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Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS Keyboard Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Reviewed Jun 01, 2020 at 08:36 am
Latest change: Writing modified Dec 15, 2022 at 04:28 pm
Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS Picture
7.6
Gaming
6.0
Mobile/Tablet
7.2
Office
7.4
Programming
7.0
Entertainment / HTPC

The Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS is a decent gaming keyboard that has features found on higher-end keyboards, but with rubber dome switches. It has full RGB backlighting and individually-lit keys, which you can customize from its software. Every key, except for the Windows Lock key, is macro programmable and there are six extra dedicated macros on the left side. Unfortunately, the keys are heavy to press, feel mushy, and it could get tiring typing on this keyboard for a long period. However, this keyboard can connect with up to three devices at once via Bluetooth and its USB receiver, and it remains connected to your Bluetooth devices even when it's plugged in.

Our Verdict

7.6 Gaming

The Corsair K57 is a decent gaming keyboard. It has all the features you would expect in a gaming keyboard, like full RGB lighting with individually-lit keys. All keys, except for the Windows Lock key, are macro programmable, and there are six dedicated macros on the left side. Unfortunately, the rubber dome switches are heavy to press and don't deliver the quickest gaming experience.

Pros
  • All keys are macro programmable, except for Windows Lock.
  • Full RGB backlighting.
Cons
  • Keys are heavy to press.
  • Plastic body feels a bit cheap.
6.0 Mobile/Tablet

The Corsair K57 isn't bad to use for mobile devices. It can connect with up to three devices via Bluetooth and its USB receiver. It's fully compatible with Android, and most alphanumeric keys work on iPadOS and iOS. However, it's big and not ideal to carry around.

Pros
  • All keys are macro programmable, except for Windows Lock.
  • Full RGB backlighting.
Cons
  • Keys are heavy to press.
  • Plastic body feels a bit cheap.
7.2 Office

Decent for office use. The Corsair K57 has good ergonomics and comes with a nice wrist rest, but the keys are heavy to press and could get tiring after a long period of typing. Luckily, the keys are quiet and won't bother others around you, and if you listen to music while working, there are dedicated media keys.

Pros
  • All keys are macro programmable, except for Windows Lock.
  • Full RGB backlighting.
Cons
  • Keys are heavy to press.
  • Plastic body feels a bit cheap.
7.4 Programming

The Corsair K57 is good for programming. Every key, except for the Windows Lock key, is macro programmable and there are six dedicated macro keys, too. It has full RGB lighting and good ergonomics, but unfortunately, the keys feel heavy and could cause fatigue after long programming sessions.

Pros
  • All keys are macro programmable, except for Windows Lock.
  • Full RGB backlighting.
Cons
  • Keys are heavy to press.
  • Plastic body feels a bit cheap.
7.0 Entertainment / HTPC

Pros
  • All keys are macro programmable, except for Windows Lock.
  • Full RGB backlighting.
Cons
  • Keys are heavy to press.
  • Plastic body feels a bit cheap.
  • 7.6 Gaming
  • 6.0 Mobile/Tablet
  • 7.2 Office
  • 7.4 Programming
  • 7.0 Entertainment / HTPC
  1. Updated Dec 15, 2022: Updated the review to change the name of the product to Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS.
  2. Updated Apr 26, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  3. Updated Jun 01, 2020: Review published.
  4. Updated May 26, 2020: Early access published.
  5. Updated May 21, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  6. Updated Apr 14, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  7. Updated Mar 18, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the full-sized Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS, which is the only one available in its size. This keyboard is basically the wireless version of the Corsair K55 RGB, except the K57 has individually-lit keys instead of zone lighting. If you come across a different variant of the K57 or if yours doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we'll update the review.

Compared To Other Keyboards

The Corsair K57 is a decent gaming keyboard that comes with good features and individually-lit keys, but for its price, you can easily find better keyboards. Also see our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best cheap keyboards, and the best RGB keyboards.

Corsair K63 Wireless

The Corsair K63 Wireless is better than the Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS. It has mechanical keys, and it's smaller as it's a TKL keyboard. Meanwhile, the K57 has full RGB backlighting, and since it's a full-sized keyboard, it includes a Numpad. 

Corsair K55 RGB

The Corsair K55 RGB and the Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS are two very similar keyboards with rubber dome switches. The only differences between them are that the K57 is wireless and has individually-lit keys, while the K55 is wired and has zone lighting. 

Logitech G613 LIGHTSPEED

The Logitech G613 LIGHTSPEED and the Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS are similar in performance. The Corsair has full RGB backlighting, and every key is macro programmable. The Logitech offers a much better typing experience as it has mechanical keys that offer good tactile feedback, but only its dedicated macro keys are programmable. It can connect with up to two devices at once, while the Corsair can connect with up to three.

SteelSeries Apex 3

The Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS is slightly better than the SteelSeries Apex 3. The Corsair is wireless, has dedicated macro keys, and has individually-lit keys, while the SteelSeries has a better typing quality since the keys are lighter to press. The SteelSeries is also better built, and its software offers a cloud sync feature. 

Razer Cynosa Chroma

The Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS is better than the Razer Cynosa Chroma. Both use rubber dome switches and have full RGB backlighting, but the Corsair is wireless, has dedicated macro keys, and comes with a wrist rest, while the keys on the Razer are a bit lighter to press. 

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Dimensions
Size
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.3" (3.4 cm)
Width 18.9" (48.0 cm)
Depth
6.5" (16.6 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
9.1" (23.1 cm)
Weight
2.10 lbs (0.951 kg)

Since the Corsair K57 is full-sized; it takes up a good amount of space on a desk, but you can remove the wrist rest to make it smaller.

6.5
Design
Build Quality
Keycap Material ABS

The Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS has a decent build quality. The frame is made out of plastic and feels a bit cheap. The ABS keycaps are stable but the rubber dome switches are mushy when you press down on them.

7.5
Design
Ergonomics
Board Design
Straight
Minimum Incline
Medium Incline
N/A
Maximum Incline
Wrist Rest Detachable

The Corsair K57 WIRELESS has good ergonomics. It comes with a wrist rest and has one incline setting. It's not very tall, which makes it a bit more comfortable on the wrists.

10
Design
Backlighting
Backlighting Yes
Color
RGB
Individually Backlit Keys
Yes
Color Mixing
Great
Effects
Yes
Programmable
Yes

This keyboard has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, which can be customized through its software, and you can adjust the brightness directly on the keyboard. This is an improvement over the Corsair K55 RGB, which has zone lighting.

Design
Cable & Connector
Connectivity Wireless
Detachable
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Length 6.2 ft (1.9 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
Micro USB

Even though it's meant to be used wirelessly, the Corsair K57 RGB comes with a cable for charging, and you can use it wired too.

10
Design
Wireless Versatility
Bluetooth
Yes
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
3
Proprietary Receiver
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable

This keyboard can connect one device with its proprietary USB receiver and two other devices via Bluetooth at once. Using this keyboard wired replaces the receiver, but you're still able to use it with other devices via Bluetooth.

Design
Extra Features
Media Keys
Dedicated
Macro Programmable Keys
All
Trackpad / Trackball No
Wheel No
USB Passthrough
No
Numpad Yes
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Lock Indicator Caps & Num Lock

This keyboard has a good amount of extra features. All keys are macro programmable, except the Windows Lock key, which can be reprogrammed to do one of four functions. Even the dedicated media keys are macro programmable, which is a nice touch. There are six extra macro keys on the left side of the keyboard, and macro programming can be done directly on the keyboard or through the software.

Design
In The Box

  • Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS Keyboard
  • Detachable wrist rest
  • USB receiver (in the keyboard on top left)
  • Micro-USB cable
  • Manual
  • Warranty

Typing Experience
Typing Experience
Keystrokes
Mechanical
No
Key Switches
Rubber Dome
Feel
Tactile
Operating Force
72 gf
Actuation Force
37 gf
Pre-Travel
2.6 mm
Total Travel
3.9 mm

The Corsair K57 RGB WIRELESS keyboard uses rubber dome switches that are heavy and hard to press. They have some tactile feedback but the pre-travel distance is fairly high, which isn't ideal for competitive gamers. These switches perform very similarly to the Corsair K55 RGB. If you want rubber dome switches with less actuation force, check out the SteelSeries Apex 3.

6.0
Typing Experience
Typing Quality

Mediocre typing quality. The switches require a good amount of actuation force, which helps reduce typos as you won't accidentally press a key, but it could get tiring typing on it for long periods. The keys offer some tactility, but feel mushy, and don't have the same feedback as mechanical switches. Luckily, the keys, including the spacebar, are stable.

Typing Experience
Typing Noise
Noise
Very Quiet

This keyboard is quiet and shouldn't bother others around you.

9.9
Typing Experience
Latency
Latency Wired
2.9 ms
Latency Receiver
1.5 ms
Latency Bluetooth
17.1 ms

The Corsair K57 has exceptionally low latency that's perfectly suited for fast-paced gaming whether you use it wired or with its USB receiver.

Software and Operating System
7.6
Software and Operating System
Software & Programming
Software Name iCUE
Account Required
No
Profiles
6+
Onboard Memory
No
Cloud Sync
No
Macro Programming
Software and Onboard
Ease Of Use
Easy
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
Yes

The Corsair iCUE software allows you to set macros and customize the RGB backlighting. You can also change the polling rate, enable sleep mode, initiate pairing with the receiver, and enable a battery gauge from your computer system's taskbar. Unfortunately, the Corsair K57 keyboard doesn't have any onboard memory and the software doesn't offer cloud sync.

8.5
Software and Operating System
Keyboard Compatibility
Windows Full
macOS Partial
Linux Partial
Android Partial
iOS Partial
iPadOS Partial

Excellent compatibility. It's fully compatible with Windows, Linux, and Android, but the iCUE software isn't available on Linux or Android. Scroll Lock and Pause Break don't work on macOS, and on iPadOS and iOS, most alphanumeric keys work, but some function keys don't.