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Recently, HATOR released a new gaming keyboard in its Icefall series – the HATOR Icefall Pro Wireless. Despite being positioned within the brand’s budget lineup, the new model packs several appealing features. First, it’s more compact – shifting from a full-size layout to a 75% form factor. Second, it supports all possible connection types, both wired and wireless. Third, it adds a mini display and a rotary volume knob, making the keyboard more versatile and attractive. And best of all, it comes at a very reasonable price. Let’s take a closer look at this new release!
Read also:
- HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless Review – Play, Customize, Modify
- HATOR Rockfall 2 Mecha TKL Authentic Edition Keyboard Review
Specifications
- Keyboard type: mechanical
- Connection: wired, radio channel, Bluetooth 5.3
- Size: ultra-compact 75% (without Num-block)
- Polling frequency (2.4 GHz): 1000 Hz
- Type of switches: HATOR Aurum Orange rev.2.0
- Covers: ABS plastic
- Pressing force: 50 gs (±10%)
- Stroke: 1.9 mm (±0.4 mm) to the trigger point, 4 mm (±0.4 mm) full stroke
- Backlight: RGB, it is possible to customize each key
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- Battery life: up to 60 hours
- Charging time: up to 8 hours
- Dimensions: 328×137×40 mm
- Weight: 750 g
- Cable: USB-A/Type-C, braided
- Features: TFT display, volume control wheel, Multi-Device (connect up to 3 devices), Hot Swap, Anti-Ghosting
Price and positioning
The Icefall series from HATOR is one of the brand’s most basic and affordable lines. However, the new Icefall Pro Wireless comes in at a slightly higher price – around $61 or €55. That’s largely due to several upgrades: the keyboard is now more compact, offers both wired and wireless connectivity (via Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz), and adds useful features like a volume wheel and a small display. As a result, the price is a bit higher, but it still sits in an accessible, budget-friendly range.
What’s in the package
The Icefall Pro Wireless package is standard for most HATOR keyboards. In the small yellow box, you’ll find the keyboard with a dongle for wireless connection, a USB-A to USB-C cable with an adapter (also USB-A to USB-C, but female-to-female), a keycap and switch puller, a sheet of stickers, and a manual.
I won’t spend much time on the keycap and switch puller. It’s the same one that came with the Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless. One side (the thin “frame”) is for keycaps, while the other side (with the “legs”) is for switches.
And, as usual, the included cable is solid. It’s not too thick, but it’s long, flexible, and has a durable braided sleeve.
Read also:
- HATOR Phoenix 2 Wireless Review: Universal Hi-Res Gaming Headset
- HATOR Hyperpunk 3 USB review: Gaming Headset with Hi-Res Audio
Design and materials
The first thing that stands out about the Icefall Pro Wireless is its layout. It doesn’t have a numpad and follows a 75% form factor compared to full-size keyboards. Measuring 328×137×40 mm, the keyboard weighs 750 grams. It has 81 keys, which look more compact and are well-organized, making smart use of every square centimeter. Thanks to this, it takes up less space on the desk and, in my opinion, looks more interesting than a full-size model. The case itself is made of dense matte plastic, and for now, the keyboard is available in just one color – black, which is pretty universal.
But let’s get straight to the standout features that the HATOR Icefall Pro Wireless brings to the table. The first is a volume knob located in the top-right corner. It’s made of metal and has a nice textured finish. The knob offers a precise, tactile feel, making it easier to set the exact volume level you want. Pressing it mutes or unmutes the sound. It’s a well-thought-out addition – definitely more interesting and practical than a typical volume wheel.
The second standout feature is the small TFT display, which sits right below the volume knob. It serves as an indicator for the keyboard’s current mode and can also be used for customization. On the main screen, it shows the date and time, battery level, connection type (Bluetooth or wireless), the status of Win Lock and Caps Lock, as well as the WIN/Mac modes. The screen also displays animations when switching between lighting effects, visually showing which style is active, like waves, ripples, lightning, etc. Additionally, you can upload your own images or GIFs in a 128×128 format to display on the screen. It’s worth noting that image uploads are done via cable, and the manufacturer advises against using the keyboard until the data transfer is complete.
By the way, there’s also standard LED indication, not just on the mini-display. The LEDs are placed between the Delete/PgUp block and the Enter key. The top indicator shows Caps Lock status, the second one shows the connection mode (2.4 GHz or Bluetooth), and the bottom one indicates the battery charge status – it blinks when the battery is low and stays on while charging.
On the front edge, you’ll find the brand logo, and on the back, there’s a Type-C port for wired connection and charging.
On the right, there’s a magnetic slot for the 2.4 GHz dongle, and on the left, you’ll find a switch for changing the connection mode. The switch has a firm feel but clear positioning, so it works well in practice.
Turning the HATOR Icefall Pro Wireless over, you’ll see a sticker with technical markings in the center, as well as rubber feet on all four corners. There are also two additional pairs of feet placed on the sides at the top. These are adjustable in two positions, allowing you to set the keyboard at a comfortable angle.
HATOR Aurum Orange keycaps and switches
The keycaps on the Icefall Pro Wireless are made of ABS plastic. Their shape is typical for many HATOR models, with an ergonomic curve in the middle and rounded corners. The layout features both English and Ukrainian languages. The letters are transparent, making them more visible with the backlighting and helping prevent wear. However, many of the keycaps are also marked with additional symbols in white paint. These usually indicate key combinations with the FN key, ranging from lighting adjustments to media control. Since they are white rather than transparent, they stand out more when the backlighting is off. Of course, the keycaps can be replaced, as with most models from the brand.
But it’s not just the keycaps that can be swapped out. This is a Hot Swap model, so the switches can be easily replaced as well. However, the Icefall Pro Wireless comes with high-quality Aurum Orange ver.2.0 linear switches. These have a slightly higher actuation force compared to some other models (50g ±10%), and the key travel ranges from 1.9 mm (to the actuation point) to 4 mm (full travel). The switches are lubricated during production, making their operation smoother and more precise. They also combine various materials for optimal performance. The base is made of nylon, the stem from POK plastic, and the contacts are gold-plated.
The HATOR Icefall Pro Wireless also features a multi-layer vibration and sound insulation system. While it’s nearly impossible to make mechanical switches completely silent, the use of different material pads helps reduce the vibrations from key presses, making the keyboard quieter.
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RGB backlighting
I can’t recall a single HATOR model without full RGB lighting, and the Icefall Pro Wireless is no exception. The lighting can be controlled in two ways – via hotkeys or through the software, where you can get more detailed with customization, even setting a unique color for each key.
However, a lot can also be done directly on the keyboard itself. For convenience, all the combinations are labeled right on the keys. For adjusting the brightness, you press Fn and the up/down arrows, and to change the effect speed, you use the left/right arrows. The Fn + Del combination toggles the backlighting on/off, while you can cycle through the effects using Fn and PgUp/PgDn. When changing effects, an icon representing the selected option will appear on the screen.
Connectivity and software
One of the standout features of the new Icefall series model is its support for both wired and wireless connections – via both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth. There’s no need to go into too much detail here – it’s the same as with most models. However, it’s worth mentioning that the polling rate over the radio channel is 1000 Hz, which provides good conditions for more precise gaming. Additionally, via Bluetooth, the HATOR Icefall Pro Wireless can connect to up to three devices. For the initial connection, you need to hold the Fn and 1/2/3 combination for 3 seconds, with each new device having its own number. And, of course, don’t forget to switch the keyboard to Bluetooth mode before connecting.
Connecting via cable is not only for charging but also for more detailed customization. For this, you’ll need the ICEFALL PRO Wireless utility, which can be downloaded from the brand’s official website. I’ll warn you in advance that the software is still a bit rough, but it works well. When I first installed the ICEFALL PRO Wireless and selected one of the two available languages, the interface was still… in Chinese. So, if you run into this issue and don’t read Chinese, I recommend immediately looking for the gear icon in the lower left corner (it’s practically the only recognizable symbol among all the characters), then finding the “EN” icon and selecting the desired language. Hopefully, future updates will make the software work more smoothly.
The ICEFALL PRO Wireless interface (if it’s in the “correct” language) is quite intuitive and clear. The first tab is for detailed lighting adjustments. Here, you can play with effects, brightness, and speed, choose colors, and set them for each individual key. Next is the section for customizing key functions for different usage scenarios – from gaming to multimedia. The following tab is for macro recording, and the one before the last is for setting up Anti-Ghosting, sleep mode, and key sensitivity.
Finally, the mini-screen settings are left. Here, you can upload GIFs or static images with a resolution of 128×128. However, I uploaded images in other formats (larger and smaller), and they adapted well to the display. You can also edit images here – change colors and add frames if desired.
Battery life
The built-in battery has a capacity of 4000 mAh, providing up to 60 hours of wireless use. While this isn’t a very high autonomy figure, considering that the keyboard isn’t usually in use 24/7, you can expect 4-5 days of active use. Interestingly, with the same battery capacity, the Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless can last up to 160 hours on a single charge. I believe this is practically the only objective drawback of the HATOR Icefall Pro Wireless.
Summary and competitors
If you’re looking for a compact gaming keyboard with a reasonable price, I definitely recommend checking out the HATOR Icefall Pro Wireless. The new model is quite interesting – it doesn’t take up much space on your desk, connects in any convenient way, and allows easy swapping of both keycaps and switches, providing room for customization. It also features full RGB backlighting, user-friendly software, and pleasant extras like a mini display and volume control knob. The only objective downside is its relatively modest battery life.
In the same price range as the Icefall Pro Wireless, there are a few contenders. One of them is the Epomaker EP64. It’s also a compact keyboard with Hot Swap functionality, but it features a metal build. However, its retro design may not be to everyone’s taste, and the battery capacity is half that of the Icefall Pro. Additionally, it lacks the mini-display and other bonus features.
Another option is the Akko Black\&Gold 5087B. Although not exactly new, it offers a pleasant design and comes with a set of removable keycaps. On the downside, it’s heavier, weighing over 1 kg, and it doesn’t include features like the volume wheel or the display found in the Icefall Pro Wireless.
Read also:
- Hator Stellar Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse Review
- Hator Hyperpunk 2 USB 7.1 review: gaming headset + sound card for $60
- Review of the Hator Hypergang 7.1, Rockfall TKL and Pulsar Wireless: How to organise a comfortable gamer’s seat
