When it comes to the world of gaming and PC components, Corsair is a very popular brand. Corsair offers a well-built range with plenty of features so that every gamer can suit his or her type. Almost all their keyboards follow a similar design language—sharp corners and a minimal gamer aesthetic; it wouldn’t look out of place if you used it in a professional work environment.
Apart from the Corsair K83 Wireless, they focus primarily on gaming keyboards. Instead of producing their type of mechanical switches, Corsair relies heavily on Cherry MX switches for all their mechanical keyboards. Through their amazing iCUE software, available for both macOS and Windows, Corsair’s gaming keyboards are greatly customizable.
Table of Contents
Let’s look at the top 5 Corsair Keyboards
1. Corsair K70 RGB MK.2
With an aluminum frame that is built to last, the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 is an exclusive mechanical gaming keyboard. It is a typical K95 RGB Platinum at the price of a K70. You would expect the highest standard of features at the price you are paying for it. The USB pass-through port is beside the braided cable at the top edge to connect your peripherals and headphones, along with pen drives or external storage for data transfer. The keyboard incorporates a full N-key rollover. So, irrespective of how many keys are pressed together, all will be registered on the user’s system. The dedicated buttons give complete multimedia control. Other than the volume wheel, all the buttons are illuminated with RGB LEDs.
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The previous versions had a solid emboss of the RGB Corsair logo. It’s a transparent logo this time with RGB illumination underneath. Through the iCUE software, the two LEDs that light up the logo can be controlled. On the left side of the top bar, there are three buttons. The first one from the left enables the user to switch between three profiles, all of which can be stored on the keyboard. The numerous profiles are friendly when wanting to illuminate and assign certain macros for specific games or workflows. A dedicated button makes it convenient to switch between these profiles. So, the user does not have to open up the software every time to switch from one profile to another.
The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 comes with Cherry mechanical switches and is available with all the switches: red, brown, blue speed, and silent switches. On the back of the keyboard, there are huge rubber pads on each of the four corners. There are cable grooves at the bottom, just like the K95 RGB Platinum. However, only thin cables from devices like headphones or mice can be fitted. The keyboard cable cannot be accommodated as the grooves are not that thick. A manual, a wrist rest, a keycap puller, and extra keycaps are the usual set of accessories. The default keycaps on the keyboard can be replaced with appropriate ones for FPS and MOBA games. The wrist rest is sturdier and more solid than the previous versions.
2. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
This pricey gaming keyboard offers the perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality, demanding little improvement. All the features of its previous version, the K95 Vengeance, are present in the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, with a bit smaller footprint. Macros, lighting, and media controls—the most comprehensive package for gaming keyboards—are here. This package comes in a sleek, aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminium frame. With its lightweight and rugged durability, this keyboard guarantees to stand up to a lifetime of gaming. Ensure quick keystrokes and top-notch input speeds with Cherry MX RGB mechanical key switches. With the mechanical keys raised, it wipes out the issue of dirt and dust buildup, making it easier to clean.
Also read: How Much Does It Cost To Build a Gaming PC(2021)?
The K95 RGB Platinum offers 100 percent anti-ghosting with full key rollover. So, irrespective of how many keys are pressed together, the user’s commands and simultaneous keystrokes are always registered on the user’s system the way they intend. The keyboard offers 8MB of onboard storage. The user can access up to three stored profiles on the go without having to depend on external software. This model allows the user to set his or her launch codes. There are six dedicated macro keys, and complex in-game macros can be assigned to any of them. These keys are textured and can be easily spotted, but they are contoured so that they are not accidentally pressed.
Along with individual lighting for every key, the top edge of the keyboard has a programmable RGB bar, upgrading the already extensive lighting options. It delivers dynamic multicolor backlighting with Light Edge technology. On the back of the keyboard, there is a 2.0-powered USB port for charging and supporting audio passthrough for USB headphones. The X-shaped channel on the underside of the chassis is convenient for connecting cables for speakers, headsets, or microphones. There is a detachable, dual-sided soft-touch wrist rest to choose between different surfaces for ultimate comfort, thereby enhancing the user’s gameplay. The user can adjust and customize any Corsair peripherals through the iCUE software. Whether it is to customize macros or lighting options, this software is a robust and multifaceted tool. Although a bit expensive, if you’re willing to pay the price, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is worth it.
3. Corsair K100 RGB
The Corsair K100 RGB is based on a similar aesthetic design to the K95 RGB Platinum, with an anodized brushed aluminum frame and the keys directly attached to it, imparting a floating keycaps effect. This keyboard, which is based on a standard 104-key keyboard, is expanded with an additional six keys on its left. The mute button and the metallic volume control wheel are present at the top right side of the keyboard, with extra media buttons between them and the numeric keypad section. There is a second metallic wheel in this model at the top left corner, which is used to perform various actions like LED brightness control and application switching, done through the tactile button in the center and Corsair’s iCUE software.
There are Corsair’s OPX Optical-Mechanical switches underneath the keycaps. These OPX switches operate much faster compared to any mechanical switch. However, those who prefer the classic tangible feeling can try out the K100 RGB with Cherry MX Speed switches. The backside of the K100 RGB has wire pathways, enabling the user to connect the wire of a headset or mouse beneath the keyboard. Four large rubber pads firmly hold the keyboard still on any surface.
There is one 2.0 USB port at the rear of the keyboard and two USB connectors at the tail end of the keyboard’s connector cable. Technically, the K100 RGB’s power requirements exceed the 2.0 USB port capacity, so it needs to be connected to a more powerful USB port, say, 3.0 or more; otherwise, Corsair has to pull power from the second port. Apart from this, the second connector drives the USB host port on the keyboard itself. Thus, irrespective of power needs, the second USB connector has to be plugged in so that it can supply a connection to the USB host port.
The keyboard comes with a detachable palm rest and an adaptable incline setting. The fantastic Corsair iCUE software enables easy customization of the full RGB backlighting. Being a wired-only model, it prevents connecting via Bluetooth multi-device pairing.
4. Corsair K63 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The frame comes with a straightforward design, and the top bezel gives it optimum flair as well as space for dedicated media controls. Built with high-quality plastic, the Corsair K63 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is sturdy and solid. There is a soft yet powerful blue backlight beneath the floating keycaps. In the K63 Wireless Special Edition, there is ice-blue backlighting, and it costs the same as the regular edition. The new design elements on this keyboard are the power switch and a mini-USB charging port on its rear side.
The palm rest is a sheet of hard plastic with a thin sheet of textured rubber on the top that clips onto the keyboard with the help of two flimsy clips. This clipped-in palm rest becomes a hindrance every time it has to be snapped off before connecting the keyboard to Corsair’s revamped Lapboard for couch-side PC gaming. The lapboard is sturdy enough to ensure that it remains planted wherever it is put. With up to 20 hours of battery life, the keyboard can be charged via the usual micro-USB connection. The battery life can even be extended up to 70 hours as the backlighting can be deactivated or lowered. Compatible with the iCUE software, the K63 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard enables various lighting options, however, it lacks the full RGB capability.
One of Corsair’s very few wireless keyboards, this TenKeyLess keyboard can pair up with up to two devices at a time via Bluetooth and its USB receiver. The K63 can be as far as 33 feet from its source before it loses connectivity. To avoid latency issues, it is recommended that the keyboard is used a bit closer. It has a Windows Lock key, dedicated media keys, device switching hotkeys, and through the iCUE software, macros can be set to any key. On the downside, the keyboard comes with only blue backlighting and the Cherry MX Red switches require a bit of force. However, the K63 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard ranks among the best gaming keyboards under $100. The user can expect the full functionality of a gaming keyboard from the K63, having full N-key Rollover and a 1000 Hz Polling rate.
5. Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard
For use with TVs and home entertainment, this Corsair model, which blends dedicated media controls, L/R mouse click buttons, a trackpad, a joystick, and a premium design into an all-in-one solution, is definitely the best. The keys do not operate that fast. The Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard is extremely light, and the plastic on the back makes it somewhat cheap, but the moment it is turned upside down, it regains its premium status. The model’s front plate looks great due to the brushed aluminum finish, which imparts a ruggedness to it. In the top right corner, the analog stick operates along with a shoulder button and another button beneath the keyboard to act as a controller or mouse combo.
Given its circular design, the trackpad is slightly small to balance 4-finger gestures. But with the left and right-click buttons underneath it, the trackpad becomes easier to use. The keyboard’s full backlighting is impressive, and even the secondary functions are illuminated. The K83 can pair with up to three devices at once via Bluetooth and its wireless receiver. For compatibility, Bluetooth is a good option. The wired and 2.4 GHz connections offer 1 ms response times and 1000 Hz polling rates. It also offers 100 percent anti-ghosting with up to 10-key rollover. While the arrow keys are small, the analog stick can double as directional inputs, friendly for navigating menu pages and text documents alike. This keyboard might be a little disappointing if used for gaming purposes as the analog stick is not comfortable for gaming. The analogue stick fails to do well while jumping into a first-person game.
With the backlight turned off, the keyboard can run for up to 40 hours, sailing through a workweek. Even when the backlighting is switched off, the keyboard quickly enters an idle state to save power when not being used. Despite being designed for multimedia, the installed iCUE software enables you to reprogram any key to a macro by plugging it into a computer. The board has backlit keys with customizable LED lights. The K83 Wireless serves as an entertainment keyboard that can support some light gaming. As an on-the-go keyboard, it has a lot to offer. This is a highly adaptable keyboard with multiple connectivity options and a good typing experience. So, for activities like navigating the menus of your smart TV in the living room, this keyboard lives up to it. But, if it seems too pricey for this simple task, it can be added to the media center brought to the office, or packed in a backpack, and it can easily live up to these multiple activities and justify its price.
FAQs
How To Change the Corsair Keyboard Color?
It is very simple to change the color using keyboard shortcuts. Just follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Press and hold the FN key.
Step 2: Then press the F1 or F2 key.
Step 3: To add more color to the base and further variety, again press and hold the FN key.
Step 4: Then press 1 or 2 or 3 and so on, and this will keep changing half of the keyboard’s color, giving you a variety.
Step 5: To make the keyboard colors flicker, change slowly, or even change in a wonderful rainbow, keep pressing the FN key.
Step 6: Then press the (-) key, and the keyboard light will slowly change.
Step 7: To get the rainbow effect, hold the FN key and then press the (=) key after the (-) key.
How To Clean Corsair Keyboard?
Things needed to clean keycaps and keyboard:
warm soapy water in a container
A towel to dry the keycaps
Compressed air in a can to clean the keyboard
A damp cloth to wipe off any dirt that has built up on the keyboard.
Steps to clean keycaps and keyboards:
Pull out the keycaps from the keyboard.
Put the keycaps in the warm, soapy water and keep them aside for 30 to 60 minutes. The keycaps should be fully submerged in the water.
Use compressed air to remove dust from the keyboard and a damp cloth to wipe off any built-up grime. Be careful not to let any liquid get into the keyboard.
Rinse the keycaps that have been soaked long enough.
Use the towel to dry off the keycaps.
Allow the keycaps to dry overnight.
When the keycaps have dried, plug them back into the keyboard.
