Corsair was kind enough to send their brand new K55 Core Keyboard. It’s a USB Membrane style RGB “gaming keyboard”. I’ve been a big fan of Corsair’s products, and this keyboard has only made me more of a fan. I’ve used an HP Omen mechanical keyboard for the past few years and feared that going back to a membrane style wouldn’t feel as satisfying. Happily, I think I prefer this to any similarly priced keyboard I’ve tried.
The more expensive mechanical options (and membrane) might have more features and just “feel” better. At an MSRP of $40 though this one is tough to beat. It’s a standard 110-key US layout with media and RGB function keys at the top right. Rated for 300ml spill resistance it’s safe to get a little bit wet by mistake and she is a beauty. There are 10 zones of RGB, and the diffused look is gorgeous. My wife saw the keyboard and immediately wanted it for herself.
The media keys feature Volume Up, Volume Down, Mute, and a Play/Pause button. For the RGB you can cycle through 5 presets by holding the FN key and using 1-5 on the keyboard. I stuck with the rainbow puke gradient of 1 but the option to quickly change is nice. RBG brightness can be toggled with a button near the media keys in the upper right of the keyboard as well.
Specs:
- Quiet, responsive membrane switches
- Ten-zone RGB backlighting
- Four dedicated media buttons
- Dedicated Win Lock and brightness buttons
- 300ml Spill resistance
- 1,000Hz polling rate
- 12-key rollover
- CORSAIR iCUE software
Trying out various typing tests I found no consistent drop in comparison to my mechanical keyboard. What is different is how much quieter my workspace is. I was so used to the clickety-clack of my old keyboard that I forgot how much nicer it is when I’m typing my latest discord message in near silence. There are two feet to prop the keyboard up into a more ergonomic position and the chassis is a solid plastic with little to no flex when pushed down on.
In Conclusion
The most important thing for any “budget” keyboard is how good it feels to use, with bonuses of pleasing aesthetics never hurting. The K55 Core from Corsair is a well-made device that feels good to use and looks fantastic.
Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard 1
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