Corsair K65 RGB Mini Review: Compact, Customizable, and Coded for Performance
Immerse yourself in our detailed review of the Corsair K65 RGB Mini, a compact yet powerful keyboard designed for gamers and programmers. With its robust build, full RGB lighting, and advanced customization options, discover why this compact powerhouse can be your next tech companion.
Welcome to our review of the Corsair K65 Mini! I offer a detailed, balanced and impartial perspective.
The Corsair K65 Mini is a compact, 60% keyboard that's causing quite a stir in the market. Is it the game-changer it's touted to be? How well does it deliver on its promises? In this review, we will delve into these questions and more.
I hope you're as excited as I am about this exploration. Whether you're a dedicated gamer, a hard-working programmer, or a tech enthusiast on the hunt for your next keyboard, I promise this review has something for you. Now, without further ado, let's jump in!
The Corsair K65 RGB Mini is a compact, wired keyboard targeted towards gamers and programmers who value high performance and customizability. Its compact size also makes it a good fit for those with limited desk space or who frequently travel.
- Compact and sturdy build
- Highly programmable with robust macro settings
- Outstanding full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys
- Equipped with reliable Cherry MX switches
- Supports 8,000Hz hyperpolling for potentially reduced input lag
- Legends on keycaps are not clear, affecting backlighting visibility
- Not wireless
- Software is not compatible with Linux
- Lacks adjustable feet and wrist rest, affecting ergonomics
- Possibility of accidental keypresses due to lightness of switches
Given the robust programmability, low latency, and high-quality build, the Corsair K65 RGB Mini is a solid purchase for gamers and programmers. However, those desiring wireless connectivity or who are new to 60% keyboards may want to consider other options.
Test Results
Design
The Corsair K65 Mini is designed with a focus on compactness and functionality. It's a small yet robust keyboard that packs quite a punch. In this section, we will delve deeper into its design features, including dimensions, build quality, ergonomics, backlighting, connectivity, and extra features.
The Corsair K65 Mini features a compact 60% form factor, measuring just 1.7 by 11.5 by 4.1 inches (HWD). This compactness means it'll leave plenty of free space on your desk, ideal for those who prefer an uncluttered workspace. Its lightweight nature, weighing 1.25 pounds, adds to its portability, making it an excellent choice for on-the-go use.
Despite having a plastic exterior, the K65 RGB Mini stands out with its robust build quality. It features 1.5mm-thick double shot PBT keycaps, which offer better durability than traditional ABS plastic. Its Cherry MX switches are rated for between 50 million and 100 million keystrokes, ensuring longevity. However, the custom spacebar and extra Esc keycap, made of ABS plastic, may not have the same lifespan as the rest of the keyboard.
The Corsair K65 Mini features a single block layout, which feels natural without feeling compressed. Unfortunately, it lacks adjustable incline settings and a wrist rest, which could potentially lead to fatigue during long typing sessions. These factors may affect its overall ergonomic rating among users who require more customization for comfort.
The Corsair K65 Mini comes equipped with outstanding full RGB lighting, which includes individually-lit keys and a unique fractal design on the spacebar. However, the legends on keycaps are not as clear, affecting the visibility of the backlighting, especially in the number row. Additionally, white-only backlighting seems to give off a noticeable blue hue.
The K65 Mini offers wired connectivity via a detachable, braided USB-C to USB-A cable. While this does make for easier portability and durability, the keyboard isn't designed for use with tablets or mobile devices. Users looking for wireless or Bluetooth options might find this a tad limiting.
Despite its compact size, the K65 Mini is loaded with features. It offers up to 50 onboard keyboard profiles and supports 8000Hz 'hyperpolling'. There's also dual functionality for many keys when pressed with the Fn key, including media controls and lighting adjustments. But these extra features, particularly the steep learning curve associated with 60% keyboards, could be overwhelming for newcomers.
Typing Experience
Keyboards are an essential part of our daily life, and the Corsair K65 Mini promises a unique typing experience. In this part of the review, we will examine its keystrokes, typing quality, typing noise, and latency to determine if it can deliver a comfortable and efficient typing experience.
The K65 Mini features either Cherry MX Red or MX Speed Silver switches. The latter has less travel and might lead to discomfort or mispresses, particularly for heavy typists. Despite this, the keys are stable, actuate evenly, and offer smooth keystrokes with very little resistance.
Typing on the K65 Mini is generally comfortable and responsive. The keyboard provides an average of 125.6 words per minute (wpm) with a solid 97.7% accuracy after a week of use. However, the shorter travel distance of the Speed Silver switches may not be as comfortable for some, and the sensitivity may take time to get used to.
The noise level of the K65 Mini is somewhat mixed. On one hand, it's quiet enough not to bother people around you, but on the other, it's notably louder than many other models, with prominent pinging on certain keys such as the Shift key and the spacebar. Users preferring quieter keystrokes may want to consider this aspect.
The K65 Mini shines with exceptionally low latency, featuring Corsair's Axon Hyper-Processing Technology which offers an 8,000Hz polling rate and key scanning at a rate of 4,000Hz. This is eight times faster than most gaming keyboards, potentially reducing the delay to 0.125ms. However, this latency reduction may not be noticeably beneficial during gaming or regular typing tasks.
Software
The software behind a keyboard plays a crucial role in its performance and functionality. In this section, we will discuss how the Corsair K65 Mini performs in terms of programming and compatibility.
The K65 Mini offers robust programmability. All keys are macro-programmable, and users have the flexibility to set macros directly on the keyboard or use the companion software. With the iCue software, users can easily handle macro recording, assigning, and deletion, in addition to key remapping and creating custom macros. This robust programmability extends to hardware key assignments, lighting effects, and performance settings.
When it comes to compatibility, all keys of the K65 Mini work under Linux, though the software is not compatible. It offers decent performance for office work and stands out for programming tasks. However, it falls short for home theatre use due to the lack of wireless connectivity and a trackpad. To utilize the 8,000Hz polling rate, the iCue software needs to be installed, and a USB 3.0 Type-A port and either Windows 10 or macOS 10.15 or later is necessary. It's worth noting that the utilization of higher rates can be limited based on system performance.
Customer Reviews
In this chapter, we delve into the sentiments expressed in customer reviews for the keyboard. We examine the top benefits users have found, as well as their most common complaints, to provide a comprehensive view of the product from the customer's perspective. Let's dive right into what customers are saying.
Benefits
Customers appreciate the keyboard's responsiveness, describing it as 'super responsive' and 'very responsive'. This is a huge benefit for those into competitive gaming, with one user stating they bought it specifically for FPS games. Not only is it responsive, but it also has quick switches, further enhancing the gaming experience.
Another prominent benefit noted by users is the keyboard's compact design. Due to its 60% size, customers found it fits easily in limited spaces and gave them a lot of extra room on their desk. Users coming from full-size keyboards particularly appreciated the space-saving aspect.
nThe build quality, including the feel and sound of the keys, also received positive feedback. Users reported liking the 'smooth', 'nice click' and 'tactile response' of the Cherry keys. The aesthetic appeal of the keyboard was frequently highlighted, with customers praising its strong, vibrant lights and overall visually pleasing design.
Complaints
On the other hand, customers raised a few complaints. Packaging issues were cited by one user who found the absence of packing material and a damaged key upon unboxing. It was unclear whether this was a fault of the delivery service or the manufacturer, but it certainly impacted the customer's initial experience.
Functionality issues were another source of dissatisfaction. Users mentioned problems with the ESC key and other keys on that side not working at all. There were also cases of keys being overly sensitive, causing unintended inputs. Finally, customers found the arrow keys being tied to function keys a bit annoying, a necessary compromise with the compact design.
Lastly, some users found the lack of adjustable legs and the difficulty in seeing the icons on the front face of the keyboard at night to be minor inconveniences.
Customer Conclusion
Overall, despite a few drawbacks, customers seem quite satisfied with the keyboard. They appreciated its quick response time, compact design, and quality build. It seems to deliver particularly well on gaming needs. Even though some complaints were raised, they mostly relate to manageable inconveniences rather than significant functionality issues. Based on these reviews, it appears that this keyboard can offer a good bang for the buck, especially for competitive gamers or those in need of a compact, visually pleasing keyboard with strong performance.
Customer Questions/Answers
Does this keyboard have wireless capabilities?
No, the K65 model doesn't support wireless connectivity, but the K70 model does.
Is the keyboard Xbox-compatible?
No, the keyboard isn't officially supported on Xbox.
What materials is the K65 mini made from?
The K65 mini is robust and high-quality, featuring metallic components in its base.
What is the warranty period?
The keyboard comes with a 2-year warranty.
Does the keyboard work with PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5?
No, this keyboard is not compatible with PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.
Can this keyboard be used with iCUE?
Yes, the K65 RGB MINI is compatible with iCUE 4, which allows lighting control, custom functions, and firmware updates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Corsair K65 Mini is a compact keyboard with a lot to offer. Its build quality is sturdy despite its plastic exterior, and the durable PBT keycaps are a significant bonus. The Cherry MX switches add to its robustness and provide smooth keystrokes. However, it's important to note the slightly less comfortable Speed Silver switches.
The keyboard's standout feature is its full RGB backlighting, adding a splash of color to your workspace. Though the white backlighting does have a blue hue, and the legends on the keycaps could be clearer. It's not perfect, but it definitely has its charms.
The keyboard's compatibility with both Windows and macOS is a plus, but Linux users might feel left out. Its 60% size can also be a turn-off for some users. For gamers, the 8,000Hz polling rate may not make a noticeable difference in input lag, but it's still a remarkable feature.
Overall, the Corsair K65 Mini is a decent option for gamers, programmers, and regular users who prefer a compact and durable keyboard with a splash of style. It may not be the game-changer it's advertised as, but it's still worth considering for its unique features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the K65 RGB Mini worth it?
Whether the K65 RGB Mini is worth it largely depends on your personal requirements. If you're in need of a compact, customizable keyboard with extensive programmability and a robust build, it's a great choice. However, if ergonomics such as adjustable feet and wrist rest are a priority, you might find it lacking.
What switches does the Corsair K65 Mini use?
The Corsair K65 Mini uses Cherry MX switches. The models include Cherry MX Red, MX Speed Silver, or MX RGB Red linear switches, providing smooth and responsive keystrokes.
Is the Corsair K65 RGB mini 60%?
Yes, the Corsair K65 RGB Mini is a 60% keyboard, which refers to its compact form factor. It's designed to be portable and space-saving, making it ideal for those with limited desk space or those frequently on the go.
Is the Corsair K65 mini wireless?
No, the Corsair K65 RGB Mini is not wireless. It's a wired-only keyboard that comes with a detachable USB-C to USB-A cable. Therefore, it may not be suitable if you're seeking a wireless keyboard.
Does the Corsair K65 RGB Mini offer programming features?
Yes, the Corsair K65 RGB Mini offers extensive programming features. All keys are macro-programmable, and you can set macros directly on the keyboard or using the Corsair iCue software. It allows for robust customization including hardware key assignments, lighting effects, and performance settings.
How is the backlighting in the Corsair K65 RGB Mini?
The Corsair K65 RGB Mini is equipped with full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys for a colorful and customizable experience. However, some users might find a noticeable blue hue when using white-only backlighting. Also, the visibility of the legends on the keycaps, particularly in the number row, may be affected in the RGB backlighting.