Logitech G513 Carbon review: excellence for gamers made keyboard

Note: There are three different key switch types available: Romer-G Tactile, Romer-G Linear, and GX Blue (a loud, tactile mechanical switch that mimics the feel and sound of a Cherry MX Blue). Save for the key switches, the different models are identical to each other. The Logitech G513 Silver is available with Romer-G Tactile switches only. The Logitech G513 Carbon (Check on Amazon.com) is available with all three, so it gives you the most variety. The switch type is listed in the upper right corner of the box. There’s also a less expensive variation of the G513 called the G512 (Check on Amazon.com), which omits the wrist rest, extra keycaps and keycap remover, but is otherwise also identical.

In 2017, Logitech launched the G413. A very good gaming keyboard despite some small defects, and after a while its Carbon version (Check on Amazon.com). A year later, the Swiss company updated it with the G513 trying to erase the defects.

Its configuration is very similar to the G413. Although the Logitech G513 Carbon is rather heavy (1.062 grams), it is also rather compact. Its width does not exceed 455mm with a height of 132mm and a thickness of 34mm.

This is ideal for gamers who want a full keyboard that is also easily transportable. The Logitech G513 Carbon is equipped with RGB LED that produce 16.8 million colors, a nice evolution compared to its predecessor which had only red LEDs. Another improvement is the addition of a wrist rest that offers significant comfort for long gaming sessions.

It connects to the PC via a braided USB cable 1.8m long. It uses 2 USB ports since it also sports a USB passthrough where you can easily plug a mouse. Unfortunately, it only supports USB 2.0 and not USB 3.0.

Apart from all that, there are no other differences compared to the G413. Apart from the price that is… and here is where the Logitech G513 Carbon can rub people off since it has a hefty price tag of (Check on Amazon.com)!

Logitech G513 Carbon – Design

This gaming keyboard has a sober and elegant design and is made from quality materials that gift it with durability beyond any doubt.

As we said before the Logitech G513 Carbon comes with three different types of mechanical switches. First, we have the Romer G Tactile, which is very silent and has a noticeable actuation point when pressed. In the case of the Romer G Linear, the switch is very soft, ideal for multiple successive or rapid key presses, while the GX Blue gives out audible feedback and is the best for writing. All of them have a guaranteed duration of 70 million keystrokes.

The package is considered complete with the added wrist rest, that is filled with high-quality visco-elastic foam. Its only defect is that it has no anchoring system to the keyboard, so it can move away. We would love a magnetic strip that would have kept it firmly in place.

Logitech G513 Carbon – Performance

From the first moment we laid our hands on it we knew this was an excellent mechanical gaming keyboard and one that will meet the needs of even the most demanding user.

Of course, in order to take full advantage of this keyboard, you must download and install the Logitech Gaming Software that will allow you to configure it as you like.

Although the Logitech G513 Carbon doesn’t have dedicated G keys, via the software you will be able to customize the F keys with the functions you want. In this way, you can configure up to 12 keys and also be able to create several profiles, each one perfect for the corresponding game or app.

You will also be able to configure the RGB lighting and the Logitech software is one of the most complete in this aspect, offering almost absolute customization, synchronization with other peripherals and the possibility of creating your own effects, and exporting or importing them from the Internet.

Logitech G513 Carbon – User experience

The writing is very smooth, fast and comfortable, and I was able to spend several hours typing away without getting tired. In addition, these switches are much quieter than the corresponding MX Brown, MX Red, and MX Blue.

Logitech G513 Carbon – Verdict

The Logitech G513 Carbon came out a year after the G413 and aimed to correct its flaws. In this sense, Logitech’s gaming keyboard was a resounding success. It offers a solid design, elegant, sober and compact. The included wrist rest is incredibly comfortable. And what can I say about the Romer-G switches? They are simply superb, offering both comfort and precision. It is accompanied by a configuration software that is easy to use and perfect for gamers that want to customize the experience.

But – there is always a but – it also came with some small defects. The keys lack visibility without the backlight and there are no dedicated multimedia or macro keys. The USB passthrough is only USB 2.0. For the price USB 3.0 wouldn’t have been a luxury.

And although these minor hiccups will discourage only the most demanding amongst us, the price may be the real deal-breaker. As good as it may be, the Logitech G513 Carbon is only an upgrade of the G413 (Check on Amazon.com). A price tag of (Check on Amazon.com) compared to its predecessor seems exaggerated. At less than $100, this keyboard will be a real deal.