Genesis Thor 400 RGB mechanical keyboard test

Mechanical keyboard up to PLN 300. A few years ago you could dream about it, and if anything, prepare for severe concessions in terms of functionality or performance. Today, however, the purchase of a mechanical keyboard with RGB is possible at a price of up to PLN 200, but the Thor 400 RGB from Genesis, tested today, aims a bit higher, because you can buy it for PLN 290.

The first moments of Genesis Thor 400 RGB

As is the case in this segment of mechanical keyboards, don’t expect “oh and ah” from the very beginning, but it’s not that bad again. Thor 400 RGB comes to us in a simple, characteristic for Genesis box, inside which we will find a keyboard protected with foam, a key for removing the keys, a detachable pad and a useful manual.

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At first glance, Thor 400 RGB immediately brings to mind one thing – “gaming” and to some extent unusual. I must admit that with this model Genesis stood out on the market of full-size (with 108 keys) mechanical keyboards in this price segment, which is mainly manifested by two elements.

I am talking about the keys themselves, enhancing the feeling of “floating”, as well as the gray top panel, which has abandoned the more typical black in such models. This durable panel, providing the keyboard with both strength and stiffness, connects “on the sides” with a plastic housing with a delicate angle of inclination.

The aforementioned keys were made in accordance with the Dual Injection approach (using two layers fused together) and “cut” in half. In this way, an interesting combination of low-profile keys in or, at least, a full-size keyboard was obtained.

Gaming, but stylish… but not without its ills

However, this is not all that makes this model with dimensions of 435 x 193 x 34 mm and a weight of 810 grams unique, because just look – are you not immediately aware of unusual solutions?

Of course, Genesis did not provide the market with a completely unique mechanical keyboard, but it stood out from the competition both with its format (the case practically flush with the edges of the keys) and the addition of three separate multimedia buttons, accompanied by a knob. This add-on pushed the indicator lights about the active Caps- and Numlock and gaming mode (with the Windows key locked) to the place next to the arrows, where there was also a white name and the manufacturer’s logo.

These additional plastic buttons are responsible for either the backlight or the multimedia, depending on the mode that we choose by pressing for 5 seconds. An aluminum knob with an unpleasant nature of work, then it is responsible for either adjusting the brightness or the volume level.

Before we get into the cons, let’s take a look at both the cord and the palm rest. The Thor 400 RGB is connected to the equipment via a solid, 160 cm long USB cable in a nylon braid with considerable, but not excessive stiffness. It is difficult to attach to, but not as much as a rootstock.

This one is completely plastic and attaches to the keyboard with weak magnets, but it does not provide much support to the wrists. A dozen millimeters or an additional foam and leather lining would do the trick, but if Genesis has something to improve, it should also improve its stiffness and provide additional non-slip rubber bands to better support the keyboard, which unfortunately does not stick firmly to the desk top.

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Seemingly, the bottom of Genesis Thor 400 RGB promises good workmanship, as the manufacturer even wanted to complement the overall design with a decoration in the form of a series of diagonal stripes. However, the first contact with the front anti-slip pads, as well as with the modest lining of the old legs, spoils the overall positive impression. Especially that due to the poor-quality rubber anti-slip pads, the keyboard “flies” on the desk using a slightly higher force. Additionally, Genesis completely bungled the rubber lining on the feet, as it broke off both feet after just two days of testing. Attempts to re-stick them failed.

Features, software and backlight Thor 400 RGB

As befits a mechanical keyboard, you can count on a full N-Key rollover and Anti-Ghosting. You can rest easy when it comes to macros or key assignments, because Genesis provides us with a simple Thor 400 RGB management application. In it, we will play with the backlight, set user profiles (these are saved in the keyboard’s memory), or we will take care of simple macros. However, you definitely do not need the application, because this keyboard has an extensive command center from the level of the keys and their functions.

As you can see above in the settings, the RGB Prismo Effect backlight has a number of modes that can be adjusted in terms of brightness and speed (if applicable). There is also an option to choose a specific color from the RGB palette, and Genesis deserves applause for the fact that the knob is also illuminated, although it cannot be changed in one color.

In practice, the Thor 400 RGB backlight is pleasing to the eye … but it does not knock you down. It is simply well made, which is emphasized by the very form of the keys, which significantly enriches the effects depending on the position of the observer. RGB diodes are hidden under each of the keys and they illuminate most of the font properly. However, they do not illuminate the whole thing, because additional functions are simply printed on the keys.

Kailh Red switches test

Thor 400 is only available with Kailh Red mechanical switches, the “gaming” ones, thanks to its linear nature and higher dynamics compared to the equally popular Brown and Blue versions. Their implementation in this Genesis model does not differ from the implementation in other models, so you can count on responsive keys that require a pressure of 45 grams with a traditional work path of 4 mm and an activation moment at 2 mm. Their response time is 8 ms, and the endurance is set at 70 million activations.

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Thor 400 RGB test – summary

As I mentioned at the very beginning, the Genesis Thor 400 RGB keyboard can be purchased for as little as PLN 290. At this price, you get a full-size model with an interesting design with mechanical switches, extended backlight, increased functionality (through additional buttons and a knob) and comfort (pad). Although nothing completely outclasses this model, you must remember about the problematic non-slip rubber bands that will bother you, especially on the material pads.