Cherry is incredibly well-known for its keyboard switches, so why don’t its in-house keyboards carry the same renown?
Having acquired the gaming brand Xtrfy towards the end of 2022, Cherry is upping the ante in the world of gaming. The new slimline compact Cherry MX-LP 2.1 mechanical keyboard is one of the first new Cherry keyboards to launch since the merger, and it’s packed full of features perfect for both work and play.
The 65% keyboard has Cherry’s Low Profile Speed switches, wired and wireless connectivity, extensive customization options through the Cherry desktop app, RGB lighting, and more.
It’s a great all-rounder, and this is what we liked about the Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact mechanical keyboard.
Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact
The Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact is one of the legendary mechanical keyboard switch manufacturer’s first in-house boards since taking over gaming brand Xtrfy in 2022. Featuring a 65%, 68-key design, per-key RGB customization, wired and wireless connectivity, and Cherry’s Low Profile Speed switches, the MX-LP 2.1 Compact is a great all-rounder and will suit workers and gamers alike.
Design and Build Quality
The Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact is a 65% mechanical keyboard with 68 keys. As with any 65% keyboard, the MX-LP 2.1 Compact cuts off some keys, including multimedia keys, the Numpad, and function keys, all accessible through the integrated Function key layers—more on these in a moment.
As a compact, the MX-LP 2.1 fits nicely on any desk, with dimensions measuring 308mm x 99mm x 27mm. It also weighs just 423g, which is light for a mechanical keyboard but fits one you might carry around.
But even with that light weight, the build quality of the MX-LP 2.1 is good. It’s an all-plastic design, as you’d expect, but there is very little keyboard flex while typing, and the rigidity is reassuring that the keyboard won’t break if you carry it around.
I have the black, grey, and orange colorway for review, but it’s also available in a white, blue, and red scheme or khaki, pink, and white. The black and orange keys provide a nice contrast to one another, and the speckles in the black plastic casing are a nice touch, as is the Cherry logo engraving on the right side of the case.
If RGB is your cup of tea, you’ll be pleased to know the MX-LP 2.1 has per-key RGB lighting, all of which can be controlled through the keyboard controls or the desktop app. I’m not a massive RGB user, but the RGB on MX-LP 2.1 works well, with four brightness levels, numerous effects, and extensive customization.
One feature I really like is the integrated rubber feet. On first appearance, the rubber feet appear to be integrated into the case. But on closer inspection, you can remove the rubber feet at the rear of the keyboard and flip them over, giving you some extra keyboard pitch.
I like the MX-LP 2.1 keycaps. Although these are ABS keycaps (you’d maybe expect PBT at this price point, but it’s a small quibble), they are nice underhand and, along with the Low Profile Speed switches, deliver a smooth and pleasant typing experience.
The labeling is taken care of via laser etching with a UV coating for extra protection, so there is little chance of rubbing away the lettering. Furthermore, the lettering is translucent, allowing the MX-LP 2.1’s extensive RGB to shine through.
As with any Cherry MX-compatible mechanical keyboard, you could swap these keycaps for something of your choosing; just make sure you opt for slim keycaps.
Switches and Typing Experience
As above, the Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact typing experience is smooth, and the combination of the keycaps and Cherry MX Low Profile Speed switches works well.
The Low Profile Speed switches are linear with a 45g actuation force, 1mm pre-travel, and 3.2mm total travel. While typing, you’ll notice the 1mm pre-travel allows fast and accurate typing without a great deal of effort, and the <1ms bounce time somewhat feels like it pushes your fingers back into position and towards the next key.
Each switch is individually stabilized, too, which adds to the smooth and comfortable typing experience.
As linear switches, there is no audible click when you register a keypress. Linear switches are typically comfortable to type on, but the lack of a clicky switch also means they’re good for offices, libraries, and other shared spaces.
But don’t just take my word for it; check out the Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact typing sample below:
For contrast, here is aKeychron Q8typing sample using Gateron G Pro Red linear switches:
The MX-LP 2.1 Compact is an excellent keyboard for typing and gaming. The fast key response is ideal for fast-paced gaming, alongside features such as full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting. However, the slimline keycaps and slick triggering keys may cause issues while gaming depending on your typing accuracy. I didn’t find it a huge issue, but then again, I don’t play many games competitively, and certainly not to a particularly high level.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Battery life is important for any wireless keyboard. However, the MX-LP 2.1 battery life is so-so, lasting for a few hours while unplugged. Naturally, using RGB while using battery power drains the juice faster.
Wireless connectivity is available using Bluetooth 5.2 or 2.4GHz wireless, for which a USB dongle is included in the box. The transmission range for both is stated as 10m, while the latency is 1ms. Although marginal, the 2.4GHz wireless connection felt faster to register keypresses.
But this isn’t just a wireless keyboard. The MX-LP 2.1 Compact has a USB-C port for wired connections and battery charging.
Cherry Desktop Software
Another plus point for the MX-LP 2.1 is the Cherry desktop software. It recognizes the MX-LP 2.1 almost immediately and allows you to select your keyboard layout if it doesn’t automatically detect it.
The RGB customization options are easy to use, and you can create custom per-key RGB schemes if you so desire.
However, as I’ve found with other keyboard customization software, the key binding tool needs some work. The MX-LP 2.1 comes with a full array of programmed custom keys, but you cannot access and change these in the app. There isn’t even a way to see what these bindings are in the app, which, given it is a customization tool designed specifically for this reason, is shortsighted.
Should You Buy the Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact?
TheCherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact is $130, which puts it in a very competitive market.
I’ve enjoyed my time with the Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact. The typing experience is good and smooth, the build quality is good, and the overall presentation and design of the MX-LP 2.1 is tidy.
Whether it’s $130 of tidy is another question. You could pick up a mechanical keyboard with a full aluminum case and hot-swappable switches that deliver a similar gaming experience. It won’t be anywhere near as portable, mind, but if it’s sitting on your desk forever, it’s something to consider.
But with that said, the Cherry MX-LP 2.1 Compact is a good all-rounder that will suit those that want a single keyboard for work and play.
