The Cherry XTRFFY K5V2 keyboard is advertised as a hot-swappable and ultra-customizable wired keyboard. It also boasts RGB lighting and the keyboard can do pretty much anything.
Design
If you are looking for a small keyboard, you will find the Cherry XTRFFY K5V2 to be a great choice because it is a 65% clacker. On the right hand, you will find a slim home row and there is also a magnetic logo. Otherwise, you will find it very compact. The design is all-black and comes with red Cherry MX2A switches and its metal backplate makes it a very sturdy device.
The box comes with two replacement switches and this gives you flexibility when it comes to customization. There is also a 2m USB-C/A cable that you can use to hook the keyboard to your machines, along with a keycap puller.
Performance
The first thing you will notice about the Cherry XTRFFY K5V2 is that it is fluid and fast. The device weighs 841g, which means you do not have to worry about it moving around during use. The Cherry MX2A switches are a great choice because you will feel the smoothness. Here, the pre-lubed stabilizers make a huge difference. Sound-dampening foam has been used under all of it.
When you put all of it together, you will find the keyboard to be relatively smooth and quiet, but still manages to offer solid feedback. There will be some friction when you use the keyboard at slower speeds, but as you pick up speed, it becomes barely noticeable. You will also not see any such key wobbling because the stabilizers are quite decent.
Software and Lighting
Instead of going with individual LEDs under every switch, the Cherry XTRFFY K5V2 has opted for lighting strips. The vibrant and bright lights shine through the ABS keycaps without any issue. The lighting kicks in right away once you connect the board to the machine. As you stroke the keys, you will notice a wave of color move down every row.
Any changes you want can be made directly on the device itself because there are several key modifiers and they are all properly labeled. In fact, you can even use them to switch between USB 2 and USB 3 modes. You can boost the RGB flair with the latter, but it does draw more power. While it is certainly convenient that you can tweak the RGB lighting on the board itself, the lack of software is a tad disappointing.
The Verdict
If you are looking for a fast, tiny and quiet keyboard that you can tweak and use for a long time, the Cherry XTRFFY K5V2 is a solid option. The reliable actuation and smooth operation makes it a board that you should certainly consider. The keystrokes are good and as long as you do not have to switch between devices, it serves as a decent choice for the price.