Cherry KW X ULP put to the test: flat, mechanical, great

The KW X ULP protrudes 16 millimetres tops from the desk you place it on. And yet, you don’t have to do without mechanical switches. Typing’s also pretty quiet on this keyboard, which really helps keeps the peace if you work in an open-plan office. That’s where a workmate came up with an explanation for what gave the keyboard its name.

Keyboard

EUR173,54

CHERRY KW X ULP

DE, Wireless, Cable

13

Keyboard

EUR173,54

CHERRY KW X ULP

DE, Wireless, Cable

13

When this test was in its final stages, one of my workmates provided a possible solution for the puzzle that is its unwieldy name. KW might stand for «Keyboard Wireless» and ULP for «Ultra-Low Profile», which would make them mere descriptions of a keyboard that’s actually just called X.

Connect up to four devices

Cherry mainly advertises the KW X ULP as an office keyboard, but also drops the word «gaming». This is how the manufacturer brings full N-key rollover into play. However, the simultaneous pressing and processing of an unlimited number of keys has been standard for years. Having said that, I’ve only tried this with Windows key combinations and not whilst gaming.

The keyboard features white key illumination. Some status and special buttons such as NUM or CAPS Lock also light up in blue or red when they’re activated.

If the tilt angle is too flat for your taste, you can raise the KW X ULP using the three mounting feet at the upper edge. I mainly used the keyboard in a flat position with a minimal tilt.

You can connect up to four devices to the KW X ULP via three technologies. To switch between the two Bluetooth, one wireless and one USB-C cable connection, you use the F1 to F4 function keys. The keyboard itself uses Bluetooth 5.2 and is compatible down to Bluetooth 4.0. When not in use, you can store the 2.4 GHz USB-A receiver inside the keyboard.

A short keystroke for mechanical typing

Weighing in at 630 grammes, the KW X ULP sits sturdily on the desk. It feels heavy when you pick it up, but it’s lighter than my Keychron K4 or Logitech MX Mechanical. The frame, or rather the surface between the keys, is made of anodised aluminium. The entire keyboard stays stable when you’re typing. It doesn’t wobble, even if you pound away on it.

According to the manufacturer, the built-in Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile switches are designed for 50 million keystrokes. The tactile switches have a key distance of 1.8 millimetres and trigger after just 0.8 millimetres. This is very short for a mechanical keyboard. The MX Mechanical by Logitech, which is also advertised as flat, comes in at 3.3 and 1.4 millimetres. In order for the Cherry keys to trigger, you need to press down unusually hard for a flat keyboard like this – 65 grammes of force are required. Despite the short distance, typing feels mechanical and not like chewing gum.

The buttons only move in height. Only the large keys – especially the space bar – have minimal lateral play. The keycaps of the KW X ULP are made of black polycarbonate and are flush with the aluminium plate. With the MX Mechanical from Logitech, on the other hand, the switches are exposed.

All white lettering on the Cherry is lasered and has a UV coating. The caps feel flat at the top and the lettering seems robust. After more than six months of daily use, there’s still not a trace of wear.

Dust is the most obvious visible sign of use on the keyboard. Thankfully, the material doesn’t seem to attract grease from my fingers. Only after six months and upon closer inspection can I make out traces of grease in the crevices of the most frequently used keys.

One squeaky button

A long-term test sure has some advantages. On the plus side, I can safely say that I still enjoy typing on the KW X ULP. And then there are those cons that only become apparent after some time. For example, the delete button started to squeak after five or six months. It must have shifted slightly, causing the polycarbonate keycap to rub against the aluminium frame and create the noise. When I press the right side of the button, the sound’s quieter than when I press the left side.

There’s nothing I can do about it. You can’t replace the keycaps of the KW X ULP. Cherry’s printed an explicit warning against removing them on the packaging. Why? Because removing them damages the keyboard. So this isn’t a keyboard for modders.

Long battery life if the lighting’s off

If you use the KW X ULP wirelessly, it runs on a 500 mAh lithium-ion battery. During the six months I’ve been using the keyboard, I never thought to switch it off after work and only had to charge it once via the USB-C port. For comparison: my Keychron K4 needs charging about once a fortnight.

Full disclosure, though: I deactivated the key illumination, as the regular room lighting is enough to be able to read the keys.

Software: changing the key assignment with Cherry Keys

With the Cherry Keys software, you can reassign the F and special keys. You can also specify programs, files, folders or websites you want to open when you press a key. In addition, you can define text modules or macros and select system functions such as «Standby» or «Lock screen».

The Cherry Keys software is limited to changing the key assignment. This can be pretty handy, but I’m happy with the basic keyboard settings.

Conclusion: the best flat, mechanical keyboard

I’m still getting used to the name of the KW X ULP. Other than that, I’m very happy this Cherry keyboard. If you’re after a flat, mechanical keyboard and have no intention of replacing the keycaps, I recommend it. For me, it’s currently the best choice in its sector.

The finish is excellent, the battery life is long, and typing is pleasant thanks to the short key distance and clear actuation point. The lettering on the keys lasts a long time and dirt isn’t immediately noticeable.

I prefer the KW X ULP to the higher MX Mechanical by Logitech. However, the Cherry keyboard also costs more.