Fnatic STREAK Mechanical Keyboard Review

By Meng Vang

Manufacturer: Fnatic PTY Ltd.
Product Name: STREAK eSports Pro Gaming Mechanical Keyboard
Model Number: FG-KB-5060455781881
EAN: 5060455781881
Price As Tested: $129.99 (Best Buy | Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Fnatic PTY Ltd.

Recently, we reviewed the Fnatic miniSTREAK tenkeyless mechanical gaming keyboard, which proved to be a great Cherry MX keyboard for the price. This time, we have the bigger brother in hand, the Fnatic STREAK. The STREAK features full RGB illumination, onboard macro recording, competition mode, a USB pass-through port, and the Fnatic OP software for further customization. Even with different options of genuine Cherry MX switches (Red, Red Silent, Blue, and Brown), this keyboard beats many of its competitors when it comes to value. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we will be taking a look at the STREAK mechanical gaming keyboard with Cherry MX Red Silent switches.

• Delete all distractions and enable competition mode. With a dedicated key.
• Quickly control your music, videos and more with dedicated media keys.
• Simple lock mechanism to make your F keys default to their FN Key version.
• Detachable USB-C interface designed for convenience in portability.
• Not needing to install software to have full control over your keyboard, makes the most sense to us.
• Out of the box it defaults to F1 – F6, but with OP Software you can remap these to anything you want.
• Rubber rests, as well as large side flip-able feet, making sure STREAK only moves when you say so.
• Everything just works – no drivers need to be installed. Or you can power up your customization with Fnatic OP software.

Cherry MX switches have been around for many years, so they had plenty of time to perfect these switches for long-term usage. There are only a handful of companies left that are still using genuine Cherry MX switches in their keyboards, and I am very happy to see Fnatic being one of them. Aside from the slightly sticky keys from the MX Red Silent switches after sitting for a while, these linear switches perform well in both gaming and typing sessions.

When it comes to appearance, the STREAK looks very simple and elegant with its sand-like metal plate and vibrant RGB lighting effects. The key cap fonts are very legible, and I think the company made the right choice of reversing some of the key switches to allow light to pass through the secondary key functions. The signature plate on the back is a nice touch, but not many people would notice it since it is not in the most visible area.

The Cherry MX Red Silent switches are very well built and have a 50 million click life cycle. This is pretty standard among mechanical gaming keyboards, so they should last until your next upgrade. The body construction is very solid with no flexing of the body thanks to the anodized aluminium and polycarbonate materials. The STREAK weighs in at 962 grams, so it should have no problems maintaining a good grip on the surface without moving around while gaming or typing.

Functionality wise, the STREAK works well as a gaming keyboard. Depending on your switch preference, whether you prefer one switch over another, your gaming experience may be different. Most people prefer linear switches as they are lighter without the audible tactile bump. This makes them easier to press without causing fatigue to the fingers. I did not find any major bugs to the OP software, but I am looking forward to the completed version in the near future. I am also looking forward to what the company has in store for the rear signature plate.

As of September 2018, the Fnatic STREAK gaming keyboard with Cherry MX Red Silent switches sells online for $129.99 (Best Buy | Amazon). This is a good asking price considering its modern features, USB pass-through port, and genuine Cherry MX switches. Some gamers are still skeptical over other mechanical key switches, but I am happy to see the price of the STREAK being one of the more affordable keyboards even with Cherry MX switches. In case you are looking for a tenkeyless version, the lower priced Fnatic miniSTREAK is a great choice because it offers the same features as the STREAK, but it does not include the volume rocker or USB pass-through port.
+ Great build quality
+ Volume rocker wheel
+ USB pass-through port
+ Genuine Cherry MX switches
+ Available in MX Red, Red Silent, Blue, and Brown switches
– Signature plate is not in the most visible area

• Performance: 9.75
• Appearance: 9.25
• Construction: 9.25
• Functionality: 9.00
• Value: 9.25

Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.