- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Review Updates
- Comparison
- Best Keyboards
- Page Updates
- Conclusion
- Discussions
Corsair makes some of the most feature-laden keyboards available for gamers. Their product lineup ranges from internal PC components to accessories for their peripherals, but at their core, Corsair's products focus on optimizing the gaming experience. Their keyboard lineup consists of a range of compact and full-size models that all share incredible performance and a simple black and grey aesthetic that's classy enough to use at the office if you want. Inside the boards, Corsair uses Cherry MX mechanical switches, though on some higher-end models, you have the option of proprietary optical-mechanical switches. Their models are all extremely customizable using the iCUE software, and if you have other Corsair products in your setup, you only need one piece of software to sync up your backlighting and adjust your settings across multiple devices.
We've tested over 175 keyboards, of which 19 are made by Corsair. Below are our recommendations for the best Corsair keyboards. You can also check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best RGB keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.
Updates
- 08/19/2022 Corsair K70 PRO MINI WIRELESS reviewed
- 03/31/2022 Corsair K70 RGB PRO reviewed
- 05/04/2021 Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT reviewed
- 05/03/2021 Corsair K70 RGB TKL reviewed
- 04/26/2021 Corsair K55 RGB PRO reviewed
Best Corsair Keyboards
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Best Corsair Keyboard
Gaming9.6Mobile/Tablet2.8Office8.2Programming8.2Entertainment / HTPC5.5Of all the Corsair keyboards we've tested, the Corsair K100 RGB leads the pack. This top-of-the-line model has everything but the kitchen sink built into it. You'll find dedicated media controls and a volume knob along the top, and, on the top left, there's the programmable iCUE wheel. Using iCUE, you can set this wheel to act as more fine-tuned app and media controls or as a tool to make on-the-fly RGB adjustments. Regardless, you have a whole suite of options right at your fingertips to have your shortcuts and controls right where you need them.
It boasts an 8000Hz maximum polling rate, and its split millisecond latency makes for an incredibly fluid gaming experience where every keypress feels responsive. And, for the RGB enthusiasts, you'll be easily impressed with the 44 RGB zones built into the keyboard frame that are all independently customizable. As a bonus, the keyboard comes with two sets of ridged ABS keycaps for the WASD keys and a little ringed keycap puller. So, if the rough texture of the stock PBT keycaps isn't enough grip, you can swap them out easily for better control. Overall, it's the best Corsair gaming keyboard they've released, and gamers of any skill level will surely be satisfied with the performance and control this model offers.
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Best Mid-Range Corsair Keyboard
Gaming9.3Mobile/Tablet2.8Office8.2Programming8.2Entertainment / HTPC5.5While there are quite a few keyboards in the K70 series, the Corsair K70 RGB PRO is the best. This full-size unit is still packed with features, even if it lacks the programmable iCUE wheel, USB passthrough, and dedicated macro column found on the Corsair K100 RGB. The upshot of reducing these features means you have a slightly smaller unit that leaves you with more room on your desk for dynamic mouse movements. Without the USB passthrough, the cable is detachable, so it's easy to replace if it gets damaged.
There's a decently wide selection of Cherry MX switches at checkout, with options like MX Speed or MX Silent, instead of just the usual Brown, Red, and Blue offerings. We bought our unit with the MX Speed switches, which are excellent for gaming as they have an incredibly light actuation force and a very short pre-travel distance. They may not be the best choice if you're also planning on typing up reports and assignments, as you're more prone to typos with such a sensitive switch. However, for gaming, they feel amazing, and the in-game experience feels very fluid, especially when coupled with this keyboard's extremely low latency.
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Best Budget Corsair Keyboard
Gaming8.3Mobile/Tablet2.9Office7.2Programming6.8Entertainment / HTPC4.8Although the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT has a budget-friendly price tag, it offers everything but cheap performance. Its latency is on par with the more premium options, meaning you won't notice any delay while gaming. Plus, it has all the bells and whistles found on more expensive models, like dedicated media keys, a column of easily accessible macro keys, and full RGB backlighting you can adjust and set effects to on a per-key basis. You can also program macros on the fly using the macro programming button on the top, or you can simply use iCUE.
If there's one downside, it's the rubber dome switches. Though they're fairly satisfying to use since they feel snappier than most rubber dome switches, they have a long pre-travel distance and a high operating force that doesn't feel as crisp and responsive while gaming. They're extremely quiet, so if you're looking for a gaming keyboard to use in a shared space or a noise-sensitive environment, it's an excellent choice. Otherwise, you'll be hard-pressed to find a keyboard that offers this level of performance at this price point. Plus, it even comes with a wrist rest, so you don't have to spend extra money purchasing one separately.
Compared to other brands
- Good build quality. Corsair keyboards are generally well-built; even the budget options have a decent build quality with very few issues.
- Genuine Cherry MX mechanical switches. Corsair generally uses Cherry MX switches in their units, which is great as these switches offer a more standardized typing experience that's comparable across keyboards.
- Excellent customization software. Corsair's iCUE software is available for both Windows and macOS and allows for a huge range of customization, from the RGB lighting across your whole Corsair system to adjusting the polling rate.
- Expensive. As a result of their features, Corsair keyboards are usually more expensive than their competitors.
Corsair vs Logitech
Logitech has a much wider range of choices for keyboards, as they have options for gaming and productivity. Unlike Corsair, Logitech often uses their proprietary switches, like their Romer-G switches and their low-profile GL switches. Logitech keyboards are also somewhat more affordable, but there are exceptions like the Logitech G915 LIGHTSPEED, which is quite expensive. However, Logitech keyboards don't feel as well-built since there's more use of plastic and cheaper-feeling keycaps.
Corsair vs Razer
Razer, like Corsair, makes keyboards marketed toward gamers, and they also have a modern and clean design that fits into work environments. However, Razer uses proprietary switches, with offerings comparable to genuine Cherry MX switches. Build quality is just as good as Corsair's, though with more use of plastic. Razer keyboards also tend to be on the expensive side. Razer's Synapse 3 software offers similar functionalities, but it's only compatible with Windows.
Corsair is one of the biggest manufacturers of gaming peripherals, with a reputation built on reliability and good quality control. For keyboards, they focus almost entirely on gaming, making their portfolio much smaller than a company like Logitech, which makes keyboards for productivity and various devices. Corsair keyboards stand out for their good overall build quality and their many extra hardware and software features.
Recent Updates
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Aug 19, 2022: Overhauled article to better reflect the current Corsair lineup. Altered intro text for accuracy.
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Mar 10, 2022: Text updated for clarity; picks verified for accuracy; no changes to picks.
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Dec 10, 2021: Verified picks are still available; reworded text for clarity.
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Aug 18, 2021: Removed the Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard and made the Corsair K65 RGB MINI the 'Best Corsair Compact Gaming Keyboard'.
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Apr 20, 2021: Updated text for clarity and accuracy; no change to product picks.
Conclusion
Although our recommendations mostly focus on the best Corsair gaming keyboards, they're perfectly suitable for a wide variety of uses and won't be a sore thumb in an office setting. They have great features to suit nearly any need, and you're sure to get a good typing experience with their use of genuine Cherry MX switches.