Dedicated media functions and Mac shortcuts add convenience without consuming much space.
Pros: legend visibility, RGB customization
Cons: actuation consistency, rapid trigger support
Best 2026 Gaming Keyboards for media controls
Release year
Media-control evidence was positive where reviewers praised the knob's broad functions and creative-control usefulness.
Pros: per-key lighting control, durability
Cons: portability, noise level
Media controls are useful through the knob and software remapping, but one reviewer found the knob's default usefulness limited.
Pros: switch options, hot-swappable switches
Cons: portability, cable quality
Media controls are convenient through the Stream Deck, dials, and hardware shortcuts. Reviewers call out Spotify, playback, audio controls, and quick-access shortcuts as everyday benefits.
Pros: customization options, ease of switch replacement
Cons: reliability, analog input support
Media controls were useful and clever for some reviewers, but the rear touchbar placement was awkward for another.
Pros: key responsiveness, latency
Cons: analog input support, wrist rest quality
The rotary dial is useful for volume and other incremental actions, while secondary media functions remain accessible. The lack of a full dedicated media-key bank may disappoint some users.
Pros: key stability, stabilizer quality
Cons: analog input support, rapid trigger support
Media controls were mixed: some liked Ducky’s simple media-key approach, while others missed playback controls or broader dedicated buttons.
Pros: typing feel, key stability
Cons: profile management, wrist rest quality
Media controls are a compromise. The board still has regular media keys, but reviewers note that the dial and dedicated multi-function controls from pricier variants are gone.
Pros: polling rate, RGB customization
Cons: key stability, typing comfort