Logitech G316 X 98 Wired Gaming Keyboard Review - Retro-Inspired Board that Falls a Little Short

Introduction & Specification Details and Close-up

Logitech's G3 series of peripherals isn't exactly aimed at the budget crowd. But they represent the best value for those seeking a more affordable entry point to the premium Logitech G gaming experience. The new Logitech G316 X 98 Wired Gaming Keyboard falls into this category, with Logitech describing it as a customizable mechanical keyboard built for gaming, with hot-swappable switches, a stylish retro-inspired design, and a price point that doesn't break the bank. That said, the $119.99 USD price puts the Logitech G316 X 98 up against quite a lot of competition among wired mechanical gaming keyboards. And with that in mind, even though there's a lot to like about the design, there are some notable shortcomings - especially when it comes to the Tactile variant reviewed here.

When it comes to pure mechanical gaming keyboards, the Linear switch style has become the go-to for many, as it delivers a smoother, more responsive keypress. Now, when it comes to the Logitech G316 X 98 Wired Gaming Keyboard, you've got the option to choose between Linear and Tactile switches, with the latter being the variant sent to us for review. This isn't to say that Tactile switches don't have their fans or place within the PC gaming space, as the 'bump' you feel denotes the switch actuation, and from an overall feel to the acoustics, Tactile switches can deliver on that classic clacky sound and, well, clicky feel of mechanical keyboards. The issue with the Logitech G316 X 98's Tactile variant is that the Tactile switches have a slight stickiness, and the acoustic profile is quite loud, with noticeable rattle when hitting larger keys like the spacebar.

This is a little disappointing, as the overall design and build quality are impressive, even with its plastic casing. The keycaps themselves, which are PBT and shine-through for the Logitech G316 X 98's vibrant and impressive lighting, have a great feel. So much so that after we completed testing, we swapped out a bunch of the switches for some tried-and-true spare Linear options we had on hand, and the overall type and feel felt better. Which is a plus, because having hot-swappable switches in 2026 feels like a core feature for any gaming keyboard aiming for a premium or high-end gaming experience.

Specifications & Close Up

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Kosta's Test System

Design & Software

Design

The physical design of the new Logitech G316 X 98, with its compact full-size 98% form factor, is one that we're fans of. The all-black chassis and keys serve as the foundation for vibrant lighting, including an animated lightbar between the main keys and the function row, as well as the aforementioned shine-through keycaps. Rounding out the design, which gives the Logitech G316 X 98 its distinct personality, is the dot-matrix LED display that sits between the translucent purple control dial and the game mode button, which lights up with an icon reminiscent of the original Atari 2600 joystick. With the sharp, angular shape of the overall keyboard, the retro-inspired design is a looker for fans of this aesthetic, especially when paired with Logitech's neon blue and purple 'Moonglow' lighting profile.

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Although you can't modify or customize the dot matrix LED or control dial, it offers quick access to handy features and controls covering volume, media, lighting brightness, and switching the report or polling rate. From a pure performance perspective, the Logitech G316 X 98 ticks the right boxes by supporting polling rates of up to 8,000 Hz for maximum responsiveness when playing a competitive game. And when it comes to the dot matrix LED and control dial, you can add the RGB lightbar into the mix as it will animate based on the control dial movement and setting. In addition to being functional, it's a fun, retro-inspired way to turn the volume up or down, and it adds considerable charm to the overall design.

To keep overall costs down, the frame is made of plastic, with rubberized feet for damping and to provide a solid foundation. There's no height or tilt adjustment, which is unusual for a gaming keyboard, so the Logitech G316 X 98's relatively flat and slight angle is all you've got. That said, the Logitech G316 X 98 is a customizable keyboard in which, in addition to your choice of Tactile or Linear mechanical switches, the high-quality PBT keycaps and switches are hot-swappable. Another interesting omission is that the Logitech G316 X 98 doesn't ship with a keycap or switch puller, so you'll need to bring your own.

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Underneath the hood, the construction includes a gasket mount design with some damping for acoustics; however, the Logitech G316 X 98 Wired Gaming Keyboard with Tactile switches is quite loud in that traditional mechanical keyboard sort of way. One reason the Tactile switches can feel a little sticky is the longer actuation distance of 2.2mm compared to 1.9mm for the Linear option, alongside a switch actuation force of 55g compared to 40g. So, with that in mind, for a more modern gaming keyboard feel, the Linear switch option would probably be the way to go for a faster response.

Software

Logitech G Hub continues to impress as a modular platform for customizing the brand's gaming peripherals, especially keyboards. It's still a standalone app, but once minimized and idle, it takes up virtually no system resources or memory, which is always a plus. And like with all Logitech G products, the first time you connect the Logitech G316 X 98, you're given a quick overview of its various features plus some explanations and even links to video tutorials on how to use G Hub's various features. When it comes to the Logitech G316 X 98, the two main customization options are remapping keys and changing the lighting, alongside adjusting the polling rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this review using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below.

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What are the main differences between the Linear and Tactile switch variants of the Logitech G316 X 98?

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Question #2

What polling rates does the G316 X 98 support and how do you change the polling rate?

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Question #3

What customization options does Logitech G Hub provide for the G316 X 98 (key remaps, lighting, layers)?

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Is the G316 X 98 a better choice for productivity or competitive gaming based on the review, and which switch option is recommended for gaming?

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Remapping keys is relatively straightforward, with access to three layers and the option to create multiple custom actions per key with simple two-step macro-like editing. For example, if you want to pair Alt or Ctrl or Shift with a key and then have that trigger a different action, you can do so with ease. Logitech also provides a long list of keyboard, mouse, system, and even app actions to choose from, alongside community-created presets for various games and workloads to tinker with. As mentioned earlier, there's no option to customize the control knob, so its functionality is set in stone. That said, you can make changes ot the Game Mode button by choosing and adjusting which keys are disabled when you go into Game Mode. Interestingly, you can't make it so that Game Mode also adjusts the polling rate to 8,000 Hz (8K), which is a setting you need to change manually or via the keyboard's control dial.

When it comes to lighting changes, the options are fairly extensive, with multiple presets to choose from alongside the usual breathing, ripple, and color cycle modes. Outside of the preset route, you can also fine-tune the lighting across all keys as well as the multi-zone lightbar. With detailed controls over animation, the effect rate and speed for the gradient stuff, it's impressive, but there is one notable issue. And that is, for some reason, making changes to the lighting on the Logitech G316 X 98 is laggy and fairly unresponsive as you wait for selections to register and the subsequent changes to take effect. It's unusual because this isn't something we've experienced on a Logitech keyboard before, so hopefully it's something that can be fixed on the app side.

Gaming and Productivity Performance

Gaming Performance

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Now, it's worth noting that personally, when it comes to mechanical keyboards, I prefer a fast and responsive Linear switch over a bumpy Tactile one. That said, having tested multiple keyboards with Tactile switches over the years, it's not hard to adjust; however, with the Tactile switches in the Logitech G316 X 98 requiring quite a bit of actuation force, and a general stickiness to the feel when pressing the larger keys, it's a setup that doesn't quite feel tuned for PC gaming or playing shooters, both competitive and non-competitive, like Counter-Strike 2, Battlefield 6, and DOOM: The Dark Ages. Also, even though it's a feature more commonly found on magnetic or analog keyboards, mechanical gaming keyboards are being released with features like SOCD or 'Snap Tap', albeit limited to a single pair, most commonly the A and D strafing keys.

Outside of the feel of the Tactile switches, everything from the keycaps to the responsiveness to the 98% form factor layout is all fantastic, and the stylish design looks great when paired with a modern gaming PC. Still, even with the excellent customization for remapping and creating game-specific profiles, it's hard not to feel a little disappointed with the Logitech G316 X 98. Responsive Linear switches with a more pleasant acoustic profile, and little touches like SOCD, would go a long way toward elevating the gaming experience. This isn't to say that gaming with the Logitech G316 X 98 is bad; we'd go so far as to call it above average. The real issue is that, at its current price point, there are numerous other wired options that we'd probably recommend over this.

Productivity Performance

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Now, for those who are used to applying a bit of extra force with each keystroke, the Logitech G316 X 98 with Tactile switches turns out to be a better keyboard for productivity than it is for gaming. Typing with the Logitech G316 X 98, it's hard to make mistakes with the longer travel distance and tactile bump, and the addition of the control dial, Numpad, and a cleanly separated function row make it more than worthwhile for day-to-day use as well as pairing with productivity and creative apps. The ability to customize and remap keys and create profiles is a big plus; however, the overall loudness of the switches does make it stand out in a quiet room or environment.

Keyboard Acoustics and Sound Level

Keyboard Acoustics

Here's a recording of the Logitech G316 X 98 Wired Gaming Keyboard with Tactile mechanical switches. The clicky sound of the bump in each keypress is noticeable, and generally there's very little damping, so the sounds you hear here are louder than most gaming keyboards.

Keyboard Sound Level

To test a keyboard's overall sound level, we use the Ozito Digital Sound Level Meter, capturing the sentence "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" multiple times and recording the maximum dB level. This indicates how "loud" the switches used are for everyday usage. The following chart showcases where the Logitech G316 X 98 Wired Gaming Keyboard sits.

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Final Thoughts

With its retro-inspired design that includes a dot matrix LED display and vibrant lighting, we went into the Logitech G316 X 98 Wired Gaming Keyboard review expecting greatness, especially as a more affordable premium option for gamers. And there are a lot of things to like here: the aforementioned physical design, the premium keycaps, 8K polling, the customization when it comes to remapping keys, and the ability to swap out both the keycaps and switches down the road. However, when it comes to the model with pre-installed Tactile switches, the overall gaming experience is a bit of a letdown due to the sticky nature of the tactile bump on the larger keys, the long travel distance, and the force required for each keystroke to register. For fast movement in a competitive shooter, it's not ideal, and any keyboard being marketed to gamers should definitely make the feel of WASD movement a priority.

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Now, as mentioned in the review, Logitech does offer a version of the Logitech G316 X 98 with Linear switches, so if you're looking at picking this up for gaming, that would probably be the way to go. And again, there are a lot of things to like, including the intuitive control dial that works alongside the lightbar and dot matrix LED display to provide visual feedback on things like adjusting the volume or controlling media. In the end, with its $119.99 price point, the dot matrix Logitech G316 X 98 Wired Gaming Keyboard is but one option among many that deliver similar features in a premium-style build - so any shortcomings will feel bigger than they are.