The Glorious GMMK 3 HE holds down the mid-range in Glorious third iteration GMMK lineup of gaming keyboards.
The thing is, in typical Glorious fashion, even those lower echelons are pricey.
The GMMK 3 HE boasts some decent gaming features, including high poll rates and adjustable actuation.
The GMMK 3 HE with Gamakay Mars mechanical switches fitted.
But is that really worth $189?
Find out in my full Glorious GMMK 3 HE review.
Ultra-high polling rates provide little except bragging rites, so primarily exist to unnecessarily inflate keyboard prices.
But hey, the GMMK 3 HE polls as fast as is currently possible, so there you go.
Notably, you might scale the GMMK 3 HEs polling back to more reasonable rates to reduce system load.
The PCB has two sockets, supporting both HE magnetic switches and 3- or 5-pin mechanical switches.
), removing the need to use mechanicals if, for example, you prefer tactile switches.
But stymie that cynicism for a second, as the wider implications of this are exciting.
Glorious is setting a stirring precedent here that I hope more manufacturers will follow.
Someone needed to figure out how to do it first, and Glorious has stepped up and done so.
If you were to buy this board, Id suggest buying barebones and fitting your own switches and keycaps.
I also swapped out the switches from magnetic to mechanical.
I opted for Gamakays beautiful heavily-sprung Mars tactile switches.
My typing performance on the GMMK 3 HE was excellent, with above-average speeds albeit slightly lower-than-average accuracy.
Youll be able to improve accuracy by using magnetic switches and increasing the actuation distance, though.
The under-key LEDs are north-facing and powerful, generating a homogeneous glow underneath the keycaps.
The default caps are shine-through, which complements the under-key lighting.
If you want to customize the board at checkout, then youd better remortgage your home first.
Right off the bat: Ive nothing against plastic cases.
Think of a saucepan lid that can move around on a flat plane while on top of the pan.
), but in real life look like an AliExpress special: all shiny and tacky.
None of this befits a $189 keyboard.
The base keyboard uses cheap-feeling materials and keycaps Id expect to see on sub-$75 keyboards.
It offers some decent gaming features, such as adjustable actuation and rapid trigger.
So at a lower price, this board could be a reasonable purchase.
However, at $189, the GMMK 3 HE is a very difficult keyboard to recommend.
Meanwhile, speccing better components using Glorious online designer demands flagrantly gratuitous sums of money.
It boggles the mind.
The price of this keyboard is more than a little ridiculous given todays competition.
Glorious is still pricing its decks as if its the only manufacturer making high-end custom keyboards.
Well, Ive got news for you, Glorious: you aint.
The GMMK 3 HE with Gamakay Mars mechanical switches fitted.
The GMMK 3’s LEDs are seriously bright!
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
