Corsair K65 LUX Review: Compact Powerhouse in the Gaming Keyboard Arena
The Corsair K65 LUX makes its mark in the gaming mechanical keyboard market with its striking RGB LED lighting, customizable keys, and sturdy build. But is it worth your investment? Dive into our detailed review to make an informed decision.
Welcome to this comprehensive review of the Corsair K65 LUX keyboard! The Corsair K65 LUX caught my eye for several reasons. As an upgrade of the highly praised Corsair K65, this model promised some tantalizing features. From RGB backlighting to its durable build, the K65 LUX claims to be a gamer's best ally. But does it live up to its hype? That's what we'll uncover in this review.
This review will guide you through my personal tests and observations, followed by a summary of feedback from other users. By the end of this article, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of whether the Corsair K65 LUX is the right fit for you. So sit tight, and let's embark on this journey together!
The Corsair K65 LUX is clearly targeted at gamers, particularly those looking for a mechanical keyboard with a full RGB backlighting system and a sturdy build. The additional physical buttons and the tenkeyless design make it suitable for gamers who appreciate compact, highly customizable keyboards. The extended footprint to accommodate these additional keys indicates its niche appeal.
- Full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, customizable via iCUE software
- Sturdy build quality, with a brushed aluminum keyboard deck
- Compact, tenkeyless design with extra physical buttons
- Quiet operation due to linear motion of Cherry MX Red RGB switches
- 1ms polling rate and n-key rollover, promising excellent performance
- Compatibility with macOS and Linux is limited
- Keycap construction isn't perfect - letter plastic is not flush with key tops
- CUE software uses more resources than similar control software
- Cable retains kinks from packaging, which may bother some users
- High pre-travel distance might feel less responsive for gaming
If you're a gamer seeking a compact, highly customizable mechanical keyboard with a sturdy build and full RGB backlighting, the Corsair K65 LUX could be an excellent choice. Although it has some minor flaws, such as imperfect keycap construction and high pre-travel distance, its overall performance, build quality, and additional features outweigh these drawbacks.
Test Results
Design
The Corsair K65 LUX makes its mark with a well thought-out design that targets gamers, while also making allowances for general users. This section will examine its dimensions, build quality, ergonomics, backlighting, connectivity, and extra features.
The Corsair K65 LUX occupies a slightly larger footprint than typical tenkeyless keyboards, extending about an inch to accommodate additional physical buttons. It's still compact, though, coming in slightly smaller than the Corsair K63 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard. This trade-off between size and functionality may be a boon to gamers looking for extra controls within reach.
The K65 LUX shines in terms of build quality with a robust plastic base and a brushed aluminum top plate that feels solid and doesn't flex. However, it's not without minor drawbacks. The sharp edges might be off-putting to some users, and the ABS plastic keycaps, despite having a smooth finish, might feel a bit cheap. Also, the transparent plastic of letters on the keycaps isn't perfectly flush with key tops, which might distract some users.
Ergonomics have been thoughtfully addressed in the K65 LUX. The keyboard includes a wrist rest made of soft plastic that aids in reducing fatigue. The incline feet open to the sides to prevent accidental retraction when pushing the keyboard forward. This setup might help with long gaming or typing sessions. Additionally, it offers ease of access to functions like brightness, volume control, and gaming mode lock through extra physical buttons.
The K65 LUX boasts full RGB backlighting, with individually-lit keys customizable via iCUE software. The keyboard's keys glow uniformly, courtesy of its RGB LED lighting system, and brightness can be controlled directly from the keyboard. This backlighting feature, coupled with the keys' large, bold lettering, greatly enhances visibility.
This keyboard leans on wired connectivity, using a thick, permanently attached, braided USB cable. This cable may retain some kinks from packaging but serves its purpose well, covering both the keyboard's USB connection and a second USB connection for a pass-through port. However, its design limits its use with mobile devices.
Extra features are one area where the K65 LUX truly excels. The keyboard comes with additional angled and textured keycaps suited for MOBA and FPS players, along with a keycap removal tool. Volume control and mute buttons are dedicated, with other media keys serving as hotkeys. The keyboard also features a Windows Key lock button to prevent accidental game minimization, a valuable asset during intensive gaming sessions. Lastly, it includes a USB passthrough and a switch for adjusting the polling rate and BIOS compatibility.
Typing Experience
A keyboard's ultimate test lies in the typing experience it provides. This part of the review will focus on the keystrokes, typing quality, noise, and latency of the Corsair K65 LUX keyboard.
Equipped with Cherry MX Red switches, the Corsair K65 LUX requires some force to actuate. This high pre-travel distance can enhance typing accuracy but might feel less responsive for gaming. The switches offer no tactile feedback, making it tricky to know when a keypress is registered. Notably, these are the special Cherry MX Red RGB switches, exclusive to Corsair, that come with a clear plastic base, permitting under-switch RGB LED placement.
Typing on the K65 LUX is a high-quality experience, though there are a few distractions. The ABS plastic keycaps are smooth but a bit slippery, and key placement is more spaced out than standard, which might cause fatigue due to more finger extension. Fortunately, the wrist rest helps reduce fatigue. A minor distraction is the transparent plastic of letters on the keycaps not being perfectly flush with the key tops.
Typing noise is impressively low, thanks to the linear motion of the Cherry MX Red RGB switches. The quiet operation makes this keyboard suitable for use in an open office environment or at night when silence is crucial.
Although the high pre-travel distance of the keys may not feel ideal for gaming due to perceived lower responsiveness, the K65 LUX impressively offers a 1ms polling rate and n-key rollover. This setup ensures excellent performance and responsiveness, meeting the needs of most gamers.
Software
Software plays an integral role in maximizing a keyboard's potential, especially in the realm of gaming. We'll explore how programming and compatibility factor into the overall user experience of the Corsair K65 LUX.
The Corsair K65 LUX offers a robust programming setup, allowing detailed action and macro creation for use in games. This feature enables complex customization and key remapping, thereby enhancing the user's gaming experience. Through the iCUE software, you can assign macros to any key, tailoring the keyboard to meet your specific gaming needs. Additionally, the option to download user-created profiles from an online library offers more customization possibilities.
Compatibility-wise, the keyboard fully supports Windows, but the performance is limited with macOS and Linux. While all keys work with the latter two systems, you can't customize settings on Linux due to software incompatibility. The keyboard also includes a BIOS mode for compatibility with older legacy PC BIOS systems. However, note that some advanced functions, such as n-key rollover, won't work in this mode. The included CUE software is stable but uses more resources than similar control software.
Customer Reviews
Through the eyes of the customer, the story of a product unfolds. The experience shared by previous users of the Corsair K65 LUX RGB keyboard provide real-world insight into the practical use and efficiency of the product. The mixed bag of positive and negative feedback help us form a balanced perspective.
Benefits
Customers who have had a positive experience with the keyboard laud its high build quality, ergonomic design, and features. One customer noted the solid feel and enjoyable experience with Cherry MX Red keys, which were not too loud for a shared living environment. The tactile nature of the keys is appreciated, despite their ease of press. The LUX model was found to be superior to others with its more ergonomic keycaps and sturdy aluminum body.
Apart from functionality, customers also praised the aesthetic qualities of the keyboard. They found it visually appealing, with one user saying, It looks great, feels great & works great. The striking RGB lighting and compact form factor were additional points of attraction.
Complaints
Despite the praises, some complaints have been raised by users. Sharp edges of the keyboard posed discomfort to one user. An inconsistency was observed in LED behavior, where lights would stay on even with the computer turned off, causing minor annoyance. The wrist rest, while appreciated in design, was found to be too slick and uncomfortable by another customer. A rare hardware issue concerning the RGB LEDs was reported, though quickly resolved by Corsair support.
Customer Conclusion
Looking at customer reviews, the Corsair K65 LUX RGB keyboard generally receives positive feedback for its performance, build quality, and features. However, a few design elements and minor technical issues have caused occasional discomfort to users. Most users would recommend the keyboard, seeing it as a valuable investment for both gamers and enthusiasts alike. One user concluded, This is the best keyboard around, considering the price.
Customer Questions/Answers
Does the keyboard include extra fps and moba keycaps?
No, the keyboard does not come with extra fps and moba keycaps.
What type of switches does this keyboard use?
The keyboard uses Cherry MX Red switches.
Does the keyboard come with WASD or MOAB grip keys?
No, the keyboard does not include WASD or MOAB grip keys.
Conclusion
As we draw this review to a close, let's recap what we've learned about the Corsair K65 LUX keyboard. Our journey took us through its design, build quality, lighting, and even the typing experience it offers.
The K65 LUX delivers on its promises with full RGB backlighting, sturdy construction, and high compatibility with Windows systems. It makes a strong case for itself as a reliable gaming keyboard with its Cherry MX Red switches and additional physical buttons. The iCUE software, while a tad complex for beginners, offers incredible customization for gamers and typists alike.
However, it's not without its drawbacks. The plastic keycaps, while smooth, feel somewhat cheap. Linux users may find the software limitations disappointing, and the high pre-travel distance on the switches may feel less responsive for some gamers.
Still, with its robust build and excellent features, the Corsair K65 LUX is worth considering. While it might not be perfect, it brings a lot to the table for those looking for a reliable and highly customizable keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Corsair K65 Lux RGB any good?
Yes, the Corsair K65 Lux RGB is a solid choice for a gaming keyboard. Its full RGB backlighting, robust build quality, and Cherry MX Red RGB switches provide a quality typing and gaming experience. It also offers extensive customization options via the iCUE software. However, some users have noted that the pre-travel distance is a bit high, which might feel less responsive for gaming.
What is the difference between K65 Lux and K70?
The primary difference between the Corsair K65 Lux and the K70 lies in their design and size. The K65 Lux is a tenkeyless keyboard, meaning it does not have a number pad, making it more compact. On the other hand, the K70 is a full-sized keyboard with a number pad. Both keyboards use Cherry MX Red switches, offer customizable RGB backlighting, and allow extensive customization via the iCUE software.
Is the Corsair K65 Lux RGB compatible with macOS and Linux?
The Corsair K65 Lux RGB is fully compatible with Windows, but it has limited compatibility with macOS and Linux. Although all keys work with macOS and Linux, you can't customize settings on Linux due to software incompatibility.
What type of switches does the Corsair K65 Lux RGB use?
The Corsair K65 Lux RGB uses Cherry MX Red RGB switches. These switches require some force to actuate and have a high pre-travel distance. They also lack tactile feedback, which makes it hard to know when a keypress is registered. However, they provide a quiet operation, making the keyboard suitable for an open office environment.
Does the Corsair K65 Lux RGB have a wrist rest?
Yes, the Corsair K65 Lux RGB does include a wrist rest. This wrist rest is a basic plastic component that can help reduce typing fatigue. However, the quality and comfort of the wrist rest can be subjective and depend on personal preference.
Can you customize the RGB backlighting of the Corsair K65 Lux RGB?
Yes, the Corsair K65 Lux RGB offers full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys that can be customized via the iCUE software. This allows you to create a personalized lighting setup that suits your style and environment.