When it comes to budget mechanical keyboards under ₹3,000, most brands usually stick to compact 60% or 65% layouts. While they look sleek on a desk, they often compromise on functionality—especially if you need dedicated arrow keys or function keys for gaming, editing, or programming. That’s where the DaWg HighKEY 373 stands out.
With its 80% layout, this keyboard strikes a balance between space-saving design and practical usability. It gives you the essentials— seperate functions and arrow keys—without taking up as much space as a full-size keyboard. For users who split their time between gaming and productive work, this makes a big difference.
But specs and layout are just the starting point. The real question is: does the DaWg HighKEY 373 deliver good performance for both gaming and everyday tasks at this price point? Let’s find out.
DaWg HighKEY 373 Specifications
- Layout & Design: 85-key, compact 80% layout with floating key design
- Switches: Custom pre-lubed daWg Glacier Blue
- Keycaps: Durable double-shot PBT
- Backlighting: Single-color white LED backlight
- Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
- Multimedia Support: 12 integrated
- Cable: 1.8 m red braided cable
- Connectivity: Wired USB connection (USB-A)
- Size (W x D x H): Approximately 35.5 cm × 12.7 cm × 3.5 cm
- Weight: Around 800–815 g
Look & Feel
In terms of looks, the DaWg HighKEY 373 keeps things simple. There’s only one color option available—black. Personally, I’m more of a white keyboard fan, so the design didn’t excite me too much. That said, the floating key design with a clean white backlight does give it a classy and modern touch.
One highlight here is the dedicated volume knob at the top. It doubles as a mute button and, in my opinion, every keyboard should have one—it’s convenient to use and adds to the overall appeal. Of course, it’s not a premium metal knob, but it glows, which makes it look pretty cool on the desk.
The strongest point of the DaWg HighKEY 373 in this price range is undoubtedly its build quality. I’ve tested many budget mechanical keyboards, but very few under ₹3,000 feel this solid. The keyboard weighs around 820 grams, which already gives a hint of how sturdy it is.
Unlike most budget mechanical keyboards that rely entirely on plastic frames, this one comes with a metal top frame paired with a solid base, making it feel durable and premium at the same time. This is a rare feature in this segment and definitely adds to its overall value.
The keyboard also uses double-shot PBT keycaps, which is another pleasant surprise at this price point. While many mechanical keyboards technically use PBT, budget options usually cut corners by offering single-shot PBT or standard ABS caps that fade and develop a shiny surface over time. Double-shot PBT avoids these issues, ensuring the legends stay clear and the keys retain their texture even after heavy use.
The included 1.8m braided cable also feels good in terms of quality and is mostly tangle-free. The only thing missing here is a detachable Type-C connection, which would have made the keyboard more future-proof and portable.
Lighting & Software
Now, if you’re expecting RGB lighting at this price, you’ll have to compromise. The HighKEY 373 only offers a single white backlight. But honestly, considering that most mechanical keyboards under 3000 Rs also don’t provide full RGB (usually just zone-wise or preset effects), the clean white lighting feels like a better choice. Still, if you’re an RGB enthusiast, this could be a downside.
There’s no companion software for customization, so you won’t get advanced features like macros or key remapping. However, the keyboard does come with 7–8 built-in lighting effects, along with brightness control and some pre-set modes designed for gaming.
Typing & Gaming Experience
The DaWg HighKEY 373 comes with custom pre-lubed Glacier Blue switches. The company labels them as tactile switches, but in reality, they feel much closer to classic Cherry MX Blue-style clicky switches. You do get a slight tactile bump while pressing the keys, but the loud and crisp click sound clearly makes them clicky.
Typing on these switches is enjoyable if you like feedback-heavy keyboards. The sound profile is loud, so it’s not the best option for quiet environments, but the overall typing feel is satisfying and responsive. Since this is a plate-mounted keyboard (not gasket-mounted), the sound is sharper, which is expected in this price segment. Gasket mounting would have been ideal, but it’s hard to expect that under ₹3,000.
Unfortunately, the switches are not hot-swappable, which means you can’t replace or upgrade them later. Linear or better tactile switch options would have been nice, but at this price, the Glacier Blue switches still deliver a solid experience—especially for those who type a lot.
From a performance standpoint, the keyboard supports 1000Hz polling rate, N-key rollover, and anti-ghosting, which are standard features in this category. The switches have an operating force of around 60–65g and an actuation force near 55g, making them slightly heavy for competitive gaming. That said, for a mix of gaming and productivity, the typing experience feels great and gets the job done.
Worth to buy DaWg HighKEY 373?
Overall, the DaWg HighKEY 373 is a well-rounded budget mechanical keyboard in its price range. It may not be the perfect choice for hardcore competitive gamers, mainly because of its clicky switches and non-hot-swappable design, but for users who balance productivity and casual gaming, it’s a very practical option.
The solid build quality, metal top plate, double-shot PBT keycaps, and dedicated volume knob give it a premium feel that’s rare under ₹3,000. Add to that a comfortable typing experience and reliable performance, and you get a keyboard that’s great for long hours of work, programming, or writing—while still being good enough to enjoy games in between.
If you’re looking for a sturdy, feature-packed 80% layout mechanical keyboard under 3000 Rs, the DaWg HighKEY 373 is definitely worth considering.
