The best Corsair keyboard is the K100 RGB. It has a retractable cushioned wrist rest and is extremely well-made and pleasant to use. It is compatible with the Corsair iCUE software, which enables you to apply macros to any key you choose and personalize the RGB illumination. It includes a lot of extra capabilities, including six dedicated macro keys, a multi-function iCUE wheel, dedicated media buttons, and a volume control wheel.
The keyboard’s Cherry MX Speed switches seem light and responsive, but the Cherry MX Speed switch is also available with the new Corsair OPX linear switches, which could offer a different typing experience. Additionally, it features a maximum polling rate of 8000 Hz, which contributes to its low latency and responsive gaming experience.
Either Cherry MX Speed switches or Corsair OPX Opto-mechanical switches are available with this keyboard. Our review item has OPX switches, which have a 1mm actuation point, 45g actuation force, and 3.2mm of travel. Both alternatives are designed for quick actuation. Comparing those distances to the typical Cherry MX Red switches, they are considerably closer.
Corsair K100 RGB Keyboard review: Design
The Corsair K100 is seen in the above image on the right, while the K95 Platinum XT from a prior generation is shown on the left. Here, you can see how the Corsair iCue Nexus touchscreen controller is fastened to the K95’s rear. Although it may be a control option overload with two metal wheels, a touchscreen, and all the other media buttons, you can also attach the Nexus to the rear of the K100.
A control wheel and a better wrist rest have been added to the new K100, which is an upgrade of the K95 Platinum XT, as you can clearly see from the photograph. The latter is really much better because it has a wider cushion surface and magnets to connect it, similar to the Razer Huntsman Elite, rather than plastic clips that may easily break. However, it should be mentioned that the initial K100 keyboard Corsair provided us had significant magnet difficulties in addition to other problems.
After the third or fourth time we attached the wrist rest to the keyboard, both magnets cracked out of their housings and stayed glued to the keyboard. The keys on that keyboard would also stick regularly. After a few days of use, the keycaps would pop off after a few seconds of pressing.
Corsair K100 RGB Keyboard review: Keys
The Corsair K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical is based on a traditional 104-key keyboard with six additional keys on the left side; Corsair took the risky step of making the K100 RGB compatible with the standard ANSI layout. Previously, mechanical keyboards have not done this; a 6.5″ space bar and seven 1.25″ keys (ALT, CTRL, WIN/Menu, and Fn keys) make up the bottom row of the keyboard.
Large, futuristic characters are printed on the PBT keycaps. Because the designer sought to make the most of the keyboard’s LED lights, the principal and secondary characters are located at the top of the keycap. The extra ten keycaps that Corsair provides for gaming are textured the six G keys to the left of the regular keyboard are grey and curved.
Corsair K100 RGB Keyboard review: RGB Lighting
With its keycaps, Corsair has accomplished something that is absolutely admirable. It was already a great touch that the RGB lights illuminated the key legends completely, but Corsair has stabilized the keys in a way that is unusual for wireless mechanical keyboards. It’s remarkable how much of a difference tilt makes when it comes to typing on them. They have a little movement on the X/Y axis but nearly no tilt.
When the key we are pressing does not tilt slightly, it is considerably simpler to avoid tapping nearby keys. It’s important to remember that this can be unique to the OPX model. Since the stems resemble those of the majority of other mechanical key switches, it is unclear how Corsair managed it. The only discrepancy we can identify is that while bottoming out, bigger keys compress a little bit more.
Corsair K100 RGB Keyboard review: Performance
Corsair’s OPX optomechanical keyboard is one of the most sensitive keyboards we have tested. Using infrared signals and a linear mechanism, the K100 detects keystrokes with an actuation point of only 1.0mm and an actuation force of 45g. This surpasses the 1.5mm and 2.0mm of the Razer Huntsman V2 and SteelSeries Apex Pro keyboards, respectively.The K100 uses a laser for the keyboard pressing motion, and its accuracy and responsiveness with a 4,000 Hz polling rate are highly We appreciate it.
On the other hand, typists like myself, who often prefer tactile and clicky input to begin with, experience occasional mistouches and typos. Since this is a fast-paced action game, I am often in a hurry to click buttons, which often leads to missed presses. But with this great polling rate, 1.0mm actuation rate, and N-key rollover, it is now possible to achieve results while pressing buttons much less frequently.
Finals Words
The Corsair K100 RGB Mechanical Gaming keyboard is perfect for me since I enjoy having all the bells, whistles, and flashing lights. You can purchase a high-end gaming keyboard with a ton of functionality for $229. The Optical-Mechanical OPX keys give blazing-fast input and a pleasant typing experience, but taking some getting used to.
A lot of exciting functionality is available with the new iCue Control wheel and media buttons, which may improve your productivity and entertainment experience. The K100 also has a premium appearance with double-molded keycaps, an aluminum body, and exceptionally brilliant RGB lighting. If you’re not going to use all that stuff, $229 is a lot to ask. Entry-level gamers could be pleased with a $38 VictSing PC259A.
