The GMBK 75%: A Solid Membrane Keyboard, But Lacks Overall Appeal

And now for something… membranical? Mem-chanical? What do we even call these things? It feels like ages since I last checked out a membrane keyboard claiming to be a budget-friendly gaming option – the Glorious GMBK is the latest contender in this arena of potential letdowns.

I know, I’m starting off on a bit of a downer, and I apologize for that. Maybe it’s just that I’ve seen this all before, but a £50/$60 membrane keyboard boasting flashy RGB and positioning itself as a value-driven gaming keyboard is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

Still, the Glorious GMBK is here, and I’ve been tasked with sharing my thoughts, so here we go…

…It’s decent.

**Switch type:** Rubber dome membrane
**Keycaps:** ABS
**Lighting:** RGB, controllable in software and on the keyboard
**Onboard storage:** None
**Extra ports:** None
**Connection type:** USB Type-C wired
**Cable:** USB Type-C/USB Type-A, detachable
**Weight:** 990 g/2.18 lbs
**Price:** $60/£50

That should cover the basics, right? … No? Alright, let’s dive deeper into why I feel this way.

At first glance, what you get here is pretty standard for a budget gaming keyboard, whether it’s membrane or not. The plastic chassis is lightweight and has a bit of flex, paired with smooth ABS keycaps that will eventually shine more than a pop song, and they can feel a bit slippery during use. PBT keycaps, on the other hand, offer a textured finish for better grip and durability, plus they resist shine better. The GMBK is also IP57 water-resistant, so if you accidentally spill something on it, it should hold up just fine.

The 75 percent layout is a nice touch and somewhat rare for this type of product, as is the volume knob in the top corner. Glorious mentioned that this knob can be swapped with those from their mechanical flagship, so if you want to give this membrane keyboard a premium upgrade, you can.

Another way to elevate this keyboard is by swapping out those less-than-stellar keycaps. I can already hear the outcry—”You can’t change keycaps on a membrane keyboard!” Well, with the GMBK, you actually can.

Glorious has designed the actuators beneath the keycaps with an MX-style cross stem, allowing you to use any MX-style keycap set you have. That’s a nice nod to innovation and customization, setting this keyboard apart from its competitors.

Now, I’ve been trying to avoid directly addressing the feel of the rubber domes beneath the keycaps, but I should just be straightforward.

The GMBK’s membrane keypress feels heavy and cumbersome. After years of using mechanical and electro-capacitive switches, going back to a membrane board felt off. It reminded me of those dreadful keyboards that came with school PCs, except this one was missing half its keycaps. If schools get their hands on these, at least they can replace them.

While tactile mechanical switches provide a satisfying bump and smoother keypress, the domes in the GMBK create a stickier and heavier input that can become tiring over time. Sure, they’re better than some competitors like the Roccat Magma, which can feel like typing on a soggy newspaper, but they’re still rubber domes.

Glorious claims these domes are quiet, but I have to disagree. We’re in an era where silent mechanical switches are nearly inaudible, while the noise from my electro-capacitive keyboards is barely noticeable. In contrast, the domes here are quite loud and almost clicky, but not in a satisfying way—more like a rhythmic drone as you pick up speed.

When it comes to gaming performance, well, they’re still domes. The heavier keypress means they lack the speed and precision of mechanical switches, let alone the Hall effect magnetic switches that are now available even in budget keyboards.

For a more gaming-focused option, the Gamakay x NaughShark NS68 offers Hall effect switches and rapid trigger capabilities in a compact layout with PBT keycaps and a high polling rate for a similar price. If you’re looking for gaming performance on a budget, that’s worth checking out.

As for connectivity, it features a detachable USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, which is a plus. However, the cable feels cheap and sticky, which isn’t the most pleasant to handle.

There’s also some software! Glorious Core is back and works with the GMBK. It has a user-friendly interface for remapping RGB, managing keybinds, and recording macros. You can also adjust RGB presets using the keyboard’s function layer and arrow keys.

So, where does that leave us? Membranical or mem-chanical gaming keyboards occupy a strange niche in the market. They’re affordable enough to attract budget-conscious gamers but don’t quite match the appeal of mechanical options.

The GMBK doesn’t do much to change that perception. The £50/$60 price tag is appealing if you want a cheap keyboard with RGB lighting, and its swappable keycaps do set it apart from other membrane options.

✅ **You want a customizable membrane board:** The GMBK stands out as a somewhat customizable membrane keyboard, which is a nice feature.

❌ **You want a better typing feel:** The rubber domes feel stiff and heavy, and a comparable mechanical keyboard will simply outperform it.

However, every time I look around, I find more reasons to choose a budget mechanical keyboard like the Keychron K2 V2. That model has a similar layout, swappable mechanical switches, and wireless connectivity for a comparable price.

Or, if you’re focused on gaming, the Gamakay x NaughShark NS68 offers more durable PBT keycaps and the rapid trigger capabilities for faster, lighter, and more precise inputs during intense gaming sessions. Plus, it has RGB.

I appreciate what Glorious has attempted with the GMBK 75%, but it just doesn’t sit right with me. Sorry, folks.