Since 2013, the K70 has been a fairly popular mid-range reference in terms of mechanical keyboard from the catalog of clavier gaming from Corsair. Of course, it has evolved over the years, notably with the integration of in-house creations, for example the MGX and MLX switches. Last year, the manufacturer launched the K70 Corea model intended to be relatively barebones and affordable, taking up the essentials of a much more expensive K70 RGB, minus all the frills. It was also with the K70 Core that the manufacturer began its MLX Redthe third switch designed by Corsair after the OPX and MGX. Mechanical, linear and pre-lubricated, it competes with Cherry’s MX Red on paper, with an actuation force of 45g, an actuation point of 1.9mm, a total travel distance of 4.0mm and a minimum lifespan of 70 million keystrokes.
A few days ago, Corsair launched the K70 Core TKL et K70 Core TKL Wirelesswhich are also equipped with MLX Red v2. In appearance, it is indeed a K70 Core without a numeric keypad, with caps still in ABS, the same multifunction wheel and a button dedicated to iCUE, but they also benefit from their own refinements. For example, cabling is now provided by a detachable USB-C cable. Corsair has also added two new layers of sound-absorbing foam to reduce unwanted noise and pops. One was inserted between the aluminum top plate and the PCB, and another between the PCB and the keyboard case. Then, v2 of the MLX Red switches brings a new structure for more stability and durability increases to 80 million keystrokes. Finally, they benefit from the new SOCD (Simultaneous Opposite Coradinal Directions) technology. FlashTap from Corsair, allowing better management of contradictory directional commands to avoid unwanted simultaneous actions. For example, once activated, depending on the mode chosen, the system will give priority to the first or last key pressed, or none at all.
If K70 Core TKL and K70 Core TKL Wireless are largely identical, the second stands out by being able to operate wirelessly (yes!) and by being delivered with a detachable magnetic memory foam wrist rest. This version of the keyboard uses technology SLIPSTREAM Wireless from Corsair, exploiting the 2.4 GHz frequency band and promising a latency of less than 1 ms and a range of 20 meters, and capable of monitoring and automatically switching to the least congested channel. However, the K70 Core TKL Wirless will also be usable via Bluetooth. In this configuration, the autonomy will be 2400 hours, while it is a maximum of 890 hours in 2.4 GHz. These are certainly the autonomy obtained without RGB, which both keyboards are of course equipped with.
How much does it cost? The manufacturer’s recommended price is €99.90 for the K70 Core TKL and €149.99 for the K70 Core TKL Wireless. As an indication, the K70 Core RGB started at €99.99, but its price has now increased to €79.99 (without wrist rest). The new keyboards are already on the market.
The Corsair K70 series
