc.).Otherwise than these shortcommings the Z15 is worth the switch to this mechanical keyboard away from any membrane keyboards. Just for the experience and quality feel sake.Guy's, I like really the silverish shiny big EVGA logo on this Z15 keyboard. It grows on me. The volume roll should have been as well in this silverish colour for quicker location.EVGA Customer Service:EVGA's CS relatively according to the industry standard fairly miserably. At first they attend you quickly and respond promptly but by now have stopped respnding completely. Without sending it back they however flat refuse to ship you an replacement. They invited me even to go for another brand since "I wouldn't find any other company who would ship me an replacement under an no questions asked warranty". Supposedly their CS was "industry standard". Basically you are on your own if you ship it not to EVGA. They would not hear about any "Right to Repair" as I offered them to buy from them only the PCB and power cable since that was most likely the defective part as it did not connect. They admitted indirectly these EVGA products have built in obsolescence since once outside the 3 year warranty there "is already another model which you have to buy" since they do not produce endlessly the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) for past these 3 years. Throw away and buy new for 130+ $ if the PCB fails. You are supposed to buy these for 3 years and buy a new one since after that warranty period these are beyond repair by the customer. The keyboard is an endgame product meaning it has reached it's maximum design, functionality and potential already when the PC arose in the 1980's. There is no big innovation to be made on the keyboard part. And it will not be replaced any time soon and stay for 100 years still in similar form, features and functionality. As is, the keyboard has reached it's maximum potential for the human species. That’s why EVGA can settle as well on one single model now or run several models parallel, which can be updated easily by Version Z15.1, etc. adding some minor innovations which may come along. Like the average membrane keyboard which stays the same already decades now. The keyboard is an endgame item as is basically the mouse – not much to innovate there.To make the Z15 keyboard modular and fully repairable EVGA is just one step away and should do this.1. Take the Z15 as is.2. Make the housing totally from aluminum – or keep it as is.3. Keep using the Kailh switch system.4. The Kailh switches should be available commercially from EVGA on amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc. as they are indeed today. That’s a superb good thing.5. Key caps can be available from any third party company. As it is today.6. The (aluminum) housing must be available commercially by EVGA on amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc.7. The PCB must be available commercially by EVGA on amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc.8. All cables and connectors must be available commercially by EVGA on amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc. Cables must be quick connectable to the PCB like the built in smartphone non removable batteries are (that makes them "removable").9. PCB is an hot swappable system for swappable switches. As it is today with the Z15.10. Driver updates guaranteed for at least 50 years if not longer. Windows is in charged to provide workable drivers and firmware for the Z15 for future proofing.11. No need for an fancy "Unleash" software. Any keyboard software must be optional.12. Key caps must be usable in the "old style" without RBG backlighting.13. The screews of the (aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, etc.) case should be all pass through screws, the case containing just a simple screwhole. Like that EVGA saves costs on making the threads in the housing and no thread can be stripped ever for an long lasting keyboard housing. No threads on the case but only simple screws with a nut for replacability.14. No need to honour any warranty on the Z15 and parts past 1 month since it’s the responsability of the customer to replace faulty items after 1 month. EVGA saves itself like that almost all warranty claims. But your QC must be good. To avoid warranty replacement by making the spare parts available to the consumer market for a decent price will save EVGA tons of money. Fraudulent warranty claims are avoided like this also benefitting EVGA greatly.15. The savings for EVGA are on skipping the warranty completely and the winner is the customer who has an decades long lasting repairable keyboard since all parts are commercially available and guaranteed to being manufactured. That causes an loyal customership and customer base since they can rely on the repairability of the product they bought let’s say 30 years ago for 50$ new.Buy this but only when the price is around 45$. You MUST install rubber/silicone rings on the cap stem (I did 2 on each) lest this is not usable for typing. EVGA will send you an replacement according to their policy only when sending it in. If you are outside the US travelling or took it to your second home outside the blesses United States of America, then you are on your own since shipping is expensier than just buying a new one.