Corsair K100 AIR Wireless Review: High-Performance Gaming with Style
Balancing style and performance, the Corsair K100 Air Wireless offers a unique gaming experience. With exceptional build quality, low-profile design, RGB backlighting, and Cherry MX switches, it's designed to impress and perform.
Today, we are focusing on Corsair's latest offering, the K100 AIR. This state-of-the-art keyboard is making waves in the gaming community for its advanced features and ultra-thin design. Corsair, a renowned name in the gaming peripherals industry, is known for delivering products that enhance the gaming experience, and this keyboard is no exception.
In this review, we'll explore the various aspects of the K100 AIR, including its design, build quality, connectivity, programming, and typing experience. We will also take into account the experiences of those who've used the keyboard extensively, to provide you with an authentic, comprehensive review.
So, whether you're a professional gamer, a tech enthusiast, or simply looking to upgrade your setup, this review will provide you with all the information you need. Are you ready to dive in? Let's get started!
The Corsair K100 Air Wireless is designed for enthusiast gamers who value style, performance, and the flexibility of wireless. Its svelte, low-profile design and advanced features make it appealing to professionals who spend many hours typing and seek a comfortable and aesthetic device. The compatibility with consoles and multipoint functionality also attracts console gamers.
- Strong build quality with brushed aluminum top plate
- Compatibility with multiple devices, including PC, Mac, and consoles
- Offers versatile wireless connectivity options
- Thin, low-profile design with an aesthetic appeal
- Low latency, making it suitable for all gaming genres
- Slightly greyish tone in white-only backlighting
- Potential for switch damage when removing keycaps
- ABS-like plastic keycaps feel lower in quality compared to the rest of the board
- Keyboard may not be suitable for on-the-go use due to size and weight
- Learning curve in using keycaps, leading to occasional typos
The Corsair K100 Air Wireless is a high-quality gaming keyboard that offers a range of features, including multi-device compatibility, robust wireless connectivity, and a low-profile design. It also delivers exceptional performance, thanks to its Cherry MX switches and low latency. However, the keyboard might not be suitable for those frequently on-the-go due to its size, and some users might need time to adjust to its keycaps. If you value performance, aesthetics, and the flexibility of wireless, and do not mind investing time to customize and adapt, then the Corsair K100 Air Wireless would be a worthwhile investment.
Test Results
Design
The design of the Corsair K100 AIR is an amalgamation of aesthetics, functionality, and innovation. Its dimensions make it unique, but its build quality, ergonomics, and lighting features make it stand out. Let's dive deeper into the product's design aspects.
The Corsair K100 Air Wireless boasts an ultra-thin design, making it a distinctive choice in the market. However, despite its sleek design, it remains robust, offering an admirable balance between portability and stability. A potential trade-off might be its larger size and weight, making it somewhat inconvenient for on-the-go usage.
The build quality of the Corsair K100 AIR is exceptional, highlighted by its durable brushed aluminum top plate and solid plastic bottom. This keyboard stands firm with little to no flex when pressure is applied, contributing to an overall sense of quality. On the downside, the keycaps, although stable, feel lower in quality compared to the rest of the board, and there's a warning against removing them due to the complex butterfly switch mechanism underneath.
With its ultra-low-profile Cherry MX key switches, the K100 AIR promotes a comfortable typing experience, even without a wrist rest. Its two-stage tilt feet add to its ergonomic appeal, offering adjustable typing angles. However, longer nails may accidentally activate the wrong keys, and the lack of sculpting between rows may lead to occasional typos.
The K100 AIR comes with a full RGB backlighting feature, with individually-lit keys that enhance visibility in dark environments. The keyboard offers per-key lighting customization up to 20 layers deep with lighting effects. However, the white-only backlighting has a slightly cold, greyish tone, and the overall brightness is not as high as the full-size K100.
The Corsair K100 AIR shows its versatility through its myriad connectivity options. It supports connections to three devices via Bluetooth, one device via wireless dongle, and offers compatibility with Corsair's Slipstream 2.4GHz wireless tech. However, while it's compatible with major operating systems and gaming consoles, some keys may not function as expected on certain platforms, and there are no additional ports for headsets.
The K100 AIR packs in several extra features, including a digital screen for various statuses, programmable macros, full key (NKRO) and anti-ghosting, as well as the ability to support maximum polling rates above 1000Hz. On top of that, it has 8MB onboard storage that can save up to 50 separate profiles of keymaps and effects. However, potential users should note that while it offers a remarkable 200-hour battery life with the RGB turned off, its battery life drops to 50 hours with RGB enabled.
Typing Experience
It's no secret that a gaming keyboard's typing experience can make or break it. The Corsair K100 AIR excels in this regard, boasting exclusive Cherry MX key switches that offer tactile, responsive feedback. The typing quality, noise, and latency are equally important aspects that we'll explore in this section.
The K100 AIR uses exclusive Cherry MX ultra low-profile tactile switches, giving a satisfyingly tactile experience. With an actuation point at 0.8mm, full travel distance of 1.8mm, and requiring 65g of force, these switches offer a similar feel to laptop keyboards but with more travel and better tactile feedback. However, this design might require a learning curve as it needs more force to actuate keys than traditional full-sized counterparts.
The typing experience on the K100 AIR is greatly satisfying, especially after an initial break-in period. The ultra-low profile of the keyboard enhances the quality of typing, and users can enjoy a very smooth and immediate-feeling actuation once they overcome the initial tactile bump. Yet, the keyboard comes with a learning curve due to its low height and lack of sculpting between rows, which may cause some typos initially. Over time, however, typing speed and fluidity tend to improve significantly.
The K100 AIR generates noise levels that fall somewhere between a mechanical keyboard and a laptop keyboard. The keyboard is quieter than most mechanical keyboards, yet louder than most laptop keyboards. This makes it a good compromise for users looking for the tactile experience of a mechanical keyboard without the noise usually associated with such models.
The K100 AIR excels in terms of latency, with an exceptionally low rate that makes it suitable for all gaming genres. When wired, the keyboard offers an impressive polling rate of up to 8,000Hz. In wireless mode, it can still reach speeds of up to 2,000Hz, thanks to Corsair's Slipstream 2.4GHz tech. This makes it extremely fast and responsive, providing an immediate response in both typing and gaming scenarios.
Software
A good gaming keyboard is one that allows for customization and flexibility. With the Corsair K100 AIR, you get just that. Its programming capabilities and compatibility with various operating systems and gaming consoles help it fit seamlessly into your gaming ecosystem.
The programming capability is a crucial aspect of any gaming keyboard. With this feature, users can customize keys to perform specific actions or to create shortcuts. The K100 Air offers extensive programming options. Notably, there are four dedicated macro keys above the Numpad for added convenience.
This keyboard also offers custom lighting effects. Impressively, users can create up to 20 Photoshop-like layers for the perfect gaming ambiance. This high level of customization enables users to create a gaming setup that aligns with their unique preferences. However, it may require some time and technical knowledge to fully utilize these programming features.
The keyboard's compatibility is another crucial factor to consider. The K100 Air is versatile in terms of compatibility. It can connect to multiple devices and was also compatible with Corsair's ecosystem. Notably, it worked well with all major Operating Systems, making it a suitable choice for different user platforms.
However, there were some minor compatibility issues with macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Some keys did not function as expected on these platforms. The keyboard was also compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox, which could be a plus for gamers who play across different platforms.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews provide valuable insights into user satisfaction and dissatisfaction. This chapter presents the benefits and complaints as raised by customers who bought and used the product.
Benefits
The majority of reviewers laud the product for several key benefits. The tactile feedback from the Cherry MX switches in the keyboard, for instance, appears to be a favorite among customers. They appreciate the more satisfying feel this provides when typing. Backlit keys enhance visibility, allowing users to easily spot keys at a glance, which is beneficial in varied lighting conditions. Several customers also found the new OPX optical switches in the K100 to offer improved tactile feedback compared to previous models.
Customers also appreciate the keyboard's responsiveness. They find it well calibrated - responsive to intentional keystrokes yet forgiving of accidental brushes. Many also pointed out the keyboard's solid feel and stiffness, courtesy of its aluminum case. These elements enhance the overall user experience and leave a positive impression.
The convenience of being able to move the keyboard around due to its wireless feature was also noted. Users appreciate the additional mousing room it provides. The K100 Air's rechargeability via USB-C and its helpful battery level indicators also garnered praise.
Complaints
However, some complaints emerged from the reviews. A recurring concern was the keyboard's price. Some users felt that the cost was a bit too steep, even with the keyboard's quality and features. Several customers also noticed that the software can be a bit confusing for users not well versed in the technicalities of such programs. The iCue control wheel's quality was questioned by a few customers who found it flimsy for a product in this price range.
Other concerns include issues when the keyboard switches to sleep mode, the noise level of the keys, and the unavailability of on-board battery replacement. Some users also pointed out that the keyboard takes a few seconds to wake up, causing discomfort when typing on a black keyboard. The keys were found to be slightly louder than some competitors, and the inability to replace the battery could potentially limit the keyboard's lifespan.
Customer Conclusion
In conclusion, customers acknowledge the value offered by the K100 series keyboards but also express some reservations. They appreciate the quality of the hardware and its features but also express some disappointment with the associated cost and certain functionality aspects.
Customer Questions/Answers
Does the color on the keycaps fade with use?
I've been using this since its launch for several hours daily, including gaming. The keycaps still look as good as new.
Will the keyboard function properly with a USB 3.0 extender and what speed should I expect?
While the keyboard should work with an extender, direct connection to your computer is recommended. The speed will depend on the extender you use.
Are the secondary keys like special characters fully illuminated?
The numbers are brightly lit. The secondary symbols are faintly lit but are still visible in the dark.
Can the K100's polling rate be adjusted?
Yes, you can switch between polling rates of 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000Hz.
Is the keyboard edge sharp, and if so, what can I use to cover it?
The edges of my keyboard are not sharp. Your experience may vary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Corsair K100 AIR is a fantastic piece of gaming technology. Its brushed aluminum design screams quality, while the ultra-thin profile adds a sleek and modern touch to your gaming setup.
There is a lot to appreciate about this keyboard, particularly the per-key RGB backlighting, capable of enhancing your gaming atmosphere and the durable, sturdy build quality. However, it is important to handle the keycaps with care to avoid any potential switch damage.
The wireless connectivity options make it versatile and ready for various gaming environments. Plus, with support for Corsair's ecosystem and compatibility with major operating systems, it offers a wide range of use cases.
The unique Cherry MX key switches make typing an absolute pleasure. But do note, there might be an initial learning curve due to the keyboard's low-profile design. Once you're accustomed to it, you'll find the keyboard efficient and responsive, with negligible latency.
Overall, the Corsair K100 AIR is a high-quality keyboard designed to improve your gaming performance while ensuring comfort during prolonged use. While it does come with a few minor quirks, its performance and features make it a worthy investment for any gaming enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of switches does the Corsair K100 Air Wireless use?
The Corsair K100 Air Wireless utilizes Cherry's Ultra Low Profile Tactile switches. These switches offer almost 2mm of travel. They actuate at 0.8mm and require 65 grams of actuation force. This provides a unique typing experience, similar to a good-quality laptop keyboard but with more travel and better tactile feedback.
What is the battery life of the Corsair K100 Air Wireless?
The Corsair K100 Air Wireless Keyboard offers up to 50 hours of battery life with RGB backlighting enabled. When the backlighting is turned off, the battery life can increase to a remarkable 200 hours.
What type of software does the Corsair K100 Air Wireless use for customization?
The Corsair K100 Air Wireless Keyboard uses Corsair's iCUE software for programming and customization. This software allows for customization of lighting effects, key remapping, and macro assignments. It supports changing between preset lighting effects.
What is similar to the K100 Air?
Several keyboards share similar features to the K100 Air. Some options include the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, which also offers full RGB lighting and uses Cherry MX switches, and the Logitech G915, another low-profile wireless keyboard with RGB lighting and dedicated media controls. However, each keyboard will have its unique aspects, so it's best to compare them based on your specific requirements.
Is the Corsair K95 or the K100 better?
Whether the Corsair K95 or the K100 is better can depend on your specific needs. Both keyboards offer impressive features, including full RGB lighting and Cherry MX switches. However, the K100 has some features, like 8000Hz polling and multiple wireless connectivity options, that the K95 does not. On the other hand, the K95 may offer better value for users who don't need the ultra-high-speed performance of the K100. It's best to compare the two based on your individual preferences and requirements.
How is the typing experience on the Corsair K100 Air Wireless?
The typing experience on the Corsair K100 Air Wireless is similar to that of a high-quality laptop keyboard, offering a satisfying tactile break at the beginning of each keypress. The Cherry’s Ultra Low Profile Tactile switches provide a comfortable and smooth typing experience. However, there might be a slight learning curve due to the low height and lack of sculpting between rows, but speed and fluidity generally increase after an adaptation period.
Can the Corsair K100 Air Wireless connect to multiple devices?
Yes, the Corsair K100 Air Wireless offers versatile connectivity options. It can connect to up to three devices via Bluetooth, one device via a wireless dongle, and supports Corsair's Slipstream 2.4GHz wireless tech for additional connections. It's also compatible with PlayStation 5, Xbox, and major operating systems like Windows and macOS.
What makes the Corsair K100 Air Wireless stand out?
The Corsair K100 Air Wireless stands out for its unique combination of style and functionality. Its brushed aluminum top plate and a plastic bottom give it a sleek look and durable build, while features like full RGB backlighting, multi-device connectivity, programmable macros, and Cherry MX switches provide excellent usability. Additionally, its thin, low-profile design sets it apart from most gaming keyboards, and its high polling rates make it exceptionally fast and responsive.