The Cooler Master CK720 is a wired 65% mechanical keyboard that keeps dedicated arrow keys while adding hot-swappable switches, per-key RGB lighting and a configurable dial. Its tradeoffs are just as important: there is no wireless mode, function row or numpad, and its 334 mm width makes it longer than some boards in this class. It is a good fit if switch customization and a compact layout matter more to you than wireless convenience or the smallest possible footprint.
What is the Cooler Master CK720?
The CK720 is a wired compact keyboard with a 65% layout. It removes the function row and numpad found on a full-size keyboard but retains dedicated arrow keys. Tom’s Hardware describes its navigation keys as more separated than those on some smaller 65% designs, a layout that can make them easier to distinguish while still saving desk space.
Cooler Master positions it as an enthusiast-oriented keyboard, but the practical appeal is straightforward: you can change compatible switches without soldering, adjust lighting per key and assign functions to the three-way dial. The layout is not as small as the 65% label might suggest, however, and the detachable cable means it remains a wired-only board.
Cooler Master CK720 specifications
| Feature | CK720 specification |
|---|---|
| Form factor | 65%, with dedicated arrow keys; no function row or numpad |
| Connectivity | Wired, detachable 1.8 m USB Type-C to Type-A cable |
| Switches | Kailh Box V2 Red, White or Brown; hot-swappable five-pin PCB |
| Lighting | Per-key RGB, listed as 16.7 million colors |
| Controls | Customizable three-way dial and onboard controls |
| Dimensions | 334 × 118 × 37 mm with feet closed; 43 mm high with first-stage feet open and 46 mm with second-stage feet open |
| Weight | 950 g without cable, according to Cooler Master |
| Keycaps | OEM profile. US, Taiwanese and UK layouts are specified as PBT double-shot; other layouts are listed as painted and laser-engraved ABS |
| Software and compatibility | MasterPlus+; Windows 8 or later and Mac OS X 10.10 or later |
| Polling rate and warranty | 1000 Hz polling rate; two-year warranty listed by Cooler Master |
These specifications come from Cooler Master’s product specification sheet. Warranty service and terms can differ by region, so check the local seller or Cooler Master support. Keycap material also varies by layout: do not assume every regional CK720 has PBT caps.
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- Hot-Swappable Mechanical Switches: Scratch that keyboard enthusiast itch by customizing each key without needing to pick up a soldering gun.
- 3-way Customizable Dial: The precision dial gives you the tactile controls of a turn or a press, customizable via software.
- Kailh Box V2 + Cherry MX Green Switches: Feel the smooth, clacky difference of enthusiast-level switches, plus extra MX Green switches for that heavy clicky actuation for modifier keys.
- PBT Doubleshot for UK/UK/TC layouts: Increase durability with keycaps made with shineproof PBT and legends that are doubleshot so they won't wear off after heavy use
- Removable Aluminum Top Plate: Offers ease of routine maintenance and better access when changing up switches.
Is the Cooler Master CK720 hot-swappable?
Yes. The CK720 supports hot-swappable switches on a five-pin PCB, so compatible switches can be replaced without desoldering the originals. Cooler Master lists Kailh Box V2 Red, White and Brown options. Tom’s Hardware characterizes them as linear, clicky and tactile respectively: Red is linear, White is clicky, and Brown is tactile.
HotHardware’s review sample had Red switches. It reported actuation forces of 45 g for Red, 75 g for Brown and 55 g for White, and 80 g for the extra Cherry MX Green switches in its package. Those are figures reported by that review, not a guarantee for every revision or third-party switch. Check a replacement switch’s pin compatibility and specifications before buying; five-pin support does not mean every switch will feel or sound the same.
Rank #2
- Hot-Swappable Mechanical Switches: Scratch that keyboard enthusiast itch by customizing each key without needing to pick up a soldering gun.
- 3-way Customizable Dial: The precision dial gives you the tactile controls of a turn or a press, customizable via software.
- Kailh Box V2 + Cherry MX Green Switches: Feel the smooth, clacky difference of enthusiast-level switches, plus extra MX Green switches for that heavy clicky actuation for modifier keys.
- PBT Doubleshot for UK/UK/TC layouts: Increase durability with keycaps made with shineproof PBT and legends that are doubleshot so they won't wear off after heavy use
- Removable Aluminum Top Plate: Offers ease of routine maintenance and better access when changing up switches.
Can you replace the CK720 switches?
Yes. A compatible replacement switch is the relevant accessory if you want a different feel, sound or actuation experience. HotHardware reported that its box included ten Cherry MX Green switches and a combined keycap-and-switch puller, but bundle contents may vary by SKU or region. Confirm what comes with the particular unit rather than assuming every box includes the same extras.
Switch housing can affect the appearance of the lighting: HotHardware observed that opaque switch bodies dimmed RGB on affected keys. If preserving bright per-key lighting is important, look for switches with clear or RGB-friendly housings.
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Rank #3
- Hot-Swappable Mechanical Switches: Scratch that keyboard enthusiast itch by customizing each key without needing to pick up a soldering gun.
- 3-way Customizable Dial: The precision dial gives you the tactile controls of a turn or a press, customizable via software.
- Kailh Box V2 + Cherry MX Green Switches: Feel the smooth, clacky difference of enthusiast-level switches, plus extra MX Green switches for that heavy clicky actuation for modifier keys.
- PBT Doubleshot for UK/UK/TC layouts: Increase durability with keycaps made with shineproof PBT and legends that are doubleshot so they won't wear off after heavy use
- Removable Aluminum Top Plate: Offers ease of routine maintenance and better access when changing up switches.
Is the CK720 wireless?
No. The CK720 connects through its detachable USB-C to USB-A cable and does not offer Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless. If wireless is a deciding requirement, HotHardware identifies the related Cooler Master CK721 as offering wired, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth modes. That comparison is from an older review; verify the exact CK721 model and its current regional availability before choosing it.
How compact is the CK720?
Cooler Master lists the CK720 at 334 × 118 × 37 mm with its feet closed, and 950 g without the cable. Tom’s Hardware reports the same dimensions and weight. It is meaningfully shorter in layout than a full-size keyboard because it has no numpad, but the width is not especially small for a 65% board. Check the actual dimensions against your desk or keyboard tray rather than relying on the form-factor label alone.
Rank #4
- Low Profile Switches - A reduced travel distance and actuation point with the same signature durability and precision.
- Portable 60% Layout - Compact layout and design, perfect for on-the-go use with mobile devices and laptops.
- Brushed Aluminum Design - Curved top plate, floating keycaps, and minimalistic design built with functionality in mind
- Ergonomic Upgrades - New ergonomic keycaps and adjustable feet allow you the comfortable typing experience you want, your way.
- Multiple OS Support - Use with MacOS and Windows 8 and above - and easily soft-switch between all devices with a simple keypress.
There is a conflicting database measurement: LTT Labs lists 881 g, while Cooler Master and Tom’s Hardware give 950 g. The manufacturer’s stated figure is 950 g; the available measurements should not be treated as interchangeable or as proof of a particular production weight.
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The specification sheet lists a removable aluminum top plate, pre-lubed stabilizers and silicone padding. Tom’s Hardware describes a metal clickable volume knob and flip-up feet; its reviewer liked the notched, configurable dial and found the stabilizers surprisingly good, while calling the keycaps thin. HotHardware described its sample as rigid and well-fitted. Those assessments reflect individual review samples, not a guarantee of how every unit will feel or sound on every desk.
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The dial adds a physical control that can be configured for more than one function, while onboard controls provide options without requiring every adjustment to happen in software. Cooler Master lists MasterPlus+ support. HotHardware reported lighting and dial bugs in its software-era testing; that is a historical observation and does not establish that the same issues remain in current software or firmware.
Who should buy the Cooler Master CK720?
- Consider it if you want a wired 65% board with dedicated arrow keys, a configurable dial, per-key RGB and the ability to experiment with compatible switches.
- Look elsewhere if you need Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz, frequently use a dedicated function row or numpad, or want one of the smallest possible 65% keyboards.
- Check the exact SKU if regional keycap material or included switch extras matter. Layouts and box contents are not necessarily identical everywhere.
- Judge value using a current local price and stock check. Review-period prices do not establish what the keyboard costs or whether it is available now.
Verdict
The CK720 is best understood as a customization-first wired compact keyboard, not a universal replacement for a full-size or wireless board. Its hot-swap support, arrow keys, dial and RGB make it versatile for a desk setup that can accommodate its width. Whether it is the right buy depends on accepting the missing function row and numpad, the cable-only connection, and a footprint that is compact but not class-leading.
Quick Recap
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