Having provided the market with everything from 104-key behemoths to compact TKL decks, the K530 Draconic sees Redragon take on the form of the moment - the 60% keyboard. Pleasing gamers with Instagram-ready aesthetics and tactical advantages, these reduced-sized keyboards are the place to be. Can the budget-friendly Redragon K530 Draconic provide an acceptable gateway to compact keyboard gaming? What’s The Best’s William Lobley puts it to the test.
If you want to see what we consider the best keyboards, we have rounded that up for you. However, if it's gaming you're keen on, then we have the best gaming keyboards, depending on what you need them for.
The Review
As is the way with many 60% gaming keyboards, the Redragon K530 Draconic holds a surprisingly powerful stature on the desk. Its thick, dark shell glistens with RGB lighting and seems to own the desk space. An odd situation, considering that I have roughly 40% more space than usual. Even with the USB-C cable plugged in, it looks good - the power of that 90-degree angle, maybe?
Outside of looks, there are some tactical reasons to opt for a 60% keyboard: they are easier to angle, they give your mouse more space to roam and simply do away with all the needless keys, streamlining the process of gaming.
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The K530 Draconic certainly meets the small credentials, measuring in at around 288mm in length and 98mm in depth. It’s a thick keyboard, measuring 35mm from the desk to the tops of the keys. Coming from a super low-profile Logitech G915 TKL, it feels like quite the wedge - but once the wrists and fingers get used to the new angles, all is well.
The Redragon K530 Draconic carries the brand’s Brown Switches, which offer a tactile push-back when pressed, actuating with a satisfying bump and clunk. Other than the usual adjustment period, the keys were no trouble during gameplay.
Though the keyboard sound is pleasantly weighty, it is a little on the loud side. I’ve been told by a bewildered housemate that, from another room, the keyboard sounds like an aerosol can. Take note, aspiring streamers and anyone who plays multiplayer with an open mic. A desk mat goes some way to dampen the sound, but it’s never going away.
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The tops of the keys have a matte finish with a fine texture, while the sides are finished in a gloss - a nice touch, as these sides reflect the RGB lighting to add a little sparkle in the dark. The icons are bold and clear, with alternative functions printed along the frontside in easy-to-read white font. I’m glad to report that the keys hold their position straight and true, too. One issue I had when testing the Redragon Kumara K552 TKL was twisting keys - thankfully, that’s rectified here.
The Redragon K530 Draconic can connect to a device via Bluetooth 5.0 or USB-C cable. There are three Bluetooth channels, allowing for three paired devices to be stored for quick reconnection. Switching between stored devices - be it a smartphone, tablet or PC - is quick, with the connection re-establishing in seconds. The same can be said when the K530 switches on from idle - there’s no discernible delay.
Other than one brief conflict with a wireless mouse, the connections remained strong throughout testing - no matter the device linked. The Bluetooth connection was reliable enough for me to comfortably game, knowing that any untimely death was of my own doing. Those who prefer to seek the comfort of the wired connection can play via the USB-C cable to reduce any risk of latency or connection drop.
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As is par for the course with a 60% keyboard, some features that I take for granted on other keyboards become a tad fiddly. Switching RGB modes, recording macros and accessing function keys are unintuitive affairs. The optional software download can help with some of these functions, only don’t expect a suite to rival Logitech G Hub or Razer Chroma. Such compromises must come in exchange for losing 40% of a keyboard, and some will certainly find it a price worth paying.
At roughly half the cost of a Razer Huntsman Mini, the Redragon K530 Draconic is a solid budget option, ideally suited for gaming newcomers or those looking to test the waters of 60% keyboards without significant financial investment. Its simple-but-hefty look sits well on a desk, the RGB - if a little fiddly - glistens, and all the tactile keystrokes report without game-destroying delay. Just be sure you’re wearing headphones when you jump into a game and warn your housemates to do the same.
Available in Black and White
Pros: Affordable, solid construction, reliable connections
Cons: Loud, and unrefined software and wider user-experience