Having reviewed a wide range of GravaStar products, I can confidently say that this brand definitely knows how to make a statement. GravaStar recently made a bold, albeit somewhat tentative, entry into the world of computer peripherals with their stunning Mercury mouse. It was only a matter of time before this trend continued, especially since GravaStar had been teasing the arrival of a keyboard following the mouse. Well, it’s been a long time coming, but the Mercury lineup of keyboards is finally here, bringing with it that signature GravaStar futuristic style that has the potential to take the world of mechanical keyboards by storm.
Gravastar Mercury K1 is available for purchase on the Gravastar website. Coming soon to Amazon.
DESIGN
To start, it’s important to note that GravaStar’s Mercury lineup of keyboards comes in three distinct variants – the high-end Mercury Pro, the mid-range Mercury K1, and the budget-friendly Mercury K1 Lite. As you can tell, our review unit sits right in the middle of this lineup and is likely to be the main choice for most gamers, for whom this keyboard is primarily designed.
The legends on the front of the keys make the for an ultra-sleek look
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. The Mercury K1 is a very compact, gasket-mounted 75% keyboard with 79 keys. It includes the full function key row, standard alphanumerics, arrow keys, and the delete, page up, and page down keys off to the right side. The keyboard also features a control knob, though it’s more accurately described as a control switch. Essentially, it functions like a knob, but instead of rotating, it has a very short travel distance and literally clicks when you move it up or down.
There’s enough space to fit an additional key, but instead, you’ll find GravaStar’s RGB-illuminated logo next to the arrow cluster—a cool, though somewhat unnecessary, addition considering the other design goodies this keyboard offers. All in all, the keyboard’s layout is perfectly functional, and unless you’re someone who relies heavily on a numeric keypad, this K1 actually includes everything you need in a form factor smaller than most TKL keyboards.
The casing is unique and absolutely stunning
Now, let’s dive into the exciting part. GravaStar has always been known for its incredibly distinctive products, characterized by their futuristic design and meticulous attention to detail—a trait that the K1 proudly continues. The standout feature of this keyboard is definitely its frame and, frankly, its truly amazing skeletal design that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen on another keyboard.
Depending on whether you choose the white or black variant of the Mercury keyboard, this frame has the potential to look either sleek and futuristic or almost like something straight out of the latest Alien movie. No matter how you look at it, the frame’s design is stunning, and it alone, without even delving into the specifics of the keyboard, has “main selling factor” written all over it.
Even the bottom of the case is jam packed with details
The design of the casing is further enhanced by the implementation of RGB lighting. Not only is the RGB lighting featured on the keys, but it also runs the full length of the front side of the keyboard, visible through the gaps in the skeletal casing. There’s even a textured diffuser that matches the design of the casing, adding an extra layer of visual appeal.
The lighting can be quite bright, and it’s fully customizable, independent of the key lighting, with various effects and colors to spice things up. It’s a bit unfortunate that this RGB strip doesn’t extend to the sides of the keyboard, but the front illumination is more than enough to make a strong impression where it matters – the user of the keyboard.
Even without the RGB extending to the sides, the side profile looks amazing
Looking at the back, the casing still retains the skeletal details, but the openings present on the front are closed here. What you’ll find instead is a control cluster featuring a switch to toggle between wired and wireless modes, as well as a switch to change the layout between Windows and Mac, which is always a great addition. The USB-C port is positioned between these switches, right in the center of the keyboard, so keep that in mind if you plan to use it in wired mode.
Where most manufacturers would be content with a flat, blank surface on the underside of the keyboard, GravaStar goes a step further, filling it with intricate details. You’ll notice some futuristic-industrial design elements that have appeared on their previous products and while you might not see these often, they speak volumes about GravaStar’s immense attention to detail.
Connectivity and layout switches are smack in the center of the keyboard
The bottom isn’t just about form, though; there’s also some function. Besides the feet with two levels of tilt adjustment, you’ll find a small, magnetized slot in the middle of the keyboard to securely store the wireless USB dongle, ensuring you never lose it if you’re using the keyboard in wired mode or when transporting it.
The Mercury lineup of keyboards is infused with even more personality, thanks to each having its own unique set of keycaps. In the case of the K1, the keycaps are high-quality PBT, featuring a stunning gradient colorway that transitions from light gray on the top row to completely black on the bottom row. To make them even more distinctive, GravaStar decided to place the legends on the front side of the keycaps which makes the keyboard look amazing even with the RGB turned off, as the blank tops of the keys give it a uniquely sleek appearance.
The legends are plenty visible with or without the RGB
In terms of build quality, the bottom side of the keyboard is made of plastic, while the skeletal casing is crafted from aluminum which appears to have a matte finish that, at least for now, seems relatively resistant to scratches. Combined with the other components and the battery, this makes the K1 weigh just over 1kg, which is quite substantial for a 75% keyboard. This makes the keyboard feel really high-quality, and you can forget about any flex in the casing or unpleasant noises during use.
PERFORMANCE
As far as performance goes, the K1 comes equipped with hot swappable, custom GravaStar x Leobog switches. Based on appearance alone, it seems that our review model might not have the final production switches, but in terms of performance, they seem to be the same, relatively fast, 5-pin linear switches with 40g of actuation force, 1.5mm pre-travel, 3,5mm total travel and south facing RGB. Although the specifications lean more towards the gaming audience, I personally found the switches excellent for typing, thanks to the other components of the keyboard.
Collaboration with Leobog makes for one fast, gaming oriented switch
Specifically, I’m referring to the gasket-mounted structure and the generous amount of dampening foam. Inside, you’ll find Poron sandwich foam around the PCB, with IXPE foam, enhanced acoustic foam, Poron button foam, and silicone foam underneath. As with many keyboards featuring this much dampening material, the gasket effect is somewhat reduced as there’s very little flex on the typing surface, which, in my opinion, doesn’t detract from the K1. On the contrary, the sound profile of this keyboard is quite satisfying and relatively “thocky,” which is always a pleasure to hear in a production keyboard.
As I mentioned earlier, the Mercury K1 supports both wired connections and wireless connectivity via a 2.4GHz USB dongle and Bluetooth, making it incredibly versatile. I spent most of my time using the keyboard in 2.4GHz wireless mode, which was highly reliable for playing a wide range of games—from multiplayer titles like Overwatch 2 and Titanfall 2 to single-player experiences like God of War.
K1 has a monolithic battery life and can do wireless for weeks on end
What makes wireless use so effortless is, frankly, the massive 8000mAh battery, which provides an impressive level of autonomy. To be precise, it took nearly two weeks from the first time I powered on the keyboard before I had to connect it to a cable—and that was with the RGB lighting turned on. Since then, I’ve turned off the RGB on the keys and the strip, trying to gauge a concrete battery life figure before this review was published, but I’ve had no luck—because three weeks later, the K1 is still going strong, which is truly outstanding.
When it comes to keyboard customization, GravaStar created a proprietary, fairly lightweight piece of software for the Mercury lineup. Although the software isn’t particularly visually appealing, it gets the job done. You have the ability to create profiles, remap keys, customize RGB lighting, and create macro key combinations.
The knob that really isn’t a knob but it does the same things
There are also a few additional options, such as setting the time before the keyboard goes to sleep in wireless mode, adjusting debounce stages, and modifying tap sensitivity, but that’s about it. It’s unfortunate that the software doesn’t allow you to customize the RGB strip or apply custom effects to different keys, as the custom mode only lets you assign simple static colors to each individual key.
CONCLUSION
It’s truly remarkable that this is GravaStar’s first keyboard. For a debut product, the K1 not only checks all the boxes but also exceeds what we typically expect from mechanical keyboards. The design is undeniably out of this world, but don’t be fooled into thinking that GravaStar focused solely on aesthetics. This is a high-quality keyboard with outstanding performance to match.
At a price of $129.99, the K1 offers incredible value. When compared to the competition, it’s hard to find another keyboard that matches the K1’s combination of design, build quality, and performance and I fully expect it to make a well-deserved splash in the keyboard scene.
