Corsair is starting 2024 with a brand new keyboard aimed at gamers looking for performance, but whose wallet is struggling to keep up. We know that gaming gear can quickly cost an arm and a leg as soon as we start talking about materials, features and performance, but some brands have decided otherwise. This is the case here for Corsair with its K55 Core keyboard.
Quiet, durable and functional. These are the promises of this K55 Core, a keyboard which aims to position itself as a must-have for entry-level gaming with a price below the €50 mark. At this price, there must be some concessions, right? After several hours of daily use, both in life and at work, I give you my verdict.
The K55 Core, the entry-level that wants to do things well
Dressed all in black, the K55 Core is not going to shake up the norm and opts for a very classic design. 45 cm long by 14 wide, it is standard, but is satisfied with the minimum. No integrated or provided wrist rest, nor any shortcuts above the F1 to F12 keys. However, we note the presence of a small multimedia panel above the digital keyboard with which we can lock the Windows key on the keyboard (perfect for gamers), manage RGB profiles or even control the sound and the multimedia application (Spotify For example). Simple, no frills.
At the back, the keyboard has two very simple little feet to raise it according to your preferences. However, there is only one possible position. Non-slip pads will provide sufficient grip to prevent the keyboard from twisting at the slightest sudden movement. Note that on the scale, the cushy weighs just 750 grams, so you can easily carry it around everywhere.
The K55 Core lives up to its name since it gets to the point, you can see it at first glance and the situation is very quick in the end. The keyboard is completely wired and offers no wireless functionality and there are no tools or gadgets in the box. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have anything under the hood, on the contrary.
A pleasant typing despite concessions on materials
Already, it can boast of being relatively silent with relatively pleasant typing. However, this is where the K55 Core drops its price the most. No mechanical switches, but a membrane keyboard and rubber domes, necessarily less expensive.
Typing remains perfectly pleasant. The keys, like the plate, are made of ABS and will therefore be more sensitive to abrasion and wear than with PBT. But again, the cost is not the same. Since Corsair does not communicate on the subject on its official website, we will assume that the treatment of the plastic is quite classic, where certain ABS keyboards, such as the Strix Scope II Wireless, do not. do not hesitate to modify their recipe for a better lifespan, but again, the price is clearly not the same. They don’t fight in the same category.
We therefore know what to expect in terms of lifespan. ABS being prone to shine, this will have to be seen over time. All I can say here is that as it stands with many, many hours of intensive use, there is absolutely nothing to report, the K55 Core works perfectly well and there are no signs of weakness. came to tarnish the test. Note also that the keyboard is rather robust and above all that it will resist splashes, or even a small glass of water. I haven’t tested it myself, I prefer to take Corsair’s word for it.
In terms of performance, the keyboard aims to be the perfect companion for gamers. We can easily imagine it pairing with high-performance mice like the M75 Air for example. The keys are extremely responsive and typing is crisp and precise. The deeply positioned switches allow you to move from one key to another with responsiveness in addition to making office use pleasant. Whether for gaming or anything else, know that you can also configure your own shortcuts using the in-house software, iCue.
Good software support despite everything
I’ve said it several times before in various Corsair hardware reviews, but the brand has software that is both malleable and powerful. Like all of the manufacturer’s peripherals, the K55 Core is entitled to several customizable parameters that are perhaps less well provided than usual, but there is plenty to do.
You can remap the keys as you wish by entering shortcuts, but also create profiles in order to be operational whatever the situation. This is also where you can have fun with the RGB LEDs, divided into ten zones, and even sync the lighting with the rest of the Corsair hardware you have.
