Cherry Xtrfy MX 3.1 in the test: This keyboard is custom-made, but… 70 comments
The Cherry Xtrfy MX 3.1 appears in the test as a tailor-made keyboard and appeals to “gamers”. It promises an aluminum body, the new MX2 buttons, flat keycaps and a “damped keyboard structure” at a moderate price of just under 130 euros. This looks like a promising custom suit. But there is a problem.
Table of Contents This keyboard is custom made, but… Cherry MX 3.1: The cleverly packaged MX2 lacks its everyday extra structure under the microscope The software has little value Conclusion: Looks great…
The Cherry Xtrfy MX 3.1 is a keyboard that would have looked great three or four years ago, but in testing in 2024, it’s still unclear who it’s actually aimed at. For users who just want to write a little and not have to worry about anything else, the equipment whispers “GAMING,” the marketing writes. All the details in the test.
Cherry MX 3.1: beautifully packaged
The Xtrfy MX 3.1 impresses in images. The aluminum on the front and the white keyboard look sporty and elegant. However, the keyboard does not have a large, all-aluminum body, as its relatively moderate weight of just over a kilogram reveals. The side of the keyboard is closed with plastic elements; the buttons – brand new and rarely available MX2 models – are stabilized with the same material.
The MX 3.1 is a full-size standard keyboard Image 1 of 8
As is typical for the class, Cherry rounds out the full-size layout with four additional keys above the number pad that control the media player. Like all buttons, their assignment can be reprogrammed using software. However, the additional functions of the FN layer remain fixed. The functions are located on the F keys and allow you to control the audio volume and key lighting. The keyboard is positioned as an upgrade to the MX Board 3.0S, which basically has the same structure, but still has MX1 buttons with an outdated micro-USB port.
MX2 misses its plus
The MX 3.1 is available with linear red buttons and brown models that have a low pressure point. Both come from the MX2 series, which is still available exclusively from Cherry. Compared to the first generation, this is a notable upgrade that results from the sum of many small improvements. The new buttons are quieter and sound richer, the spring no longer produces reverb and key clearance is reduced. The keys wobble less and feel tighter. This feature of the buttons has not changed.
Plus, the MX2 buttons slot in easier and barely scratch their guides, in fact. The red buttons in the test sample absolutely do not have this property; they “scratch” much more than in the Xtrfy K5V2 (test) with the red MX2 buttons, evenly on all buttons. The significant difference is obvious in comparison, but can also be noticed without a scale.
As you push it in slowly, you can clearly feel the punch sliding through its guides. It almost seems like Cherry left out the lubrication. The effect is irritating, as is the result. These MX2s give consistent feedback, but hardly an appropriate price – unless you appreciate some “roughness”. After getting used to the buttons and operating them, the scratching sensation remains rather secondary, but it improves, even from the start. Kailh Box Red V2 or Gateron G Pro 3.0 come to mind. It should be noted that MX buttons break down over time, although this can take months or years and does not occur uniformly.
Coated ABS caps and welded MX2 knobs are out of price range photo 1 of 4
If in doubt, buyers have to live with this feature, because replacing the buttons requires a soldering iron. The Cherry keyboard saves you from hot-swappable sockets that cost over $100. The fact that the manufacturer also forgoes PBT keycaps and double-shot lettering is also not appropriate. While other keyboards can at least point to a Bluetooth and radio connection, the MX 3.1 lacks this justification; the features are extremely poor compared to the price. Only the flat keys are an extra that makes the acoustics a little more subtle.
Every day
Despite its flatter shells, the MX 3.1 doesn’t fall into its category in terms of sound. The MX 3.1 performs better than keyboards without everything, but less well than what is now possible for 130 euros.
Unscrewing it reveals why: the “new noise-canceling structure” consists of a thin layer of foam and some silicone dampers between the PCB and the plastic switch plate. The structure of the MX 3.1 remains extremely simple for 2024 and it shows.
Thanks to its more complex construction, a Cooler Master MK770 acts much more discreetly at the same price and can still boast more features, not to mention the full metal keyboards, which are already knocking on the door of this price range. If we compare the acoustics again, the impression is confirmed: it is not enough to simply be better than keyboards without everything, when the three-digit price range offers significantly more.
Structure under the microscope
In principle, Cherry uses a similar design principle to keyboards with standalone buttons. As with a Corsair K-series keyboard, a metal plate is part of the case, the rest remains plastic – only here in a mirrored inverted application. This production can certainly be considered cost-optimized. However, the fact that the aluminum plate gains rigidity thanks to the front and rear reliefs of the keyboard can be recognized – although this is not necessary.
The “inlay”, that is to say the switch plate, is made of flexible plastic which cushions attacks better than usual aluminum plates. This idea from the custom scene is also popular in the mass market. There’s also a design reason here: the ridges between the keys are cheaper to make. This is not necessarily a defect, but it provides an explanation of the design.
The flatter keys once again prove to be pleasantly ergonomic, especially with a wrist rest, and the rounded space bar typical of Cherry is a very pleasant little detail which pleases the thumb when placed on the keyboard. In principle, the MX 3.1 has good genes for writing and gaming, if you ignore the price for a moment.
The layout doesn’t seem very well thought out. Volume control requires the use of both hands. Since the secondary button functions cannot be changed, you have to live with it. From a functional standpoint, Cherry didn’t do themselves any favors with the adjustable feet. Converting the rubber pad into tiny adjustment elements is tricky; the small size of the accessories makes it easy to get lost. What also does not seem disturbing, but incomprehensible and therefore symptomatic, is that there are status LEDs on the keyboard, but the function – Capslock, Numlock – is also displayed via the key illumination .
Software has little value
It’s unclear where the “convenient additional functions” “that can give you a decisive advantage in the game” are located, especially since “gaming features” such as a higher polling rate are absent from the technical sheet. In addition to RGB lighting, N-key rollover and win-key lock – functions that were only announced in the budget segment four years ago and have long established themselves – this must mean the software with macro functions. The feature list and software wouldn’t have been anything special just five years ago.
In this respect, the software completes the picture. It offers a clear way to change the key illumination and allows you to reprogram the function of the keys – but not so clearly anymore. In addition, only the main function can be changed, the FN level remains fixed. In principle, you can therefore do without the Cherry Utility software. In 2024, this is exactly the kind of application that offers users minimal added value on a full-size keyboard and therefore has a hard time justifying its existence outside of a “gaming equipment” checklist.
Buttons can be reprogrammed – only on one level image 1 of 2
Conclusion: Nice appearance…
The MX 3.1 is a keyboard that would have been good three or four years ago, but in 2024 it is still unclear who it is actually intended for. For users who just want to write a little and not have to worry about anything else, the equipment whispers “GAMING”, writes the marketing. Depending on your point of view, it’s either too expensive or too bad for both. For 130 euros, there are quieter keyboards with better buttons, hot-swappable sockets and PBT keycaps, not to mention the software. Here, only the marketing is cleverly done.
On its own, the feature set of the MX 3.1 would be quite comprehensive if it were priced (well) under 100 euros. Then you could talk about appearance, ease of typing and actually pleasant feedback from the buttons, leave the newly discovered scratches of the otherwise good MX2 to your taste, and choose an unusual-looking product as a ready keyboard ready to use – like the MX Board 3.0S, which currently costs around 60 euros. In any case, the upgrade doesn’t justify the double price; The name of the product makes it clear what it is: refreshment.
This is not suitable at the moment: Cherry MX 3.1 is missing features or price reduction
The MX 3.1 is somewhat reminiscent of Razer’s product strategy, but without the “branding” that drives sales. The meaning is difficult to understand. This keyboard is basically the opposite of what Cherry needs to regain relevance: lots of hot air for standard features from five years ago in pretty packaging and sweet words. In the end it lacks substance compared to the price.
A Ducky One 3 (SF model review) only costs 10-20 euros more, but the bottom line is that it is a significantly better deal in terms of functionality and appearance. A Cooler Master MK770 (test) shows that fewer compromises need to be made for the same price. For around 130 euros, the MX 3.1 just doesn’t make much sense. As a successor to the price of the MX Board 3.0S, which currently trades between 60 and 80 euros, things would be different.
Techconseil received Cherry’s MX 3.1 on loan for testing. The manufacturer had no influence on the test report and was not obliged to publish it.
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Victor explores mechanical, ergonomic, and gaming keyboards to combine comfort, precision, and responsiveness.
