"a beautiful board, no issues other than the software being a little annoying to use"
GMMK 2 Barebones Compact 65% Keyboard
GMMK 2 Barebones Compact 65%
You’re on the List!
The GMMK 2 Barebones is the ultimate, custom keyboard base at the best value possible. This keyboard base combines premium-grade components and striking aesthetics for next level gameplay.
- Custom compact layout
- Aluminum top frame
- Vibrant per-key RGB lighting
- 5-pin hotswap switch support
- Does not come with Switches or Keycaps.
- Compatible with OS: Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Software: Glorious CORE
- 1× GMMK 2 65% Barebones Keyboard
- 1× 2m Braided Cable1× Switch Puller
- 1× Keycap Puller
Note: Barebones keyboards do not include switches or keycaps..
Find everything you need to get the most out of your keyboard.
Summary Modal
Key Features
Tech Specs
Learn
Aluminum Top Frame
Provides superior strength with a satisfying weight. Anodization gives the aluminum impressive scratch and corrosion resistance. Fine brushing creates a matte finish that’s smooth to the touch.
Custom Compact Layout
GMMK 2 Compact TKL (65%) uses a hybrid layout that perfectly combines form and function, retaining the small form factor of 60% keyboards while keeping important arrow and side navigation keys.
Vibrant RGB Lighting
North-facing LEDs shine directly underneath each keycap’s transparent legend for enhanced readability and a captivating look. Sidelights flank the GMMK 2’s body, producing a smooth and subtle glow.
| Warranty | 2 years |
|---|---|
| Switch Type | 5-Pin Hotswap Support; North-Facing |
| Hot Swappable | Yes |
| Size | 65%, Compact |
| Hall Effect (Rapid Trigger) | No |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Lighting | RGB: 16.8 Million Color Per-Key LED Backlighting; Diffused Side Lights |
| Colors | Black, White, Pink |
| Case Material | CNC Machined Aluminum Top Frame; Polymer Bottom |
| Keycap Material | Not included |
| Software | Glorious CORE |
| Max Polling Rate | 1,000 Hz |
| OS Support | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| On-Board Memory Profiles | 3 |
| Mounting Style | Tray |
| QMK Support | Yes |
| Knob Support | No |
| Layout | 65%; 67 Keys |
| Switches | Not included |
| Dimensions | 12.3” x 4.1” x 1.5” (313 x 105 x 37.5 mm) |
| Weight | 1.9 lb (.88 kg) |
| Angle | 7°; 14° with feet extended |
| Stabilizers | Clip-On Stabilizers (Pre-Lubed); Supports GSV2 Screw-In Stabilizers |
| Cable | 6 ft (2 m); Braided; Removable |
| Firmware Compatibility | Glorious CORE & QMK |
| Interface | USB-C 2.0 |
| Also Included | 1 x 2m Braided Cable, 1 x Switch Puller, 1 x Keycap Puller |
Custom Keyboards 101: Comparing GMMK Builds
CORE 2.1 Software
Mechanical Keyboard Basics
Designed to be Redesigned.
More Wins. Less Stress.
“The GMMK 2 is an excellent offering for those looking into their first keyboard build.”
“Glorious has taken what made the original GMMK so compelling, improved it, and barely increased the cost to the consumer. Great stuff!”
“GMMK 2 makes for an awesome introduction to mechanical keyboards at a very fair price.”
“The GMMK 2 is an excellent offering for those looking into their first keyboard build.”
“Glorious has taken what made the original GMMK so compelling, improved it, and barely increased the cost to the consumer. Great stuff!”
“GMMK 2 makes for an awesome introduction to mechanical keyboards at a very fair price.”
Addictive Acoustics
Bask in RGB Glory
Overall rating: 4.670157 / 5 from 764 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
The GMMK 2 Barebones Compact 65% keyboard offers a solid and sturdy feel, vibrant RGB lighting, and excellent quality. Customers praise its perfect size and great looks, though some have mixed opinions about the keys and software compatibility.
Summary topics
- Build Quality (13%): It was observed by customers that the keyboard feels great and has a solid and sturdy feel.
- Keyboard Size (6%): Customers keep praising the size of the keyboard, describing it as perfect and worth the money.
- Sound Quality (8%): Customers expressed appreciation for the great sound of the product, which was mentioned multiple times in the reviews.
- Aesthetic Appeal (6%): Customers raved about the look of the keyboard, with many mentioning that it looks great.
- Overall Quality (14%): It was highlighted by customers that the quality of the product is excellent, with many describing it as great or amazing.
Review topics: ["color","shipping","quality","feels","sound","size","software","issues","light","design","weight","price","construction","build","service","use","customer service","functionality","improvement","keyboard","features","frame","support","switches","style","fit","results","keys","plastic","control"].
Review highlights
- "I really enjoyed the keyboard as a whole, The key switches sound amazing and overall the keyboard feels nice and study." —
- "Great quality board with smooth switches." —
- "The sound is nice, the feeling is nice and the LEDs are quite good." —
Reviews
Everything was great except for
"Everything was great except for the stabilizers on my enter key which are awful for some reason, I’m assuming its just a little defect from when they were made. A little upsetting from such an expensive board but other than that the keyboard was great."
Really enjoying my new keyboard
"Really enjoying my new keyboard very sturdy and comfortable. My only issue and I guess it's more my fault for not doing research but wish there was a warning on check out that how much key switches I need I ordered a set of lynx's and it wasn't enough to fill out my keyboard luckily my friend had given me a bunch of spare switches so it wasnt a big deal but I would've been SOL"
"small punctures in the packaging but the wuality is always great"
Fantastic Base Keyboard
"Built the most amazing keeb with this as my base. Added lubed gazzo switches, FR4 plate and lubed screw in stabilizers. Still best i've used/felt to this day."
Awesome "stone" keyboard
"This was and still is to this day my first barebone keyboard and I love it! It's heavy alright and that's exactly what I was looking for!"
"Better than I expected. This keyboard feels solid and amazing."
Very good keyboard, premium feel.
"Very good keyboard, premium feel. However, awfull customization software: not even able to remap keys. . ."
I purchased the GMMK Pro
"I purchased the GMMK Pro in white about 4-5 years ago, absolutely loved it, a few months ago I spilled something on it and the RGB on a section stopped worked but the keyboard still worked fine. It has lasted me so long and has been very durable. Due to this I decided to treat myself to a new one. It feels luxurious and the amount of similar hot swappable barebones keyboards on the market is slim. I have seen other reviews and about the stabilizers and can see where they are coming from, this is the one downside I would see and would potentially replace. As well as seeing some people purchase these and are unable to screw the backplates off due to the screws being tightened too tight during manufacturing. This is something I haven't experience on either of mine, but can see being a problem. Especially if you are diving deeper into customizing your keyboard. If you are in the market for an amazing keyboard though this is a great option, that is easy to hot swap and make your own."
Good Keyboard but the glorious
"Good Keyboard but the glorious core software does not work correctly. I am trying to remap the printscreen to be insert and it just never saves and applies."
Q&A
Compare Our Keyboards
| Specification name | GMMK 2 Barebones Compact 65% | Glorious Mechanical Gaming Keyboard GMMK 2 Compact 65% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
|
|
|
| Reviews |
|
|
|
| Size |
65%, Compact
|
65%, Compact
|
|
| Color |
Black, White, Pink
|
Black, White, Pink
|
|
| Case Material |
CNC Machined Aluminum Top Frame; Polymer Bottom
|
CNC Machined Aluminum Top Frame; Polymer Bottom
|
|
| Mounting Style |
Tray
|
Tray
|
|
| Knob Support |
No
|
No
|
|
| Add to Cart buttons |
|
|
|