The Glorious GMBK 75% gaming keyboard, priced at approximately $60/£50, enters the market as a membrane option attempting to offer a compelling value proposition. While it boasts a unique feature—swappable keycaps on a membrane design—and a generally decent build quality, its core typing experience suffers from heavy and somewhat unresponsive rubber dome switches. The integrated software for RGB customization and key remapping is functional, and its 75% layout is a welcome touch for a budget keyboard. However, in an increasingly competitive landscape where affordable mechanical and Hall effect keyboards provide superior performance and feel, the GMBK struggles to carve out a distinct advantage, ultimately offering a mediocre experience for discerning users.

Upon initial inspection, the GMBK presents as a typical entry-level gaming peripheral. Its chassis, constructed from plastic, is surprisingly lightweight and exhibits a degree of flexibility, which is not uncommon for its price point. The included ABS keycaps, while functional, possess a smooth surface that is prone to developing a glossy sheen over time and can feel somewhat slick during use. In contrast, PBT keycaps, often found on more premium boards, offer a textured finish for enhanced grip and are known for their greater durability and resistance to shine. A notable practical feature is the keyboard's IP57 water resistance, providing a degree of protection against accidental spills. The 75% key layout, which is less common in this segment, and the inclusion of a customizable volume knob, which can be interchanged with those from Glorious's high-end mechanical keyboards, are thoughtful additions that enhance user experience.

The standout innovation of the GMBK is its ability to swap keycaps, a rarity for membrane keyboards. Glorious has equipped the keycap actuators with an MX-style cross stem, allowing users to outfit the keyboard with any MX-compatible keycap set. This customizability is a significant selling point, providing a degree of personalization usually reserved for mechanical keyboards and setting it apart from other membrane offerings. This feature allows users to upgrade the aesthetic and feel of the keycaps, mitigating some of the drawbacks of the default ABS options.

However, the typing sensation delivered by the GMBK's rubber dome switches is a significant drawback. The keypresses are notably heavy and require considerable effort, leading to a fatiguing experience, especially during extended typing sessions. For individuals accustomed to mechanical or electro-capacitive switches, reverting to this membrane design feels like a step backward, reminiscent of less refined keyboards from an earlier era. While the GMBK's domes are arguably superior to those found in some rival membrane keyboards, they still fall short of the crisp, tactile feedback and smoother actuation offered by mechanical alternatives. Furthermore, Glorious's claim of silent switches is debatable, as the GMBK produces a distinct, almost clicky noise that can develop into a rhythmic drone during rapid typing, a far cry from the whisper-quiet operation of modern silent mechanical switches.

In terms of gaming performance, the GMBK's heavy rubber dome keypresses inherently limit its speed and precision compared to mechanical switches. This disparity is even more pronounced when contrasted with Hall effect magnetic switches, which are now available in comparably priced keyboards and offer rapid trigger capabilities for exceptionally fast and accurate inputs, crucial for competitive gaming. The keyboard provides basic connectivity via a detachable USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, though the cable's quality leaves something to be desired, exhibiting a sticky texture. While the Glorious Core software is functional, offering customization for RGB lighting, keybinds, and macros, it doesn't fundamentally alter the keyboard's underlying performance limitations. Ultimately, despite its innovative swappable keycaps, the GMBK 75% struggles to justify its position when more advanced and responsive mechanical or Hall effect keyboards can be acquired for a similar investment, offering a more satisfying and performance-oriented experience for both typing and gaming.