Redragon K512 Shiva Review: RGB Membrane Keyboard

The Redragon K512 Shiva gaming keyboard has everyone talking because it's comfy to use, lets you pick your own pretty colours with the lights, and doesn't hurt your wallet too much. But, you know what they say - there are two sides to every story.  

In this review, we'll roll up our sleeves and dig into the keyboard's strengths, like those satisfying tactile switches and the handy macro customization options. We'll also shine a light on any potential drawbacks, giving you the full picture to help you decide.

Alright, no more suspense! We're diving into this Redragon K512 Shiva review to find out the truth.

Specifications

Switch Type	Membrane
Layout	Full Size 100%
Number of Keys	104 Keys
Connectivity	Wired
Anti-Ghosting	26 Anti Ghosting Keys
Programmable Keys	6 Programmable Keys
Backlit	RGB Supported

A Comprehensive Review

What’s Inside The Box? 

• The Redragon K512 Shiva Keyboard itself
• A single User Manual
• A Redragon Logo Sticker

Design

From my perspective, the Redragon K512 Shiva appears rather ordinary, lacking a distinct uniqueness when compared to other keyboards. This could potentially make the keyboard blend in when placed alongside other offerings, especially within the same budget range.

However, once it's plugged in, the RGB lights do contribute to enhancing its appearance.

A noteworthy feature is the inclusion of a magnetically detachable wrist rest, which can be conveniently attached to the bottom of the keyboard, providing added comfort for extended use.

Build Quality

Thanks to the plastic build quality, my overall impression of the keyboard is that it feels fairly lightweight yet sturdy, and the same can be said for the keycaps. 

These keycaps are also double-shot injection-molded, which is a great feature to prevent them from fading over time, ensuring they maintain a fresh appearance.

Comfort

The included detachable wrist rest, featuring adjustable height settings, is constructed from plastic, which gives Redragon K512 Shiva a solid yet lightweight feel. It sports a triangular texture on its surface to provide grip, but due to its plastic composition, it can become a bit uncomfortable when you start sweating.

However, under normal conditions, you can work or game for extended periods without experiencing stress or discomfort.

One significant point to note is that the palm rest's surface area is relatively average in size. This might not be suitable for accommodating various hand sizes or accommodating different typing postures among users.

On a positive note, the Redragon K512 Shiva is equipped with flip-out feet, offering multiple typing positions to cater to different preferences.

However, I did notice a slight amount of flex in the body. Nonetheless, I don't believe this should pose a significant issue since the keyboard will typically remain flat on the surface during regular use.

Switches

The switches you find in Redragon K512 Shiva are what we call "membrane switches." They give you a softer and quieter typing experience compared to those clicky and tactile mechanical switches. So, if you prefer a gentler, less noisy keyboard, this gadget has got your back!

Response

Redragon K512 Shiva boasts twenty-six anti-ghosting keys, a feature that proves quite handy when you're engaged in fast-paced gaming sessions. This means it can accurately register twenty-six consecutive inputs, ensuring precise responsiveness during gameplay.

Programmable Buttons

On the left side of the Redragon K512 Shiva, you'll find six programmable buttons labelled G1 to G6.

These buttons offer you the flexibility to program any in-game macros to your liking, whether it's for tasks like reloading weapons, executing melee actions, healing your game character, or configuring quick game settings. 

Additionally, they can also be utilized for macros unrelated to gaming. To program these buttons, simply press the Record button located at the top left, then proceed to press the macro button you wish to program with your desired macro combination.

Media Controls

At the top of the Redragon K512 Shiva, you'll find a set of media handling buttons. These buttons come in quite handy for seamlessly managing your media playback. 

With them, you can effortlessly pause, play, skip forward, or rewind the media that's currently playing in the background, all without needing to navigate back to the media source.

Backlit

Within this budget category, you'll enjoy one of the most impressive RGB backlight setups. When you activate the RGB lights, it truly transforms the entire scene and elevates the keyboard's appearance.

In my opinion, using Redragon K512 Shiva without the lights on wouldn't do it justice. The clear back sheet effectively diffuses the light that shines through it, creating a captivating effect.

Additionally, there are seven preset RGB settings available, which include the following:

• Seven Colour Wave
• Rainbow Spectre
• Neon
• Seven Colour Steady Light
• Single Colour Breath
• Multi Colour Breath
• Customized Mode
• Ripple or The Keypress Mode

Out of all the preset options, my personal favourite is the key press mode. It's a bit quirky, but I really enjoy how the RGB lights respond each time a key is pressed.

Moreover, there are six additional slots available for any extra customizations you'd like, and the accompanying software makes it easy to fine-tune these settings. This software also gives you control over the brightness of the RGB modules.

However, it's worth noting that Redragon K512 Shiva doesn't offer individual key RGB lighting, which could be a potential downside to consider when making your purchase decision.

Software

For additional software support, Redragon K512 Shiva is compatible with its software. This software allows for further customization of the RGB lights and the programmable buttons. 

However, it's worth mentioning that at times, locating the correct software version for your specific device can be a bit challenging but don't worry we got your back! Download the Redragon K512 Shiva's Software from here.

Red Flag

Redragon K512 Shiva exclusively supports a wired connection, ensuring there's no delay in key actions. However, it comes with a non-removable braided Type-A USB cable, which, in my view, is a drawback. 

I've noticed that other keyboards in the same budget range from this brand offer a more appealing feature – a detachable USB-C braided cable, which I consider a significant advantage.

The reason for this preference is that, in the future, if the cable accidentally gets in your way, it can potentially result in damage to both the keyboard and the cable, a concern that doesn't apply to keyboards with detachable cables.

Another noteworthy aspect to mention is the media controls located at the top of the keyboard. While they do add a lot of functionality, they feel rather unpleasant to press. 

They lack the tactile or soft feedback one might expect and instead offer a mushy sensation. Because of this, I personally avoided using them and opted for the function keys in combination with function key macros to control media functions.

During extended use of the keyboard, I noticed that the longer keys tended to rattle more than they did initially. This has proven to be quite bothersome, as you need to hit the keys just right to avoid the distracting rattling sound during your keystrokes.

Comparison with Similar Products

Name	SHIVA K512 Membrane Gaming Keyboard	Castor K631 Grey 65% Wired RGB Gaming Keyboard	Dragonborn K630 Wired 60% Keyboard	Kumara K552 LED Rainbow Backlit Wired Keyboard	SURARA K582 (Quiet-Red Switches)	Fizz K617 60 White & Grey Small Mechanical keyboard
Switch Type	Membrane	Mechanical	Mechanical	Mechanical	Mechanical	Mechanical
Layout	100% 104Key	65% 68-key	60% 61-key	Tenkeyless 87-key	Full-size 104-key	60% 61-key
Backlit Support	RGB Backlit Supported	RGB Backlit Supported	RGB Backlit Supported	Rainbow Backlit	RGB Backlit Supported	RGB backlit Supported
Connectivity	Wired Mode	Detachable - Wired	Wired Mode	Wired Mode	Wired Mode	Wired Mode
Switch Brand	N/A	Outemu Red	Outemu Blue, Brown, & Red	Outemu Red	Outemu Blue, Brown, & Red	Outemu Red
Swappable	No	Hot-swappable with almost all switch types in the market	Hot-swappable with Outemu switch	Hot-swappable with Outemu switch	Hot-swappable with Outemu switch	Hot-swappable with Outemu switch

When I compare Redragon K512 Shiva to its sibling models, it becomes apparent that it falls behind in several aspects, at least in my opinion. The only distinct advantage that this keyboard holds over its counterparts is its complete keyboard layout with extra programmable macro keys, and an array of media handling keys, which others may lack.

Given its price point, I believe you could also easily invest in a genuine mechanical keyboard with all the perks that come with it, such as customizable keycaps, tactile feedback, and hot-swappable functionality. However, it's essential to note that most other keyboards in the same range also offer the convenience of detachable connection cables for added flexibility.

FAQs

Conclusion

In conclusion, my verdict is that the choice of this keyboard largely depends on the individual purchasing it. If this happens to be your inaugural gaming keyboard, rest assured that you won't be disappointed by your selection. However, it's worth noting that opting for a full-fledged mechanical keyboard wouldn't be a misguided decision either.

On the flip side, if you have prior experience with mechanical keyboards, you might not find Redragon K512 Shiva particularly satisfying.