Newmen GM326 review: this budget deck puts other gaming keyboards to shame with its sub-$30 price tag

You can spend hundreds on hot-swappable gaming keyboards, but I didn't want to do that. I wanted a cheap deck I could tinker with, upgrade, and potentially break. That's what led me to picking up the Newmen GM326, a super cheap 75% keyboard that retails at around $25-$30 / £25, and often much less. What can I say, I was curious to see what budget Amazon brands could offer.

After spending years testing the best gaming keyboards on the market, it's easy to forget the quality that can lie at the bottom end of that price range. I love picking up these cheaper decks, but the GM326 proves just how far we've come.

This is a fantastic piece of kit that costs less than some DLC. Based on the cheap gaming keyboards I used to pick up, I was expecting rattle, echo, dodgy switches, dead LEDs, and a crusty PCB. This thing feels like a premium deck masquerading as an entry level device.

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Design

Considering I spent less than I would on takeout for this keyboard, it's built pretty damn well. It's a full plastic construction, which is to be expected, with a crisp white paint job. Yes, it's lighter than more expensive models from Keychron, and slightly taller than some gaming options from Asus and Razer, but it's comfortable, stable, and echo-free.

That's more than I can say for some gaming keyboards at three times this price. It's not without its edges; my right shift button is a little wonky, the rear elevation feet are particularly stiff, and the height of the top plate makes pulling some nestled switches a little fiddly. Overall, though, this thing looks like it costs far more than $25.

RGB lighting runs underneath each key, it's a little pastel-leaning rather than offering super vibrant colors but it's bright enough to keep your legends visible and can be swapped between three different profiles.

Overall, everything is remarkably sturdy - even the volume dial in the top right corner feels nicely tensioned. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to break into the chassis to apply your own mods, but taps still sound nicely dampened without a lick of ping, rattle, or echo across the entire deck. Considering I've tested three-figure Corsair keyboards that still suffer in this regard, that's a serious win.

Keycaps

Newmen doesn't disclose what its stock keycaps are made of, but considering this thing costs less than some of the cheaper PBT sets on the market I expect they're ABS. They're certainly sound like ABS, with a thinner form factor and a clackier rather than thockier sound (all technical terms, don't worry). The sides bend quite easily under pressure when removed form the board, and the cheaper construction can lead to shine over time, but they actually feel surprisingly solid under the fingertips.

There's a slight grain to the surface that provides plenty of tactile feedback as I skate over the top of the deck, and a nicely rounded profile that keeps things accurate as well. Compared to the Glorious GMBK's ABS toppers, these things are almost luxurious. Plus, at this price upgrading to something a little more comfortable is always on the cards.

Switches

Again, Newmen doesn't name a brand when discussing its switches - mine are simply labelled 'Red'. Again, though, they actually feel pretty good. You'll need to move further up the price scale (or swap them out) if you want something creamier, with a smoother travel, but things aren't exactly scratchy here.

Repeat presses are smooth and responsive, though you'll find better speeds and more dynamic actuation controls in premium magnetic options. As a budget mechanical option, though, they nail the brief, performing with a nice bounce and energetic feel under hand.

Software

Software isn't the Newmen GM326's strong point. It's out there, somewhere, but the site often sends Windows into a panic about malware and even once I took the plunge I could never fully get my PC to trust or run it. This is a no-go if you're after in-depth controls, but thankfully most of the basics are covered on the keyboard itself.

Controls

The Newmen GM326 has onboard function controls for a variety of different RGB settings including brightness, speed, and direction, as well as swapping between Windows and Mac, screen brightness, media playback, and even cut, copy, and paste. That's combined with a large, easily accessible volume dial in the corner, a rarity among cheaper decks.

There are a few gaming controls that are missing from this setup. There are no alternative keybinding arrangements, either via software (that I've been able to access anyway) or on the keyboard itself. You'll also find more RGB options, additional switch features, and SOCD controls in mid-range options as well.

Connection

A detachable USB-C cord keeps things flexible both on the desk top and in a backpack, though the thicker chassis of the Newmen GM326 does dash those portability hopes a little. This is a fully wired device, which is to be expected this far down the price scale. The supplied cable is cheap and rubbery, though does color-match the deck itself.

You won't find any fancy high polling rates via this cable, but most players don't need the 4,000 or 8,000Hz connections touted in marketing materials for premium decks. The GM326 kept up with me just fine in single player adventures.

Should you buy the Newmen GM326?

Whether you're buying your first gaming keyboard or you're looking for a slick mechanical 75% option on a budget, the Newmen GM326 is absolutely worth a visit. This is one of the first gaming keyboards to truly impress me with its value in a long time, and it's an absolute steal overall. You're not quite getting the finesse or features of more polished devices, but you'd be mad to expect it considering the quality of what's in front of you is so high for the price.

How I tested the Newmen GM326

I've been tinkering with the Newmen GM326 ever since I picked it up a few months ago. The budget deck has been on and off my desk in the time since then, culminating in one week's worth of intensive use across all my daily work and gaming. I ran this deck across Doom: The Dark Ages, Planet Coaster, and The Outer Worlds 2, with additional testing in Apex Legends.

I've also got my eyes on all the best wireless gaming keyboards as well as the best Razer keyboards and the best gaming mouse options for more setup ideas.