Roccat Skeltr Keyboard Review

« Roccat Swarm Software

Experience and Final Thoughts

Roccat packs quite a number of features on the Skeltr and the good news is that these work extremely well. Billed as a smart communication hub, the Roccat Skeltr working with the Swarm software and app combo lives up to the claim, showing a relatively snappy, lively response paired via Wi-Fi. The ability to seamlessly move from gaming to talking or typing on the phone is remarkable and certainly ground breaking. It is one of those features that you simply have to try to realize how useful it can be. I was also doubtful at first that it would work well but I was proven wrong after trying it out. Please note however that since it is an audio pass-through, users have to set the audio levels first on their operating system (Sound Manager in Windows, then recording tab) so that the voice levels and recording levels are coming across accordingly. The Swarm software itself is also equally impressive, not just for its integration and swift performance but in terms of layout and ease of use. It is largely intuitive and non-intrusive, using 2MB of system memory.

In terms of its credentials as a gaming device however, that required some testing. Using common gaming combos for FPS games tested in AquaKey Test under Windows 10, the Roccat Skeltr passed with some minor hiccups:

AWS = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)
WSD = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)
ASD = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)
AWZ = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)
AWX = Yes (with Shift modifier only, CTRL does not work)
AWC = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)
AWV = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)
WDZ = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)
WDX = Yes (with Shift modifier only, CTRL does not work)
WDC = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)
WDV = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers)

The arrow key cluster and the numpad are also equally versatile, allowing for even more simultaneous multi-key input. While not a full NKRO, it is perfectly serviceable for a gaming keyboard and I will certainly give it a passing grade on this test.

The one major factor in holding back this keyboard is of course the price. At $135 USD, it is in mechanical gaming keyboard territory and even though the Skeltr offers a lot more in terms of functionality, durability is a concern. Since there are no other high-end membrane keyboards in the market, let alone one with functional smartphone integration, I could understand Roccat’s rationale to price the Skeltr at those rates. The idea itself is very strong, having an all-in-one communication/gaming hub ecosystem while sitting in front of the desk, I just wish the Skeltr was made of sterner stuff physically with thicker membrane or maybe in the future, a fully mechanical switch version. In the end however, it is the users who decide how much the value of a device really is and what is important to fit their needs.