Redragon S101 RGB Backlight & Durability Issues Review

Data basis: This report aggregates dozens of buyer reviews and several video impressions gathered between January 2019 and December 2024. Sources: Most feedback came from written buyer reports, supported by unboxing and teardown videos, with a large share of evidence from hands-on user posts.

Why does the RGB look wrong out of the box?

Regret moment: You plug the keyboard in and expect colorful RGB, but lighting appears uneven or the mouse only shows red.

Pattern: This problem is commonly reported and often happens at first use during out-of-box setup.

Category contrast: This feels worse than normal because many mid-range sets offer consistent factory-tested lighting.

Why does the software fail to keep my macros?

• Early sign: Macros appear to save locally but disappear after unplugging or rebooting.
• Frequency tier: A recurring complaint for many buyers and appears repeatedly across feedback types.
• Cause hint: Software installation and permissions are a hidden requirement for reliable macro storage.
• Impact: Gamers who need persistent macros face repeated reconfiguration and lost settings.
• Fixability: Workarounds require extra steps like installing drivers and running the program as admin every session.

Are the keyboard and mouse built to last?

• Early sign: Keys become mushy or the mouse buttons degrade after weeks to months of daily use.
• Persistence: Durability complaints are a primary issue and more disruptive than expected for an entry-level set.
• Trigger conditions: Problems worsen during long sessions and heavy daily gaming or typing.
• Attempts: Buyers tried swapping cables and cleaning, but faults often returned.
• Hidden requirement: Some users needed firmware or driver updates to restore basic function, adding time and friction.
• Category contrast: This combo is less forgiving than most mid-range alternatives that typically last longer under similar use.
• Repairability: Failures usually require replacement rather than simple fixes for most buyers.

Why does the mouse feel inconsistent for gaming?

• Initial sign: DPI shifts or weight tuning feels uneven during play sessions.
• Usage anchor: The issue appears under fast-paced or extended gaming and with DPI switching.
• Frequency cue: This is a secondary but common pain point that appears in many hands-on reports.
• Cause hint: Sensor feel and button bounce seem less consistent than category norms.
• Impact: Competitive players notice aim drift or inconsistent clicks during critical moments.
• Attempts: Users adjusted DPI or weights but saw limited improvement.
• Contrast: Compared to reasonable mid-range mice, this device delivers more variability and less predictable performance.
• Workaround: Casual players can patch performance with software tuning, but it adds setup time.

Illustrative excerpts

Excerpt: "Lights were uneven and the mouse only glowed red out of the box." — primary

Excerpt: "Macros reset after reboot unless I run the program as admin every time." — secondary

Excerpt: "Mouse buttons felt loose after a month of daily use." — primary

Excerpt: "Had to download firmware to get basic functions back." — secondary

Excerpt: "Good for casual typing but not for competitive FPS sessions." — edge-case

Who should avoid this

• Competitive gamers: Avoid if you need consistent DPI and button feel during long sessions, because performance variability appears repeatedly.
• Reliability-first buyers: Avoid if you require long-lasting peripherals, because early durability faults are a primary risk.
• Non-technical users: Avoid if you don’t want to install drivers or run extra software, because reliable macros need manual setup.

Who this is actually good for

• Budget casual users: Good for casual typing and light gaming where occasional lighting or macro glitches are tolerable.
• Decor-first buyers: Good if you want flashy RGB appearance and can accept uneven lighting without long-term expectations.
• Short-term use: Good for temporary setups like events or a loaner keyboard where longevity is not required.

Expectation vs reality

Expectation: A mid-range combo should offer stable RGB and working macros out of the box, which is reasonable for this category.

Reality: Lighting inconsistency and fragile macro storage are commonly reported and force extra setup and reconfiguration.

Expectation: Key and mouse components should survive months of daily use.

Reality: Durability complaints appear repeatedly and are more disruptive than the typical entry-level product.

Safer alternatives

• Pick separate parts: Buy a known mid-range keyboard and mouse separately to reduce combined failure risk and improve replacement options.
• Check software reviews: Choose sets with widely praised configuration tools to avoid repeated macro loss and hidden setup steps.
• Prioritize tested lighting: Look for products that advertise factory-tested RGB or per-key lighting for more consistent color results.
• Prefer replaceable options: Select devices with known customer-replaceable cables or modular parts to reduce disposal after partial failure.

The bottom line

Main regret: Lighting inconsistency and early hardware or software faults are the clearest buyer triggers for regret.

Risk level: These issues combine to exceed normal category risk for buyers who expect out-of-box reliability.

Verdict: Avoid this combo if long-term reliability or steady gaming performance matters to you.