Redragon K628 Pollux Pro Review: 75% Mechanical Keyboard

Introducing the POLLUX K628 PRO by Redragon, a mechanical keyboard that could easily be considered their most impressive offering to date. Having reviewed a variety of keyboards, I can confidently say that this one stands out as a true game-changer.

Redragon K628 Pollux Pro has 78 keys, hot-swappable red switches, a dazzling RGB lighting setup, and a design that's not just sleek but also super portable. This keyboard is all set to revolutionize how you type and game.

In this in-depth review, we're going to start by unboxing it, take a close look at those switches and the mesmerizing RGB display, and finally, we'll talk about what it's great at and where it might have some room for improvement.

And, of course, I'll make sure to provide you with links to buy the Redragon K628 Pollux Pro from some trusted sources.

Specifications of Redragon K628 Pollux Pro

The Redragon K628 Pollux Pro is packed with technologies, let us go through them so that we can have a deep dive later.

Layout

Redragon K628 Pollux Pro is a 78-key 75% keyboard, and what sets it apart from others of its size and dimensions is the inclusion of a Numpad. While you might not personally use a Numpad, for some folks, it can truly make a world of difference in terms of functionality.

Hot Swappable

The Redragon K628 Pollux Pro offers flexibility when it comes to switch selection. You can choose your preferred switch when making your initial purchase. Additionally, if you ever decide to upgrade your switches later on, the package includes a handy toolset with a keycap and switch puller, allowing you to easily swap them out.

This feature allows us to further add custom modifications as well if we desire to. Click here to read the review of another Hot Swappable 60% mechanical keyboard from Redragon.

Switches

The Redragon K628 Pollux Pro comes equipped with Outemo Red Switches, which essentially function as a clone of the widely popular, light-linear Red Cherry MX Switch. 

These switches offer an initial actuation of approximately 2.1mm, and with just 46g of operating force and 62g of bottom-out force, they can be smoothly pressed down to reach a full 4mm actuation depth.

Here are the switches you can consider if you need to replace a faulty switch or if you simply want to try something different.

	Outemu Red	Outemu Blue	Outemo Brown
Operation Style	Linear	Clicky	Tactile
Operating Force	40 g	60 g	55 g
Actuation Point	2.0 mm	2.3 mm	2.0 mm
Total Travel Distance	4.0 mm	4.0 mm	4.0 mm
Life Span (Keystrokes)	50 Million	50 Million	50 Million
Sound Level	Quiet	Clicky	Gentle
Suitable for	Office Work/Gaming	Typist	For Both

Connectivities

The Redragon K628 Pollux Pro offers three modes of connection, powered by Redragon's innovative tri-mode connection technology, which are as follows:

1. USB-C wired; This not only provides connectivity but also charges the included 1600 mAh Lithium-Ion Battery.
2. Bluetooth 3.0/5.0;  You can connect via Bluetooth for added convenience.
3. 2.4 GHz wireless; The package includes a USB Type-A transmitter for a wireless connection.

RGB Lights

For backlighting support, Redragon has integrated Vibrant Groovy RGB, which offers twenty preset lighting modes, each with adjustable floating and breathing speeds. Additionally, the new music sync mode enhances the overall ambiance of the setup when synchronized with music.

Review

Box Contents

In our package, I was greeted with a fairly standard-sized keyboard box. Initially, what surprised me was the box's quality, which honestly didn't quite match the level of quality I was expecting for the keyboard inside.

Inside the package, I found the Redragon K628 Pollux Pro keyboard itself, along with a keycap and switch puller that we'll take a closer look at later. There were also a few instruction manuals and a nifty Redragon sticker included.

First Impressions

My initial impressions didn't inspire much confidence, and one of the key reasons for this was Redragon's rather in-your-face design theme, which, in this case, feels a bit overdone. 

The red and black combination used for both the chassis and keycaps doesn't make the device particularly adaptable to a wide range of environments.

However, there's a glimmer of hope when you start typing. After plugging it in, the RGB lights come to life and are complemented by a surprisingly pleasant typing experience. This piqued my interest and made me want to delve deeper into exploring the product.

Design and Build Quality

In my opinion, the design doesn't really stand out due to Redragon's reliance on the black and red combination. However, it's worth noting that the build quality is quite sturdy, especially considering that it weighs in at only around 0.47kg.

When you flip the switch on the RGB lights, they do their best to enhance the design. In darker environments, they manage to divert your attention away from the initial appearance of the board.

Features Review

Switches

Even though the switches here aren't the revered Cherry MX Red, which tends to set the industry standard, the default switches that come with this Redragon K628 Pollux Pro don't have the best reputation in enthusiast communities.

However, if you're new to this kind of keyboard, you won't likely notice any shortcomings in terms of your typing or gaming experience. 

Now, on a slightly unrelated note, my package came with a few extra switches just in case there's a fault down the road. These can be easily swapped out using the tools included in the package. 

Interestingly, I've noticed that not all websites mention these extras in their descriptions, so it might be a good idea to check with your vendor to ensure you'll receive them. Having a few extra switches can be a lifesaver if one or two of them ever go faulty, saving you from having to purchase an entire set of new switches.

Typing Experience

The typing experience is gentle and comfortable enough to type or game without causing any strain. 

However, I'd recommend using a wrist rest or some form of palm support because the keyboard is densely packed with keys and doesn't provide a natural resting spot for your hand. This extra comfort can go a long way in enhancing your overall experience.

Connectivity

The smart placement of the Type-C port for the Type-C cable is quite clever indeed. It allows you to move the keyboard from one point to another without obstructing the motion of your mouse. Additionally, it's designed with a right-angle configuration, ensuring it doesn't protrude outward.

Speaking of the cable, the Redragon K628 Pollux Pro doesn't compromise on performance in any of its three modes of connection: wired, wireless via Bluetooth, or through the wireless receiver.

RGB Lights

The RGB lights are a real treat for the eyes, and guess what? You can tweak and tune them using the Redragon K628 Pollux Pro Software. Whether you want to change up the breathing effects or play with the lighting speeds, it's all at your fingertips with the help of the software-assisted features. Easy peasy!

A Minor Concern

Now, here's a bit of a red flag that caught my attention. Redragon markets this keyboard as being compatible with almost all kinds of three to five-pin switches, which sounds pretty awesome, right? 

But here's the catch: It's really optimized for Outemu switches, specifically the Red, Blue, and Brown ones. Those are the ones it officially follows.

If you decide to venture into third-party switches, you should proceed carefully. 

You see, the RGB LED on this keyboard doesn't sit flat with the surface of the PCB; it actually sticks out a bit. Outemu switches are designed to handle this without a hitch, but there's a chance your preferred switch might not handle it so gracefully.

That said, they do encourage custom modifications, so there's room for experimentation if you're up for the challenge. But do your research before making any decisions or purchases, especially when it comes to those switches.

Download Software of Redragon K628 Pollux Pro

Speaking of the software, as I mentioned earlier in the article, while the software of Redragon K628 Pollux Pro does exist, the user interface seems to be stuck in a time warp, resembling a Redragon-themed interface straight out of the early 2000s. You can download the software of Redragon K628 Pollux Pro from here.

Comparison with Other Products

	CASTOR K631 PRO 65%	K628 PRO 75%	K628 GY 75%
Dimension/Size	12.2 × 4.1 in	13.9 × 4.1 in	13.9 × 4.1 in
Keyboard Weight	0.47 kg	0.51 kg	0.47 kg
Switch Type	68	78	78
Keys	None	None	None
Connection	Wired/BT/2.4Ghz	Wired/BT/2.4Ghz	Wired
Extra Keys	None	None	None
Wrist Support/Rest	None	None	None
Backlit Support	RGB	RGB	RGB
Software	Yes	Yes	Yes

Redragon CASTOR K631 PRO 65%

Redragon CASTOR K631 PRO belongs to the same budget category as the K628. It's also a wireless mechanical RGB gaming keyboard from Redragon. However, when you compare it to the K628, there's a downside: it's a 68-key, 65% keyboard.

What that means is it lacks the numpad, which might not be a big concern if you're primarily using it for gaming. But in my books, having the Numpad is definitely a nice addition to have in your setup.

Redragon K628 Pollux 75% Wired

This is the non-Pollux version of our keyboard, and from my observation, I didn't notice any significant differences between the two.

Redragon K628 GY 75%

This RGB mechanical gaming keyboard shares similar dimensions with the others, but there's one major difference that might catch your attention: it's not wireless, unlike the other two options in the same budget category. 

Even if you come across this keyboard for a few bucks less than the Pollux Pro or non-Pollux Pro, I wouldn't recommend choosing it over those.

FAQs

Final Words

In my final verdict for the Redragon K628 Pollux Pro RGB Mechanical Keyboard, I'd say it's a SOLID PURCHASE, especially considering the budget category it falls into. 

Many other keyboards in this range tend to lack certain features like wireless or Bluetooth support or even come with fewer keys.

However, if you manage to find the non-Pollux version, that's also a great choice. From what I've seen online, there doesn't appear to be a significant difference between the two devices, and you can't really go wrong with either option when it comes to specs and overall performance. So, it ultimately boils down to your specific preferences and availability.