A Shift in Focus
At the recent Logitech G Play 2026 event held in Warsaw, the spotlight was firmly fixed on high-end hardware. The brand unveiled the Pro X2 Rapid keyboard and the Pro X3 Superstrike mouse, both of which are designed with professional esports athletes and highly competitive players in mind. While these devices feature top-tier technical specifications, they come with premium price tags—$229.99 for the keyboard and $199.99 for the mouse.
Although these flagship products are impressive pieces of engineering, they target a very specific niche. My personal highlight from the event, however, came from the opposite end of the pricing spectrum: the new Logitech G316 X 75.
Compact Design and Practicality
The G316 X 75 is a 75% form-factor addition to the brand's G3 budget series, serving as a more compact sibling to the full-sized G316 X 98 released earlier this year. For gamers who prioritize desk space, the decision to remove the number pad and seldom-used keys like Home and End is a welcome change. It clears up approximately 2.4 inches (6 cm) of space, allowing for much more comfortable mouse placement.
Beyond its footprint, the keyboard features a striking aesthetic. It includes full RGB backlighting, a customizable LED strip, and an integrated LED screen in the top right corner. Paired with a physical button and dial, this display allows users to toggle game modes, manage media volume, and adjust lighting settings on the fly. It even features whimsical animations, such as a dancing smiley face during idle moments, though customization options for the display are currently limited.
Build Quality and Performance
Despite its budget-friendly positioning, the build quality remains robust. The chassis is constructed from plastic, yet it maintains a sturdy, premium feel without any noticeable flex. The inclusion of double-shot PBT keycaps ensures durability, and both the switches and keycaps are hot-swappable, simplifying long-term maintenance.
The keyboard utilizes custom tactile switches developed by Logitech. Describing the feel, the author notes:
«They require a bit more force to press, and don't really have that noticeable mid-press biting point characteristic of tactile switches. Unusual, but not necessarily a bad thing. They're not super loud either, and are very smooth and still suitably satisfying to press.»
The Bottom Line
While the G316 X 75 is a wired-only device aimed at casual gaming, it does not compromise on responsiveness. It boasts an 8kHz report rate, ensuring it can handle competitive titles like Counter-Strike 2 without input lag. At a price point of $99.99, it offers exceptional value. Given its feature set and performance, the Logitech G316 X 75 is likely to become a top contender for budget-conscious gamers looking for a high-quality, compact keyboard.