Logitech jumps on the TMR keyboard trend, but does so in the smartest way I've seen yet

I never thought Logitech would be behind one of my favorite gaming keyboards of the year. I'll be the first to admit I've previously found these decks a little lacklustre. While Asus, Razer, and Corsair often have something unique to shout about, Logi's keyboards have generally felt a little too safe for me to truly get excited about.

The Logitech G512 X launched yesterday, and having spent some time with the mechanical (but also TMR magnetic - more on that in a bit) deck it has to be one of the most interesting I've had on the desk so far.

Straight out of the box this is a mechanical keyboard, and a particularly satisfying one at that. Keypresses are a little heavier than I'm used to with traditional red linears, but there's a secret hidden inside a little window at the top of the chassis.

Here you'll find nine Gateron KS-20 magnetic switches, neatly waiting in a little row. They're fully hot-swappable with the mechanical clackers already installed on the G512 X straight out of the box, and even come with a set of O-rings within easy reach as well. Slap these switches on your most used keys, and you've got a combination of tactile mechanical clackers and more adjustable magnetic gameplay zones.

Logitech is calling the G512 X the 'first' keyboard with compatibility across mechanical and magnetic switches. It's not. That trophy sits in Cherry's case, with the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.2 Pro TMR offering up the first example of a truly hot-swappable magnetic keyboard that I've seen so far. Logi's latest release is no less impressive, though, and makes the smart move to prioritize cheaper mechanical clackers rather than far more expensive magnetic tappers straight out the box. Not only that, but those TMR sensors (a newer Hall effect lookalike that's growing in popularity this year) are only taking up half the deck.

That, combined with a more budget-friendly wired connection, means the G512 X sits at a $179.99 launch price - far less than Cherry's $249.99.

I've had the larger 96% model on deck, with full access to a slightly shifted number pad and a couple of media controls up in the right corner. The 75% keeps both of these rotary knobs, dropping those number keys for a vertical set of nav buttons instead.

This is no stock black gaming keyboard either. While Logitech's more 'Pro' styled decks tend to look a little boring on the desk top, the G512 X has plenty more energy to it. The white and aqua colorway I received is accented by a wide RGB light strip running under translucent plastic around the front. If you pick up the extra palm wrest, this lighting also produces a glowing effect as well.

Under-key lighting is sturdy, though with only one LED under larger keys, things can get a little uneven around longer (or dual) legends.

All of that would be nothing without a solid feel, though, and this is where those TMR sensors come into their own. Rather than feeling woolly and heavy, like earlier iterations of the best Hall effect gaming keyboards, these clackers feel incredibly smooth. They're lighter than the browns under the rest of the keys, but also manage to blend seamlessly into the typing experience. Once installed on the deck, each key's RGB color changes to let you know where your special clackers are as well - it's the little things.

I've only spent a little time with the Logitech G512 X so far but, ahead of my full review, this deck has already impressed me. There's evidence of an excellent attention to detail here, from the five-pin storage sockets keeping your swapped-out mechanical switches safe to the nicely textured caps up top.

$179.99 is still relatively pricey for a gaming keyboard, but Logitech has been far smarter with this magnetic release than its competitors. The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 is my top rated gaming keyboard of the moment, even with its $229.99 MSRP. The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE is the best magnetic option I've tested, but comes in at an eye-watering $359.99.

Logitech may lose some friends by limiting its magnetic compatibility to the left hand side of the board, and marketing it as a TMR keyboard with only nine included switches. I've been using these premium decks for some time now, though, and while it might be nice to be able to configure every key as you see fit - it's often just not necessary.

This is a lean implementation of a high-end keyboard technology that respects your wallet far more than its competitors. Right now, any brand that finds unique ways to offer greater flexibility around features and pricing is in my good graces.

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I'm also rounding up more of the best hot-swappable keyboards, or take a look at the best wireless gaming keyboards and best membrane keyboards for more options.