I am a big fan of tenkeyless style keyboards, and after having used the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL for a few weeks, I can safely say that it is my new favourite TKL keyboard to date.
Cherry does not really need an introduction when it comes to computer peripherals, namely keyboards. For the sake of brevity, the company is known for its high-quality mechanical switches, which the German company has been producing since the 1970s. With a history running that long, it’s no wonder the manufacturer has become the go-to standard for mechanical switch-based keyboards in the market.
Even still, with many high-quality options to choose from, the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL had to earn its keep, and after putting it through its paces, I can say that those in the market looking for the best of the best when it comes to a TKL-sized keyboard, the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL has you covered.
The Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL is a wireless mechanical keyboard, meaning it has a built-in rechargeable battery. Talking specifics, the XTRFY MX 8.3 rocks a whopping 4600 mAh battery, which, even after nearly a month, I’ve only gotten to around 65% of its rated 55 hours of use.
In terms of build quality, the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL feels closer to Cherry’s legacy with automotive hardware. The MX 8.3 keyboard’s full metal chassis weighs 1250 g, imbuing it with a solid and premium feel. On that note, the typing experience on the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL is excellent. Each keystroke of the MX2A switches feels buttery smooth, encouraging fingers to naturally move from key to key, making the typing experience a joy to use.
One major complaint I hear about people who do not like TKL-style keyboards is the lack of extra buttons or features, an area the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL excels at, providing users with a metal cross-style knob and LCD display, which features a whole host of extra information, including brightness, light effects, speed, user profiles, bluetooth, APM counter, media controls and a settings tab.
“It’s hard to find a fault with the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL, from its high-quality metal chassis, with its sturdy and rounded base, to its useful and tactile feeling knob, on top of the great battery life and LCD display.”
Switching between tabs using the LCD is easy, requiring the user to simply press in the cross-style knob, which, like everything else on the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL has a satisfying click when actuated. Turning the knob will cycle through the list, while clicking it in will select it, which, for me, made it perfect for quickly changing tracks via my Plex amp server when in a game, without having to alt-tab out and manually select the next song.
The LCD display can also show any image of your choosing, along with animated GIFs that play when the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL powers on or switches between Bluetooth and dongle modes. I do wish there were more options for how the GIF animations display, such as playing when the keyboard wakes from an idle state or running continuously like the static image option.
In terms of software, the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL feels somewhat bare-bones. The app itself looks bland, offering just enough features to get you started. That said, it’s refreshing to see an app that isn’t tied to a suite of unnecessary peripherals or filled with registration and sign-in requirements.
The Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Keyboard also ships with an included tool to remove the keys, which makes it easy to clean or modify the device to your liking. Unlike other mechanical TKL keyboards, the XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL is easy to remove keys, down to the main board of the device, which opens up possibilities for those who are serious about kitting out their gear.
It’s hard to find a fault with the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL, from its high-quality metal chassis, with its sturdy and rounded base, to its useful and tactile feeling knob, on top of the great battery life and LCD display. If you’re willing to shell out the dough, the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL is a no-brainer.
- PREMIUM TYPING. FASTER THAN EVER. Want it all in one keyboard? Here you go. The MX 8.3 brings you ultra-fast wireless connectivity, hot-swappable CHERRY MX2A switches with durable PBT keycaps, and ultimate control with an intuitive display and rotary knob. All in a premium build for the perfect feel with every keystroke.
- ULTRA-FAST 4K WIRELESS AND 8K WIRED TECHNOLOGY. Outpace your opponents with 4000 Hz wireless and 8000 Hz wired polling rates. Reporting up to 8 times every millisecond, the MX 8.3 enables your computer to react faster to every keystroke.
