Glorious has launched a new keyboard with the GMMK3 series. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann tested the 75% model and explains whether the purchase is really worth it. Above all, the high volume does not really convince him. On the other hand, you have a real advantage over other players with certain features.

With the GMMK3 series, Glorious has introduced its first line of keyboards with Hall Effect switches. This is also what the “HE” in the HE models stands for. Glorious focuses primarily on modularity with its new line: This means you can detach and replace almost any component of the keyboard. So, more or less, a ready-made custom keyboard.

The highlight of the keyboard, however, are the Hall Effect switches, as they can be extremely finely adjusted. This provides tangible advantages when gaming, as I discovered while testing the GMMK3 HE (75%). In the following article, I explain what you get for the price of 219.99 Euros and why the HE switches are so good.

Test overview

• Scope of delivery, design, and build
• Processing
• Software
• Ergonomics
• In practice: keys, gaming, and volume
• Sound recordings of the keyboard in comparison
• Conclusion

Who tested it?

I am the Tech Editor at MeinMMO and have a penchant for peripherals and test mice, keyboards, and gaming headsets. Gaming mice are particularly among my absolute favorites. Besides the PS5, I also play on my Steam Deck.

Transparency notice: The model was provided to us by the manufacturer for testing purposes.

Benedikt Schlotmann
Hardware Editor MeinMMO

Scope of delivery, design, and build

What does the scope of delivery look like? In the box, in addition to the keyboard, there is plenty of accessories that you can use to customize your purchased keyboard. This includes, in addition to screwdrivers, screws, and spacers, a few replacement keys and some test switches of different color types.

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	GLORIOUS Gaming GMMK 3 Rapid Trigger Keyboard, Hall Effect, 8K Polling Rate, MX-mechanische &...	No ratings yet		Zu Amazon

*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

For a short test, this is practical, but it is too little for installation. On the other hand, you typically already decide on a set of switches when purchasing, which is placed under the keys. I would have found a few spare switches with the same type as the already installed switches more sensible in case of a defect.

How is the keyboard constructed? The keyboard offers you an official 75% profile. This means that the arrow keys sit directly below the Enter key and are thus slightly recessed into the main body. The same applies to a handful of special keys. Function keys (F1 – F12) are also present, but a number pad is missing.

In the top right corner, there is a so-called “knob” that can be turned to change the volume in the default setting or turned off completely with a press.

What does the keyboard look like? The keyboard comes in a white design with white keycaps. However, the keyboard is also available in black. Basically, you can also equip the keyboard with other keycaps and thus change the design.

Processing

The keyboard relies on a plastic body and thus seems less valuable at first glance than the Akko Mod007B-HE (for testing), which is made of aluminum and weighs almost 2 kilograms. On the other hand, the weight of the Glorious keyboard remains just under 1 kg. However, Glorious relies on aluminum for the switch plate. For about 20 Euros more, the Akko Mod007B-HE has a significantly higher quality of processing.

The most interesting point, however, is the modularity that Glorious actively advertises. Thanks to the modularity, (almost) all components of the keyboard can be detached and replaced with others. Even the dampening and sealing system can be changed. However, things get quite complicated and fiddly.

Software

Regarding the software, Glorious relies on “Glorious Core”. The software is quite hefty, and you first have to download almost 500 MB. The installation then requires another 1 GB on your hard drive or SSD.

On the other hand, and this surprised me during testing, the software only requires a slim 20 to 30 MB of RAM. This is almost nothing compared to other manufacturers (Logitech, Razer, and Corsair) and is particularly almost absurd in comparison to the software’s gigantic size.

Equally good: Almost all features can also be used without a login or account. The exception is cloud profiles, for which you need a “Glorious ID”.

Ergonomics

The keyboard is more ergonomic than large keyboards that fill the entire desk due to the small design (75%). Because with a small keyboard, you have more space on the table for your “mouse arm”.

However, in its basic setup, the keyboard is surprisingly high: The lowest point of the body at the front is 2 centimeters, including the spacebar, it is already 3.5 centimeters. A wrist rest is not included in the scope of delivery but can be purchased from the manufacturer for around 25 Euros. I myself purchased a bamboo wrist rest, which makes the key height of the GMMK 3 feel more pleasant.

The Keys

Under the keycaps of the keyboard are “Glorious Fox HE” switches. These are Hall Effect switches. Magnetic switches are considered to be the fastest switches you can currently use in a keyboard.

Additionally, you can customize the activation of each individual key according to your needs. The settings range from 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm. This is generally what other manufacturers of HE switches offer, such as Akko or SteelSeries.

At first, it feels unusual when you manually set the keys differently, but it provides you with a speed advantage. For example, if you assign a special ability to the “Q” key and set it to 0.1 mm, the key will trigger with a simple touch.

Why does it feel almost like cheating? You can adjust your keys so finely that your reaction speed is significantly faster than that of other players. When you only have to press the keys 0.1 mm deep, it is simply faster than having to press the key all the way down.

At first, this feels unusual, because you might trigger keys too early. This happened to me often enough in everyday life, that I triggered an ultimate ability into nothing because I set the key too finely. However, once you get used to it, you are significantly faster, whether it’s with movements or abilities in the game.

In this context, I must also mention the “Rapid Trigger” function. With “Rapid Trigger”, the confirmation point of each key can be dynamically adjusted. In contrast, every tiny movement is registered. This is advantageous when you need to press keys very quickly, such as during “strafing” in Counter-Strike.

The discussion is not entirely new among gamers, whether keyboards can make players “too good”. It has even gone so far that certain keyboard features like Rapid Trigger have already been banned in certain shooters. Because this tends to give you an advantage over other players who do not use such modern hardware.

However, I must restrict that I am not a pro when it comes to shooters or other genres. Therefore, my gaming advantages are also limited. In the hands of a professional, this keyboard would likely unleash its potential even more.

How loud is the keyboard? The switches themselves (in my case, Glorious Fox HE) are absolutely silent and not audible. The sound-dampening elements inside the keyboard do a good job. To make a comparison: With the Akko Mod007B-HE, you hear a clear and distinct “click” with every keystroke. With the Glorious keyboard, you only hear the keys, but not the switches or a magnetic (after) click.

Nevertheless, the keyboard itself is anything but quiet. Every keystroke can be clearly heard, and the keys sound almost “rattly”.

Particularly loud and unpleasant is the spacebar. However, I must add that with other keyboards, the spacebar is usually also the weak point when it comes to noise. If you want to use the keyboard in a large office for work, I would rather advise against it.

Sound test: To illustrate the volume of the keyboard, I recorded three different keyboards while typing quickly. The difference between GMMK3 and Dark Project Midnight can be heard very clearly:

GMMK3 HE 75%, switches: Glorious Fox HE (linear, magnetic):

Dark Project Midnight TKL, switches: G3MS Zircon (linear, mechanical):

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless, switches: Corsair MLX Red (linear, mechanical):

Conclusion: Good gaming keyboard for too high a price

Is the keyboard worth it? With a recommended retail price of 219 Euros, the gaming keyboard is not exactly cheap, but it is in line with other keyboards with HE technology. If you are looking for a very good, modular keyboard with plenty of settings options, then the Glorious GMMK3 is a very good overall package.

If you don’t need the very fast switches or such extensive options for customizing your keyboard, then there are better and significantly cheaper options for a gaming keyboard.

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	GLORIOUS Gaming GMMK 3 Rapid Trigger Keyboard, Hall Effect, 8K Polling Rate, MX-mechanische &...	No ratings yet		Zu Amazon

*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

What alternatives are there?

• The Akko Mod007B-HE is currently my recommendation if it’s not sold out: top quality, good switches, and a quiet, crisp typing feel. Only the software is not really good. The price is around 240 Euros.
• With the SteelSeries Apex Pro (TKL), you also get a very good keyboard with HE switches. The software is a bit overloaded, but you get good battery life and a pleasant typing feel. The price is also around 230 Euros.

More gaming keyboards: Are you looking for further recommendations in the peripherals area? Then take a look at the following buying guide on MeinMMO. Here we explain which keyboards are currently the most worthwhile: The best gaming keyboards you can currently buy