Corsair K55 Core review: value for money that’s hard to refuse

Ergonomics

Only wired via a non-detachable USB cable, the Corsair K55 Core is compatible with Windows, macOS and consoles (a dedicated PlayStation mode is also included). It takes the fairly marked but sober shapes of other keyboards from the manufacturer. This gives it a little premium feel despite the all plastic used to offer an inexpensive product. In addition to the presence of the essential keys for a full-size keyboard, we will note that of an FN key to use some rare secondary functionalities.

Combining this key with one of the keyboard numbers allows you to play with the backlight (type, speed, etc.) when the keyboard is in hardware mode (i.e. not connected to a device compatible with the iCUE companion software of Corsair). The absence of secondary screen printing to indicate the action performed and the impossibility of creating your own secondary shortcuts make this FN key unfortunately much less useful than it could have been.

However, while competing products in this price range often skip the multimedia keys, Corsair has managed to slip one into the top right of its keyboard. The volume control is there, and a play/pause button allows you to play along with your music. On the other hand, no next/previous key (nor shortcuts with FN, therefore). Damage. A dedicated button to play with the backlight brightness level is included in this area, alongside a button to lock the Windows key.

This choice to offer multimedia keys comes at a price, however: there is no wrist rest. However, Corsair stands out elsewhere, namely in the area of ​​backlighting. A bit like the Roccat Magma for example, although a little less marked, the backlighting gives the impression that the keys are floating on a carpet of colors. The result flatters the retina without forgetting to illuminate effectively under the screen printing of the caps to mix business with pleasure.

Especially since it is almost fully customizable in software, whereas in this price range, you often have to make do with presets for the entire keyboard or a handful of areas to personalize. Here the keys are grouped into ten zones, offering a certain flexibility.

As for other little appreciated bonuses, let’s also note that the K55 Core is splash resistant and offers feet on its back (at a single level) to adjust its angle. The skates offered help to limit the sliding of the keyboard a little and, more generally, Corsair’s solid finish is found in this entry-level product. It remains to be seen in the long term the lifespan of the plastics selected.

Struck

Unsurprisingly less marked than with a mechanical keyboard, the K55 Core’s typing remains excellent. Its membrane system is convincing and allows you to write and play in silence while avoiding offering something too soft or giving the impression of a solution cheap. The whole thing is sufficiently responsive for ordinary users, while the caps accommodate the fingers properly.

The keyboard can save a backlight profile in its on-board memory: practical for finding its configuration on the go without having to install and configure iCUE. However, the latter is a real argument for the K55 Core and backlight enthusiasts.

Certainly, many fewer options are offered there than on a premium keyboard. But the software is now practical and easy to use to have fun with the backlighting, change the function of the keys or even check the performance of your system.

Conclusion

Global mark

How does the rating work?

It’s hard to do better than this K55 Core in this price range. Corsair’s proposal is very serious and proves that membranes still have a game to play against mechanics. The core of the product, namely its finish and typing quality, is excellent, while the backlighting is beautiful and practical. Only music aficionados would find fault with the multimedia keys, while we would have liked to do more things with the FN key.