Many of the best mechanical keyboards I’ve tested at Tom’s Guide look similar, more often than not. It’s rare that a keyboard lands on my desk and I say, “That’s wild.” So when I saw the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro, I audibly gasped.
Much like the Mercury M1 Pro gaming mouse and Lofree Block, the Mercury K1 Pro keyboard looks like it could fit on the set of a sci-fi movie. Its spider legs, dual independent RGB lighting systems, and sturdy build are its main attractions, but it’s also a stellar keyboard to type on. The Kailh Speedy Mint linear switches I tested are responsive and creamy, and they sound lovely too. The 1,000Hz polling rate is also well-suited to casual gaming.
But the sci-fi design won’t be to everyone’s liking, and it comes with a tiny screen which can’t be personalized. For the complete breakdown, read my full GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro review.
GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro review: Specs
GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro review: Cheat sheet
- What is it? A sci-fi looking wireless mechanical keyboard with a 75% layout
- Who is it for? Sci-fi fans who just want a nice feeling keyboard, or those who type for a living
- How much does it cost? The GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro is available for $149 / £116 from GravaStar
- What do we like? The design, premium construction, buttery smooth typing experience, massive battery, companion software, and gaming performance
- What don’t we like? The design may be divisive and the screen can’t be personalized
GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro review: The ups
With its premium construction, otherworldly design, buttery smooth typing experience and other goodies, the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro is one of the best keyboards I’ve used so far.
Otherworldly design
Where do I even begin with the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro’s otherworldly design? This keyboard is unlike any other I’ve ever seen. In Staff Writer Josh Render’s words: “Skynet is clearly testing Terminator keyboards.” It’s straight out of a sci-fi movie but it retains a minimalistic design when it comes to the keycaps. Although it looks a little gimmicky, the Mercury K1 Pro strikes a great balance between the present and the future.
Adding to the Mercury K1 Pro’s appeal are its dual independent RGB backlighting systems. The keyboard’s edges are lit up as is the board itself, but both systems are lit up in different colors which is a lovely touch, and the colors can be changed via the companion software (more on that soon).
Premium construction
As someone who types for a living, bashing out around 1,500 words five days a week, I need a keyboard that’s reliable and durable — and the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro is just that. Its body is made of aluminum alloy so it’s sturdy but lightweight, weighing 2.5lbs. Of course, the first thing you’ll probably notice are the spider legs in the top left and right corners. While these appear to be for show, they’re actually useful — these are the keyboard’s adjustable feet and can be set to raise the board up at an angle, or keep it flat. And they’re very sturdy too. I spent a good 10 minutes just playing with them! Snapping them back in place makes a satisfactory click, and the rubber at the bottom of each ensures you don’t accidentally knock the keyboard about.
A gasket-mounted design contributes to the improved typing feel as it gives the board a cushioned feel and reduces key vibrations. Also, five layers of sound dampening foam have been well-implemented throughout the Mercury K1 Pro’s construction. I tested the Kailh Speedy Mint linear switches and I noticed no metallic pings or hollow echoes.
Buttery smooth typing
The feel and sound of the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro are excellent. Kailh Speedy Mint linear mechanical switches are pre-built into this keyboard, and to me, they sound really creamy when combined with the keycaps and sound dampening foam. Have you seen one of those keyboard ASMR videos? This keyboard would be fit for a video like that — that’s how good and satisfying it sounds. Not only that, but they feel creamy too. With a 45g actuation force and pre-travel distance of 1.2mm, these switches are easy to activate as they don’t need to be pressed down fully. They’re also mighty responsive, as you’ll see in my type test results below.
I took a typist test on 10fastfingers.com to see how the Mercury K1 Pro performed against other keyboards I’ve tested, and I was really impressed with it. The Gamakay LK75 ($129) is what I use at home, and it’s yet to be dethroned — but if I had to pick, I’d choose the Mercury K1 Pro with its double-shot PBT keycaps.
Game on
I wouldn’t say the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro is the best gaming keyboard, but casual players won’t have any issues with it. It’s well-suited to productivity but if you want to sink a couple of hours into some low-stakes games, the keyboard won’t disappoint you. Its 1,000Hz polling rate is great for third-person RPGs and low-stakes FPS titles. The soft keycaps and responsive switches contribute towards the gaming performance too, and I noticed no latency issues while playing Lies of P, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or Hitman (2016).
If you want the best of both worlds, I’d recommend the Keychron K2 HE ($130) instead.
Companion software
The GravaStar Mechanical software, available on Windows only at the time of writing, lets you customize the Mercury K1 Pro. It isn’t the cleanest-looking software but it gives you all the customization options you’d expect.
You can remap keys, program macros, change the RGB backlighting and edge lighting, and more. You can also use key combos to change the RGB systems if you’re a macOS user — handy if you’re traveling or don’t have access to a computer running the companion software.
Never running out of juice
On top of everything, the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro is fitted with a massive 8,000mAh rechargeable battery. This means you won’t have to worry about running out of juice anytime soon, and it really is the cherry on top. GravaStar claims that the Mercury K1 Pro can last up to 470 hours on a single charge, depending on RGB settings. I haven’t been able to drain the battery completely yet, as the battery only dipped by 2% in the 15 hours I tested this keyboard, so I will update the review with the numbers soon.
GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro review: The downs
The GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro is a near-perfect keyboard, and I’ve had to nitpick to find its flaws. The result? Just two, one of which comes down to personal preference.
Divisive design
While I’ve praised the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro’s design, I know beauty is subjective and this might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The spider legs might put you off, but if you’re familiar with GravaStar, you know they make outlandish speakers, mice, earbuds and keyboards. It’s just GravaStar’s thing.
If you want a premium keyboard that’s similarly priced with a more traditional design, consider the Lemokey P1 Pro ($129), the Keychron K2 HE ($130) or the NuPhy Halo75 V2 ($129) instead.
Non-programmable screen
The GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro comes with a tiny screen near the arrow keys which shows the GravaStar logo lit up in RGB lighting. It doubles as a tiny mirror because it’s reflective. My only gripe with this screen is that it can’t be programmed, so you’re stuck with the logo. It would have been nice to be able to add your own GIFs or stills to the screen, like I did with the Gamakay LK75.
GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro review: Verdict
An outstanding keyboard that impresses with its otherworldly design, premium construction, durability and typing performance, the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro is a winner. It strikes a great balance between a futuristic aesthetic and functionality, serving as a fantastic productivity and casual gaming keyboard. The dual RGB backlighting systems and spider legs set it apart from other conventional boards.
But its bold design might not appeal to everyone, and you should consider traditional keyboards if the Mercury K1 Pro’s styling doesn’t float your boat. The non-programmable screen is also a missed opportunity, but these are minor drawbacks in an otherwise exceptional package.
Overall, this is an exciting keyboard for sci-fi geeks — you won’t get tired of looking at it.
