CORSAIR K65 PLUS WIRELESS 75% RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review

Sound Dampening, Pre-Lubed Switches, and Hot Swapping – Oh My

Corsair’s latest mechanical gaming keyboard is a compact model in the K65 series, but it isn’t a 65% keyboard; this new K65 PLUS is actually 75%. It offers premium features like pre-lubed (and hot-swappable) mechanical switches with two layers of sound dampening, and it’s the quietest mechanical keyboard I’ve used since the Cherry MX 10.0N RGB.

Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I can see the name of this product being a little confusing. Corsair already has a 65% K65 model (oddly enough, Corsair does not have a “K75” in their keyboard lineup). In fact, the K65 lineup encompasses 60%, 65%, and now 75% layouts. Just remember to look for the PLUS in the name when shopping for that 75% K65 keyboard.

Marketing aside, let’s assume for the sake of argument that you’re already sold on this form-factor. I’m not here to espouse the virtues of any key layout, numpad preference, or the like. If you like your keyboard without that 10-key taking up space on your desk, there’s a lot to like about this keyboard.

Usage Impressions

This will be brief. The hardware is first rate. I don’t have a ton of experience with really high-end (or custom) keyboards, but the K65 PLUS feels very well constructed throughout, with a heft and solidity you need to experience first hand. Corsair has built it with a top-mount plate, and it uses “extra sturdy PCB-mounted screw-in” stabilizers. Between the construction and integration of two layers of sound dampening materials, it has a tremendously solid feel.

Instantly I was impressed by the way typing feels – and sounds – with this model. Sure, the PBT keycaps help provide a premium feel, but those lubed switches and the two layers of sound dampening are something of a revelation. This keyboard is really quiet – especially if you have a lighter touch than me (I was still bottoming out every key with a muted “thock” sound). Key travel is very smooth…shallow enough to feel fast but not as twitchy as “speed” switches. It’s truly a premium linear experience.

If you’re interested in the sound characteristics of this keyboard with the MLX Red switches, I’m embedding a short YouTube clip I made with the shotgun mic less than a foot away from the keys:

I really liked the feel of the included switches, and just how solid key presses feel (and without any reverberation through the keyboard housing). I only tested the default MLX Red switch, but, as mentioned above, Corsair has built this keyboard for hot-swapping switches (an extraction tool is included), so you can go down the rabbit hole of mechanical switches without taking your soldering iron out of the drawer.

As to illumination, there is no etching or other means to allow light through the key labels, so even at the brightest intensity the lighting is simply a glow around the keys. If you need those key labels to light up, you’ll need different keycaps.

Oh, and we can’t forget iCUE, which is the same intuitive experience as ever – and there are onboard profiles, which I appreciate. Though, I’ll add that it wasn’t apparent that this would be the case in iCUE, as there was no option to save settings directly to the hardware as with some Corsair peripherals – but, sure enough, my settings were persistent when connecting to another PC that wasn’t running iCUE.

Value and Conclusion

Let’s talk about value. At $159.99 USD this keyboard is far from the most expensive option in Corsair’s enthusiast-level offering, which is pretty large. Just look at all of these keyboards:

That’s a big lineup. As to the K65 PLUS, considering how much can go into a custom keyboard build, and given Corsair’s choice to go with enthusiast-level features like pre-lubed switches, sound dampening, and PBT keycaps, I don’t think $159.99 is bad at all. The only weakness for me is that the key labels are not illuminated, but that goes with the territory with the keycaps used.

Bottom line, the K65 PLUS is a very impressive product with (subjectively) amazing typing feel and some of the quietest operation I’ve ever (not) heard from a mechanical keyboard. The K65 name may cause some confusion as it isn’t a 65% layout, but only one keyboard in the K65 lineup is actually 65%, anyway (they are 60%, 65%, and now 75%). What matters is the quality, and from a hardware and usability perspective it’s really, really good.