Today we’re going to take a look at a small but interesting mechanical keyboard Cougar Puri Mini RGB with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of 3,499 UAH. I will say right away that it is definitely not for everyone, but if you are a connoisseur of high quality “mechanics” in a compact form factor, then it might interest you.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB complete set

The keyboard comes with a protective cover that covers the keys, a detachable cable for connecting to a computer, and a key cap removal tool.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

The connection cable has both USB Type A (to a computer) and Type C (to a keyboard) connectors, but note that you won’t be able to connect a USB Type C cable to the keyboard at all because of the recessed connector.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

It is interesting that the package includes a tool to remove the keycap, but the process of removing the switch is not documented in any way. But it doesn’t really matter, as the switches are excellent right out of the box.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard
Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

I like the idea of bundling keyboards with cases, and this isn’t the first one we’ve reviewed.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

In the case of the Cougar Puri Mini RGB, the cover protects the keyboard from dust when it is not in use or when you need to move it. The cover is held in place by magnets that attach to the decorative screw heads on the corners of the keyboard.

Design

The Cougar Puri Mini RGB is manufactured in a 60% form factor. The keyboard is very compact, all keys are in one block. This puts certain restrictions on the way it can be used. But more about that later.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

On the outside, everything is simple: a maximum of keys and a minimum of everything else. However, the desire of those who designed the keyboard to make it stand out from the crowd is evident in the small details. One such element is the metal top plate and the aforementioned screws.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard
Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

The main decoration of the keyboard is the RGB backlight. As is Cougar’s tradition, there is a lot of it, as not only the switches themselves are illuminated, but also the surrounding area.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

The backlighting is of high quality, bright, and can be adjusted both from the keyboard itself and from the Cougar PIX software. You can also create macros in the utility. You can actually do this on the keyboard itself, but you’ll need to read the instructions, because the process is not easy.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

I would like to mention the build quality – it is excellent, especially considering the multi-layered base of the keyboard. The design feels monolithic.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

I also like the plastic used for the keycaps: it doesn’t rattle and my fingers don’t slip.

Ease of use of Cougar Puri Mini RGB

Before you buy a keyboard of this form factor for the first time, you should understand that it will take some time to get used to it. And it’s not about the size of the keyboard itself, but about certain features of the layout that come with that size.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

The first feature is the absence of a dedicated arrow block. Their function is assigned to the combination of the J, K, L, I + Fn block. There is also no PgUp-PgDn block and no keys next to it.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

F keys are also combined with numbers and also work through the Fn modifier. So if these keys are critical to you, you may want to look at another model.

Switches

But do not rush to finish the review, because the most important thing is still ahead of you. And that is the switches. The Cougar Puri Mini RGB is probably the quietest mechanical keyboard I have reviewed in almost 10 years.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

The recipe for success is simple: Gateron Red switches with no tactile or audible feedback, a lubricated stem, and multiple sound-absorbing layers inside the base where the switches are mounted. Thanks to this, there are no traditional sounds of the cap hitting the keyboard base, the sound of the spring inside the switch, or other parasitic noises.

Cougar Puri Mini RGB - review of a compact mechanical keyboard

The Cougar engineers have managed to create a really comfortable mechanical keyboard. That doesn’t mean it’s completely silent, of course, but the sound of typing or playing is pleasant and mellow, without any metallic ringing.