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Logitech is no stranger to making keyboards for every kind of PC gamer. Recently, the company has been courting pro-level players with releases like the Logitech G Pro X TKL (which we liked a lot) and the Logitech Pro X 60 (which we liked less). Logitech’s latest, the G515 Lightspeed TKL ($139), lacks the Pro branding but maintains most of the pro-level goods, including Lightspeed wireless technology. What sets the G515 apart is its sleek design and quiet, low-profile key switches, which should appeal to casual gamers who tend to shy away from the louder, click-clacky switches of other mechanical keyboards.Design: Good Looks, Even Better Typing FeelThe new G515 is a tenkeyless (or TKL) keyboard, which in this case, means it is about 75% the size of a full-size keyboard. The number pad is sawed off, and functions like volume and media controls are shared with other keys instead of having their own buttons. Measuring 0.8 by 14.4 by 5.9 inches (HWD), the G515 is slightly wider than the G Pro X TKL but is 1.6 ounces lighter at 1.9 pounds.
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(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Logitech gaming keyboards usually look clean and simple, with bold lettering on their double-shot PBT keycaps and bright RGB lights glowing through them. This remains true with the G515. The design also evokes memories of the Corsair K70 MAX RGB Magnetic Mechanical Gaming Keyboard’s flat body and elevated brow. The top rim of the keyboard houses the USB-C port and the toggles to activate Bluetooth and the Game Mode feature; the latter deactivates certain keys in case you accidentally strike them during the heat of battle. The G515 has low-profile mechanical switches that it dubs Logitech GL, with a 1.3mm actuation distance and key travel of 3.2mm. The keyboard, which is also available in a wired-only variant for $99, comes in two colors (black or white) and two key switch types: linear or tactile. Our review unit has tactile switches, which feature an actuation force of 45 grams, 2 grams more than the linear switch. No matter the switch type you pick, you’ll find an extra layer of sound-dampening foam that helps muffle the hard-to-ignore clatter of a mechanical keyboard. The key switches are not hot-swappable, but most people won’t miss this capability, as the G515 proves to be a comfortable ride while gaming or typing straight out of the box.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
While I’m not a fan of low-profile boards, I do find the keys to be a huge improvement over the Pro X 60’s chattering, unstable keys. The low-profile keys also make it possible for the board to be as slim as it is. Unlike the other Logitech keyboards, the G515 doesn’t come with a carrying case, an omission that is less serious than the lack of a wrist rest, if you ask me. Turning the keyboard over, you’ll find two feet underneath, with two levels that extend to 4 and 8 degrees. The whole back side is textured to give the keyboard some extra grip in addition to the rubber grips placed along the edges. You’ll also find an indentation that hides the G515’s Lightspeed 2.4GHz dongle, a low-latency, high-performance USB receiver. Similar to Razer’s HyperPolling dongle, Lightspeed means that gamers can experience the same (or sometimes better) performance as they would with a wired keyboard, Logitech claims. If you use a compatible Logitech mouse, you can also connect both devices to a single Lightspeed dongle.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
However, cutting the cord does dent the keyboard’s battery life. Logitech claims you’ll get about 36 hours over a 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth connection. The battery meter in the Logitech G-Hub software estimated a bit better for our review unit, at 44 hours. That’s still surprisingly low. For comparison, the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 promises 1,500 hours of battery life over a wireless connection (without RGB lighting turned on).
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
So how does the G515 feel to type on? Superb, actually. Each keypress feels manicured and satisfying. While testing it, I forgot about the noisy Cherry MX Linear Red switches I typically type on. I’m still not a low-profile keyboard enthusiast, and I have some nitpicks—a volume roller would be welcome—but I do enjoy the look and feel of the keyboard overall. Other gamers may not feel the same way. Low-profile keyboards can offer a more responsive and faster typing experience thanks to their shorter key travel distance and (depending on the switch) possibly lower actuation force, but some people feel that classic full-depth mechanical keyboards improve their typing accuracy.Software: Welcome to the G-HubG-Hub is Logitech’s downloadable companion app that manages everything under the G515’s hood, including but not limited to RGB lighting, macros, and G-Shift, Logitech’s “alt mode.” Common on many compact keyboards like the G515, G-Shift allows you to remap your keyboard’s functions and swap between the default and altered settings using the press of the G-Shift key.The Logitech G515 also makes use of Logitech Key Control technology. Like G-Shift, Key Control allows users to remap and assign macros across their keyboards. But Key Control goes even further, letting you build layers to eke even more functionality out of each key. Up to 15 functions can be assigned to just one key this way. Theoretically, this means more complicated macro-making, but it can lead to far more interesting workflow attunements. A more ambitious streamer, for example, might map some functionality that would normally be assigned to an Elgato Stream Deck.
(Credit: Logitech)
In actuality, my head spun with the possibilities, and while I might never make more than a macro for an MMORPG, Logitech hopes that players will let their imagination go wild, building and even sharing their customizations online. But with G-Shift and Key Control combined, the G515 becomes a powerful tool for both work and play—if you can figure it out. Navigating G-Hub takes some time to get used to. It’s dense, but its UI is well-designed, at least. It also includes integration with Discord, Streamlabs, and OBS. Even better, G-Hub offers support for macOS as well. Verdict: Style and Performance in One PlaceEven without the layers of macro functionality, the Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL is an excellent gaming keyboard. Each well-oiled keypress helps you become more enamored of the low-profile design. Personally, I really enjoy the Satechi SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard, but if you saw that keyboard’s slim frame and wished it was made with PC gamers in mind, then the Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL is the keyboard for you.
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