Cherry Stream Keyboard Wireless Review

About the Cherry Stream Keyboard Wireless

• Connectivity: Nano USB receiver, included in box
• Dimensions: 18.2 x 6.39 x 0.91 inches
• Weight: 2.03 pounds
• Material: Plastic casing, integrated metal plate
• Special features: Cherry SX scissor keys, customization via free software, universal compatibility

The Cherry Stream Keyboard Wireless's main feature is its Cherry SX scissor technology and is available in two colors, black and pale gray. Rounding out the features include durable key labels, an integrated metal plate for added torsional rigidity, and dedicated media controls and shortcuts to make life a little easier.

Compared to the scissor switches in Apple’s MacBook Pro laptops, the Cherry Stream is just as quiet and reliable. The only noticeable difference is when you type on the Mackbook Air M1, the keys have a subtle thud sound, whereas the Cherry Stream’s keys sound a bit more hollow.

Officially, the keyboard only supports Windows platforms. Unofficially, the keyboard works with macOS, iPadOS, Android, PlayStation consoles (PS4/PS5), and Microsoft Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S). Depending on the platform version, additional cables/adapters might be needed.

What We Like

Excellent battery life

The Cherry Stream Keyboard Wireless has one of the best battery life I've experienced in a traditional wireless keyboard. Cherry rates their newest keyboard to last up to 36 months off two AAA batteries due to the keyboard not wasting battery life on keyboard backlighting or fancy RGB lighting patterns. Some people might prefer a rechargeable keyboard, but I’m actually a fan of this keyboard using removable batteries; Should there be any issues with the batteries, I can easily swap them out instead of potentially replacing the entire keyboard.

In my week-long use of the keyboard for my corporate job and five-hour gaming sessions at a time, there were no signs of the keyboard slowing down or not being able to register keystrokes due to its wireless connection or weakening batteries. The Cherry Stream also has a dedicated on and off switch, which allows you to preserve battery life when not in use. Cherry also included battery-saving tech in its keyboard, which puts the keyboard in a low-power state when not in use to help conserve battery life.

In that regard, the Cherry Stream functions similar to the Logitech MX Keys Mini. But compared to that keyboard or something like a traditional membrane keyboard from Dell, the Cherry Stream is way ahead in terms of response timing, customization, durability, and functionality.

Competing products like the Logitech K375s Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 850 offer similar features, however, neither keyboard has that long of battery life. The Logitech K375s is rated up to 24 months and the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 850 is rated up to 15 months.

Multi-device support

This keyboard has official support for Windows machines, but unofficially it works with a lot of other devices. I was able to connect the Cherry Stream via its nano-USB receiver to both my Windows and macOS devices without any issues. I typed this entire review with it connected to my Macbook Air M1 and the experience was like I was using the computer’s keyboard itself, only more user-friendly.

The Cherry Stream will also work with AndroidOS and ChromeOS platforms. Via a USB-A to USB-C adapter, I was able to pair the keyboard to my Google Pixel 6 Pro to send text messages, write emails, and edit excel spreadsheets. On the Chromebook front, I tried out the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 with the keyboard, and just like Windows and macOS, it worked without any issues.

Lastly, there is limited functionality for PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Outside of navigating the menus and making selections, I put this keyboard through its paces playing Ghostrunner and a little Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. With both games, the keyboard performed flawlessly, however, there was some noticeable lag in Ghostrunner. Because it’s not a true mechanical gaming keyboard like the Corsair K70 RGB Pro, it’s not designed to register every keystroke just as fast.

The Corsair has an input latency of 3.8ms which places this keyboard in the upper echelon of keyboards designed for gaming and fast response times. (It’s also wired, so that helps) The Cherry Stream is designed for work first and play second, so input latency is higher; On average keyboards using 2.4Ghz frequency for wireless connectivity have a latency between 60-80ms, which is fine for playing casual games or narrative adventures, but not for games like Call of Duty. So it took some trial and error to figure out how to navigate Ghostrunner within the limitations of the keyboard hardware, which is not ideal, but this won’t be the case with every game.

Customizable features

On the surface, the Cherry Stream looks like a straightforward office keyboard. However, thanks to the capabilities of the Cherry Keys software program, this keyboard truly shines.

Via a Windows-based system, you are able to adjust the programming of the media controls along the top and F1-F12 keys, but not the Windows lock key. Say you use your computer’s calculator app but not on a regular basis; you may not have a need for a dedicated calculator button on the keyboard. Through Cherry Keys, you can remap any of those supported keys including the dedicated calculator key to launch any other program with one keypress.

Understanding the full potential of the Cherry Keys software allowed me to recreate the majority of the built-in features included with gaming keyboards like the Corsair K70 RGB Pro (https://reviewed.usatoday.com/laptops/content/corsair-k70-rgb-pro-review ) and the Cooler Master CK71 65% Wireless keyboard (https://reviewed.usatoday.com/laptops/content/cooler-master-ck721-review ).

What We don’t like

Customization restricted to PC

As mentioned before, through the Cherry Keys software you can expand the capabilities of the Cherry Stream Keyboard Wireless. However, these capabilities are only supported on Windows-based systems. So if you were using this keyboard with macOS, AndroidOS, or ChromeOS systems, you don’t get to remap key functions or anything fancy like that.

However, you can customize the key layouts. Customizations made to the keyboard layout and functionality will work across all platforms so long as they share the same capabilities and have the same software installed. This holds true for using the keyboard with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS platforms.

Should you buy it?

Yes, it’s an excellent keyboard for the office

The Cherry Stream Keyboard Wireless is all about streamlining your work experience whether working in an office, as a content creator, or as a gamer. It helped streamline some of the applications I use in my 9-to-5 job, saving me time to complete certain tasks.

Its starting price point of $49.99 puts it in direct competition with products like Logitech K375s Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 850 which also retail for the same price. While all three keyboards share the basics in common, it is Cherry’s dedication to durability and overall functionality that places the Cherry Stream above its competition. (I’m extra fond of the internal metal plate as it helped the keyboard survive a few drops on carpet and hardwood floor.)

If you like everything this keyboard has to offer, but need something with better input latency for gaming, consider an actual gaming keyboard like the Corsair K70 RGB Pro or any of our other favorite gaming keyboards. However, I wouldn't look past Cherry’s other offerings like the MX 3.0S Wired, which offers the best of both worlds and has a smaller footprint than the Corsair.

But the Cherry Stream Keyboard Wireless is a great all-around keyboard. It’s not the flashiest keyboard out there, but thanks to its macro keys support, this keyboard can be a literal time saver.