WHIRLWIND FX ATOM

Atomic power clicking up a storm

WHIRLWIND FX’S flagship keyboard is the Element (currently the Element V2, to be precise), a full-scale mechanical keyboard that offers a unique form of reactive per-key RGB lighting. The Atom is essentially the same product trimmed down to a slender 60-percent form factor.

As you are probably aware, that means no numpad, no arrow keys, and no dedicated function keys. This is a barebones keyboard, offering just enough buttons to do everything a standard gaming keyboard should be capable of. Function keys and media controls are printed on the front sides of some keys, activated via simultaneous keypresses with Fn; for example, Fn-Q plays or pauses music on the Atom.

Whether or not a 60-percent keyboard is right for you comes down largely to personal preference, but there are some advantages offered by the Atom’s form factor. There’s very little bezel space, and the keyboard is just an inch and a half tall at its thickest point, with the rubbercoated feet folded away, making it easy to slip into a backpack for on-the-go use.

The key switches are Gateron models, specifically the Linear Red version for our review unit. They’re a lot quieter than we expected (the original Element used Kailh switches, which were quite clattery), and the double-shot ABS matte keycaps feel lovely. The red switches are quite snappy, with a bit of wobble, which makes them undeniably better for gaming than typing. The full N-key rollover and 3,000Hz polling rate are great, giving this keyboard a real feeling of responsiveness in fast-paced games.

The overall build quality is certainly consistent with the $80 asking price, with a durable-feeling matte plastic construction. Unlike Whirlwind’s Element keyboard line, the Atom’s backplate is bright white anodized aluminum, which serves to effectively accentuate the RGB lighting beneath each key. Power and connectivity are handled by a braided USB-C cable that comes included. A wireless option would’ve been a good inclusion, but it’s not a deal-breaker.

SIGNAL BOOST

The big selling point is the reactive RGB lighting that has become Whirlwind FX’s trademark, now controlled via the shiny new SignalRGB software. The LEDs are bright and colorful, with detailed perkey customization available alongside lighting presets, such as the classic rainbow wave.

It’s the “reactive” aspect of the Atom’s RGB lighting that is simultaneously its greatest asset and an awkward stumbling block. As seen on the Element keyboard, SignalRGB can sync up to a number of games, offering dynamic lighting profiles for each. We tested out the ApexLegends,Overwatch, and Hades integrations, all of which looked great, smoothly reacting to what was happening on screen to great visual effect.

For unsupported games, the Atom offers a system that dedicates invisible grid tiles of your display to individual LEDs on the keyboard, with the lighting mimicking what appears on the screen. New game integrations are being added regularly, with a clear focus on popular triple-A titles. SignalRGB is currently only available for Windows, though, so bear this in mind.

Unfortunately, the Atom loses out to the full-size Element simply due to the lack of prime RGB real estate on the keyboard. With fewer keys and therefore fewer LEDs, the impressiveness of the reactive lighting is, well, less impressive. It still looks good, but we feel that the overall effect loses something for its 60-percent design; the animation of some game integrations feels a little truncated in comparison to the Element.

This is only a minor criticism, though, and that’s all the Atom has: surface blemishes that can’t undermine the fact that this is a polished product at a sound price. If you want a portable keyboard or are simply looking to free up some desk space, the Atom is a solid 60-percent offering from the RGB masters at Whirlwind FX.

Whirlwind FX Atom

PROTON High polling rate; surprisingly quiet; looks fantastic; ultra-compact.

ELECTRON Not the best for typing; 60-percent form factor impacts lighting effects; lacks wireless.

$ 80, www.whirlwindfx.com