The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a full-size, wired keyboard designed for gaming use. It's part of Corsair's K70 lineup, and it has a few differences from previous models. Notably, you can set the polling rate to a maximum of 8000Hz using the iCUE companion software. This feature improves the keyboard's latency; however, it's only suitable for high-end systems, and the impact is minimal, so you might not notice it. It has doubleshot PBT keycaps, so the legends won't fade no matter how frequently you game. It also has a "Tournament Switch" on the top, eliminating distractions while gaming by disabling macros and setting the RGB backlighting to a single, static color. The linear Cherry MX Red switches on the unit tested offer a light and responsive typing experience without tactile feedback. However, you can purchase this keyboard in a variety of Cherry MX switch types to get the feeling you prefer. Unfortunately, it lacks the USB-passthrough feature found on some other K70 models.
Our Verdict
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is an outstanding keyboard for gaming. Its latency is incredibly low, so it's well-suited for competitive games. The pre-travel distance on the linear Cherry MX switches is also low, so keypresses feel light and responsive. It feels very well-built and solid, and it has individually lit keys, meaning you can see your keys in the dark. It has a Tournament Switch at the top, disabling macros and setting the RGB backlighting to a single, static color to reduce distractions. You can set its polling rate to a maximum of 8000Hz, but this feature is only well-suited for high-end systems with lots of processing power. Unfortunately, it's a large keyboard, so it takes up a lot of desk space, especially with the wrist rest attached.
-
Incredibly low latency.
-
8000Hz maximum polling rate.
-
Individually backlit keys and fully customizable RGB lighting.
-
Feels very well-built.
-
Takes up a lot of desk space with wrist rest attached.
As the Corsair K70 RGB PRO is wired-only, it's not suited for use with mobile devices or tablets.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a great keyboard to use in the office. It has a straight profile with two incline settings and a magnetic wrist rest to keep you comfortable while you type. Although the linear Cherry MX Red switches might not be the best for typing as they have a short pre-travel distance and don't provide tactile feedback, you can get the keyboard with other Cherry MX switch types, like Blue or Brown, that have feedback. Overall, typing feels light and responsive, and it has PBT keycaps with a slight texture that feels nice to the touch. Unfortunately, while it's fully compatible with Windows, a few keys don't work on macOS. Also, it's a large keyboard that takes up a lot of space with its wrist rest attached.
-
Individually backlit keys and fully customizable RGB lighting.
-
Feels very well-built.
-
Magnetically attachable wrist rest.
-
No wireless connectivity options.
-
Takes up a lot of desk space with wrist rest attached.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a great keyboard for programming. The typing quality feels great, thanks to its PBT keycaps and magnetic wrist rest to help keep you comfortable. The linear Cherry MX Red switches on the unit tested offer a light and responsive keypress, though they don't have tactile feedback. However, you can purchase this keyboard with different switches if you'd prefer. It feels very well-built, and the keys are individually backlit, meaning you can see them clearly in a low-light environment. Unfortunately, it's wired-only, so you can't connect it wirelessly with multiple devices. Also, while the software is compatible with macOS, a few keys don't work as intended.
-
Individually backlit keys and fully customizable RGB lighting.
-
Feels very well-built.
-
Magnetically attachable wrist rest.
-
No wireless connectivity options.
-
Takes up a lot of desk space with wrist rest attached.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a poor keyboard for a home theater PC setup. It's wired-only, so you'll have to run the cable from the keyboard to the computer and keep it nearby. It also lacks a trackpad or trackball, meaning you'll need an additional peripheral like a mouse or remote for on-screen navigation.
-
Individually backlit keys and fully customizable RGB lighting.
-
Feels very well-built.
-
No wireless connectivity options.
-
No trackpad or trackball for navigation.
- 9.3 Gaming
- 2.8 Mobile/Tablet
- 8.2 Office
- 8.2 Programming
- 5.5 Entertainment / HTPC
- Updated Feb 14, 2024: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Corsair K70 CORE to the Build Quality section of this review.
- Updated Oct 17, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Corsair K70 MAX in the Keystrokes section of this review.
- Updated Aug 19, 2022: Added in a comparison to the newly reviewed Corsair K70 PRO MINI WIRELESS.
- Updated May 26, 2022: Amended the text to "cable port," as this isn't a wireless keyboard.
- Updated Mar 31, 2022: Review published.
- Updated Mar 25, 2022: Early access published.
- Updated Mar 23, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Mar 22, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Mar 15, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO comes in a full-size, black colorway. There are no other size or color variants. You can purchase this keyboard with Cherry MX Blue, Red, Brown, Speed, or Silent switches. We expect all switch variants to perform similarly other than the noise and typing experience. You can see the label of the unit we tested here.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a wired, mechanical keyboard designed for gaming use. It's part of Corsair's K70 lineup and has a few notable differences from other keyboards in this series. It uses PBT keycaps instead of ABS, and it doesn't include extra keycaps, as some previous versions of the K70 did, as the legends aren't going to wear off. Notably, it's the first keyboard in this lineup to have a maximum 8000Hz polling rate. Its latency is comparable, if not better, than previous versions, and it's well-suited to competitive gaming. Like the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2, the K70 RGB PRO has a Tournament Switch to reduce distractions while gaming in a competitive environment. However, it doesn't have USB passthrough, so you can't connect a gamepad or other device through the keyboard.
For more recommendations, check out the picks for the best gaming keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best Corsair keyboards.
The Corsair K100 RGB and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired-only mechanical gaming keyboards, but the K100 performs slightly better overall. It has better latency, and it also has USB passthrough, which the K70 lacks.
The Razer Huntsman V2 and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired-only mechanical gaming keyboards with very similar features, including a programmable volume control knob at the top and dedicated media keys. However, the Razer has better latency. On the other hand, the Corsair keyboard has a Tournament Mode to reduce distractions while gaming and its companion software is available on macOS.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired, mechanical gaming keyboards, but the SteelSeries performs slightly better for this use. The SteelSeries uses proprietary OmniPoint switches, which allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis. Also, it has USB-passthrough, and its latency is marginally better. On the other hand, the Corsair has PBT keycaps, which are less prone to developing oil shine over time, and it has an 8000Hz maximum polling rate.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO and the Corsair K70 MAX are full-size gaming keyboards in the same product lineup. The K70 RGB PRO is an earlier model available with Cherry MX switches or Cosair's optical OPX switches. It also has better latency performance. On the other hand, the K70 MAX is a newer model that uses Corsair's MGX switches that allow you to customize the pre-travel and reset points of individual switches. It also has a more comfortable wrist rest.
The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are wired-only, full-size mechanical keyboards designed for gaming use, but the RGB PRO performs better overall. The RGB PRO has PBT keycaps rather than ABS, and its latency is better. Notably, you can set a polling rate of 8000Hz. On the other hand, the RGB MK.2 has a USB passthrough feature, which the RGB PRO lacks.
The Corsair K70 RGB TKL and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired, mechanical gaming keyboards that perform very similarly with some slight differences. The RGB TKL is a smaller form factor, so it doesn't have a Numpad. Also, its latency is somewhat lower than the RGB PRO. On the other hand, the RGB PRO allows you to program macros directly onboard without using the software, and it includes a wrist rest. Both keyboards have a Tournament Switch to create a distraction-free gaming experience, and they also have an 8000Hz maximum polling rate.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO and the Corsair K70 CORE are both full-size mechanical gaming keyboards in Corsair's K70 lineup. Note that these two keyboards are on different test benches, so some of our tests (including latency and typing noise tests) aren't directly comparable. The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is notable for better overall build quality, including higher-quality PBT keycaps. It also has a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, providing more stable and consistent latency performance. On the other hand, the K70 CORE is a newer model with switches that are pre-lubed from the factory, making them feel somewhat smoother. It also has sound-dampening material inside the case and spacebar, making it a bit quieter to type on.
The Corsair K95 RGB PLATINUM XT and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired, mechanical gaming keyboards, but the K70 performs slightly better overall. It has lower latency and a higher maximum polling rate, and you can program macros directly on the board without using the software. On the other hand, the K95 has a column of dedicated macro keys on the left side, and it has a USB-passthrough feature.
The Corsair K70 PRO MINI WIRELESS is the compact (60%) wireless version of the Corsair K70 RGB PRO. The original K70 RGB PRO is a full-size, wired-only unit with an included wrist rest and extra features such as dedicated media keys and a volume control wheel. On the other hand, the K70 PRO MINI WIRELESS has a hot-swappable circuit board, meaning you can replace your stock switches with most 3-pin switches of your choosing.
The Corsair K95 PLATINUM and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired, mechanical gaming keyboards that perform similarly but have some slight differences. The K95 has a USB-passthrough feature and slightly better latency. On the other hand, the K70 has a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, and it has PBT keycaps instead of ABS.
The Ducky One 3 and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired-only mechanical keyboards designed for gaming use, but the Corsair performs better overall. It has lower latency and a higher maximum polling rate and has an included wrist rest for better comfort while gaming. On the other hand, the Ducky lacks companion software, meaning you can do all of its programming on the board itself. Also, the Ducky is hot-swappable, so you can change out the stock switches for any you prefer, and the keyboard is available in a wider range of sizes and colors.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired, mechanical gaming keyboards, but the Razer performs slightly better since its latency is lower. Also, it has a TKL form factor, which frees up more space on your desk. Alternatively, the Corsair comes with an included wrist rest, has a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, and it's full-size.
Video
Test Results
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a full-sized keyboard that takes up a lot of space. You can remove the wrist rest if you want to save some space. If you're interested in a smaller version that takes up much less space on a desk, check out the Corsair K70 PRO MINI WIRELESS.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO has excellent build quality. The chassis is hard plastic, while the top plate is brushed aluminum, so the board exhibits no flex and feels very solid. The doubleshot PBT keycaps have a slight texture that feels nice to the touch, and they're a great upgrade from previous versions of this keyboard that used ABS keycaps. There are four large rubber feet under the board that do a good job of keeping it in place. Also, the incline feet open sideways, so you won't accidentally push them in if you move the board. It also includes a soft-touch wrist rest that attaches magnetically for better support. Unfortunately, the keys have a bit of wobble to them, but it isn't too noticeable or distracting during use.
If you're interested in a newer full-size Corsair model in the same lineup, check out the Corsair K70 CORE, which has pre-lubed switches and layers of sound-dampening materials inside the case and spacebar.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO has good ergonomics. There are two incline settings, and it comes with a magnetically attachable wrist rest to help reduce the strain of bending your wrists upwards.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. You can customize the RGB backlighting using the iCUE software or adjust it directly on the board using the hotkeys outlined in the user manual.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO has a detachable, braided USB-A to USB-C cable. While some previous versions of the Corsair K70 have a USB passthrough feature, the Corsair K70 RGB PRO doesn't, so its cable is much thinner than the cables found on those models. Unfortunately, it does retain kinks from the packaging.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a wired-only keyboard, and you can't use it wirelessly.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO has quite a few extra features. All of its keys are macro-programmable, and you can program them either on the board directly following the instructions found in the user manual or using the iCUE companion software. There are dedicated media keys and a volume control wheel that's also programmable on the top right-hand side of the board, above the Numpad. There's a dedicated Windows Lock button to prevent you from accidentally minimizing your game, as well as a profile switching button, meaning you can cycle through your profiles saved to the onboard memory. This keyboard also has full N-key rollover, so all of your keypresses are registered, and it has full anti-ghosting features. Impressively, you can also set your maximum polling rate to 8000Hz and save up to 20 layers of RGB lighting. Also, like the Corsair K70 RGB TKL and Corsair K70 RGB MK.2, this keyboard has a Tournament Switch next to the cable port, which will disable macros and set the RGB backlighting to one static color for a distraction-free environment while gaming competitively.
The Cherry MX Red switches in the Corsair K70 RGB PRO offer a light typing experience with no tactile feedback. The pre-travel distance is higher than some other switch styles, like Cherry MX Speed switches, but it's still short enough to provide a responsive and smooth keypress.
If you're interested in a similar mechanical gaming keyboard that uses Corsair's MGX switches, which let you adjust the pre-travel distance of individual switches, check out the Corsair K70 MAX.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO offers an excellent typing experience. The PBT keycaps are textured and feel nice to the touch. They also aren't prone to becoming slippery from finger oils over time. The keys are well-spaced in a standard layout, so there's no learning curve to get used to a new size or configuration. With the Cherry MX Red switches installed, typing feels light and responsive, though if you're not used to linear switches, you may tend to make more typos as there's no feedback to tell when you've registered a key. Also, if you'd prefer a different switch style, you can get this keyboard with Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Speed, and Silent switches. Also, the incline settings and included wrist rest add support, meaning you won't get fatigued even during long gaming sessions. Unfortunately, all the keys have a slight wobble, but this isn't noticeable and distracting during use.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO with linear Cherry MX red switches is quiet to type on and won't cause distractions to those around you. If you get this keyboard with a different switch type, like clicky Cherry MX Blues, it's significantly louder.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO has incredible latency. These results were obtained using the maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, which offers the best latency if your computer can handle it. However, lowering the polling rate will likely not impact the latency significantly, so it'll still be extremely low and well-suited for fast-paced gaming.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO uses iCUE software for customization. The software is easy to use and offers tutorials to show you how to use it. You can assign macros, customize the RGB lighting, and save settings profiles onto the board's onboard memory. You can also adjust the polling rate up to 8000Hz. However, if you don't want to use the software, you can program macros and lighting effects directly on the board, as outlined in the user guide.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is fully compatible with Windows, and only the Scroll Lock, Pause Break, and Stop media keys don't work on macOS. Everything works as intended on Linux, but there's no software available.