The Corsair K55 Core Keyboard surprised me. Corsair has carved out a well-earned reputation in the gaming peripherals market for quality products that balance performance with affordability. Their latest keyboard, the K55 RGB Core, admirably fits that mould. Priced at an easy-to-swallow $39.99, it manages to pack in a surprising amount of features for the cost.
Unboxing the Corsair K55 Core goes as one would expect, especially for a budget keyboard. Once you open the box, you are greeted by the keyboard, packaging to keep things safe, a simple leaflet about the keyboard and warranty, and that is about it. It is a very bare-bones package, and for a keyboard at this price point, that all makes sense. It is also relatively light, weighing in at only 752 grams.
The K55 delivers a solid typing experience at its core thanks to its quiet, responsive membrane switches. Key presses feel snappy with a medium key travel depth that achieves a nice balance between speed and comfort that should suit most users. The full-size layout retains the numpad for those who need it, and while there is no wrist rest included, it manages to be comfortable to type on with feet that allow basic adjustments.
Of course, as this is 2024, and RGB lighting on gaming gear is mandated (I am kidding, don’t worry), the K55 brings vibrant, customizable colour to the table with its 10-zone backlighting. Zones span the entirety of the keyboard and can be programmed with different colours and effects through Corsair’s user-friendly iCUE software. Whether you want a rainbow wave effect or custom colour assignments for different keys, the creative possibilities are nearly endless, provided you have the time and will to play around with the software.
“Considering its budget-friendly price, the Corsair K55 Core RGB keyboard punches well above its weight class.”
Something I did not expect from a keyboard at this price was dedicated media keys for volume control and playback, plus additional keys to lock Windows and adjust brightness on the fly. The bright RGB lighting makes these keys easy to locate even in dim environments. Everything works as advertised, with the K55 Core giving everything an average user could need to interact with their PC. If that were not enough, the keyboard also offers 12-key selective rollover with 1,000Hz polling, ensuring the keyboard can actually keep up with your commands even with intensive gaming sessions.
For anyone who is clumsy or just has kids, Integrated spill resistance up to 300ml gives some added peace of mind when the occasional beverage mishap happens. This does not mean you can wash this peripheral like some keyboards we have seen in the past, but it does mean if you accidentally spill coffee or juice on your keyboard, you do not need to worry. It doesn’t need to be tossed in the garbage.
Connectivity comes through a 6ft tangle-free rubber USB cable, long enough to reach even distant ports on a desktop tower. iCUE software unlocks advanced programming of RGB backlighting and colour zone settings. Even better, it allows the K55 to synchronize both colours and effects with other Corsair RGB gear for a unified lighting experience across an entire desktop setup.
Families or people sharing a room at university wanting to avoid annoying their housemates will appreciate the tactile but quiet membrane switches. The responsive keys still feel great for gaming while keeping noise levels low for late-night gaming sessions. The key travel is enough to give noticeable feedback, even if it does not have the satisfying click of a mechanical switch.
With the K55 Core being a budget option, some sacrifices have understandably been made. The lack of true mechanical switches means competitive esports gamers are still better served by a more premium keyboard. And there are no dedicated macro keys for programming complex game commands. Also, for the mechanical key purists, even though it is good for a membrane keyboard, the K55 Core still feels much mushier than even the most basic switch-based offering.
But for the mainstream gamer who plays more for fun than competition, the K55 Core RGB hits all the right notes. Its smart, understated design looks great on any desktop while giving just the right level of RGB to stand out among the competition. The tactile membrane keys respond quickly during action-packed gaming sessions.
Considering its budget-friendly price, the Corsair K55 Core RGB keyboard punches well above its weight class. Mainstream gamers get customizable RGB flair and a responsive typing experience without breaking the bank. If you game more for fun than competition, it’s easy to highly recommend as a gateway into the Corsair ecosystem.
