Cooler Master MK770 review: Insulated hybrid keyboard

With its hybrid design, the Cooler Master MK770 is aimed at gamers and professionals who value flexibility and high build quality. It offers three connection modes: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C cable. Combined with an aluminum surface, customizable RGB lighting, and the ability to flexibly use all possible switches thanks to hot-swap, it makes a strong impression on paper.

Cooler Master also includes features such as integrated sound insulation for quieter typing and an innovative stabilizer design. But do the extensive features and the price of around $119 justify the investment?

Further reading: The one mechanical keyboard feature I can’t live without

Cooler Master MK770: Design and workmanship

The design of the Cooler Master MK770 immediately catches the eye. The tested version in the grey-black color scheme combines subtle tones with an aluminum surface that looks robust and high-quality.

In contrast to a pure TKL layout, the MK770 offers a 96 percent layout, which is more compact than a full layout but still integrates a numeric keypad. This makes the keyboard suitable both for gamers who need more space on their desk and for users who do not want to do without the functionality of a numeric keypad.

Friedrich Stiemer

A special highlight is the double sound insulation inside the keyboard, which has been realized in combination with a genuine gasket-mount design. This design uses flexible seals between the aluminum top plate and the housing, which not only acoustically dampens keystrokes, but also significantly reduces mechanical vibrations.

Together with Poron foam and a silicone damping mat, this ensures a pleasantly muffled and quiet typing noise. This design sets the MK770 noticeably apart from many competitor models, as it offers exemplary feedback both acoustically and haptically.

The aluminum top plate not only gives the keyboard stability, but also ensures a pleasant feel. Unlike the US version, however, our tested variant does not come with robust PBT double-shot keycaps, but only with conventional ABS keycaps, which unfortunately tend to wear out and become shiny more quickly.

This slightly reduces both the feel and the acoustics of the keyboard, as the keystrokes sound somewhat hollow and less high-quality. Nevertheless, the keycaps offer special symbols for MacOS use, making the MK770 an attractive choice not only for Windows users but also for Mac users.

Unfortunately, Cooler Master does not include a palm rest.

Friedrich Stiemer

Cooler Master MK770: Technology and features

The tested version of the Cooler Master MK770 is equipped with Kailh Box V2 Red switches, which are known for their linear typing feel. The box architecture of the switches is characterized by additional protection against dust and moisture, which significantly increases their durability.

With an actuation travel of 1.8 and a total stroke depth of 3.6 millimeters, the switches trigger particularly quickly and precisely, which is ideal for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts. The actuation point is only 45 grams, resulting in easy and fatigue-free typing.

The linear characteristic of the box switches ensures smooth, jerk-free feedback, but also harbors weaknesses. Compared to tactile switches, there is no perceptible trigger signal, which could tempt beginners to make unintentional incorrect entries. Nevertheless, the switch remains a recommendable choice for gamers and frequent typists due to its high stability and linear smoothness.

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Another highlight is the newly developed stabilizer design, which ensures consistent keystrokes for larger keys such as the space bar, Shift key, or Enter key. These so-called stabilizers consist of additional metal brackets that are installed on the side of the keys and distribute the movement more evenly.

The mechanism on the Cooler Master MK770 has been optimized to minimize rattling noises and make the keys quieter. As a result, the keystrokes not only feel more precise, but also appear more stable and less spongy.

This improvement is particularly noticeable during fast typing sequences and intensive gaming sessions, where the keystrokes are smoother and more pleasant. This is a clear advantage for frequent typists, as the fingers are not strained by unwanted vibrations or unevenness.

The hot-swap function allows the switches to be replaced without soldering, which makes the keyboard interesting for enthusiasts who want to try out different switch types or replace worn switches. The Cooler Master MK770 is compatible with 3-pin and 5-pin switches, offering a wide range of options.

This flexibility makes it particularly attractive for users who want to customize their keyboard to individual preferences or upgrade the switches in the long term. This gives the Cooler Master MK770 a high degree of customization.

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Cooler Master MK770: Gaming performance in practice

In everyday gaming, the Cooler Master MK770 shows why it is a serious option for competitive gamers. The Kailh-Box V2 Red switches with their actuation pressure of 45 grams and fast trigger characteristics deliver exactly what is needed for hectic shooter matches or MOBA tournaments like precise inputs and fast reactions.

Especially in games such as Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant, the keyboard shows what it can do–whether it’s quickly switching weapons or controlled movements in close combat. The linear stroke enables fluid input without you having to worry about unintentional keystrokes.

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The 2.4 GHz wireless mode was absolutely convincing in the test. Even in action-packed multiplayer games, latency was barely noticeable. No input lag, no stuttering–the keyboard executes commands without delay and brings the feeling of a wired connection to the wireless setup.

The range is impressive, meaning that setups further away (e.g. on the sofa) are also possible. Bluetooth 5.1 offers more flexibility, but is more suitable for cozy rounds of Civilization VI or office use, as slight delays are noticeable here.

The double sound insulation and optimized stabilizer design contribute significantly to the gaming experience. There is hardly any rattling or wobbling when pressing larger keys–the keystrokes feel full and precise.

During intensive typing or fast, repetitive inputs, the acoustics remain pleasantly muted, so the Cooler Master MK770 does well in quieter environments. This overall picture of performance and comfort makes the MK770 a reliable companion for gamers and frequent typists alike.

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Cooler Master MK770: Battery life and scope of delivery

With its three connection modes, the Cooler Master MK770 is extremely flexible. The 2.4 GHz wireless mode impresses with its low latency, while Bluetooth 5.1 enables a versatile connection to various devices such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones.

The USB-C cable is not only used for data transfer, but also for charging the 4000 mAh battery, which delivers solid results in practice. With the RGB lighting set to maximum brightness, the keyboard achieves a runtime of around 21 hours. If you reduce the lighting or switch it off completely, the battery life increases significantly and can reach values of up to 165 hours.

With the factory setting of the lighting, which uses a medium brightness, we achieved around 32 hours of continuous use in our tests. These values are satisfactory for a wireless gaming keyboard, even if they’re not top class.

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The RGB lighting offers 16.8 million colors and numerous effects that can be adjusted via the Cooler Master software or key combinations. The keyboard also has a dedicated volume control in the top right-hand corner. Cooler Master includes a keycap and switch puller, a USB adapter for the 2.4 GHz dongle, and the aforementioned USB cable.

Friedrich Stiemer