At a look

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• Fantastic lubed switches
• Interior foam
• Wrist relaxation for $10 improve

Cons

• Fixed USB cable
• Software could possibly be extra easy
• Few media keys

Our Verdict

The K70 Core isn’t simply an enormous enchancment over Corsair’s extra fundamental keyboard designs. Thanks to lubed switches and inner foam, it has one of the best typing expertise of any Corsair keyboard, at a aggressive value.

Price When Reviewed

$109.99

Best Prices Today: Corsair K70 Core keyboard

$99.99

$109.99

Despite the brand new “Core” moniker, the K70 Core just isn’t Corsair’s least expensive gaming keyboard. It is the most cost effective of the K70 line…which is obtainable in a wide range of sizes and options. So frankly, the branding is a little bit of a joke. But right here’s the punchline: The K70 Pro is well my favourite K70 keyboard, and perhaps my favourite Corsair board general.

Why? It’s all in regards to the switches. While some previous Corsair boards felt distinctly “pingy,” and costlier ones go for magnetic switches with questionable utility, the K70 Core makes use of Corsair’s new self-branded MLX switches. These are {smooth} and “thocky” due to being pre-lubed from the manufacturing facility. Combined with two layers of inner foam, the K70 Core simply feels lots higher than every other 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 find out about competing fashions.

It’s all in regards to the switches

Before we go any additional I ought to level out that the precise value of the K70 Core is a little bit nebulous. Without the magnetic palm relaxation seen in these evaluation pictures, and with fundamental 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 straight from their on-line retailer, in a alternative of black, white, blue, or inexperienced. That’s a $30 freebie — not unhealthy in any respect.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Even at $140 for all of the components included on this evaluation, the K70 Core remains to be the most cost effective within the K70 line by retail value. 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 toes — just about the one nook lower is the USB cable, which is fastened 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 fundamental 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 understand what? That’s wonderful. The K70 Core isn’t attempting to be something greater than what it’s. And what it’s is an incredibly good keyboard to sort and sport on.

Typing and gaming

It’s onerous to place into phrases precisely why the K70 Core feels so significantly better than different gaming boards typically, and different Corsair boards specifically. 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 facility. 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 just like Razer’s newest in high quality. But crucially, each of these keyboards are far costlier than this one. And whereas they’re additionally way 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 value.

I’d nearly suggest the K70 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 hundreds 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 manner that the majority avid gamers will truly benefit from.

But after all it’ll work wonderful for gaming too, with normal N-key rollover and a 1,000Hz polling fee that’s quicker than most people’ reflexes. I additionally dig the barrel-shaped dial, which is straightforward to succeed in and press for a mute button than the horizontal dials which might be turning into extra frequent.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Corsair’s iCue software program is ok, higher than some, inferior to others. It takes a little bit longer to seek out your toes 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 flexibility 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 K70 Core with some low-profile DSA keycaps to make it really feel extra gamer-focused. But don’t let that idiot you: With implausible typing, a snug wrist relaxation (for a small splurge) and a free PBT improve, this board is shockingly good for nearly any desk that may match it.

Should you purchase the Corsair K70 Core?

For my customary worth judgment, I’ll assume that you simply’ve sprung for the $10 wrist relaxation improve, however haven’t been quick sufficient to get the freebie PBT keycaps. At $110 for a fundamental wired full-sized board with a implausible typing expertise, I’d suggest the K70 Core over every other Corsair design, until it’s essential to have fancy adjustable switches or wi-fi.

Michael Crider/Foundry

The K70 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 contains 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 way more premium magnetic switches on the Apex collection, I’m nonetheless giving the sting to Corsair.

That stated, a $110 keyboard is barely 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 value nonetheless nicely under this board.

Michael Crider/Foundry

With an enormous stride ahead in typing expertise due to {custom} switches and inner foam, the K70 Core represents a brand new course for Corsair’s keyboard design. I hope that its costlier and extra complicated boards take a lesson from this success, particularly contemplating the way it was achieved with a comparatively modest price ticket.