The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is a very good, entry-level gaming keyboard with rubber dome switches. It's an update of the Corsair K55 RGB with acceptable build quality, very low latency, and acceptable ergonomics, including a detachable wrist rest and one incline setting. It has dedicated media and macro keys and companion software that's compatible with Windows and macOS. Unfortunately, the rubber dome switches only provide mediocre typing quality as all keys wobble significantly and feel fairly heavy to press. It has RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, and you can customize the lighting on a per-key basis. It's very similar to the Corsair K55 RGB PRO, but that one lacks individually-lit keys as it only has five customizable lighting zones and doesn't support dynamic in-game lighting with certain games through Corsair's iCUE software.
Our Verdict
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is a great gaming keyboard. However, its build quality is only adequate, and the rubber dome switches are fairly heavy to press and have a high pre-travel distance. It has very low latency, dedicated macro keys, and companion software for customization. It also has RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys that are independently customizable.
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Remarkably low latency.
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RGB backlighting with individually lit keys.
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Acceptable ergonomics.
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Dedicated macro keys and all keys are macro programmable.
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Keys feel heavy to press.
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Only adequate build quality.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is satisfactory for office use. It has very quiet rubber dome switches and acceptable ergonomics with a detachable wrist rest and one incline setting. Unfortunately, the typing quality is mediocre because all keys wobble noticeably, have a fairly high pre-travel, and feel heavy to actuate.
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Acceptable ergonomics.
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Very quiet rubber dome switches.
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Keys feel heavy to press.
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Only adequate build quality.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is a wired-only keyboard that isn't designed for use with tablets or mobile devices.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is alright for programming. It has adequate build quality and mediocre typing quality. That said, it has acceptable ergonomics with a detachable wrist rest and one incline setting. It has RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys that you can customize on a per-key basis. There are also six dedicated macro keys, all keys are macro-programmable, and the companion software is compatible with Windows and macOS.
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Acceptable ergonomics.
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Dedicated macro keys and all keys are macro programmable.
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Keys feel heavy to press.
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Only adequate build quality.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is bad for home theater PC use. It's a wired keyboard with no wireless connectivity options, and it has no trackpad, so you may need to use a mouse to navigate menus. On the other hand, it has dedicated media keys and RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys.
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RGB backlighting with individually lit keys.
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Dedicated media keys.
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Wired-only.
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No trackpad.
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Only adequate build quality.
- 8.3 Gaming
- 6.1 Office
- 1.1 Mobile/Tablet
- 6.6 Programming
- 3.5 Entertainment / HTPC
- 8.7 Raw Performance
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Oct 27, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated May 12, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Mar 22, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated May 27, 2022: Initially, we reported this keyboard as having only five lighting zones, but we've confirmed that you can adjust the RGB lighting on a per-key basis. We've updated the text in the review to reflect this finding, and all test scores remain the same.
- Updated May 04, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Apr 28, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 26, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 21, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Apr 11, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT comes in black, and there are no other switch types available. The Corsair K55 RGB PRO is a very similar keyboard, but it lacks individually-lit keys and doesn't support iCUE integration with certain games for dynamic lighting effects. You can see the label for our unit here.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is a satisfactory, entry-level gaming keyboard. It has improved latency, backlighting with individually-lit keys, and better RGB customization than its predecessor, the Corsair K55 RGB. It can make a good pick if you're looking for a budget gaming keyboard with solid performance and customizable RGB without getting into mechanical switches.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best Corsair keyboards.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO and the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT are nearly identical wired gaming keyboards with rubber dome switches. The K55 RGB PRO XT has RGB backlighting with individually lit keys that are customizable on a per-key basis. It also supports dynamic lighting effects with certain games through Corsair iCUE.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT and the SteelSeries Apex 3 are non-mechanical gaming keyboards with comparable performance. The Corsair has significantly lower latency, individually-lit keys that are independently customizable, and its companion software has onboard memory, but you can't sync settings to the cloud. On the other hand, the SteelSeries has ten zone RGB backlighting, but the keys aren't individually backlit. That said, it feels sturdier, it has a wheel on the top right, and it has more stable keys that offer a better typing experience than the Corsair.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT and the HyperX Alloy Origins are full-size, wired keyboards, but the HyperX is a better gaming keyboard. The HyperX is a mechanical keyboard available with linear HyperX Red, tactile Aqua, or clicky Blue switches. It also feels much better-built and has full RGB backlighting that you can customize on a per-key basis using the companion software. It also has a detachable USB-C cable and two incline settings, but it lacks a wrist rest. On the other hand, the Corsair has rubber dome switches and RGB backlighting with individually lit keys that are independently customizable. It also has software compatible with Windows and macOS. Both keyboards have exceptionally low latency, and while the Corsair's is slightly lower, it's unlikely to be a noticeable difference.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT and the Logitech G413 are both full-size gaming keyboards, but the Logitech is a better gaming board overall. The Logitech is a mechanical keyboard with Romer-G tactile switches with short pre-travel distance and good tactile feedback. It feels better built and has full red backlighting with individually-lit keys, though there's also a variant with white lighting. It also has media hotkeys and a USB passthrough, but only dedicated macro keys. On the other hand, the Corsair has rubber dome switches that feel fairly heavy and have a long pre-travel distance. It also has a detachable wrist rest, and its companion software has onboard memory but no ability to sync settings to the cloud. It has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. Both keyboards have exceptionally low latency.
The Corsair K100 RGB is a much better gaming keyboard than the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT. The K100 is a mechanical keyboard that feels much better-built, has an additional incline setting, and has a padded wrist rest, a USB passthrough, and a wheel in the top right. It also has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, and it's available with linear Cherry MX Speed or linear Corsair OPX switches. On the other hand, The XT is a non-mechanical keyboard with rubber dome switches, a hard plastic wrist rest. It also has full RGB backlighting with independently customizable keys, but it has fewer RGB zones overall.
Test Results
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is a full-size keyboard that takes up a significant amount of desk space.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT has adequate build quality. The body and baseplate are made of plastic and flex quite a bit, while the top of the keyboard has a glossy finish that shows fingerprints and scratches very easily. There's significant wobble in all keys, and the laser-etched ABS keycaps feel cheap, slippery, and are prone to showing oils from fingers. The rubber pads on the bottom feel stable, but the keyboard may slide around more with the feet extended. This keyboard is rated IP42 against solids and liquids.
This keyboard has acceptable ergonomics. It has one incline setting and includes a detachable wrist rest made of hard plastic. The wrist rest is fairly short and shallow, so the comfort it provides may vary between people.
Unlike the Corsair K55 RGB PRO, which only has five customizable lighting zones, the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT has individually-lit keys that are independently customizable, meaning you can set the backlighting on a per-key basis using the software to create layers. Corsair also advertises that some games can integrate with the iCUE companion and produce dynamic lighting effects that react to in-game actions and events.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT has a tangle-resistant rubber cable.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is a wired keyboard that can't be used wirelessly.
This keyboard has a Windows Lock key and a key that adjusts RGB brightness. It also has six dedicated macro keys. You can record your own macros onboard or using the companion software, or you can set streaming commands using stream deck software.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT has mediocre typing quality. The keycaps are ABS plastic and feel slippery, which may lead to more typos. There's also a considerable amount of wobble in the keys. The rubber dome switches offer some tactile feedback, but they feel mushy. Also, you may experience fatigue after typing for long periods because the keys can feel heavy to press. That said, the larger keys feel well-stabilized, and they actuate smoothly.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is very quiet and is unlikely to bother those around you.
This keyboard has rubber dome switches.
The rubber dome switches are fairly heavy to press, and they have a somewhat long pre-travel distance. While these characteristics may help you avoid making typos, you may also get tired when typing for some time. The operating and actuation forces are slightly lower next to the nearly identical Corsair K55 RGB PRO, but this is likely due to manufacturing tolerances and may vary between units.
This keyboard has exceptionally low latency, and even competitive gamers should find it feels very responsive.
Corsair's iCUE software offers plenty of customization options. It allows you to adjust key bindings, macros, and polling rate settings and create RGB lighting layers to customize the lighting on a per-key basis. You can also save your settings to onboard memory. The polling rate settings are 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.
The software is available on macOS, but Print Screen registers as F13, F11 hides open windows, Num Lock registers as Clear, and the Pause Break and Scroll Lock keys do nothing. In Linux, all keys work, but the software isn't available.