The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 is an outstanding gaming keyboard. It's compatible with the Corsair iCUE software which lets you customize the RGB backlighting and set macros to any key you want, and it has many extra features like dedicated media keys, a volume control wheel, and a USB passthrough. The Cherry MX Red switches on our unit feel fairly light to press and they provide a good typing experience, but it's available with Cherry MX Silent switches as well. It's comfortable to type on despite its hard wrist rest. It feels well-built and has minimal flex, but the ABS plastic keycaps feel a little cheap.
Our Verdict
The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 is fantastic for gaming. It feels well-built, comfortable, and you can customize the RGB lighting through the iCUE software. Also, all keys are macro-programmable. The Cherry MX Red switches on our unit feel fairly light to press, and the keys should feel responsive thanks to the low pre-travel distance. It's available with Cherry MX Silent switches as well, which may provide a different typing experience.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Fully customizable RGB lighting.
- Good typing experience.
- Wrist rest connectors feel fragile.
- ABS keycaps feel cheap.
The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 isn't designed for mobile devices as it has no wireless options.
The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 is very good for office use. It's well-built and quite comfortable for long usage; however, the included wrist rest feels quite hard. However, the Cherry MX Red switches on our unit feel very light to type on and it's quiet, so it shouldn't bother those around you. Also, it's available with Cherry MX Silent switches, which may provide a different typing experience.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Fully customizable RGB lighting.
- Good typing experience.
- Wrist rest connectors feel fragile.
- ABS keycaps feel cheap.
The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 is very good for programming. It feels well-built and comfortable, with customizable RGB backlighting, and any key can be set as a macro. Our unit uses Cherry MX Red switches that feel fairly light to type on, although it's also available in Cherry MX Silent switches. Unfortunately, it can't pair to multiple devices at once since it has no wireless connectivity options.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Fully customizable RGB lighting.
- Good typing experience.
- Good overall build quality.
- Wrist rest connectors feel fragile.
- ABS keycaps feel cheap.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Fully customizable RGB lighting.
- Good typing experience.
- Wrist rest connectors feel fragile.
- ABS keycaps feel cheap.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 26, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Nov 04, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Oct 27, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Oct 23, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
While the variant we tested uses Cherry MX Red switches, the Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 is also available with Cherry MX Silent switches. See the label for our unit here.
If you come across other variants of this keyboard, let us know in the discussions and we will update our review.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 is an outstanding gaming keyboard and it performs very similarly to the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2. The actuation force of our unit's Cherry MX Red switches is somewhat high compared to other types of linear switches, but it should still feel fairly light to press. Although some other options have a shorter pre-travel distance, its switches should still feel quick enough for gaming. For other options, see our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best RGB keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.
The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 and the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 are both outstanding gaming keyboards that perform very similarly. They also look very similar, except that the K70's entire top plate is aluminum while the STRAFE has an aluminum strip only at the top. The biggest difference is that the STRAFE comes in only Cherry MX Red and Cherry MX Silent switches, while the K70 is available in a wider variety of switches.
The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 is a better keyboard than the Corsair K63 Wireless. The STRAFE has RGB backlighting, onboard memory, and it feels better built. Although both use Cherry MX Red switches, the STRAFE's switches on our unit feel lighter than the switches on our K63 unit. However, the K63 is compatible with more operating systems, and it has remarkable wireless connectivity options, which the STRAFE lacks.
The Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 is slighter better than the Corsair K68 RGB. The STRAFE feels better built, has a volume wheel, and has onboard memory so you can save your settings directly to the keyboard. On the other hand, the K68's Cherry MX Blue clicky switches on our unit have a shorter travel distance than the Cherry MX Red linear switches on our STRAFE unit, resulting in a lighter and more responsive typing experience.
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL and the Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.2 are both outstanding keyboards. The Cherry MX Red switches on our Corsair unit are provide no feedback and fairly light to type on, while the SteelSeries Brown switches do provide feedback and are even lighter to type on. The Corsair has a Numpad since it's a full-sized keyboard, and the SteelSeries is fully compatible with macOS, unlike the Corsair.
Test Results
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