Acer Predator Aethon 550 TKL VS GravaStar Mercury K1

The Acer Predator Aethon 550 TKL and GravaStar Mercury K1 are both mechanical gaming keyboards that offer a similar set of features, but with some differences in design and specifications.

When it comes to keyboard layout size, the Aethon 550 is a Tenkeyless (80%) model, while the Mercury K1 is more compact, with a 75% layout. This makes the Mercury K1 slightly smaller and more portable, while the Aethon 550 retains more keys with its tenkeyless design. Both keyboards have a standard profile and offer both wireless and wired connectivity options, with Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB connection types available for both products. The polling rate for both is 1000 Hz, ensuring fast input response.

Regarding battery life, the GravaStar Mercury K1 has a significantly longer runtime at 470 hours compared to the Acer Predator Aethon 550 TKL’s 150 hours. Both keyboards feature detachable cables for added convenience, and neither is designed specifically for Mac. The Aethon 550 is slightly larger with dimensions of 130 mm in height, 440 mm in width, and 40 mm in thickness, while the Mercury K1 is a bit bulkier with a height of 156 mm, width of 343 mm, and thickness of 46 mm. The weight of the Aethon 550 is heavier at 1760 g, while the Mercury K1 is lighter at 1060 g. Finally, the Acer Predator Aethon 550 TKL comes with a 2-year warranty, whereas the GravaStar Mercury K1 has a 1-year warranty period.

Both the Acer Predator Aethon 550 TKL and the GravaStar Mercury K1 feature RGB lighting and a backlit keyboard, ensuring visually stunning key displays in both cases. The Aethon 550 TKL, however, has a plastic case with a black color, whereas the Mercury K1 combines plastic with aluminum for its build and offers more color variety, including black, white, pink, and gray.

Both keyboards include adjustable feet for ergonomic customization, but the Aethon 550 TKL does not come with a wrist rest, while the Mercury K1 does include one, adding an extra level of comfort for extended use.

In summary, both keyboards share a strong focus on customizable aesthetics with RGB lighting and backlighting, but the Mercury K1 offers more material diversity and color options, as well as the added benefit of a wrist rest for additional comfort during long sessions.

Both the Acer Predator Aethon 550 TKL and the GravaStar Mercury K1 feature mechanical switches with a linear feel and support hot-swappable switches, allowing users to customize their typing experience. The Aethon 550 uses Acer Red switches, while the Mercury K1 is equipped with GravaStar x Kailh Cherry Pink linear switches.

Though both products share the same switch type and feel, the specific switch brands and names differ, with the Aethon 550 TKL using Acer's own red switches and the Mercury K1 featuring Kailh Cherry Pink switches. These subtle differences may offer slightly different actuation experiences, but both are geared towards smooth, linear keypresses ideal for gaming.

In conclusion, while both keyboards offer the same switch feel and hot-swappable functionality, the key difference lies in the specific switch types—Acer Red for the Aethon 550 TKL and GravaStar x Kailh Cherry Pink for the Mercury K1.

Both the Acer Predator Aethon 550 TKL and GravaStar Mercury K1 offer NKRO (N-Key Rollover) support, which allows for the simultaneous pressing of multiple keys without any input conflict. However, there are a few differences in additional features between the two models.

The Aethon 550 TKL does not include USB passthrough, whereas the Mercury K1 does provide this feature, which can be convenient for connecting additional devices. Neither keyboard offers analog input, rapid trigger, dual actuation, adjustable actuation, or a display. Additionally, both keyboards lack support for QMK, ZMK, and VIA, which are popular firmware customization options for some enthusiasts.

In summary, the Aethon 550 TKL and Mercury K1 are quite similar in terms of core features, with the key distinction being the inclusion of USB passthrough on the Mercury K1, while the Aethon 550 TKL does not have this option.

Both the Acer Predator Aethon 550 TKL and the GravaStar Mercury K1 feature an ANSI (United States) keyboard layout, ensuring consistency in key arrangement for users familiar with this standard. Both models also use PBT double-shot keycaps, known for their durability and resistance to wear over time.

The keycap profile on the Aethon 550 TKL is OEM, while the Mercury K1 uses a Cherry profile. While both profiles are popular, the Cherry profile tends to be lower and slightly more compact than the OEM profile, which is typically a bit higher with a more pronounced curve. Both keyboards support a standard key layout and offer media keys via the Fn key, providing easy access to media controls.

Additionally, both the Aethon 550 TKL and Mercury K1 come with a rotary dial, offering an extra layer of control, but this feature is the same on both models.