Logitech G413 TKL SE review: you get what you pay for

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I confess that I'm exhausted by keyboard lighting. It feels like no mainstream mechanical keyboard has been complete without a set of lights capable of twinkling like a Christmas tree, since Cherry announced its debut MX RGB switches at the end of last year. I change them to plain white at the first chance. I want to be able to see my keys.

That was the first reason I was interested in the new budget keyboard from Logitech, the G413 TKL SE. The second reason is that it is very affordable for a mechanical keyboard from a major brand. It's perfect on paper, and one of the rare examples where stripping out a premium feature actually makes for a more appealing device overall.

The typing feel of the G413 TKL SE is a little cheap compared to more expensive competitors, but in use, it feels like a $699.99 keyboard. On paper, it offers everything you would hope for.

The G413 TKL SE is a tenkeyless keyboard, which means it doesn't cram everything into a laptop-style rectangle of keys. There is a larger model called G413 SE that is functionally the same as the layout. I'm testing a keyboard with a US layout, but I haven't heard from Logitech about a UK layout version.

It's possible that the G413 name sounds familiar because it was originally used on a keyboard. The G413 TKL SE doesn't have the passthrough of the original G413, and it only has 6 keys, which means you can press fewer keys simultaneously before it gets confused. The previous G413 was available in either red or white, but the SE only comes with white backlighting. The original G413 did not have a tenkeyless model.

The most important difference between the G413 and G413 SE models is that they use regular Cherry MX-style switches. If you want to change the look of the G413 TKL SE, you'll be able to swap out their keycaps for a wide range of aftermarket options.

The original Cherry models are not used in the Logitech G413 TKL SE. Kaihua made the Longhua switches. There is only one switch that is similar to Cherry's MX Brown switches. You will have to use a soldering iron if you want to change its switches because there are no linear or clicky options here.

These switches don't feel as nice to type on as more premium keyboards and are the main place you feel the affordable price tag. It can feel a little rattly. Key presses produce hollow thuds rather than crisp taps, and the switches just feel off in a way I struggle to put my finger on. It's understandable that it costs less than other mechanical keyboards from mainstream brands, but it's a stark reminder that keyboards can vary in quality.

I don't think most people will need to replace the stock keycaps of the G413 TKL SE. They are made of hard-wearing PBT plastic, their backlit legends are clean and crisp, and they have a nice bold fonts that doesn't feel aggressive like you find with other gaming-focused brands. If you are planning on using the G413 TKL SE with a Mac, there are no macOS-specific legends on the keys.

TKL SE's clean design continues beyond its keycaps. There is a silver logo on the top right of the keyboard, but the keyboard is completely black. There are a pair of feet on the underside of the keyboard to pitch it up at a comfortable angle. The function row contains media, volume, and other functions that can be accessed via the Fn key.

The only layout change I make is to add a discreet Print Screen key, which is located above the Insert key. The space is taken by the LEDs for Caps and Scroll-lock. We should kick the Insert key off modern keyboards in order to avoid facing these sorts of issues.

The keyboard isn't remappable and it doesn't work with the G Hub software. I think a lot of people will be happy not to have another app running in the background on their computer.

You won't find many concrete specifications to back up the claim that the G413 TKL SE is a gaming keyboard. The kind of high polling rates that reduce the input lag of keyboards like the Corsair K70 are not mentioned. It doesn't have the kind of reduced travel that you'll see in gaming-focused switches. You need to press 1.9mm before they actuate, compared to 1.2mm for Cherry MX Speed Silver. I wouldn't pick one keyboard over another because of these features, and I have never seen much of a benefit from them.

I have a lot of time to think about the G413 TKL SE. The mechanical keyboard is stripped back to its essentials and sold at an affordable price. There are no hot swappable switches, no cable, and no lighting. There is only one switch option, one backlight color, and a reasonable price. It should be an easy choice if you prefer tactile switches.

I wish typing on this keyboard felt better. It feels cheap compared to more expensive alternatives like the Keychron Q1 and Filco Majestouch 2. If you know better, you will probably expect better.

Jon Porter is a photographer.