The JLab Daybreak line is aimed at gamers who are looking to get the most precision out of their equipment, with the JLab Daybreak Wired Gaming Keyboard offering that and more. It’s a fantastic magnetic keyboard that feels great to use, offers a ton of customizability, and looks great on the desk. The issues arise from the software, with The Lab still in beta and not working properly.
Let’s start with the technical rundown. The JLab Daybreak Gaming Keyboard is a TKL keyboard, removing the number pad on the side in favour of a more compact design. It’s a magnetic keyboard, continuing the surge of popularity this style of keyboard has seen in the last few years. Instead of using mechanical switches, magnetic analog switches offer smoother travel and actuation points that can be customized. They also last longer than their mechanical counterparts.
The JLab Daybreak Gaming Keyboard sounds great, with a deeper click that is satisfying to listen to. Each key can be personalized, ranging in actuation points from 0.2mm to 3.8mm. The shorter the actuation, the faster the input, with larger ones reducing accidental presses. Rapid Trigger lets you adjust the distance keys need to be released before being able to be pressed again, allowing for rapid inputs. Dynamic Keystrokes lets you program multiple input combos on a single press, as well. It also supports NKRO and anti-ghosting, meaning simultaneous keypresses register and aren’t dropped.
The level of customizability is deep across the entire keyboard. Each key can be remapped entirely. It also has a lightning-quick 8000 Hz polling rate with 1ms precision, making it a reliable tournament partner for fast inputs. The RGB colours and animations can be adjusted with a number of light control options and colour choices per key, for the entire keyboard and light bar, as well.
“The JLab Daybreak Gaming Keyboard sounds great, with a deeper click that is satisfying to listen to.”
You can also put a number of different commands on the keys across two different layers, which is super helpful. From shortcuts like cut or paste, to screen recording and locking the PC, you can assign commands to any key, with the dedicated macro keys along the left side being the perfect spot. They’re easily reachable and have helped cut down a ton of time on even basic tasks. There’s a function layer to the keyboard as well, giving each key multiple use cases when holding down the Fn key.
The Daybreak keyboard also feels really quality, with double-shot PBT keycaps featuring a textured surface that prevents your fingers from sliding around when using it. They’re made of two layers of moulded plastic, meaning the keys won’t wear off as your fingers don’t ever make direct contact. The metal top cover feels sturdy and hasn’t collected much dust at all, and the transparent backing looks clean, reminding me of the translucent consoles of years past. The volume control knob on the right has a satisfying click to it when rolled, with backing support legs that are wide and have a rubber grip on the end to stop it from sliding around. It all feels premium and well put together.
The included palmrest support feels just as good, with a fabric top and the same transparent plastic bottom. I do run hot and have found it can get warm when rested in the same spot for a while, meaning you do need to move around the bar to stay cool. The JLab Daybreak keyboard is wired, with a braided USB-C to A cable included.
The Daybreak performs really well when gaming. From running around the streets in ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies and throwing down fisticuffs in Yakuza Kiwami 3, to ripping through a few games of Marvel Rivals, each input was precise and fast. I always felt like I had total control of the situation and was able to get to the button I needed without strain or moving my hands too far.
The one aspect of the Daybreak keyboard that definitely needs more time is The Lab, the accompanying software. It works really well for the most part, but it does have issues. Recording macros specifically is messy and inconsistent, where recorded macros either didn’t work or functioned incorrectly. There are enough general macros to use for everyday life, but for specific key sequences, the software needs some work. Some issues, given that it’s still in beta, are to be expected, so hopefully it’ll get fixed soon.
Overall, the JLab Daybreak Gaming Keyboard is a fantastic grab. It sounds great, feels good to use, will last longer than a mechanical keyboard, and has tons of customizability and functionality. The settings per key, from macros to shortcuts to RGB lighting, give the user plenty of options to set it up exactly how they like. While the software still needs some work, the JLab Daybreak Gaming Keyboard is a great option for gamers and pro users who want a keyboard that can perform well, no matter the setting.
- Wired USB-C to USB-A detachable cable with USB-C data passthrough supports left, right, or center cable routing for a clean setup, delivering 8000Hz polling rate and ultra-low 1ms latency
- TKL magnetic switches offer per-key adjustable actuation from 0.2–3.9mm with 30–50gf actuation force, plus NKRO anti-ghosting and Snap Tap precision to instantly override stuck inputs
