Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Fast optical switches
- Intelligent format and performance layer
- Solid parts
- Almost all choices out there with out software program
Cons
- Expensive
- Sound dampening is ineffective
Our Verdict
For avid gamers who need a compact, wired board that’s all about velocity, the Ok65 Mini Pro is the very best round. It’s a bit expensive and the inner foam isn’t doing a lot, however strong {hardware} and a very good format (with or with out iCue) push it above the competitors.
Price When Reviewed
$129.99
Best Prices Today: Corsair Ok65 Pro Mini keyboard
$129.99
Have you checked out the marketplace for mechanical mini gaming keyboards recently? You may suppose that’s a fairly small area of interest, nevertheless it’s completely swarming with opponents from producers each massive and small. So to make its newest itty-bitty keyboard, the Ok65 Pro Mini, stand out, Corsair did…nicely, not lots, no less than at first look.
But appears to be like will be deceiving. While the Ok65 Pro Mini doesn’t wow you with flashy gimmicks or questionably helpful add-ons like an OLED screen, it nails the fundamentals and consists of some options that avid gamers will love. Optical switches and high-quality supplies make an announcement all on their very own.
I’d say that in all probability isn’t sufficient to justify a hefty $130 price ticket, particularly for such a small board…besides that the competitors is about the identical value. If you’re prepared to splurge and also you need a strong, easy optical design shorn of pointless extras, the Ok65 Mini Pro is an effective choice.
Further studying: See our roundup of the best gaming keyboards to find out about competing merchandise.
What units the Corsair Ok65 Pro Mini aside?
The Ok65 Pro Mini differentiates itself from different mini gaming keyboards with a couple of particular options. It comes with PBT keycaps normal, and although that’s changing into more and more common, it is a notably well-made set with a pleasant tough texture that’s very “grippy” throughout gaming periods. The board has foam dampening contained in the physique, and maybe most significantly, comes with Corsair’s speedy and semi-proprietary OPX linear optical switches.
The Ok65’s OPX optical switches are extremely specialised for gaming, however can’t be eliminated or changed.
Michael Crider/Foundry
For the uninitiated, optical switches interrupt a beam of sunshine to actuate a key press as a substitute of ready for a bodily connection on {an electrical} contact. Combined with a clean linear motion, it makes the switches extraordinarily quick and light-weight with no scratches or bumps by the press. Corsair says this keyboard has two layers of inner sound dampening, confirmed by the exploded view. But if it’s considerably quieter than different linear boards, I can’t hear it.
Optical, linear switches are in all probability the very best switches for gaming, no less than in purely technical phrases, even with out the questionably needed analog actuation of a number of the most costly boards. But the optical construct does imply this board does with out the hot-swap sockets for true customization past lighting and keycaps. For that function, look elsewhere in Corsair’s lineup, just like the much more expensive K70 Pro line.
Corsair Ok65 Pro Mini’s different options
But the Ok65 has different charms. These embrace the aforementioned PBT keycaps (normal), a powerful 8,000Hz polling charge (for these of you with actually superhuman reflexes), an aluminum high deck that’s pleasantly strong whereas protecting a light-weight essential physique for touring, a braided, removable USB-C cable, and an clever format that’s helpfully illustrated by each the keycaps and the lighting system. Between that and the forgiving 65 % format with arrow keys, it is likely to be the mini keyboard with the least quantity of adjustment time.
The smartest tweak for usability is that the perform layer lights up while you press the Fn key.
Let me present you what I imply. See how the default place of the Delete key’s proper subsequent to the key, only some millimeters away from the place it’s on a regular format? That leaves the far less-used Page Up and Page Down to be bodily shifted. And media and quantity keys are all clustered within the bottom-right nook, in order that they’re simple to control with one hand. The Print Screen key’s matched to Fn+P, an apparent alternative {that a} stunning variety of smaller keyboards merely don’t make. It’s good things. And all that is clearly seen on the default keycaps.
Michael Crider/Foundry
But the neatest tweak for usability is that the perform layer lights up while you press the Fn key, immediately exhibiting you which of them keys do what, and leaving the unused keys darkish. It’s an excellent little approach to offer you an on the spot refresh on features even in the dead of night.
Who wants software program?
Speaking of lighting, the Ok65 can do all the standard bells and whistles, after which some, by Corsair’s iCue software program. iCue is frankly somewhat clunky, however when you’ve assigned any customized format and impact you need, there’s no motive to return. Since it is a wired board, there’s no motive to show down the lights or that fancy 8,000Hz polling.
Michael Crider/Foundry
But right here once more, Corsair is exhibiting some very clever work on the keyboard, as many of the necessary features will be accessed with out iCue put in in any respect. Custom macros will be programmed and cleared from the keys alone. Up to fifty (FIFTY!) customized profiles will be saved on the keyboard’s native reminiscence, cycled by with Fn+Z by default. You may even save as much as 20 on-board lighting results, selectable and adjustable by way of {hardware} solely, if that’s your jam. Fn+Win for 5 seconds will change the keyboard into PlayStation mode for the PS4 or PS5.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The solely factor you may’t do, with or with out the iCue software program…is transfer the Fn button. That was an enormous detraction for me on the similar-sized Ok70, nevertheless it’s much less of a difficulty right here because of the additional keys, so that you don’t need to re-learn arrow controls. But nonetheless, I lengthy for the day that is as simple on a mainstream board as it’s on boutique builds with VIA compatibility.
Should you purchase the Corsair Ok65 Pro Mini?
As for different gripes, they’re few and much between. I want the keyboard ft have been double-staged for a barely increased profile, and perhaps {that a} wrist relaxation was included for the worth. Which brings us to the worth dialogue: At $130, it’s pretty up there, even for all that the Ok65 does proper. You can get optical switches and extra performance from smaller manufacturers like Epomaker for about half the worth, and if optical isn’t necessary, the G.Skill KM250 stays the price range board to beat.
Michael Crider/Foundry
But should you’re contemplating a Corsair board, odds are you need a mainstream gaming model. That pits the Ok65 Pro Mini in opposition to the Razer Huntsman Mini (normal optical switches), on the identical value however with a way more cramped format, and the Roccat Vulcan Mini II, which swaps the PBT keycaps for a a lot brighter mild present with its “floating” keycap design.
Assuming a super-fast optical setup is what you need, and also you don’t care in regards to the costly analog improve on the Hunstman, I’d go together with the Ok65 Pro Mini for its superior typing really feel and clever format selections. The reality that you could entry so many features with out having to contain the iCue software program is an enormous plus.
Assuming a super-fast optical setup is what you need…I’d go together with the Ok65 Pro Mini for its superior typing really feel.
I want it was cheaper…however you possibly can say the identical about virtually any gaming keyboard today, and it’s consistent with the competitors. This is a brand-new design hitting retail right this moment, so should you’re feeling frugal, simply anticipate a sale. If you’re not, go forward and purchase it with confidence.