Logitech sent me the Logitech G316 X 98 Gaming Keyboard as a review unit. The recommended retail price (RRP) is S$139, and you can buy it from Shopee or Lazada. Challenger, Courts, and Harvey Norman also carry it locally.
Before this, I was using the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless Keyboard, which costs almost S$100 more than the G316 X 98, so the difference in build and material quality is expected.
The G316 X 98 is Logitech’s entry point into its G3 Series. This accessible tier borrows features from Logitech’s esports-grade Pro Series gear (specifically an 8,000Hz polling rate) without the flagship price tag.
It comes in black or white, with a choice of tactile or linear switches. I am using the white with linear switches. Logitech is targeting gamers who want that kind of responsiveness and proper hot-swappable switches without paying for its higher-tier keyboards.
Specifications
- Layout: 98% (full-size with numpad, slightly narrower footprint than a standard full-size board)
- Switches: Hot-swappable, choice of Tactile (2.2mm actuation, 55g force) or Linear (1.9mm actuation, 40g force)
- Keycaps: Double-shot Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT), standard cross-hatch (MX-compatible) stems
- Structure: Gasket-mounted, with silicone and foam sound-dampening layers
- Polling rate: Up to 8,000Hz (8kHz), enabled via G Hub
- Lighting: Per-key RGB Lightsync, plus a 30-zone customizable light bar
- Onboard controls: Dot-matrix LED display, control dial (report rate, volume, media, brightness), dedicated Game Mode button (disables the Windows key by default)
- Connectivity: USB-C on the keyboard, detachable 1.8m USB-C to USB-A cable
- Dimensions: 384 x 140 x 40mm
- Weight: 880g (keyboard only), 920g with cable
- Feet: Two adjustable tilt angles (4° or 8°)
Unboxing
I love how simple the contents of the box are: just the keyboard itself with a 1.8m USB-C-to-USB-A cable.
Design & Build
The G316 X 98 follows Logitech’s current design language: a black or white plastic chassis with a translucent light bar between the function row and number row, and shine-through keycaps for the RGB underneath.
My first impression is that it’s plasticky, and the material matches the price point. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The G316 X 98 feels like it’s aimed at younger gamers whose parents don’t want to spend a fortune, but still want to get them a proper gaming keyboard. Compared to the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless Keyboard, with its CNC-machined aluminum top cover, the drop in material quality is exactly what you would expect given the near S$100 price difference.
My favorite part of the keyboard is the dot-matrix LED display, which is unique and something I haven’t come across before.
There are four modes to choose from: volume, polling rate, music, and keyboard brightness, all controlled via the media knob next to the keyboard. To change the mode, press and hold the knob for 1.5 seconds.
When you press Caps Lock or Num Lock, the status will also briefly appear on the display.
Beside the knob is a dedicated Game Mode button that disables the Windows key by default, so an accidental Windows-key press doesn’t pull you out of a match. Which keys are disabled is configurable per game in G Hub. I am a fan of this feature because you will be surprised how often I accidentally press the Windows key when playing Overwatch, so I actually removed the Windows key cap from my previous keyboards.
To match the translucent green media knob, the escape key also features the same translucent green.
Since this is an entry-level keyboard, there are no adjustable feet.
Instead, the rubber feet are removable, allowing it to flip between two positions for 4° or 8° of tilt.
This is a wired keyboard, and the USB-C port is on the left side facing the front.
Switches
My review unit uses the Linear switches in white. Logitech’s Tactile switch has a 2.2mm actuation distance and 55g of actuation force while the Linear is lighter and shorter at 1.9mm and 40g. If you’ve used Cherry MX Brown or Red switches before, that gives you a rough sense of where these land.
Because the G316 X 98 uses standard cross-hatch MX-style stems, both switches and keycaps are hot-swappable with third-party sets, not just Logitech’s own. Combined with the gasket-mounted structure and internal sound-dampening layers, Logitech is going for a “thocky” sound rather than the hollow, pingy sound cheaper boards tend to have.
RGB Lightning
The G316 X 98 doesn’t skimp on lighting despite the price. You get per-key RGB Lightsync plus a 30-zone customizable light bar running between the function row and the number row. The keycaps are shine-through too, so the legends themselves light up, not just the gaps between the keys.
Brightness is adjustable on the fly with the control dial next to the dot-matrix display, so you don’t need to open G Hub to dim the keyboard at night.
Software
Everything beyond the knob’s basics lives in Logitech G Hub. Like the full 8,000Hz report rate toggle, per-key RGB and 30-zone light bar customization, Game Mode key assignments per game profile, and macro creation.
It’s the same software that manages the Logitech G304 X Superlight Gaming Mouse.
Conclusion
The G316 X 98 doesn’t try to be premium. No aluminum top case, no wireless, no fancy coating, just 8,000Hz polling, hot-swappable switches, and a gasket-mounted PBT build, all for S$139. It’s a no-frills keyboard, and for the price, that’s the selling point.
This keyboard is for people getting their first proper mechanical gaming keyboard. It’s also for parents who want to get their kids a proper gaming keyboard from a reputable brand without spending a fortune.
Just a nitpick, since this keyboard has hotswappable switches, Logitech should include a switch puller in the box.
