Cooler Master Masterkeys MK750 Review

Cooler Master Masterkeys MK750 Review

By: Henz Llarves | Date Posted: May 23, 2022

Cooler Master Masterkeys MK750 Review

Cooler Master has spared no expense when it comes to their latest keyboard, the Masterkeys MK750. Essentially the younger sibling to the Masterkeys Pro L RGB, the MK750 features fewer letters in name while boasting a greater set of features.

This time around the MK750 feels like it’s aimed at a different audience. An audience that no longer encompasses me but a broader gaming-centric one.

This is obvious from the aerodynamic aesthetic, and the eye-catching lightbars on the sides/front of the Masterkeys MK750. That being said, there are still quite a lot of features that make MK750 worth considering.

Likes Dislikes
Cherry MX switches Gamer look
Standard bottom row Wrist rest blocks front lightbar
Anodised aluminium plate Case flexs in the middle with lots of force
Floating key design Exposed switches can be prone to damage
Easy to clean Fn can’t be remapped
The case isn’t a fingerprint magnet NO USB-passthrough
RGB LEDs Thin painted ABS keycaps
Lightbar on sides and front Dedicated media keys lacking volume control
Comfortable magnetic wrist rest
Cable channeling
Rubber flip-out feet
Dedicated media keys
On-the-fly macro/backlight programmable
Companion software for macro/backlight
4 profiles to record macros/backlight settings
Almost all keys are remappable
Bonus purple keycaps and keycap puller
Braided detachable USB-C cable
NKRO
1000Hz polling rate
1x/2x/3x/4x repeat rate
Mac compatible

An industry-standard returns

Cherry MX switches are back, and in higher-end keyboards, you’ll most likely find these industry-standard switches.

Sure, while some switch manufacturers have made great strides in improving their lines of switches, Cherry MX is still the premium go-to.

Stock standard is the switch offering for the MK750.

If you like a clicky typing experience, then MX blue is for you. Looking for no feedback? Then linear Reds are what you’re after. Or if you want some feedback but not too noisy, then it’s brown switches that’ll suit you.

As a clicky fan, I’d love to see MX greens available in the MK750 but the blues are decent enough for both typing and gaming. It’s rare to find heavier switches in gaming keyboards, with the exception of MX blacks, which aren’t available with the MK750.

Get the Masterkeys MK750 

Cooler Master MasterKeys MK750 RGB

Speaking of standards that have returned

Perhaps the most standout reason why I easily recommend Cooler Master mechanical keyboards is that they listen to the community. Their first respectable mechanical keyboard was the QuickFire but it had the same major drawback that Cooler Master’s current competitors have: A non-standard bottom row.

A standard bottom row means that finding a replacement keyset is easy and affordable. This is due to keycap manufacturers catering at the very least to a standard bottom row.

Gaming mechanical keyboards all tend to have very average to downright crappy keycaps, so swapping them for something better is highly advisable.

Throwbacks to previous models

Cable channeling on the underside makes its return, allowing the USB-C cable to feed out the back via the left, right, or middle of the keyboard.

Rubber flip-out feet are also back, to accommodate those of you who prefer a greater angle when in use.

Painted ABS keycaps have been used again. These have been laser etched to uncover the clear ABS underneath that allows the backlights to shine through.

The keycaps are thin and catch whatever liquids or oils come off of your fingers. Personally, I don’t care for these keycaps and would advise changing them to something better when possible.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Windows keys no longer have the Cooler Master logo on them anymore.

As standard with any gaming keyboard, NKRO, 1000hZ polling rate, and anti-ghosting are all packed into the Masterkeys MK750.

New media dedicated buttons

Previously media keys were only available via Fn key combinations on the Masterkeys Pro keyboards. This is not the case with the MK750.

Sitting above the Numpad are 4 dedicated media keys that can mute, play/pause, or skip forward or backward. Handy as you no longer have to hold a button down to achieve media control but that’s not really much of an inconvenience.

Note that the mute button is system-wide, so it will function no matter the program.

Unfortunately, the functionality of the rest of the keys is sporadic, common to most keyboards, but it’s enough to make me wish the next/back buttons were volume up/down.

Cooler Master MK-750 Wrist Rest

Additional comfort

The first thing that’ll grab your attention is the wrist rest with the Cooler Master logo emblazoned on the front.

On the side that meets the keyboard are magnets that snap on and off the wrist rest, making it a breeze to align or move out of the way in a hurry.

I’ve spent quite a lot of time using the wrist rest and quite often I forget it’s there. It’s as comfortable as you’d expect a memory foam cover in pleather (an artificial leather) to be. Smooth and soft to the touch is how I’d describe the wrist rest.

It’s a decent inclusion though the execution does feel flawed when added to the front of the keyboard. (More on that in the next section)

Back, lighting the way

RGB LEDs have become the must-own feature for gaming keyboards as of late. They’re bright and flashy, and it’s hard to not want them.

So, it’s good to see flashy lighting effects have returned with the MK750, as well as my favorite lighting mode – the equalizer.

It’s these LEDs that are the first thing I noticed when I connected the MK750 to my computer. Initially, the LEDs flash on before proceeding to wave rainbow lights, just like the Masterkeys Pro RGB keyboards.

RGB backlighting is as cool as ever

This time Cooler Master has opted to do something different. And, that’s to add translucent panels on the side and front of the MK750.

These panels allow the light pattern to shine through, and ultimately in a dark room, they light up the desk surrounding the keyboard.

Personally, I like the lightbar, it adds another element to really show off the flashy LEDs, though the execution isn’t perfect.

Having the wrist rest magnetically attaches to the front of the keyboard means that when connected the biggest lightbar is obstructed. This doesn’t prevent the lightbars on the side from illuminating the desk, however.

One thing that seems overlooked is the Cooler Master hexagon on the front lightbar. It looks as though it’s missing the remainder of Cooler Master’s logo and this makes it feel slightly out of place.

Note: MK750s front lightbar is obstructed when the wrist rest is in use

The case is no longer a fingerprint magnet

Those of you who have spent any time with the Masterkeys Pro series of keyboards will remember the fingerprint magnet and matte black shell. This time around, things are different, with the MK750 utilizing a floating key design.

A floating key design props each key up, above the plate, leaving the switches exposed. It also makes changing switches or cleaning your keyboard a simple task.

The drawback being switches are more prone to damaged. Though, floating keys also help reduce the amount of contact the fingers make with the case.

To top that off, the plate is no longer white stainless steel but anodized aluminium. Combined with the bottom of the case, it’s easy to mistake it for plastic. I spent a good few moments tapping at both sides to confirm that it was indeed metal.

Aesthetically the design is different from the Masterkeys Pro line of keyboards. Angled lines adorn the edges of the MK750, giving it a more futuristic, gamer look. It’s not over the top but is it noticeable when compared to other Masterkeys keyboards.

A drawback to the new case

Anodised aluminium is nice, it’s stronger than normal aluminium and wears better. However, steel is stronger yet again, and what the Masterkeys Pro keyboards all had for their plates. Because of this, there is a slight trade-off with the sturdiness of the MK750.

You see, the high-profile cases on the Masterkeys Pro help reinforce the rest of the body, causing no flex in the center of the keyboard. Reducing the profile to a floating key design and using aluminium reduces the structural strength of the case.

On TKL keyboards this is less noticeable but on the full-size MK750, you’ll notice this when applying quite a bit of pressure in the middle of the keyboard.

It’s not noticeable in daily use, nor when you pick up the keyboard and try and flex it from each side. I only noted it when I was switching the stock keycaps for JTK’s white on black.

Is this a problem that you’ll notice?

Well, not really. Not unless you’re actively looking for it. Like I said, in daily use it’s undetectable, but a good, firm press in the middle of the board and you’ll see what I’m talking about. This isn’t a problem exclusive to the MK750 as this does occur with other full-size keyboards.

Decent customization options

Included in the box with the USB-C cable are a keycap puller and 9 extra purple PBT keycaps. It’s a shame the stock keyset are all painted ABS because these purple PBT keycaps are exceptional.

Nonetheless, it’s nice to have these additional colorful keys, to help give the MK750 a touch of flair.

If colorful extra keycaps aren’t enough, the previously mentioned backlighting can be tailored to your preferences with onboard key combinations.

Select a lighting mode and press Fn+1,2, or 3, adding the specific hue to the current lighting mode. This can change the raindrops from white to a cool blue, or set the crosshair mode to red. There are a few preprogrammed modes to choose from and even the game Snake, should you want something to play in between matches.

Note: Macro programming can be done via software or on the fly!

If on-board programming seems a little clunky, which, let’s be honest isn’t the best way to change lighting modes, then firing up the companion software will simplify the process.

In the companion software, you’ll find greater customization options, more lighting modes, and programmable macros. You can even remap keys, though Fn can’t be changed.

This software is simple enough and easy to use. Macros can be recorded and set to run however many times you’d like before being applied to your preferred shortcut.

Rather than having software for each individual piece of hardware, Cooler Master has bundled everything into one program. That way you can program your mouse or keyboard through the same interface.

My favorite lighting mode is also only available via the companion software.

Here’s the MK750 tutorial playlist with instructions on how to change the LEDs as well as program macros:

So, compared to other keyboards what’s missing?

Mechanical keyboards are not just manufactured by gaming companies but for the sake of this review, I’ll only be comparing the MK750 to other gaming mechanical keyboards.

Within the same price bracket, most keyboards have a gamer-y aesthetic. While I’d say that this is the most gamer-looking Masterkeys keyboard from Cooler Master, other gaming mechanical keyboards blitz this category with an arsenal of eyesores.

I recommend gaming keyboards that retain a level of modesty. Making a keyboard that’s subtle and not too gaudy allows it to fit in, no matter the environment.

The more subtle the keyboard, the more likely you’ll be able to clack away at work.

And, the Masterkeys MK750 achieves exactly that. Sure, it’s a little gamery, especially with a lightbar on the sides of the case. Attach the wrist rest and the MK750 becomes a passable office peripheral. Better yet, turn off the LEDs and MK750 could easily sneak onto your work desk.

MK 750 - A slightly more futuristic design

Lacking passthrough and ample media keys

Compared to other gaming keyboards, there’s a lack of USB-passthrough (USB ports on the keyboard). My current personal setup doesn’t have USB-passthrough, and it’d be nice to have, rather than having to continually pop my head under the desk to attach each new device.

Similarly, the dedicated media keys lack the only dedicated media keys I want: the volume up and down buttons.

Volume up and down can be found on other gaming mechanical keyboards, as well as the other four media keys. Is it enough to choose one keyboard over the other? Definitely not.

Keycap customization is king

Looking at what Cooler Master’s MK750 is missing compared to other gaming keyboards seems like a good place to summarise this keyboard.

There’s not really much that’s missing when it comes to the MK750. Sure, USB-passthrough is a good feature to have but I don’t find it to be a must-own feature.

Perhaps USB port management is a game you don’t want to play.

However, that being said there’s plenty to love about the MK750.

If you’re looking for reasons to get the MK750 there’s the wrist rest that isn’t plastic but pleather on top. It’s got media keys (some dedicated) and cable channeling.

There’s the anodized top plate and impressive lighting modes. And, even lightbars to show off those LEDs even more!

Most importantly, is the standard bottom row, which makes switching keycaps so much easier.

It’s one of the reasons why I got into mechanical keyboards, the ability to have to change the plastic keycaps to something different. Without that, you’re stuck with the same keyboard that looks the same, day in, day out, and where’s the fun in that?

Cooler Master Masterkeys MK750 Review

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