Redragon K628 Pollux vs PENUMBRA K687Budget Plastic vs Premium Aluminum
Choose the K628 Pollux for a budget-friendly, lightweight option, or the K687 Penumbra for a premium build with superior sound and typing feel.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Redragon K628 Pollux
Budget Plastic
Build quality in the bottom 25% of 75% boards under $50.
- Significantly lighter weight at 470 grams for easy portability.
- Lower cost, making it a strong budget entry point.
- Includes an extra set of keycaps for basic customization.
Get the
Redragon PENUMBRA K687
Premium Aluminum
Build quality in the top 35% of 75% boards under $100.
- CNC aluminum case provides a solid, premium feel and stability.
- Gasket mount design with silicone gaskets for a softer, more consistent typing feel.
- Extensive 5-layer noise dampening including PO foam, IXPE foam, and a PET sound pad.
Your budget and desire for a premium typing experience are the deciding factors. The Redragon K628 Pollux is the clear choice for cost-conscious buyers or those who need a lightweight keyboard. If you value a sturdy aluminum build, a quieter and more refined typing feel with gasket mounting, and the utility of a control knob, the Redragon Penumbra K687 justifies its higher cost.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Redragon K628 Pollux
Redragon PENUMBRA K687
Case material
Plastic
Aluminum
Mount style
Bottom Mount
Gasket Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
470 g
1,500 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Sound dampening
No
Yes
- Redragon K628 Pollux
- Redragon PENUMBRA K687
- Performance
- 7979
- Build quality
- 5673
- Productivity
- 6171
- Customizability
- 5861
- Portability
- 6160
- Layout size: 75%
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Linear
What will you mostly use it for?
The K687 Penumbra is the more versatile choice, winning in office, programming, modding, and content creation due to its knob, quiet typing, and premium build. The K628 Pollux wins only for travel, thanks to its much lighter weight. For gaming, the core features are similar, making it a tie that comes down to budget versus build preference.
It's a tie
- Both offer N-key rollover and wired connectivity for reliable input.
- Both feature hot-swappable linear switches suitable for gaming.
- The K687's heavier aluminum build may feel more stable during intense sessions.
Redragon K628 Pollux vs PENUMBRA K687 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
6 of 18 specs differ
Redragon K628 Pollux
Redragon PENUMBRA K687
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
USB-C
Case material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
N-key rollover
Released
Compare prices
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Redragon K628 Pollux vs PENUMBRA K687: your questions
The Redragon Penumbra K687 features a CNC aluminum case. The Redragon K628 Pollux has a plastic case.
Yes. The K628 Pollux uses a unique 78-key layout that incorporates a numpad while maintaining a compact 75% form factor. The K687 Penumbra has an 81-key layout with a dedicated function row but no numpad.
The gasket mount on the K687 uses silicone gaskets to suspend the plate and PCB within the case, instead of traditional screw mounting. According to the manufacturer, this design aims to reduce rigid noise and provide a softer, more even typing feel.
Yes, both the Redragon K628 Pollux and the Penumbra K687 feature hot-swappable sockets, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
The Redragon Penumbra K687 is better for quiet typing. It comes with 5 layers of pre-installed noise dampening, including PO foam, IXPE switch foam, a PET sound pad, and a silicone bottom pad, which are designed to reduce hollow noise.
The Redragon Penumbra K687 comes with custom Dragon Chant linear switches, which are described as thick-lubed. The K628 Pollux comes with Outemu Red linear switches.
Only the Redragon Penumbra K687 has a dedicated control knob. The manufacturer states this knob controls backlight brightness and media functions like volume and play/pause. The K628 Pollux does not have a knob.
The Redragon Penumbra K687 weighs 1500 grams, which is over three times heavier than the K628 Pollux, which weighs 470 grams.
The K628 Pollux includes a key puller and a detachable USB cable. The K687 Penumbra includes a detachable USB Type-C cable, four spare switches, and a user manual.
According to their vendor pages, both the Redragon K628 Pollux and the K687 Penumbra support proprietary software for creating custom lighting effects and macros.
The main difference is the K628 Pollux uses a 78-key layout that includes a numpad, while the K687 Penumbra uses an 81-key layout with a dedicated top function row and a control knob, but no numpad.
Not sold on either?
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