Thankfully, the lighting is spot-on, with three levels as well as off to choose from and fairly even backlighting too. The top level is visible in daylight, but shouldn't blind you in low light, plus there's also a breathing effect and colour cycle mode available using the software.
A function key provides access to the secondary F-key functions including lighting controls, USB poll rate, volume and media playback, so while there are no dedicated keys here, you do at least have some way of tuning various things from the keyboard.
There are also three mode switches that can be toggled using the function key and F1-F3, tripling the amount of assignments on offer based on your specific requirements thanks to onboard memory storage.
In addition to the tweakable USB polling rate, there's 6-key rollover and 26-key anti-ghosting, plus the keyboard is splash-proof too - something most membrane keyboards are certainly not. One last point is that while the specs page lists the 1.8m cable as being braided, it's actually just rubber.
Conclusion
The Cougar 450K sports a basic chassis and physical features but the backlighting and software suite are welcome additions to this wallet-friendly keyboard. The key switches are definitely more pleasant to use than standard membranes and give more feedback - both tactile an audible too, and the ability to fully-customise them in the software, with the addition of adding macro execution, quickly and easily, means it offers more than many of its direct competitors.
If you're looking for a quiet replacement for your generic membrane keyboard then the i-Rocks K50 (or Cougar's 300K) is a better bet, but if you want mechanical-like feedback with some advanced features and good backlighting, then the 450K is a great buy for less than £35.
Click to enlarge
A function key provides access to the secondary F-key functions including lighting controls, USB poll rate, volume and media playback, so while there are no dedicated keys here, you do at least have some way of tuning various things from the keyboard.
Click to enlarge
As we saw with Cougar's 450M gaming mouse, the 450K also includes its excellent software suite. This allows for full control of the lighting plus game profile assignment and the recording of macros as well as full key reassignment. 
Click to enlarge
There are also three mode switches that can be toggled using the function key and F1-F3, tripling the amount of assignments on offer based on your specific requirements thanks to onboard memory storage.
Click to enlarge
In addition to the tweakable USB polling rate, there's 6-key rollover and 26-key anti-ghosting, plus the keyboard is splash-proof too - something most membrane keyboards are certainly not. One last point is that while the specs page lists the 1.8m cable as being braided, it's actually just rubber.
Click to enlarge
Conclusion
The Cougar 450K sports a basic chassis and physical features but the backlighting and software suite are welcome additions to this wallet-friendly keyboard. The key switches are definitely more pleasant to use than standard membranes and give more feedback - both tactile an audible too, and the ability to fully-customise them in the software, with the addition of adding macro execution, quickly and easily, means it offers more than many of its direct competitors.
If you're looking for a quiet replacement for your generic membrane keyboard then the i-Rocks K50 (or Cougar's 300K) is a better bet, but if you want mechanical-like feedback with some advanced features and good backlighting, then the 450K is a great buy for less than £35.
Cougar 450K
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