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GravaStar Mercury K1 specifications and in-depth review

GravaStar Mercury K1

Manufacturer: GravaStar

The GravaStar Mercury K1 is a compact 75% mechanical gaming keyboard that combines a gasket-mount construction with wireless flexibility. Available in Black, White, Pink, and Gray colorways, it features an aluminum and plastic case alongside an aluminum plate. The board ships with hot-swappable GravaStar x Kailh Cherry Pink linear switches, making it straightforward to swap out switches without soldering. A wrist rest and adjustable feet are included in the box, and the detachable cable adds to its versatility for both desktop and portable use.

Connectivity covers Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB wired operation, with a rated battery life of 470 hours. The keyboard runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate and supports N-key rollover (NKRO) as well as USB passthrough. PBT double-shot keycaps in the Cherry profile sit over south-facing RGB backlighting, while a rotary dial handles media and volume controls alongside Fn-layer media key access. The Cherry Pink linear switches feature a 1.5 mm actuation point, 40 g actuation force, and 3.5 mm total travel distance. The layout follows the standard ANSI arrangement, and the keyboard weighs 1060 g with dimensions of 343 × 156 × 46 mm. A one-year warranty is included.

Pros
  • Hot-swappable switches allow replacement without soldering, making it easy to change the typing feel over time
  • Tri-mode connectivity via Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB gives flexible options for different setups
  • A rated battery life of 470 hours reduces how often the keyboard needs to be charged during wireless use
  • Gasket mount construction helps absorb typing vibrations for a softer feel compared to direct plate mounting
  • A wrist rest and adjustable feet are included, supporting ergonomic setup out of the box
  • N-key rollover and USB passthrough add practical utility for gaming and peripheral management
Cons
  • No support for QMK, ZMK, or VIA means remapping and firmware customization are not available
  • Media controls are only accessible via the Fn layer, with no dedicated media keys on the board
  • Rapid trigger, adjustable actuation, and dual actuation are all absent, limiting advanced input options for competitive use
  • At 1060 g, the keyboard is on the heavier side for a 75% layout, which may reduce portability
  • South-facing LEDs can limit RGB visibility when used with certain keycap profiles
  • The warranty period is limited to one year
Who is this for?

The Mercury K1 is well-suited to users who want a versatile daily driver that works across multiple devices, thanks to its tri-mode connectivity covering Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB. The 470-hour battery life makes it a practical choice for those who prefer a clean, cable-free desk setup without frequent recharging. Gamers and typists who value a personalized feel will appreciate the hot-swappable linear switches, while the included wrist rest, adjustable feet, and gasket mount make it comfortable for extended sessions at a desk.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who rely on open-source firmware tools like QMK, ZMK, or VIA for deep key remapping and macro customization will find this keyboard limiting, as none of these are supported. Competitive gamers who depend on rapid trigger or adjustable actuation for precision input will also find the feature set insufficient. Additionally, the 1060 g weight makes it a poor fit for users who frequently travel with their keyboard or need a lightweight, portable setup.

General info:

Keyboard type Gaming, Mechanical
Keyboard layout size Compact (75%)
Profile Standard
connectivity Wireless & wired
connection type Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB
polling rate 1000 Hz
Mount type Gasket mount
Battery life 470 hours
designed for Mac ✕
has a detachable cable ✓
height 156 mm
width 343 mm
thickness 46 mm
weight 1060 g
Bluetooth version 5
warranty period 1 years

The GravaStar Mercury K1 is a mechanical gaming keyboard in a compact 75% layout with a standard profile and gasket mount construction. It supports wireless and wired connectivity through Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB, and the detachable cable adds flexibility for wired use. The board operates at a 1000 Hz polling rate and delivers up to 470 hours of battery life. Physically, it measures 343 × 156 × 46 mm and weighs 1060 g. The keyboard is not designed specifically for Mac, and it comes with a one-year warranty.

Design:

has RGB lighting ✓
Has a backlit keyboard ✓
Case material Plastic, Aluminum
Plate material Aluminum
Case colors Black, White, Pink, Gray
has adjustable feet ✓
includes a wrist rest ✓
Backlight facing direction South-facing

The Mercury K1 is built with a plastic and aluminum case paired with an aluminum plate, and it comes in four colorways: Black, White, Pink, and Gray. The keyboard features a backlit layout with south-facing RGB lighting, allowing the LEDs to shine toward the bottom of the keycaps. Adjustable feet let users set their preferred typing angle, and a wrist rest is included in the package.

Switches:

Switch type Mechanical
Switch feel Linear
Hot-swappable switches ✓
Switch name GravaStar x Kailh Cherry Pink linear
Actuation distance (min) 1.5 mm
Actuation distance (max) 1.5 mm
Actuation force 40 g
Total travel distance 3.5 mm

The Mercury K1 uses GravaStar x Kailh Cherry Pink linear switches, offering a smooth, bump-free keystroke feel. These mechanical switches actuate at 1.5 mm with a 40 g actuation force and have a total travel distance of 3.5 mm. The board supports hot-swappable switches, so users can replace them without soldering.

Features:

has analog input ✕
has rapid trigger ✕
has dual actuation ✕
has adjustable actuation ✕
has NKRO ✓
has USB passthrough ✓
Has a display ✕
has QMK support ✕
has ZMK support ✕
has VIA support ✕

The Mercury K1 includes N-key rollover (NKRO) and USB passthrough, making it practical for both gaming and general use. It does not support analog input, rapid trigger, dual actuation, or adjustable actuation, so advanced switch-based input customization is not available. The keyboard also lacks a built-in display, and there is no support for QMK, ZMK, or VIA firmware, meaning open-source remapping and programming workflows are not an option on this board.

Keys & layout:

Keyboard layout ANSI (United States)
Keycap type PBT, Double-shot
Keycap profile Cherry
uses a standard key layout ✓
Media keys Via Fn key
has a rotary dial ✓

The Mercury K1 uses a standard ANSI (United States) layout with PBT double-shot keycaps in the Cherry profile, providing a familiar typing surface with durable, shine-resistant legends. The key arrangement follows a standard layout, ensuring broad keycap compatibility. Media controls are accessible via the Fn key rather than dedicated keys, and the board includes a rotary dial for additional input convenience.

Final Verdict

The GravaStar Mercury K1 presents a well-rounded 75% mechanical keyboard that balances everyday usability with wireless convenience. Its tri-mode connectivity and 470-hour battery life stand out as genuinely practical strengths, and the combination of hot-swappable switches, gasket mount, and included wrist rest reflects a thoughtful approach to comfort and personalization. That said, the absence of QMK, ZMK, or VIA support and the lack of advanced input features like rapid trigger will be a clear drawback for users who want deeper customization or competitive-grade responsiveness. For those primarily seeking a reliable, comfortable, and wireless-capable compact keyboard for mixed gaming and daily typing use, the Mercury K1 delivers a cohesive and capable package.

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