Corsair K55 + Harpoon Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Review

A Closer Look and Performance

The keyboard may not be anything too crazy, but for a more affordable model, I think Corsair did a great job. It’s hardly lacking in extra features for this price range either and comes with an expanded layout that’s sure to appeal to a lot of users.

Down the left side, you’ll find six programmable macro keys. You can use these for gaming, and they’re especially great for MMO games. However, they’re great for productivity too. I have mine set up as copy, cut, paste, enter, and a few photoshop actions.

The keycaps are nice enough, with a clear font and UV coated keycaps. They are removable too, which will make cleaning the keyboard nice and easy. Remember though; this isn’t a mechanical keyboard, it is a membrane which is understandable at this price range. However, it uses a plunger design to give it a comparable motion to mechanical rather than soft rubber dome mounts.

Obviously, it’s a full-size keyboard so it has a number pad. In fact, with the macro keys on the left, it’s a little wider than some keyboards, but not overly so.

Multimedia Controls

What does make me happy, is the inclusion of all these additional switches up on the top right. There’s a macro record button on the left, making configuration of the keyboard a breeze. You also have lighting master control, and a Windows Key lock too.

Like Corsair’s high-end keyboards, you also get some handy multimedia controls here. No volume wheel though, but you do get the volume up and down buttons instead which is good.

On the underside, there are rubber grips, plus a pair of kickstands. Nothing fancy, but again, it’s covering all the basics nicely.

Wrist Rest

Finally, we have the included wrist rest, which simply clips into place. I can’t use a keyboard without one, so a big thumbs up to Corsair for including one here.

It’s a hard plastic wrist rest, but it does have a softer texture on the top section. Overall, I think it completes this keyboard. I highly recommend that you use it; your wrists will thank you.

Harpoon

The gaming mouse is neat and tidy, and the perfect compliment to the keyboard. I mean, we all need one, so selling them together makes perfect sense. It has a fantastic swooping shape to it, which allows it to work well in both palm rest and fingertip grip styles.

Down the left side, the mouse is scooped out, giving you a comfortable thumb resting position. It also has a bit of grip on the side, which allows you to really get a hold of the mouse; handy for lift-off techniques.

Down the right side, another textured grip surface. You can see just how curvy the top of the mouse is too, which helps it fit your palm with ease. It is a smaller mouse, so with my large hands and long fingers, I do feel more comfortable using a fingertip grip with this mouse.

It’s tuned for right-handed users and slopes off to the right. This means your wrist isn’t going to be completely flat and will be a lot more comfortable to use. The mouse splits in the middle, giving it loads of room for the bigger scroll wheel design. The layout is pretty stock, with two buttons on the side, two on the top. However, you also get the clickable scroll wheel and a profile/DPI toggle button behind that.

There are four small slipmats, which don’t look like enough. However, the mouse is small are pretty light, so it still glides with ease even with small slipmats. Located in the middle, you’ll find the 6000 DPI optical sensor.

Gaming and Beyond

With everything powered up, the keyboard and mouse come to life with a gorgeous array of RGB lighting. It’s not per-key lighting but is built into multiple zones under the keys. Overall, the effect works well and colour flow effects have a smooth transition and vibrant colours too.

Even in a bright room, I think it lights up rather nicely. Of course, you can customise the colour with ease or just cycle through the available effects.

The keyboard and mouse combo may be on the more affordable end of the scale. However, they’re an absolute joy to use. The mouse has a pretty tight sensor for this price range and has a smooth action thanks to its optical sensor.

I’m most impressed with the keyboard though, as it’s one of the nicest membrane keyboards I’ve used in years. The last being the Corsair K30 which I still use in my spare office!

So what if it’s not mechanical, because it’s good enough for gaming and work. The keys are fast, light and responsive and regardless of the switch tech inside, that’s all anyone wants.

The lighting is fantastic, and the addition of multimedia controls make it perfect for listening to music while working or gaming too.

Plus the addition of the wrist rest makes it comfortable for long hours at your desk. Not that you asked, but yes, these next two pictures were awkward to take.

Overall, I really can’t find fault with either. Both may be more affordable, but they’re packing all the right features for both work and gaming.