At the beginning of the year, Cherry unveiled a whole range of new products at CES 2025 under the Xtrfy gaming label. With the CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless, what is probably the most exciting keyboard in the line-up is now finally reaching retailers: triple connectivity, 8,000 Hz and an integrated display promise exciting features. Find out whether the keyboard is convincing in our test.
Technical data
| Product name | MX 8.3 TKL Wireless |
| Switch type | Mechanical |
| Key switch type | Cherryx MX2A |
| Switch types offered | Linear |
| Switch interchangeable | Yes |
| Keycaps interchangeable | Yes |
| Material | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 365 mm x 156 mm x 44 mm |
| Weight | 1,250 grams |
| Onboard memory | 3 profiles |
| Cable connection | USB Type-C |
| Rollover technology | N-Key Rollover |
| Keycaps | PBT Double-Shot |
| Operating modes | Typing; Gaming |
| Sampling rates | 8,000 Hz |
| price | € 299.00 * |
CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless Test: Elegant, high-quality, innovative
- appealing, dark design
- Impeccable workmanship
- LC display; innovative stand
CHERRY XTRFY means business, because the new CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless doesn’t do things by halves. The mechanical gaming keyboard weighs a good 1.25 kg, which is quite a lot for a keyboard in the TKL form factor. By comparison, the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL (our test) is noticeably lighter at 1,091 grams.
The manufacturer relies on a robust aluminum housing, which is larded with plastic elements. The keyboard comes in a dark grey color, while the double-shot PBT keycaps come in two different shades of grey.
At first glance, three details in particular catch the eye. The first is the LC display to the right of the F12 key, which can be customized with an individual logo and enables keyboard settings without software. A feature that we already know from the be quiet! Dark Mount (our test), for example. The difference is that the display on the CHERRY XTRFY is much smaller and the image resolution is much lower.
Next to it is a plus-shaped rotary control with which you can adjust the settings on the display. Very practical: the small screen provides information about the operating mode, connection type or battery charge level.
The third special feature can be found in the base of the CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless. Instead of classic fold-out feet, the keyboard uses a clever fold-out bracket that can be adjusted to three different heights. An interesting concept that not only looks high-quality, but also works excellently.
Top features in the CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless
In terms of features, the CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless leaves nothing to be desired. The keyboard offers triple connectivity. You can therefore choose whether you want to pair it via cable, in 2.4 GHz wireless mode or via Bluetooth. The latter also allows a connection with up to three devices, whereby you can switch between the Bluetooth devices using the rotary control.
Another special feature: the keyboard offers an ultra-fast sampling rate of 8,000 Hz via cable and a very good 4,000 Hz in wireless mode.
As is typical for CHERRY, both the keycaps and the switches can be replaced. The linear CHERRY MX2A RED switches, which provide a smooth and direct typing feel, are installed at the factory. They have a release force of 45 cN and offer a travel distance of 2.0 mm. They are also pre-lubricated at the factory, which guarantees convincing feedback. However, the switches can be easily replaced thanks to the hot-swap functionality.
In terms of construction and damping, the manufacturer has given the keyboard a damping gasket construction and multi-layered inner padding, which should ensure a particularly soft typing feel and convincing acoustics.
The keycaps are manufactured using the particularly durable Doube-shot PBT process and have a pleasant grip. Of course, there is also per-key RGB lighting: you can choose between a number of effects or make individual settings via the display or software.
The range of functions is rounded off by full N-key rollover and 100 percent anti-ghosting.
Strong runtime, weak software
Under the hood of the CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless is a 4,600 mAh battery that guarantees an impressive runtime. It can be used for over 55 hours via 2.4 GHz wireless, and the battery life even increases to a whopping 1,200 hours via Bluetooth.
It is not possible to change the polling rate via radio. If this could be reduced to 1,000 Hz, the keyboard would certainly last twice as long. But we’re not complaining: 55 hours is a very good value.
The software, on the other hand, is rather rudimentary. This allows you to adjust the lighting, set an individual image for the display and create actions for all keys. In addition to macros, the latter only includes entering predefined texts and a few actions such as media control or starting the calculator.
The configurations can be set for three individual profiles. So if you don’t work with macros, you can do without the software altogether.
CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless: Practical test
- very high
- exhausting in the long run
- very good typing characteristics
In practice, the CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless did not fully convince me and there is one main reason for this: the height of the keyboard. At 44 mm, it is considerably higher than most other keyboards, even with the lowest stand setting.
This makes for an unfamiliar typing experience and one where I never had the feeling that I could work or play comfortably. However, this is certainly a matter of taste, as the overall height is sure to appeal.
As the switches are also higher than on other keyboards of a comparable height, such as the Glorious GMMK 3, this makes for an unusual hand position. For me personally, the keyboard frame and the keys are simply too high, which has a negative effect on ergonomics.
After a few hours of use, my hands and wrists start to ache. I’ve never had that with a keyboard test before.
Apart from that, the CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless didn’t make any notable mistakes in the practical test. The keys trigger very cleanly and accurately, and in combination with the high sampling rate, this results in a convincing speed and a pleasant typing feel.
The factory lubrication ensures that all switches trigger very cleanly and the stabilizers also do an impeccable job. As far as the volume and noise of the keyboard are concerned, the MX 8.3 TKL ranks in the middle segment. I find the noise quite pleasant, but it doesn’t sound particularly quiet or “thocky”.
The LC display with rotary control proves to be very practical, as almost all settings can be made directly via the keyboard without having to go through the software.
CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless Test: Conclusion
With the CHERRY XTRFY MX 8.3 TKL Wireless, the manufacturer has released a convincing gaming keyboard that impresses with its excellent workmanship, triple connectivity and very good typing characteristics.
I particularly like the practical LCD display and the innovative stand, while the battery life is also very good. What I personally don’t like at all, however, is the very high design – I simply couldn’t use the keyboard comfortably in the long term, as it puts a lot of strain on the wrists in my opinion. But that is certainly a matter of taste.
VORTEILE
- High-quality workmanship
- Up to 8,000 Hz
- Hot-swappable
- Good battery life
NACHTEILE
- Very high
- (For me) uncomfortable
- rudimentary software
- very expensive
Fazit
High-quality and well-designed mechanical keyboard with a good typing feel and modern features, but it is built very high - which puts a strain on the wrists.
