The Genesis Thor 420 is a standout low-profile keyboard that confidently competes with high-profile mechanical keyboards. Its compact, minimal design, paired with an aluminum chassis, definitely catches the eye.
Features
Outfitted with tactile switches and an attractive price, the Thor 420 offers an all-inclusive package. But it raises the question: Have low-profile keyboards become good enough to consider, or should you stick with traditional high-profile ones for now?
Design
The brushed aluminum finish gives the Thor 420 a premium, striking appearance. It includes a high-quality plastic back, four LED indicators, and the Genesis logo, all within a full-sized layout. Weighing in at 580 grams, the tightly packed full-sized keycaps make it more compact than even some tenkeyless models, like the Blackwidow v2 TKL. This tight design minimizes key wobble, making typing at higher speeds feel stable and grounded.
Even though it’s designed with gamers in mind, the Thor 420’s understated look makes it suitable for office use too. One major plus is its relatively quiet performance, a topic we’ll delve into more shortly.
Lighting
The Thor 420 features ARGB keys, but the lighting is much more subtle than typical gaming keyboards. The RGB shines from the sides and reflects off the aluminum chassis, which, combined with the closely packed keycaps, creates a pleasant lighting experience.
If you’re not into onboard software, you can easily cycle through different lighting profiles using the FN and Insert keys. You can also adjust the brightness and animation speed directly from the keyboard.
Connectivity
However, unlike some of its competitors like the Vissles LP85, the Thor 420 comes with a non-detachable USB Type-A connection and lacks Wireless/Bluetooth capabilities and USB Type-C support. For a keyboard that’s marketed as compact and minimal, always having a wire attached can be inconvenient, especially when traveling.
Software
The onboard software is quite basic, allowing you to store profiles, switch RGB presets, and record macros. Unlike more comprehensive software like Razer’s Synapse, you can’t customize individual key lighting, create custom animations, or expect peripheral integration.
Typing Experience
At first, the keys might feel a bit cramped, but we adapted quickly. The Thor 420 uses Genesis’s own tactile blue switches, requiring just 45 grams of actuation force and rated for 50 million clicks. This suggests it’s one of the most responsive gaming keyboards available. Testing confirmed this, with smooth performance and a 1000 Hz polling rate making both typing and gaming a seamless experience. While adjusting to the key layout took a few hours, the experience ultimately became very enjoyable.
One downside is switching between the Thor 420 and a typical high-profile keyboard. The different key spacing might prove challenging when gaming, so it’s better to stick to the Thor 420 exclusively if you decide to make the switch.
Ergonomics
Even with its compact design and no wrist rest included, we were concerned about the Thor 420’s comfort over extended use. However, the tight key design and low profile ultimately provided a comfortable experience.
Overall, the Genesis Thor 420 is a strong contender for both gaming and everyday use, but it does come with a few limitations in connectivity and software customization.