Logitech G515 Rapid TKL review

As the venerable saying goes, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. It’s a pity, because I was looking forward to the Logitech-style one.

Not too long ago, Logitech updated its long-running low-profile keyboard lineup with the current G915 X Lightspeed and the cheaper G515 Lightspeed TKL option, both of which I’ve looked at in the past. Both of these keyboards were in the Swiss brand’s more time-honored wheelhouse, offering a conventional, low-profile switch and exceptional amenities like solid build quality and rapid wireless connectivity.

However, the all-new G515 Rapid TKL is not in this wheelhouse. Its switches are no longer standard, low-profile mechanical switches and are instead low-profile, magnetic analog switches. That means all the fun of a quick trigger and clever software tricks in an already compact and snappy trip.

I’ll get to these switches in a moment. As I mentioned a minute ago, this keyboard is an example of a Logitech-flavored cake that can be received but not consumed because it forgoes any form of wireless connectivity. Say goodbye to Lightspeed, guys, because he’s not here, which is a real shame. At least it’s plug-and-play, I guess.

Nevertheless, the switches are an crucial change that gives the G515 Rapid TKL its “fast” moniker. The fact that they are magnetic switches means that they are very similar to the more full-size versions found on many of the best Hall effect keyboards, although the added advantage of the ones here is that they have an all-time shorter travel and are low-profile.

The general note is that these switches are much more customizable than the more standard, low-profile mechanical switches found on other low-profile Logitech keyboards, and feature configurable actuation and reset points. This means you can choose how far the switch registers input and resets, giving you much faster key presses than classic switches with fixed points for both.

These switches can be used to adjust the activation and reset points in 0.1mm increments in Logitech’s G Hub software. It’s incredibly simple, and in just a few clicks I applied it to the movement, weapon selection, and crouch keys in Counter-Strike 2 for top speed. While in a more general sense there is a speed advantage of low-profile switches over full-size switches, switching to quick-trigger switches provides greater benefits, for example in competitive shooters.

During various rounds of Counter-Strike 2, I was impressed with how responsive the G515 Rapid TKL switches were thanks to the adjustable actuation points. Indeed, the fact that the switches are linear and provide a very velvety key press helps with this responsiveness.

However, I wasn’t all that eager to operate this keyboard for productivity and work purposes. For some reason, the switches on the G515 Rapid TKL fall into the venerable trap of magnetic switches, which feel quite hollow. Having never felt particularly comfortable using them for any length of time over the last few weeks, I have decided to return to more familiar territory.

Of course, in addition to the ability to adjust actuation points and a quick trigger, this Logitech keyboard is packed with programming tricks that we can expect from a gaming keyboard in 2025. These include generally useful features such as energetic keypressing, which can map multiple inputs as you move the switch – for example, you can start by walking, and as you continue moving, you can crouch or run.

Additionally, you get SOCD (Simultaneous Opposite Cardinal Directions, or Snap Tap as Razer likes to call it), a technology of unnaturally rapid side-to-side movement that threatens to get you banned from online CS:2 – opening the configuration menu in Logitech’s software clearly indicates that you’re at risk of being banned.

Otherwise, Logitech’s G Hub provides the usual fee for setting up the keyboard’s RGB lighting and remapping the keys. Key remapping is especially powerful given the presence of magnetic switches, as you can even add modifier keys to the first or second press of any key. This is combined with the base, function and G-Shift layer, which means you can have almost ten different inputs on each key if you want.

What the G515 Rapid TKL hasn’t changed over its Lightspeed brother is the fit and finish, which actually isn’t bad. I liked the feel of this keyboard in its first iteration, with a sensible and space-saving TKL layout that isn’t too irritating if this is your first SFF keyboard, as the only thing missing is a numeric keypad. Other keys haven’t been moved or changed like smaller layouts that take some getting used to – I’m looking at you, beloved HHKB.

The entire chassis here is made of plastic, which means it lacks the excellent fit and finish offered by rivals such as the smaller NuPhy Air60 HE, although the chassis is not elastic. Taking it out of the box for the first time, I noticed the surprising weight of the G515 Rapid TKL, which was a pleasant surprise. The keycaps here are textured PBT for an extra dose of quality.

Its two-tone color scheme is quite nice, and my trial shipment is in black. This Logitech keyboard is mostly black, although there are silver accents on the top and on the WASD keys. This used to be quite common with gaming keyboards, but it seemed to fall out of favor a while ago, so it’s nice to see it making a comeback.

I realize I’ve read this entire review and haven’t even mentioned the price of the G515 Rapid TKL. I’ll give you a few minutes to guess before revealing… OK, have you had enough? That’s $170/£140. For a wired low-profile gaming keyboard, even one with rapid trigger power, this seems quite exorbitant for the plastic packaging on offer.

In comparison, although the NuPhy Air60 HE swaps out some of the keys for a smaller layout, I think it looks nicer in the purple and silver color scheme; it has even more powerful quick trigger switches, as well as an 8,000 Hz polling rate for even more constant reporting (ideal for professional gamers), and is $30 to $50 cheaper than the Logitech option.

At this price point, we also have to consider models like the Wooting 80HE, which offers full-size switches instead of low-profile switches, a cooler aesthetic, and the capabilities of progressive controller-style inputs, as well as everything Logitech offers here. It’s about the same price and a bit more feature-rich.

Similarly, the beloved Keychron K2 HE costs around $140, so it’s cheaper than Logitech’s choice. It features full-height magnetic switches for quick release functionality, as well as a intelligent aluminum or wood casing, and best of all, it can connect wirelessly. So you can have your cake and eat it too – just look at Keychron.

Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned the ridiculous value of the Gamakay x NaughShark NS68, whose $50 price tag with quick release and 8000Hz power, plus PBT keycaps and a compact layout, speaks for itself.

The Logitech G5215 Rapid TKL is therefore in a bit of an awkward place. It’s a good gaming keyboard with a quick release, and I like the convenience of the software and the speed of operation, but the plastic casing and only wired connectivity leave a bit of a sour aftertaste.

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