Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 review: an underwhelming mechanical gaming keyboard eclipsed by better value alternatives
Why can you trust Techradar
We spend hours testing all the products or services we examine, so you can be sure that you buy the best. Learn more about how we test.
Cherry Xtrfy MX 3.1: one minute review
The Cherry Xtrfy MX 3.1 is a wired mechanical keyboard for the simple aim of providing great game performance.
Its elegant appearance is made thanks to the low -profile affected with their prominent indentations, and despite their manufacturing of ABS, they seem and feel as high -end as their PBT counterparts.
In addition, very bright RGB lighting seems particularly striking on the white color. The metal frame, however, seems less impressive, making a little cheap.
Fortunately, it is more solid than it seems – just like the entire board of directors, equaling what the best game keyboards have to offer. It is reasonably heavy accordingly, but not expensive.
The detachable USB cable also seems premium. It is braided, which makes it more flexible, and it is also quite long, which facilitates the realization of various configurations.
The software that frequents MX 3.1 is quite limited compared to those of other game keyboards, containing only a handful of shortcut rebel options and basic macro ease – and not much else. This will undoubtedly disappoint the players after deep personalization options.
To play with it, MX2A switches in MX 3.1 are heavier than you can expect. They feel quite clickable with a minimum of damping, which can make them feel a little hard when they hammered them.
This aspect is not helped by the short trip of the keys. Fortunately, these indentations on the keys are comfortable and secure, which makes them ideal for games and strikes it.
I also appreciated the rounded rear edge of the space bar, which softens the impact when you hit it. This is particularly useful given the shallow angle of the arrangement: instead of the unfolding feet, MX 3.1 is delivered with two sets of vision pins with different heights. No matter what set I installed, the arrangement always seemed too flat for my taste. Combined with the thick body, this means that MX 3.1 can become uncomfortable after long sessions.
It is slightly lower than you could expect from a wired mechanical game keyboard, but on the current market, there are many high -value models offering more features and stronger performance for less.
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 Review: Price and availability
- $ 129 (about £ 100 $ 200)
- Available now in three colors
- Light price below average
MX 3.1 costs $ 129 (around £ 100 $ 200) and is now available in black, white and pink colors, although the latter is currently available in Asia.
It is an average price slightly on the run for a full -size wired mechanical keyboard, but there are many wireless and even wireless alternatives that work as well, if not better, for less money.
Take the Magma Roccat, for example, which is our choice as the best game keyboard for those who have a budget. It may include a membrane rather than mechanical switches and present a less than stellar construction quality, but its performance is clear and precise and have a tiny price compared to MX 3.1.
Even the Ultra Wireless Monsgeek Fun60 is cheaper than MX 3.1, but not as much. This card supports connections to 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth and has analog switches TMR which allow much greater personalization. I also found very good for the game and the type.
Value: 3/5
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 Review: Specifications
|
Layout |
Large size |
|
To change |
Mechanical |
|
Programmable keys |
Yes |
|
Dimensions |
17.1 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches (435 x 138 x 35 mm) |
|
RGB or backlight |
Yes (customizable) |
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 Review: Design and features
- Solid and robust construction
- No folding feet
- Limited software
MX 3.1 has a simple but elegant design. The speckled metal chassis which frames the entire map has angular contours and sporadic holes, which all add a certain interest. However, this setting finally looks a little cheap and recalls a bygone era of seeing game peripherals.
The very brilliant and vibrant RGB lighting, on the other hand, is striking but of good taste. It certainly draws a lot of attention, especially on the white model, which it completes quite well.
The quality of construction is also very good, the whole unit feeling quite robust and heavy, more than there is perhaps. This metal chassis is solid as you wish, like plastics, which means that MX 3.1 should resist the time test.
Keycaps seem elegant thanks to their low profile and their deep indentations. Although they are made from ABS, they feel just as high -end as PBT varieties. They also feel smoother under their fingertips.
Their overall size is quite small compared to those of other mechanical keyboards, which makes the entire MX 3.1 more compact. It is a shame, however, that there is no dial in volume, with F-Row shortcuts invoked on this function in its place.
Instead of foldable feet, MX 3.1 is delivered with two sets of pins of different lengths which can be seen in the rear end of the board to adjust the angle. Although this method undoubtedly offers a more secure base, it is a less sophisticated and longer solution.
In addition, even longer pins are not large enough to create an angle with which I was completely comfortable. This problem is exacerbated by the thick chassis – and the lack of support for the wrist – which meant that my wrists had to comply more than I would have liked.
MX 3.1 comes with a long braided USB cable, which makes it ready for various configurations and routing options. The central placement of the USB-C port also helps these aspects.
MX 3.1’s companion software, Cherry Utility software, is fairly sparse compared to rival tools. Each key can be remapable to another, but there is only one handle of system and multimedia shortcuts available to affect, while the macro creator is very basic. Those looking for more performance -based settings will be disappointed.
Design and features: 3.5 / 5
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 Review: Performance
- Heavier switch than expected
- Good for seizure
- Attentive space bar design
MX2A silent red linear switches are quite clickable with little damping, which makes them severe when they are hard affected. They are also quite heavy to press, which is most visible when using the Wasd keys for the movement of the game. This resistance is somewhat surprising, given the short trip of the keys themselves.
This short journey makes MX 3.1 ideal for typing, however, just like the aforementioned Keycap indentations because they provide both security and feedback during the entry of touch. Their low profile also helps to compensate for the lack of inclination of the whole unit, allowing my fingers to stay relatively flat while dancing around the keys, which I find more comfortable.
Another aspect of MX 3.1 that I appreciated is the soft curve on the rear edge of the space bar, because these cushions have an impact with the thumb. It is a shame that this curve is limited to the center rather than expanding all over the edge, but I have always appreciated its inclusion.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
Should I buy the Cherry Xtrfy MX 3.1?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Notation |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
It costs less than the average price of a mechanical keyboard, but there are cheaper alternatives with more features. |
3/5 |
|
Design and features |
The MX 3.1 is elegant, despite the somewhat dated design of the metal frame. It is also built at an surprisingly high level, although the software is disappointing. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Performance |
The switches are heavier than you expect, but the shot is satisfactory. The absence of an angle can cause certain ergonomic problems. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Overall |
The MX 3.1 does nothing to define the world of the game keyboard. Although it is solid in some respects, it is too expensive for what it offers. |
3.5 / 5 |
Buy it if …
Don’t buy it if …
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 Review: also consider
| Header cell – column 0 |
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 |
Monsgeek Fun60 Ultra |
Magma Roccat |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Layout |
Large size |
60% |
Large size |
|
To change |
Mechanical |
Analog (magnetic TMR) |
Membrane |
|
Programmable keys |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dimensions |
17.1 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches (435 x 138 x 35 mm) |
11.5 x 4 x 1.1 inches (293 x 102.5 x 28.5 mm) |
17.8 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches (452 x 157 x 39 mm) |
|
RGB or backlight |
Yes (customizable) |
Yes (customizable) |
Yes (customizable) |
How I tested the Cherry Xtrfy MX 3.1
- Tested for a week
- Used for games and work
- Experienced game keyboard experience
I tested MX 3.1 for about a week, during which I used it for play and work.
I played Counter-Strike 2What is an excellent test for keyboards given the requirements it sets quickly and its specific input needs. I have also played games that make a greater use of the entire layout, as Abiotic factor.
I have been playing PC for more than a decade, and during this time, I have experienced a wide range of game keyboards. I also tested a wide range of them, as well as other Cherry XTRFY products.
