The Quick Verdict on the Redragon K708
This Redragon K708 review finds a budget hero for multitaskers, office workers, and casual gamers. It suits anyone needing a quiet, smooth typing experience across multiple devices. Competitive esports players should skip it for more dedicated gear. Mac users needing deep software control will also want to look elsewhere; the software is Windows-only for now. The core trade-off here is great typing feel and versatile connectivity for its price, but the build is distinctly budget plastic. We give the Redragon K708 an 8.1 out of 10 score.
Design, Build & Physical Fit of the Redragon K708
Running your fingers across the K708 reveals a plastic frame. Tapping it yields a hollow sound. This keyboard feels lightweight. It weighs 807 grams, which is not bad for carrying around. The full dimensions are 335mm long, 140mm wide, and 43mm high. This makes for a compact 75% layout, good for smaller desks.
Despite the plastic, the chassis feels sturdy in use. It resists bending. Side-printed PBT keycaps are on deck. These double-shot keycaps should handle daily use well. For stability, integrated rubber feet keep the board from sliding during fast typing. A comfortable gasket structure aims to reduce hand fatigue during long typing sessions.
Core Performance & Feel of the Redragon K708
Under the keycaps sits Redragon's Leopard L linear switches. These are pre-lubed. They need 45 grams of force to actuate. The switch travels 2.0mm to trigger a press. Total travel is 3.6mm. This makes for a smooth, light keystroke. These switches are hot-swappable, supporting both 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches without any soldering. That's a big plus for customizers.
Typing on the K708 is quiet. The board has five layers of sound-dampening foam. This, plus the gasket mount, creates a clean sound profile. You will not hear hollow resonance or ping. It delivers a softer, muted sound. During gaming and everyday use, we felt no perceptible input lag on either wireless mode. All keys feature anti-ghosting support. This prevents missed presses during fast action.
Power, Battery & Connectivity of the Redragon K708
The K708 offers tri-mode connection. You get Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C wired modes. Plugging the 2.4 GHz dongle into a front USB port worked instantly. The wired USB-C mode is also plug-and-play. For Bluetooth, it pairs with up to three devices at once. An FN key shortcut lets you switch between them quickly. The board connects up to five devices total across all modes. This is great for multi-device setups.
A built-in 4000mAh Li-ion battery powers the unit. With RGB lights off, the battery lasts up to 130 hours. Turning RGB on drops this to about 22 hours. This translates to 5-7 days of typical use with RGB. Turn the lights off, and you can get up to three weeks. That's long use. One issue: the battery indicator can be inaccurate. It also shuts off RGB completely when low, making keys hard to see.
Controls, Software & Daily Maintenance for the K708
A multifunctional knob sits on the top right. By default, it controls media volume. Pressing it down enters a menu on the small LCD screen. From there, you rotate the knob to switch screen functions or confirm choices. FN key combinations offer more control. These shortcuts handle 20 backlight patterns. They adjust brightness, speed, and color. You can lock the Windows key, too. Multimedia and system shortcuts work for both Windows and macOS.
Official software is available for Windows. It lets you sync time, upload GIFs, set macros, and manage RGB. Mac support is planned but not out yet. This limits customization for Mac users. Finding the Redragon software driver links proved hard on the English website. Also, installation sometimes made the keyboard unresponsive. For cleaning, the keyboard does not claim any specific spill resistance. Avoid liquids, or check for specific ratings if you need that feature. A keycap puller is included for easy cleaning or switch swaps. The keycaps are not shine-through, a notable miss for typing in the dark.
How the Redragon K708 Compares Head-to-Head
The Redragon K708 sits in a competitive budget space. It brings a lot for its price. But it faces strong rivals. Here's how it stacks up against a few:
- Royal Kludge RK84: This model offers a similar 75% wireless layout at a comparable price. The K708 wins out on features. The RK84 lacks gasket mounting, five-layer sound dampening, an LCD screen, and a dedicated volume knob. These are key features where the K708 provides better value.
- YUNZII B87 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard: The YUNZII B87 has a slight edge on sound quality. However, it costs roughly $70. The K708 stays under $60, making it a better pick for budget buyers. The K708 still offers excellent acoustics for its price point.
- Keychron V5 Max: Keychron's V5 Max provides PBT keycaps and QMK/VIA firmware support. It also features a gasket mount. But it costs $20-30 more than the K708. Plus, the V5 Max does not include an LCD screen or a volume knob. For advanced software users, the Keychron might be worth the jump. For most, the K708 delivers enough.
What I Like & What Could Be Better (Pros & Cons)
After putting the K708 through its paces, I found much to like, and a few areas needing work.
What I Like:- Smooth, Quiet Switches: The pre-lubed Leopard L linear switches offer a satisfying, low-noise typing feel. This is great for shared spaces or late-night use.
- Excellent Value: For its under-$60 price, the K708 delivers many premium features. These include tri-mode connectivity and a gasket mount.
- Multi-Device Connectivity: Connecting up to five devices across Bluetooth and 2.4GHz is highly practical for busy setups.
- Gasket Mount Comfort: The gasket structure greatly reduces finger fatigue. This makes long typing sessions more comfortable.
- Long Battery Life (RGB Off): Getting up to 130 hours of wireless use without RGB is superb for productivity. Even RGB on gets a decent 22 hours.
- Hot-Swappable: The ability to easily swap switches without soldering is a huge plus for customization fans.
- Plastic Build Feel: The keyboard's frame feels lightweight and a bit hollow when tapped. A more premium material would improve the desk presence.
- Non-Shine-Through Keycaps: When the RGB turns off due to low battery or in dark rooms, it becomes hard to see the legends. Translucent keycaps would fix this.
- Inaccurate Battery Indicator: The LCD screen's battery level can be unreliable. It makes managing power less predictable.
- Limited Mac Software: While the keyboard works with Mac, the full software customization is Windows-only for now. Mac users miss out on macros and GIF uploads.
Who Should Skip the Redragon K708 Keyboard
While the Redragon K708 offers good value, it's not for everyone. If you are a competitive esports player, skip this board. You need dedicated gaming hardware with lower latency and potentially different switch types. Look at options like the Logitech G Pro X or Razer Huntsman Mini for serious play.
Mac users who demand deep software control and customization should also pass. The K708's software is currently Windows-only. You will miss out on key remapping and macro creation. Consider a Keychron Q series keyboard if macOS software support is a must-have.
Additionally, if you expect a premium, rigid aluminum chassis, the K708's plastic build might disappoint you. Those who rely on bright, shine-through keycaps for typing in dark environments will also find the K708 frustrating. Its non-shine-through legends mean you lose visibility when the RGB is off. Look for keyboards with PBT Pudding keycaps or similar translucent designs instead.