Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Fantastic lubed switches
- Interior foam
- Wrist relaxation for $10 improve
Cons
- Fixed USB cable
- Software may very well be extra easy
- Few media keys
Our Verdict
The Okay70 Core isn’t simply an enormous enchancment over Corsair’s extra primary keyboard designs. Thanks to lubed switches and inner foam, it has one of the best typing expertise of any Corsair keyboard, at a aggressive worth.
Price When Reviewed
$109.99
Best Prices Today: Corsair Okay70 Core keyboard
$99.99
$109.99
Despite the brand new “Core” moniker, the Okay70 Core is just not Corsair’s least expensive gaming keyboard. It is the most affordable of the Okay70 line…which is obtainable in quite a lot of sizes and options. So frankly, the branding is a little bit of a joke. But right here’s the punchline: The Okay70 Pro is definitely my favourite Okay70 keyboard, and perhaps my favourite Corsair board general.
Why? It’s all concerning the switches. While some previous Corsair boards felt distinctly “pingy,” and dearer ones go for magnetic switches with questionable utility, the Okay70 Core makes use of Corsair’s new self-branded MLX switches. These are {smooth} and “thocky” because of being pre-lubed from the manufacturing unit. Combined with two layers of inner foam, the Okay70 Core simply feels loads higher than another Corsair keyboard, irrespective of its capabilities.
In truth, I’d say it’s a better-feeling board than any main “gaming” model on the $100 degree. Yeah, it’s that good.
Further studying: See our roundup of the best gaming keyboards to study competing fashions.
It’s all concerning the switches
Before we go any additional I ought to level out that the precise worth of the Okay70 Core is a little bit nebulous. Without the magnetic palm relaxation seen in these evaluate images, and with primary ABS keycaps, it’s $99.99. With the palm relaxation, it’s $109.99 — a worthy improve. And proper now, Corsair is giving patrons a free set of PBT keycaps in the event that they order instantly from their on-line retailer, in a alternative of black, white, blue, or inexperienced. That’s a $30 freebie — not dangerous in any respect.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Even at $140 for all of the components included on this evaluate, the Okay70 Core remains to be the most affordable within the Okay70 line by retail worth. That’s regardless of being a full-sized structure, full with a quantity pad and a rotary quantity dial, which is vertical like a barrel versus the horizontal log-like quantity dial discovered on latest Corsair boards. The physique is plastic with some rubbery accents, just like the palm relaxation, however Corsair did spring for aluminum for the first typing deck.
The keyboard options RGB lighting, programming within the iCue software program, single-stage fold-out ft — just about the one nook reduce is the USB cable, which is mounted in place. Compared to the corporate’s extra superior designs, it lacks each hot-swap sockets and magnetic switches. Stylistically it’s a little bit primary too, with only one media key plus the dial (which has a rakish trio of stripes on its knurled edge). Corsair’s shiny higher deck with an illuminated brand, a staple of its design for some years, is gone.
Michael Crider/Foundry
But you realize what? That’s tremendous. The Okay70 Core isn’t making an attempt to be something greater than what it’s. And what it’s is a surprisingly good keyboard to sort and recreation on.
Typing and gaming
It’s exhausting to place into phrases precisely why the Okay70 Core feels so a lot better than different gaming boards basically, and different Corsair boards particularly. The firm’s new self-branded MLX Red linear switches are super-smooth, even with a comparatively lengthy journey from prime to backside. This comes from a liberal lube job (you, within the again, cease that snickering) straight from the manufacturing unit. With a beneficiant quantity of inside foam, the sound is deep, flat, and satisfying, whereas nonetheless being far quieter than most gaming designs.
Michael Crider/Foundry
It’s the form of custom-inspired enchancment that Asus and Razer have made with their very own branded switches on the ROG Azoth and the BlackWidow Ultimate V4 75%, respectively. I’d say the MLX switches really feel much like Razer’s newest in high quality. But crucially, each of these keyboards are far dearer than this one. And whereas they’re additionally much more succesful (presumably too succesful for the Asus design), right here’s Corsair proving that you would be able to get an excellent expertise at a way more accessible worth.
I’d virtually advocate the Okay70 Core extra to workplace typists than avid gamers, because the lengthy journey of the keys and excessive profile of the PBT keycaps really feel extra geared in the direction of these typing out 1000’s of phrases a day. (Hey, what’s up, my identify’s Michael.) More costly boards just like the Corsair K70 Max are technically extra versatile, however not in a approach that the majority avid gamers will really benefit from.
But in fact it’ll work tremendous for gaming too, with customary N-key rollover and a 1,000Hz polling charge that’s quicker than most people’ reflexes. I additionally dig the barrel-shaped dial, which is simple to achieve and press for a mute button than the horizontal dials which can be turning into extra frequent.
The Okay70 Core isn’t making an attempt to be something greater than what it’s. And what it’s is a surprisingly good keyboard to sort and recreation on.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Corsair’s iCue software program is ok, higher than some, inferior to others. It takes a little bit longer to search out your ft than it ought to, however I just like the separate menu devoted to the dial particularly. If you’re in it for the RGB lighting, there are a few dozen built-in settings and customization choices, plus the power to tie into Corsair’s galaxy of different devices, lights, and bulbs. The board can deal with three profiles saved to its inner reminiscence.
Michael Crider/Foundry
With a limiteless finances, I’d pair the Okay70 Core with some low-profile DSA keycaps to make it really feel extra gamer-focused. But don’t let that idiot you: With unbelievable typing, a comfortable wrist relaxation (for a small splurge) and a free PBT improve, this board is shockingly good for almost any desk that may match it.
Should you purchase the Corsair Okay70 Core?
For my customary worth judgment, I’ll assume that you just’ve sprung for the $10 wrist relaxation improve, however haven’t been quick sufficient to get the freebie PBT keycaps. At $110 for a primary wired full-sized board with a unbelievable typing expertise, I’d advocate the Okay70 Core over another Corsair design, until you should have fancy adjustable switches or wi-fi.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The Okay70 Pro competes with the Cooler Master CK352, the Razer Balckwidow V4 X, the SteelSeries Apex 5, and the Logitech G512. All however the SteelSeries lack a wrist relaxation, and that keyboard additionally consists of an OLED show for $10 much less. It’s a compelling providing…on paper. But never having seen any true utility from a tiny keyboard-mounted screen, and being unimpressed with the rather more premium magnetic switches on the Apex sequence, I’m nonetheless giving the sting to Corsair.
That mentioned, a $110 keyboard is just finances in relative phrases. If you want a real penny-pincher alternative in a full-sized gaming design, I’d counsel the Redragon K565. There’s additionally the Redragon K596, which provides wi-fi capabilities at a worth nonetheless effectively beneath this board.
Michael Crider/Foundry
With an enormous stride ahead in typing expertise because of {custom} switches and inner foam, the Okay70 Core represents a brand new path for Corsair’s keyboard design. I hope that its dearer and extra advanced boards take a lesson from this success, particularly contemplating the way it was achieved with a comparatively modest price ticket.