I’ve been desperately in need of a new keyboard. I’ve been disappointed in the past and really needed the Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 to come through for me as my go-to. While there’s always room for improvement, I think I’ve found “the one.”
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1
Wired mechanical full size keyboard with RGB backlighting and side lights.
- Full size keyboard yet still compact
- RGB back and side lighting
- 10 presets and macro customization
- Transparent letters on keycaps
- Customization requires software download
- Keys are not hot-swappable
Price and Availability
The Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 is available on their website for $129 with all available switch options, and it’s also on Amazon for a lower price of $85 if you don’t mind buying whatever switch types might be available at the time. Additional color options may be available as well.
Gorgeous, Modern Design
I was really impressed with the look and feel of this mechanical keyboard. I reviewed the black MX 3.1 keyboard with brown switches, and they have a very satisfying click sensation while typing, but they aren’t overly loud either. The keyboard itself is rather hefty and stays in place when it’s on my desk—no sliding around happening here!
The keycaps on this keyboard have transparent letters, meaning the backlighting is visible through each letter. I like how when certain keys are activated (caps lock, numbers lock, etc.), the keys turn red, and there’s a dedicated indicator section above the arrow keys on the keyboard as well. It’s a very nice visual effect and something I value when finding the “perfect” keyboard. Even the font on the keyboard looks modern and is easy to read.
This keyboard also includes separate side lighting effects, which I haven’t seen on some of the other keyboards I’d been eyeing. It adds a little something extra to the design, and I really love how it looks.
I was impressed with the size—this is a full-sized keyboard, but it isn’t so big that it takes over my desk. There is no unnecessary spacing between the letter keys, arrow keys, and the number keypad. Everything is compacted together in a sleek way that doesn’t feel cluttered.
An important side note is that this keyboard does not have hot-swappable switches. This keyboard uses standard Cherry MX switches, so the keycaps can be switched out with any compatible keycaps. If you have a Mac computer, you could purchase replacement keys and re-map certain functions to meet your needs using the Cherry Utility software.
Cherry Utility Software
As impressed as I was by the keyboard’s design, I was underwhelmed by the Cherry Utility software. I don’t love downloading additional software onto my PC just to customize my keyboard, even if it’s free. But it’s a small download, and there’s a preset F-button on the keyboard configured to easily open up the Cherry Utility software.
The utility software is simple to use, even if it is a bit bare-bones. There are ten lighting effect presets for the keyboard, and you can add your own custom colors if you desire something more specific than a rainbow gradient. I really like the Wave preset, and I appreciate that I can change the speed and direction of how the effect flows using the software.
The side lighting settings are less robust, with only six presets and no custom colors. However, you can adjust the speed and brightness of the side lighting. It’s nice to have options, but I would have liked to see more options in this tool.
The “actions” tab within the utility software will allow you to map custom actions to any specified key on the MX 3.1. Being able to set up custom macros is helpful, but I will also mention that this keyboard’s F-buttons do come pre-configured to do some of the more common tasks, such as manipulating the volume and keyboard brightness. I didn’t feel the need to add any custom macros to this hardware.
Should You Buy the Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1?
This keyboard is ideal for anyone craving a full-size mechanical keyboard that doesn’t take up too much space, and also has fun lighting effects. It has everything I’d ever need in a keyboard for my PC, and it’s very satisfying to type on. I definitely recommend this keyboard to anyone who wants a number pad built into their keyboard. I know it’s not a priority for everyone, but this keyboard covers all the bases for me.
My main issue with this keyboard is the lackluster Cherry Utility software. I have used other keyboards that had a lot more RGB customization settings available, such as the Keychron K15 Max, and the Keychron software was web-based so I didn’t have to download anything. But the software isn’t a dealbreaker for me, it depends on what is most important to you. My only other issue is that this keyboard isn’t hot-swappable, so it’s only ideal for Windows PC users if you want it to be ready to go without swapping keycaps.
I’m less likely to waste my time with cheap Amazon keyboards, so I’ll be sticking with the Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 for my PC setup. I really love the look and feel of this keyboard, and it has all the extra features that I’d need for my gaming purposes. It’s not perfect, but what is? This is definitely my new favorite keyboard!
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1
Wired mechanical full size keyboard with RGB backlighting and side lights.
