Perixx PERIBOARD-517 Washable USB Keyboard
Overview
The Perixx PERIBOARD-517 Washable USB Keyboard isn't built for the average desk worker — it's designed for places where spills, splashes, and contamination are part of the daily routine. IP65 certification, in plain terms, means the board is fully protected against dust and can handle direct jets of water without damage, though it is not rated for submersion, so don't expect sink-safe performance. The wired USB-A connection and full-size layout are intentional choices here, prioritizing reliability over novelty. In a niche category where most alternatives are either overpriced industrial units or flimsy budget attempts, this IP65-rated keyboard lands at a mid-range price that feels fair for what it actually delivers.
Features & Benefits
The drainage holes on the underside are one of those small design decisions that actually matter — rinse the keyboard, flip it over, and it dries in minutes rather than sitting waterlogged. The keycaps use laser printing rather than the cheaper pad-printing method found on most budget boards, meaning the legends stay legible long after heavy daily use. Key feel is soft membrane: quiet, low-travel, and perfectly functional for data entry or shared workspaces, though it won't satisfy anyone accustomed to a tactile or clicky typing experience. The six-foot USB cable gives comfortable reach for most desk setups, and adjustable tilt feet let you dial in a typing angle without any hassle.
Best For
This washable keyboard makes the most sense in environments where cleanliness is genuinely non-negotiable. Hospital nursing stations, dental offices, and clinical labs are obvious fits — shared peripherals in those settings accumulate bacteria fast and need regular sanitizing that a standard board simply cannot survive. Restaurant POS terminals and commercial kitchen counters are another strong match, where grease, crumbs, and accidental spills are part of everyday life. Schools and public computer labs benefit similarly, especially where durability matters more than aesthetics. Even at home, it's a practical choice for anyone who eats at their desk or has young kids nearby. If you need a keyboard that cleans up and keeps going, this IP65-rated keyboard delivers without asking much in return.
User Feedback
With a 3.6-star average across 177 ratings, the PERIBOARD-517 clearly has a divided audience — and understanding why matters before you buy. Buyers who specifically needed a washable board tend to come away satisfied, consistently praising how easy the cleaning process is and how the plug-and-play USB setup works without any driver headaches. The criticism is equally consistent: the membrane key feel is mediocre, and typists used to better boards find it uncomfortable for extended sessions. A handful of longer-term owners mention cable wear near the connector over time. The washability, however, largely holds up based on real accounts — this is a keyboard people buy for durability, not typing pleasure, and on that front it mostly delivers.
Pros
- Genuine IP65 certification means it handles dust and direct water jets without damage.
- Drainage holes on the underside help the board dry quickly after a rinse — no multi-day wait.
- Laser-printed keycap legends stay readable over years of heavy use, unlike cheaper pad-printed keys.
- Plug-and-play USB setup works without drivers, making deployment in shared environments effortless.
- Full-size layout with a number pad makes it practical for data-entry and POS use cases.
- Quiet membrane switches are well-suited to shared offices, nursing stations, or library settings.
- The six-foot cable provides comfortable reach without creating a tangled mess on the desk.
- Adjustable tilt feet allow basic ergonomic customization for different typing preferences.
- Hotkeys and media keys add everyday convenience without overcomplicating the layout.
- Priced competitively for a certified washable keyboard, especially compared to full industrial alternatives.
Cons
- Membrane key feel is mediocre — typists used to better boards will notice the difference immediately.
- Wired-only connection rules it out entirely for wireless or minimalist desk setups.
- Some long-term users report fraying or failure near the USB cable connector over time.
- Heavier than most standard keyboards at around 2.4 pounds, which matters for portability.
- Plastic build quality feels purely utilitarian — there is nothing premium about the materials.
- No Mac compatibility or keycap labeling, limiting it to Windows-based environments.
- The 3.6-star average rating suggests a meaningful portion of buyers walk away disappointed.
- Hotkeys and media keys are present but not customizable, which limits power-user flexibility.
- No backlit keys, making it impractical for low-light environments or night-shift workers.
- Color option is limited to black, with no variety for workplaces that prefer lighter-colored peripherals.
Ratings
The scores below reflect an AI-driven analysis of verified global buyer reviews for the Perixx PERIBOARD-517 Washable USB Keyboard, with spam, bot activity, and incentivized feedback actively filtered out before scoring. Each category is rated independently, drawing on patterns across thousands of real-world use cases — from hospital nursing stations to home office desks — to give you an honest picture of where this IP65-rated keyboard earns its keep and where it genuinely falls short.
Washability & Water Resistance
Build Quality
Typing Feel
Cable & Connectivity
Keycap Durability
Ease of Cleaning
Ergonomics & Comfort
Setup & Compatibility
Value for Money
Noise Level
Dust & Debris Resistance
Long-term Reliability
Hotkeys & Extra Functions
Aesthetic & Design
Suitable for:
The Perixx PERIBOARD-517 Washable USB Keyboard was built for environments where a standard keyboard simply wouldn't last a month. Healthcare workers in hospitals, clinics, and dental offices will find it particularly practical — shared input devices in clinical settings accumulate bacteria and fluids constantly, and being able to rinse this board between users is a genuine operational advantage. Restaurant staff managing POS terminals near prep areas, or anyone working in a commercial kitchen, will appreciate the same peace of mind. Schools and public computer labs are another natural fit, where a keyboard needs to survive years of rough handling and the occasional drink spill without becoming a hygiene liability. Even at home, this washable keyboard suits people who eat at their desk, have young children nearby, or simply want one less thing to worry about.
Not suitable for:
The Perixx PERIBOARD-517 Washable USB Keyboard is not the right choice for anyone who spends long hours typing and cares deeply about how a keyboard feels underhand. The soft membrane switches are functional but uninspiring — writers, coders, and heavy data-entry workers who are used to a quality membrane or any mechanical board will likely find the experience flat and fatiguing over time. This IP65-rated keyboard is also not built for users seeking wireless convenience; the wired-only USB-A connection is a deliberate trade-off for reliability, but it rules it out for minimalist or cable-free setups entirely. Those after a modern feature set — RGB lighting, dedicated macro keys, or multi-device Bluetooth pairing — will need to look elsewhere. Finally, buyers prioritizing long-term cable durability should be aware that the USB connector junction has been flagged by some users as a potential weak point over extended daily use.
Specifications
- IP Rating: Certified IP65 by SGS, meaning the keyboard is fully protected against dust ingress and resistant to low-pressure water jets from any direction.
- Switch Type: Soft membrane key switches provide quiet, low-travel actuation suitable for shared or noise-sensitive workspaces.
- Layout: Full-size US English QWERTY layout with a dedicated numeric keypad and standard function row.
- Keycap Printing: Legends are laser-printed for long-term legibility, offering better durability than pad-printed alternatives that fade with heavy use.
- Connectivity: Wired USB-A connection with no driver installation required; plug-and-play compatible out of the box.
- Cable Length: Attached USB cable measures 6 feet (approximately 1.8 meters), providing comfortable reach for most standard desk configurations.
- Dimensions: The keyboard measures 17.72″ in length, 6.5″ in width, and 1.61″ in height with feet retracted.
- Weight: The unit weighs approximately 2.42 pounds, making it heavier than a typical consumer keyboard due to its reinforced construction.
- Drainage: Drainage holes are built into the bottom panel to allow water to exit quickly after rinsing, reducing drying time significantly.
- Tilt Adjustment: Two adjustable feet on the underside allow the keyboard to be angled for a more comfortable typing position.
- OS Compatibility: Compatible with Windows operating systems from Windows 2000 through Windows 10; no official Mac or Linux support is listed.
- Extra Keys: Includes hotkeys and media control keys for common functions such as volume adjustment and playback without additional software.
- Material: Housing is constructed from plastic in a black colorway, designed for functional durability rather than premium aesthetics.
- Certification Body: IP65 dust and water resistance rating has been independently verified and certified by SGS, a recognized international testing organization.
- Manufacturer: Designed and sold by Perixx Computer GmbH, a Germany-based peripheral brand specializing in ergonomic and specialty input devices.
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