Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed review

Our Verdict

70%

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed is responsive, durable, and classy, but lacks the full feature set of other keyboards in its expensive price bracket.

The latest iteration in Logitech’s mechanical keyboard line, the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed, improves on its predecessor, the Logitech G Pro, in a couple of key ways. Its PBT keycaps replace the ABS plastic ones from the last model, which should ensure the key legends last longer and the caps don’t go shiny so quickly.

Plus, as its Lightspeed moniker suggests, the latest Logitech keyboard boasts wireless connectivity, with both a 2.4GHz dongle connection and Bluetooth support. Is it enough for this typing tool to rub shoulders with the best gaming keyboards? Let’s take a closer look.

Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed features

This keyboard’s slightly convoluted name provides us with some clues about its makeup. It’s a tenkeyless (TKL) design with no room on its dainty frame for the right-hand number pad. It does, thankfully, find the space for a selection of media and shortcut keys, though.

At the top left of the board are buttons to switch between bluetooth and wireless connection, toggle game mode (which disables keys of your choice if you fear accidentally hitting them while gaming), and adjust the brightness of the RGB lighting.

The top right hosts Back, Pause / Play, Forward, and Mute buttons, plus a volume scroller. The latter feels a little cheap, but is still a welcome addition, whereas the rest of the top-row buttons are decent quality, if a little stiff. In between the two rows are lights to indicate whether Caps Lock is on or off, and if the battery’s low. If you have the keyboard away from your body, you might find the angle hides these lights behind the F7 and F8 keys, which is a shame.

To the rear, Logitech keeps things simple with just the USB-C port and on / off switch, and the underside is much the same. The keyboard has five slender rubber feet, and two sets of flip-down plastic feet with rubber tips, all of which provide a suitably secure base, preventing any kind of movement during use.

One feature we really appreciate is that the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed comes equipped with a sturdy-feeling carry case. It’s not quite a hard case, but should be robust enough to take with you on your typing travels.

However, in the first of many decisions that leave the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed somewhat lacking compared to other enthusiast-class keyboards, it doesn’t include a wrist rest of any description, a feature that would have been good to see.

Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed design

We reviewed the white version of the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed, although pink and black versions are also available. Its dinky TKL frame has a robust, silver metal top plate which feels like it could resist all but the harshest punishment. Overall, the keyboard has an attractive, chalky sheen thanks to the contrast between the silver plate and the matte white across the top of the board and on the keycaps.

It’s refreshingly straightforward in looks compared to many modern keyboards; a bit more comparable to classic ’90s style peripherals, if a little less beige. The generic blue RGB effect that appears as standard reinforces that ‘classic tech’ feel, although a myriad of other RGB effects are available when you install Logitech G Hub.

This keyboard will likely appeal more to minimalists, and those who like a bright, clean look to their tech. I like it, but those keener on the more aggressive styling of some gaming peripherals or the more substantial bulky look of enthusiast-class keyboards might not be so keen.

Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed keycaps

One of the main details the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed improves versus its predecessor is its keycaps. These textured, doubleshot PBT caps feel more substantial than the previous keyboard’s ABS ones, and they’re sure to last much longer, too. PBT is the gold standard for high-end keyboards these days, so it’s a relief to see their inclusion here.

The shine-through of these keycaps is great for the most part, but like many other doubleshot caps, it struggles for keys with three symbols on, where the third symbol is relegated to the bottom of the key. For instance, on the ‘4’ key, the ‘€’ displays poorly, as does the ‘¦’ on the ‘`’ key. Thankfully, this only occurs a few times, so it doesn’t spoil the overall effect too much.

Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed mechanical keyswitches

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed comes with three choices of Logitech’s own mechanical switches: GX Brown (tactile), GX Red (linear), or GX Blue (clicky). The copy we reviewed came with the tactile switches. These switches are very similar to Cherry MX Browns, but come with a higher 50g actuation force (compared to 45g for the Cherry versions).

In fact, the actuation force is a little too high for my liking, having gotten used to light touch actuation, especially while gaming. But the linear version may feel a touch lighter, and it’s very much a subtle personal preference.

One thing that isn’t personal preference is that this keyboard has no option for a keyswitch with adjustable actuation distance. Keyboards such as the Corsair K70 Max include optical switches that let you adjust how far down the key needs to be pressed before the switch is triggered. This not only lets you fine tune this aspect of the feel of the keyboard but also allows you to set multiple actuation points to add extra functions to a single key. It’s far from a standard feature – and these sorts of switches are only available in linear versions, which some users aren’t so keen on – but it’s a missing feature when compared to those other premium gaming keyboards.

Another area where the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed eschews customization options is in the lack of hot-swappable switch sockets. Its predecessor had them, so it’s a shame to see the much-liked feature removed on the latest model. The switches aren’t lubed, either, so that’s worth bearing in mind if you’ve got a strong opinion on the topic. We’ve generally been happy with the feel of standard non-lubed Cherry MX switches, but others feel lube is essential. In theory, you can lube these switches yourself, but it’s a tedious operation at the best of times, even with hot-swappable switches.

Aside from that, these are decent switches: not too much wobble, fairly comfortable, and not too scratchy. The clicking and clacking of typing is a little louder than some keyboards, but hardly far from oppressive.

Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed performance

As you’d expect, the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed’s performance is excellent. There’s no discernible lag over the wireless connection – Logitech’s wireless system has been all but flawless in this regard since the Logitech G Pro mouse – nor lack of response regardless of how many inputs you press or how frantically you mash the keys.

However, although Logitech advertises that you can connect supported gaming mice, such as the recently released Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, to the same dongle as the keyboard, we found that this caused frequent connection issues so would advise against using this feature unless your rig is seriously short of USB slots. Similarly, the Bluetooth connection is useful but doesn’t have the lag-free performance of the dongle-based connection.

Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed pros and cons

Pros

• Appealingly simple design
• Responsive and high-performing
• Durable, premium components

Cons

• Struggles to justify its high price versus competitors
• Lack of customization options

Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed specs

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed specs list is:

Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed price

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed price is $199, putting it towards the top end of the mechanical gaming keyboard price range. And that’s despite it not including many of the customization options offered by similarly priced products.

Price: Expect to pay $199 (€229).

Is the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed worth it?

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed has all the core features and performance to suit esports pros and enthusiastic amateur gamers too. If you’re looking for a plug-in-and-play keyboard you can take on the go that won’t let you down in high-pressure situations, you could do a lot worse. But it lacks a lot of the features that other enthusiast-class keyboards enjoy, such as an adjustable actuation point, hot-swappable sockets, or even a wrist rest.

Does the Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed look like the keyboard for you? Let us know your thoughts on the Custom PC Facebook page, via Twitter, or join our Custom PC and Gaming Setup Facebook group and tap into the knowledge of our 420,000+ members.