Redragon
Kumara K552
AUTHOR:Onie T.
TESTED BY:James L.
Published:

The Redragon Kumara K552 is a wired, tenkeyless mechanical keyboard equipped with Outemu Red mechanical switches. Despite some shortcomings in customization options and typing feel, it serves as a good starting point for those new to the mechanical keyboard scene.

Marketed as the "best bang for the buck", this keyboard is priced at an affordable $39.99 USD on Amazon and the Redragon website, aligning with entry-level pricing and far below that of premium keyboards. With ABS keycaps, this budget-friendly mechanical keyboard delivers decent value for its cost.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE GOOD

  • Build Quality

    While it's not a premium mechanical keyboard, it offers decent sturdiness for its $40 USD.

THE BAD

  • Typing Feel

    The keyboard has a hollow sound with noticeable rattling.

  • Customization

    Although technically hot-swappable, the switches are somewhat stiff to remove, and this feature isn't officially marketed.

  • Latency

    It delivered very high latency results mostly due to its 125 Hz polling rate.

THE REST

  • Overall

    Despite The Bad, it is an okay entry-level mechanical gaming keyboard. For its price and availability, it's a solid option for those new to mechanical keyboards, offering many of the keyboard features you'd expect.

LINKS
Where to buy*
Best BuyAmazon

*This website uses affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may provide compensation to Linus Media Group.

Hardware
HardwareNotes

The Redragon Kumara K552 comes packaged with the keyboard itself, stickers, a keycap puller, and user documentation. The keyboard features a metal frame with a plastic base plate, shine-through double-shot injection ABS keycaps in a Cherry profile, and plate-mounted stabilizers. However, it does have a hollow sound, noticeable rattle, and some board flex. The keyboard is wired, with a non-detachable USB Type-A cable.

In the Box

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Front of the box.

Dimensions
The keyboard is placed on a 900 x 400 mm desk pad next to a Logitech MX Master 2S mouse.

The keyboard is placed on a 900 x 400 mm desk pad next to a Logitech MX Master 2S mouse.

Height
Width Max
Depth W/ Palm Rest
Depth
Weight
Construction
The right side of the keyboard containing the navigation keys.

The right side of the keyboard containing the navigation keys.

Chassis Material
Base Plate Material
Base Plate Color
Stabilizers
Keycaps
The left side of the keyboard.

The left side of the keyboard.

Keycap Material
Lettering
Shine Through Keycaps
Connectivity
The keyboard is connected by a USB Type-A undetachable cable.

The keyboard is connected by a USB Type-A undetachable cable.

Wireless
Wired
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
Multi-Device Pairing
Receiver
Receiver Storing
Battery Type
Computer Side Connector
Keyboard Side Connector
Cable Length
Detachable Cable
USB Passthrough
Features & Software
Features & SoftwareNotes

The keyboard offers LED rainbow backlighting with 19 lighting effects and multiple brightness levels. It is not compatible with QMK or VIA, and although software is available, it is difficult to use. The Kumara K552 is compatible with Windows computers and has limited macOS compatibility.

Software
Software
Mandatory Registration
Number Of Profiles
Onboard Memory
Cloud Sync
Macro Programming
QMK Firmware Compatible
VIA Key Configurator Compatible
Windows Compatible
MacOS Compatible
Backlighting
RGB Software
Backlighting
Backlighting Color
Per Key Illumination
Performance
PerformanceNotes

The Kumara K552 includes Outemu Red linear mechanical switches, which are technically hot-swappable, but not recommended for frequent swapping. The switches have an operating force of 44.03 gf, 1.82 mm of pre-travel, and 4.08 mm of total travel. The keyboard has a relatively high latency, averaging 32.46 ms.

Keystroke
Latency
Sound Sample
Productivity & Efficiency
Productivity & EfficiencyNotes

The Kumara K522 does not come with wrist rest and has two incline angles.

Ergonomics

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The keyboard ergonomics at an angle of 3 degrees, with the adjustable leg in.

Board Size
Board Type
Palm Rest Included
Low Profile
Incline Angles
/
Key Alignment
Numpad
Dedicated Function Row
Dedicated Arrow Keys
Key Spacing
Ghosting & Rollover
KRO Wired
KRO Receiver
KRO Bluetooth
Ghosting
Test Configuration
Tested Settings
Firmware Version
Software Version
Polling Rate (Wired)
Polling Rate (Wireless)
Debounce Time

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