Corsair K55 Core RGB Gaming Keyboard Review

How Much Does it Cost?

The Corsair K55 CORE RGB Membrane Wired Gaming Keyboard is available on Amazon right now for just £39.98. That’s not a bad price, considering that the Corsair K60 RGB Pro is their current cheapest full-size mechanical gaming keyboard and costs £75.41. Plus, it’s around £10 cheaper than the similarly equipped SteelSeries Apex 3, but SteelSeries does feature a wrist rest, which explains the higher price. Regardless, Corsair’s is the cheapest big-name brand keyboard of this specification.

Overview

I do like this keyboard, it’s not over-promising anything and its price reflects its modest specifications. Sure, it’s not the premium gaming experience we’ve come to expect from Corsair, but at the same time, a lot of Corsair products are getting pretty expensive these days. They’ve got the premium market well under their wing already, so it’s great to see them tackling the other end of the market with more affordable products, and I hope to see this trend continue.

I like the 10-zone RGB integration, it’s pretty simple, but it’s competent enough to amuse my kids (and my own inner child) with RGB thrills and throw some light around the room. Plus, you can turn it off when you’re trying to work or watch a movie, which is great.

There’s dedicated media control, which is always welcome, so playing and pausing music so you can yell down your microphone, or quickly muting audio when you’re being yelled at is great. I would have liked some next and previous buttons for music too, but it’s hardly a deal breaker at this price.

The build quality is decent, and while it’s a largely plastic design, it still follows the aesthetics we’ve come to expect from other Corsair keyboards and peripherals. The membrane design is a simple thing, but it works well and feels pretty good to type on, and it’s fairly quiet too. Plus, it’s spill-resistant, so when you inevitably knock over your can of drink or cuppa, just give it a shake out and let it dry, and it should be fine.

Should I Buy One?

Do you want to rep the cool brand that is Corsair, but don’t want to spend a lot of money? Well, then this keyboard ticks the right boxes. Plus, if you’re a rage-quitting beast that takes it out on your keyboard, often spills drinks, and just need a keyboard that can take up a bit of punishment without making you mourn the loss of your £200+ K95 Mechanical, then it may be the ideal choice for you, or as a more affordable gaming keyboard for the younger gamers in your house.