Drop CTRL V2 review: "a necessary upgrade for the next generation"

2024-01-25

GamesRadar+ VerdictDrop has updated its CTRL keyboard well, with necessary enhancements to keep the range competitive. This is still one for the budding custom keyboard enthusiast, though, with a price, software system, and out of the box typing feel that won’t make sense for mainstream users.TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck AmazonPros+Fully buildable+Improved stabilizers+Sturdy construction+Clean RGB effects+Precise and fast typing experienceCons-Foam packing rather than gasket mounted-More expensive than other options-Lower quality software support

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Drop has updated its CTRL keyboard well, with necessary enhancements to keep the range competitive. This is still one for the budding custom keyboard enthusiast, though, with a price, software system, and out of the box typing feel that won’t make sense for mainstream users.TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon

TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Check Amazon

Pros+Fully buildable+Improved stabilizers+Sturdy construction+Clean RGB effects+Precise and fast typing experience

Fully buildable

Improved stabilizers

Sturdy construction

Clean RGB effects

Precise and fast typing experience

Cons-Foam packing rather than gasket mounted-More expensive than other options-Lower quality software support

Foam packing rather than gasket mounted

More expensive than other options

Lower quality software support

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Swipe to scroll horizontallyKey SpecsPrice$200TypeMechanical (hot-swappable)ConnectionWiredSizeTKLSwitchesGateron Yellow / Holy Panda X ClearKeycapsDoubleshot PBTMedia keysDual functionWrist restNoneUSB passthroughNone

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Key SpecsPrice$200TypeMechanical (hot-swappable)ConnectionWiredSizeTKLSwitchesGateron Yellow / Holy Panda X ClearKeycapsDoubleshot PBTMedia keysDual functionWrist restNoneUSB passthroughNone

Design

(Image credit: Future)

Drop CTRL V2 keyboard on a wooden desk with RGB lighting on

Nothing was broken here, so there’s nothing to fix - the difference comes in the boosted customization options. More aspects of this color system can be adjusted directly on the deck, like hue and saturation, without needing to dive into extra software (for reasons we’ll get into later, that’s a godsend).

The deck itself is a solid brick of aluminum with a hefty feel and stout shape. It means it’s not going anywhere when it’s planted on the desk, with the kind of sturdy planting I appreciated in theKeychron Q2. There’s not a chance of flex in the main base plate, and with a belt of RGB running across the middle there’s not a single join to worry about here.

(Image credit: Future)

Corner of Drop CTRL V2 keyboard with RGB strip around the edge

There are two styles to choose from here, a higher profile and lower profile case. As mentioned above, I went for the former in an all-black colorway but there are also gray options to choose from as well. The keycaps themselves are all standard, though. This is a simple black and gray affair - a timeless classic that allows that RGB lighting to really speak for itself while still keeping things interesting in a traditional custom keyboard aesthetic. These are PBT keycaps with a softer touch than I’d prefer, but still a comfortable feel overall and I never slipped during play or typing.

(Image credit: Future)

Back on CTRL V2 keyboard on a wooden desk

Two magnetic risers allow for a varied elevation at either the top or bottom of the deck, providing the additional height I needed to gather enough force for these heavier Holy Panda switches. There’s no wrist rest to speaker of, and the extra height of the chassis itself means this isn’t one you’ll want to keep flat for too long. Fatigue did set in pretty quickly due to the combination of heavier switches and that taller chassis, but with a swap to MX Reds tamed things a little.

Features

On the outside the Drop CTRL V2 looks remarkably similar to its predecessor, but under the hood a lot has changed. The main draw for many, those hot-swappable sockets - have been upgraded to take both 3- and 5-pin switches (the previous model only accepted older 3-pin designs), and Drop has also updated the stabilizers underneath as well.

(Image credit: Future)

Drop CTRL V2 with keycaps removed to show switches and stabilizers

I was disappointed, however, to find out that the V2’s deck isn’t gasket mounted. Rather than using a rubber or silicone pad underneath the main plate, this is all foam. Yes, there’s plenty of foam; two poron layers sandwiching the main PCB and IXPE switch foam in the middle, but bottoming out is still harsher here than it would be in other fully gasket mounted decks.

(Image credit: Future)

Drop CTRL V2 keyboard with keycaps and switch removed to show PCB

As before, we’ve got two USB-C ports running along the top of the deck, one for connecting the deck (this is a strictly wired affair) and one for additional accessories. There aren’t any dedicated media buttons to speak of, which is to be expected from a more typist-oriented keyboard, but if you’re handy enough you can load up additional software to take care of new keybindings.

This is where my recommendation can get a little tricky. If you’re after a gaming keyboard with hot-swappability, this might keep you away from the Drop CTRL V2. Like the previous model, the V2 relies on QMK programmability for its customization. This time around, we’ve also got support for VIA software as well (flashed onto the deck on Drop’s own configuration software). Neither of these options are particularly first timer friendly, and if you don’t want to sit down and learn the intricacies of each method this isn’t the keyboard for you. There are a number of hot-swappable gaming keyboards out there with far easier software options for less cash.

Performance

(Image credit: Future)

Drop CTRL V2 keycaps up close

The performance of the Drop CTRL V2 very much depends on the situation it finds itself in. The additional work it takes to map customized commands made presets particularly difficult to configure, and while the 1,000Hz polling rate is more than fine for everyday play, those in a particularly speedy competitive arena will need a faster scan from both the keyboard and PC connection. Still, this is a typists keyboard, a first step into the world of custom decks - and in that respect it performs admirably.

Each keypress is snappy with no reverb running across the main chassis - something the previous model struggled with in the larger keys. Here, everything from the space bar to the enter key is clean with a tight debounce. That’s partly down to the new Phantom stabilizers and partly due to the tactile nature of the Holy Panda switches underneath. While that bump is particularly heavy (and did cause fatigue during longer typing sessions), I did notice greater accuracy in my typing compared to the lighter ROG NX switches I use on my daily driver, theAsus ROG Azoth.

The only area of inaccuracy I noted was in the shift key, the heaviness of which often caused me to release too early and miss a capital. That said, once I’d mastered this particular bump I was typing ever so slightly faster on the Drop CTRL V2. In same day typing tests I averaged 99WPM at 97% accuracy on the CTRL, compared to 97WPM at 97% accuracy on the Azoth across three tests.

Should you buy the Drop CTRL V2?

(Image credit: Future)

Drop CTRL V2 keyboard without RGB lighting on a wooden desk

TheAsusROG Azoth is just $50 more, and packs a wireless connection, dedicated media controls, and OLED display panel, and softer switches straight out the box. TheCorsair K70 Pro Mini Wirelessdoes drop a few keys in its 60% form factor but comes in at $179.99 / £169.99. The typing experience isn’t as strong here, but with up to 50 onboard profiles and a wireless connection it could be the better buy for those after a more portable device.

So who is the Drop CTRL V2 for? The same people the V1 was for. Enthusiast level typists looking for a deck they can break down and build back up again with abandon. If you’re the kind of person who already works with QMK, has a stack of switch pullers in a drawer somewhere, and wants a new PCB to play with, this is an excellent upgrade - especially if you’re willing to get a little dirty with your own mounting mods.

Today’s best dealsAsus ROG Azoth$249.99$189.99ViewSee all pricesCorsair K70 Pro Mini$179.99ViewSee all pricesKeychron Q2$179ViewSee all pricesRazer BlackWidow V4 Pro$229.99$199.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

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Asus ROG Azoth$249.99$189.99ViewSee all pricesCorsair K70 Pro Mini$179.99ViewSee all pricesKeychron Q2$179ViewSee all pricesRazer BlackWidow V4 Pro$229.99$199.99ViewSee all prices

Asus ROG Azoth$249.99$189.99ViewSee all prices

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Corsair K70 Pro Mini$179.99ViewSee all prices

Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless

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Keychron Q2$179ViewSee all prices

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How we tested the Drop CTRL V2

I used the Drop CTRL V2 for one month, using the deck for all daily work and play. In that time, I was primarily testing across Apex Legends and Doom Eternal, while also using the keyboard for casual play across We Happy Few and The Sims 4. I also completed a series of speed and precision tests onTypingTest.comand compared results against the Asus ROG Azoth. For more information onhow we test keyboards, check out the fullGamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

We’re also rounding up all thebest wireless gaming keyboardson the market, as well as thebest Razer keyboardsandbest membrane gaming keyboardsfor more options as well.

Drop CTRL V2: Price Comparison

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GamesRadar+ Verdict

Design

Features

Performance

Should you buy the Drop CTRL V2?

How we tested the Drop CTRL V2

Contents