'A fantastically thocky mechanical keyboard': I tested Logitech’s new clacker and I loved its switches — and it has one clever feature

Logitech G316 X 98: One-minute review

The G316 X is Logitech’s new gaming keyboard, featuring mechanical switches and an integrated display for good measure.

In typical Logitech fashion the G316 X sports a minimalist appearance, available in monotone colorways (black or white), and free of unnecessary details or angles. The vibrant RGB backlighting is a nice touch, though, as is the thin LED strip at the top.

These smart looks are complimented by exceptional build quality. The chassis is solid yet light, while the PBT keycaps feel great thanks to their subtle texturing and sturdy fit, putting the G316 X's construction up there with the best gaming keyboards.

Also worth highlighting are the adjustable feet. Rather than plastic flaps that fold out, the G316 X enlists soft rubber blocks that you remove and turn over when you want to adjust the tilt angle from four to eight degrees. The integrated screen, however, is a letdown. It may look good, but it's small and displays no real information.

Thankfully, G HUB — the software used for customizing the G316 X — is more useful. There are numerous assignments available, including the ability to map up to five inputs to a single key. There are also three different mapping layers for you to play around with.

Thanks to its stock tactile switches, I enjoyed gaming with the G316 X. Their solid, thocky response imparts plenty of feedback, yet they're still snappy enough to feel quick. They’re damped enough to remove harshness from impact, but they’re not the quietest switches around.

In addition to gaming, I also found the G316 X great for typing. My one small complaint is that the feet don’t tilt the board quite enough for my liking. Nevertheless, I still found it sufficiently comfortable to use without a wrist-rest — not something I can say about every gaming keyboard.

The G316 X isn’t the most affordable mechanical keyboard around, but it's cheaper than some of its key rivals. It’s a shame its screen is merely a gimmick and it lacks wireless connectivity, but the G316 X is still a strong choice for those after a solid-feeling experience.

Logitech G316 X 98 review: Price & availability

• $119.99 / £109.99 / AU$199.95
• Available now in black or white
• Cheaper than some rivals

The G316 X costs $119.99 / £109.99 / AU$199.95 and is available now. It comes preinstalled with tactile switches, although these are hot-swappable. There are two colorways to choose from: black or white.

It's quite expensive for a wired mechanical keyboard, although cheaper than those from other premium brands. For instance, it comes in lower than the HyperX Origins 2 1800, and a lot less than the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% — the latter is one of the best-made and best-performing examples in the sector, though.

In today’s marketplace, however, there are more budget-friendly gaming keyboards available. The MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra, for example, offers multiple wireless connectivity options, but also analog switches that feel great and offer plenty of tweakability.

Logitech G316 X 98 review: Specs

Logitech G316 X 98 review: Design and features

• Minimalist looks with bright RGB
• Premium-feeling materials and build
• Practical adjustable feet

The G316 X has a retro-modern look, sporting an ultra-square form and minimalist design. There aren’t any odd angles or contours that sometimes blight gaming peripherals; the only flourishes here are a translucent green Escape key and volume wheel, and an LED strip between the number and F rows.

These are actually quite attractive, as is the bright customizable RGB backlighting against the white option of the keyboard, in particular.

Although the G316 X is made of plastic, it’s one of the best around. It’s solid yet light — the ideal combination. The PBT keycaps help lend the board a premium feel, featuring a subtle texture that makes them satisfying to touch.

Like many gaming keyboards, the G316 X comes with adjustable feet, but they’re not of your typical fold-out type. Instead, they’re rubber blocks that you have to remove and flip over to switch the tilt angle from four to eight degrees.

This may appear a less elegant solution at first, but it’s actually rather clever. The static design provides greater stability, so there’s no danger of the blocks closing in when moving the board around. Also, their large surface area and rubber material delivers a better grip.

Ironically, it’s the integrated LED screen that turns out to be the least sophisticated aspect of the G316 X. It may look sharp, but it’s seriously lacking in functionality, merely displaying a few basic animations when adjusting the volume or or playing back media — none of which are helpful.

The 98% layout is compact yet practical, even including a dedicated number pad, although there are a few navigation keys absent that I would’ve liked to see remain. There aren’t many default Fn shortcuts labelled on the keys, either.

Thankfully, you can make your own shortcuts using Logitech’s G HUB peripheral software. There are plenty of assignments available here, and three different layers in which to arrange them. There’s even the ability to assign up to five inputs to a single key.

You can also customize the Game Mode button next to the aforementioned screen in order for it to disable more keys beyond the Windows key. However, you won’t find many performance-based settings to play with, beyond the ability to adjust the polling rate, which has a maximum value of 8KHz.

Logitech G316 X 98 review: Performance

• Excellent feedback from tactile switches
• Great for gaming and typing
• Tilt angle is limited

The standout aspect of the G316 X is its stock tactile switches. I found they provided plenty of feedback, actuating with a solid and noticeable thock, yet they still able to rebound quickly, making them feel snappy. There’s just enough dampening to prevent presses feeling harsh, but relative to many other gaming keyboards, it’s minimal. This means the G316 X can be quite loud when you’re hammering away.

I found the board comfortable when gaming with the WASD keys. This is thanks to the adjustable feet, which make up for the lack of wrist support and reasonably thick base. However, I wish they tilted the layout a little further for optimum comfort: I often hit the back edge of the spacebar, although its curved design made this less of an issue than it might have been been otherwise. It also seems like it’s damped to a greater degree than the other keys, which makes it all the more gratifying to press.

The spacing between the keycaps is ideal: they’re not so close that you’ll hit the wrong key, nor so far apart that reaching them is a stretch. I also found them surprisingly easy to type on, despite their relative tallness. Not only does the aforementioned tilt angle mitigate their height, but their prominent indentations guide your fingers to the correct key, helping to prevent typos.

Should I buy the Logitech G316 X 98?

Scorecard

Buy the Logitech G316 X 98 if…

Don't buy it if…

Logitech G316 X 98 review: Also consider

How I tested the Logitech G316 X 98

• Tested for a few days
• Used for various tasks besides gaming
• Plenty of gaming keyboard experience

I tested the G316 X for a few days, during which time I used it not only for gaming, but also for typing and web browsing.

I played Counter-Strike 2, which is great test of a peripheral’s accuracy and responsiveness, as well as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which makes wider use of keys beyond those in the WASD area, helping to test the ease of access and comfort in reaching such keys.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used many different keyboards in that time. I also have a wealth of experience reviewing them, from budget models to state-of-the-art offerings from esteemed brands.

• First reviewed: September 2026
• Read more about how we test