The Corsair K70 Core mechanical keyboard is the latest entry in the K70 series which has been going since 2014. This latest model is a more budget to mid-level offering compared to other recent releases like the K70 RGB Pro (with its superior latency and PBT keycaps) and the K70 Max (with its magnetic Corsair MGX switches that have adjustable actuation points) so is more affordable as a result. Let’s see how it measured up compared to the other contenders for best gaming keyboard.

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Pros

Corsair Red Switches feel nice
Good value for money
Nice RGB
Pre-lubed switches
Respectable build quality for a budget board
iCUE software works well

Cons

Double-shot ABS caps limited to North American layout
Non-detachable cable

Design & Features

The Corsair K70 Core is a full-size, 104 key, wired-only (USB-A) keyboard, with a customizable multimedia knob (in the rotary dial style) on the top-right and a programmable button.

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Tech Specs

Form-factor

Full-size

Key-switches

CORSAIR Red

Actuation Force / Travel

45g / 4.0mm

Actuation Point

1.9mm

Dimensions

448 x 135 x 40mm

Weight

0.92Kg

The switches are Corsair’s own-brand Linear Red switches, which have 4mm total travel, a relatively high actuation point (for a mechanical board), and a non-tactile keypress with no bump. This is a non-hotswappable keyboard, so these are the switches you get and no other.

The keycaps are made from ABS, which is double-shot if you buy the North American layout, however all other variants are apparently made with single-shot ABS with a painted finish that increases the texture on them slightly. This obviously might put some people off who want sturdier caps they know will go the distance.

The top-cover of the keyboard which the keys rest on is made from aluminium, however the surrounding edge and base of the keyboard (most of the places your hands will actually touch) is composed of plastic. The whole thing does feel very sturdy and well-made though, like it can take a few knocks. Weight-wise it’s about average for a mechanical board – not very light, nor that heavy, though obviously substantially heavier than most membrane keyboards.

In a slight change from previous models, the two keyboard feet are in a vertical clip out position, compared to the horizontal opening position of the K70 Max and K70 RGB Pro.

The board has full Corsair iCUE Software integration, which can be opened using the programmable button to the right of the pause key, and storage within the keyboard itself for five different user profiles – essentially meaning you don’t have to set them up again each time you attach the K70 Core to a different computer.

The whole keyboard is matte black, in a way that doesn’t pick up smudges and fingerprints thankfully, and generally feels pretty soft to the touch, with no sharp edges.

Along with the board itself you get a magnetically attaching palm rest, which is made of a hard plastic material and has a cross-hatched pattern across it.

Price

At the time of writing, the MSRP of the Corsair K70 Core is £89.99 / €99.99 / $99.99, which is very reasonable for what you get. This places it at the upper end of what we’d just about call the ‘budget’ range for mechanical keyboards, but the features and overall quality the K70 Core brings are above the competition at this price point.

Performance

If you’re into Red/Cherry Red switches then typing on the K70 Core is a solid experience, with enjoyably smooth keystrokes on the pre-lubed switches. The keyboard is designed with a dual-layered shock absorbing internal structure which is supposed to reduce noise from the keystrokes, however it must be said that with the ABS keycaps (present on all models) the keyboard is far from silent, although the sound is certainly more muffled than you might find on other examples and never gets ‘loud’ and clacky. You do get a nice cushioned feel when you type though, while still having a relatively satisfying thock.

The extendable keyboard feet are pretty grippy and we had no problems with them. The attachable wrist rest is quite hard and ideally could be a bit more comfortable, but it’s still worth using and is reasonable for the price.

Legibility on all of the keys is good, and the per-key keyboard backlighting is nice and bright and pleasing to the eye. As with most Corsair products, RGB customization is extensive and there’s a lot you can do with effects and layers within the iCUE software. iCUE is among the better peripheral software out there in our opinion – having a nicely designed interface that’s easy to navigate not cluttered, plus quite detailed customization options.

The Corsair K70 Core is a great mechanical keyboard, and one of the best value boards we’ve reviewed in some time. The Corsair Red switches, smooth keypresses, overall ergonomic design, RGB implementation, and aesthetics are all above what you’d expect at this price point.

Although you don’t get the same build quality as you would from all-metal chassis premium keyboards, nor do the ABS keycaps match up to the quality you’d get with PBS ones, this is the reality of any keyboard you buy at this price, and the quality is actually still pretty good in both areas. A fantastic board.

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