Gamers live in an age when shopping for a mechanical keyboard seems crucial to assembling a gaming rig. Over the years, gaming keyboards have become more sophisticated, and added features have brought higher price tags. Still, membrane keyboards with gentler typing exist that can save money for gamers to invest in faster CPUs and graphics cards.
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The wired K55 Core is Corsair's attempt to make a budget keyboard with rubber dome switches that offer the benefits of premium gaming gear. Not only does the K55 Core allow gamers to remap nearly every key, but its RGB lighting makes it an affordable centerpiece on any gaming desk. Despite its full suite of keys, the K55 Core minimizes wasted space, leading to its modest dimensions. Of course, satisfying and reliable typing has to accompany customization to become one of the best gaming keyboards.
Corsair graciously sent Game ZXC a sample of the K55 Core to see if it sets new standards for a membrane keyboard.
Corsair K55 Core RGB Gaming Keyboard
The K55 Core is an affordable way to experience the advantages of a Corsair gaming keyboard. With low-effort typing, this membrane keyboard has the quick and responsive performance needed during furious gameplay. The K55 Core also looks stunning with bright and customizable ten-zone backlighting. Among budget keyboards, few options give gamers more control, thanks to the powerful macro reprogramming functionality in the Corsair iCue app. Complete with 300 ml spill resistance to avoid desktop disasters, the K55 Core is ready to become a permanent part of a battlestation.
- Brand
- Corsair
- Wireless
- No
- Backlight
- RGB 10 Zone
- Media Controls
- Yes
- Num Pad
- Yes
- Switch Type
- Membrane, Rubber Dome
- Number of Keys
- 110
- Compatible Devices
- PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox
- Wrist rest
- No
- USB Passthrough
- No
- Polling rate
- 1000 Hz
- Not very long or wide for a full-sized keyboard
- Low-effort and quiet typing
- Premium-looking RGB lighting
- Powerful macro programming
- Media buttons on the small side
- Customizing RGB effects and macros in iCue can be complicated
Contents of Package
Unboxing a keyboard doesn't get more straightforward than with the Corsair K55 Core. The K55 Core arrives in a bright yellow box that's typical of Corsair keyboards and mice, with enough black trim to avoid being overbearing. One surprise is the advertising for Xbox and PlayStation compatibility, which isn't that unusual but not mentioned in some of its promotional materials. The box does a solid job laying out the critical features of the K55 Core, with a handy diagram on the backside.
Inside the box is little more than the keyboard, a cable tie to tidy the attached USB 2.0 cord, and a warranty guide.
Installation
With a single USB 2.0 Type-A connector, gamers can be up and running with the K55 Core in seconds. The six-foot cable is not braided, as is commonly seen with slightly more expensive keyboards, so users will want to route the cord carefully around gaming desks.
The K55 Core has onboard storage for one RGB lighting profile, but much of its macro functionality and other settings rely on iCue software. Fortunately, the app has recently become more streamlined, and the essential components are installed fairly quickly. The K55 Core is not a keyboard that should cause much aggravation when setting up.
Design
The Corsair K55 Core is a full-sized keyboard with 110 keys, including brightness, Win-lock, and media controls. There is minimal unused space around the outside of the keys, leading to a reasonably compact profile for a keyboard with a number pad.
From a side angle, this Corsair keyboard isn't exactly low profile, but its plastic casing is less chunky than some mechanical gaming keyboards. The keycaps are raised from the surface and spread out sufficiently to permit a healthy amount of bright RGB lighting to shine through. Still, the effort required to register a keypress is minimal compared to higher-actuation clicky keyboards.
Corsair branding on the front of the K55 Core is sparse, with only the model number printed on its side and Corsair's usual logo above the arrow keys.
Most keys on the K55 Core are illuminated except for the section near the media controls. The Win-lock and brightness keys are a good size, but the keys to change volume levels or pause songs or videos are smaller. Gamers may need the RGB lighting active to find these controls in the dark.
The back of the K55 Core features flip-up plastic stands to adjust its incline level. Buyers will also find a series of holes where liquid can escape with this 300 ml spill-resistant keyboard, and some RGB lighting peeks out of these openings. Rubber feet help to keep the K55 Core from sliding around but will quickly attract dust.
The RGB lighting on the K55 Core looks simply outstanding for a keyboard in this price range. Even though the lighting is limited to 10 zones, rather than per key, the illumination is exceptionally bright and visible through and between the keys. The ABS keycaps are smooth but not shiny enough to attract excess fingerprints. Letters and numbers are imprinted with clarity, and the keycaps are sloped on their edges to prevent fingers from slipping.
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When holding or touching the K55 Core, there is no mistaking that it's a budget keyboard without aluminum or steel plates. There is also some obvious flexing and creaking on it when pressure is applied. Nevertheless, its 1.17-pound weight provides a firm base for rapid typing and the sense that it can survive some collisions on a desktop. It's also a solid option for buyers who demand a full layout of keys but don't have room for oversized gaming gear.
Performance
The Corsair K55 Core does not offer perks like USB passthrough but rather focuses on providing a satisfying typing experience at a reasonable price. Even compared to the most silent mechanical keyboards, the K55 Core is a relief for gamers annoyed by loud typing or who have judgmental roommates. Of course, as a membrane keyboard, the response to keypresses is soft and won't provide the distinctive feedback of a premium alternative. When stressed, the rubber dome switches have a bit of rattle but are not much less stable than with some more expensive keyboards.
The true test of any gaming keyboard happens with the most chaotic FPS or action-packed titles, which require a flurry of keypresses. Thankfully, the K55 Core held its own as Valorant gaming gear, with the actuation distance of the keys keeping up with the chaos while not being so light as to cause unintended inputs. The keyboard has a 1000 Hz polling rate, ensuring that its budget status doesn't put gamers at any disadvantage. With 12-key rollover protection, few users will suffer from being unable to press every key available simultaneously.
With more PC-based games finding their way onto popular consoles, the K55 Core may also find some use on Xbox and PlayStation systems. The keyboard has a dedicated mode to enhance compatibility with the PS4 and PS5, which is toggled on and off by pressing the Function and Windows keys.
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For general productivity, the K55 Core is more than adequate, especially in peaceful working environments. Users have a full slate of keys to work with, including the arrow keys and number pad that 60 percent keyboards lack. The small but functional media keys are a practical addition, and the brightness key makes it simple to enter incognito mode without setting up hotkeys or digging into software.
Software
Another area where the Corsair K55 Core seeks to separate itself from its budget competition is through powerful software integration. Corsair iCue can seem intimidating to novice users, especially for buyers of a basic entry-level gaming keyboard. Macro programming can still be confusing, but the software keeps most essential functions on a few tabs. As a bonus, the home screen also shows system info like CPU and GPU temps if that hardware is supported.
What's impressive about the K55 Core is that, despite lacking dedicated macro keys like the more pricey K55 RGB Pro, its remapping capabilities are outstanding. Virtually every key is programmable, whether to launch programs, execute a combination of commands for coding, or as a shortcut in games. Users can also set up profiles activated by hot keys, virtually transforming how the keyboard looks and operates.
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The lack of per-key RGB lighting slightly constrains creative gamers, but otherwise, they have the full power of the iCue lighting studio at their disposal. Corsair supplies several default effects, like color shifts and rainbow waves, which can be mixed with static colors or other layers of lighting to create a custom pattern. For gamers who plan on using the K55 Core on other machines without iCue, the keyboard can activate these different effects using the function and number keys. Animated lighting moves fluidly from one zone to the next, with little or no delay when switching to another pattern.
Like Razer Synapse, iCue users can sync Philips Hue and Nanoleaf smart lighting with the keyboard, with Govee integration coming soon. Although its illumination is not the most customizable, the K55 Core gives buyers a glimpse into what's possible with RGB keyboards and mice.
While iCue was stable when testing the K55 Core, MSI Center, running in the background, enjoyed randomly taking over the keyboard's lighting. This occurred even though MSI's lighting engine was turned off. iCue is a versatile program with plugins to communicate with hardware from brands like MSI, which may resolve conflicts. Even so, as tempting as it may be to pair the K55 Core with a budget mouse from another brand, using one program and one brand of peripherals has advantages.
Conclusion
Corsair K55 Core RGB Gaming Keyboard
The K55 Core is an affordable way to experience the advantages of a Corsair gaming keyboard. With low-effort typing, this membrane keyboard has the quick and responsive performance needed during furious gameplay. The K55 Core also looks stunning with bright and customizable ten-zone backlighting. Among budget keyboards, few options give gamers more control, thanks to the powerful macro reprogramming functionality in the Corsair iCue app. Complete with 300 ml spill resistance to avoid desktop disasters, the K55 Core is ready to become a permanent part of a battlestation.
- Brand
- Corsair
- Wireless
- No
- Backlight
- RGB 10 Zone
- Media Controls
- Yes
- Num Pad
- Yes
- Switch Type
- Membrane, Rubber Dome
- Number of Keys
- 110
- Compatible Devices
- PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox
- Wrist rest
- No
- USB Passthrough
- No
- Polling rate
- 1000 Hz
- Not very long or wide for a full-sized keyboard
- Low-effort and quiet typing
- Premium-looking RGB lighting
- Powerful macro programming
- Media buttons on the small side
- Customizing RGB effects and macros in iCue can be complicated
Instead of a budget mechanical keyboard with compromises, the Corsair K55 Core maximizes the potential of a membrane alternative. The K55 Core's speedy and light typing removes some of the mushiness of rubber dome switches, making for an overall comfortable gaming experience. Ergonomically, it could benefit from a wrist rest, but there are feet on its underside to elevate the keyboard.
Even if it comes at the expense of downsized media keys, the K55 Core offers the advantages of a full-sized keyboard in a minimalist form. Despite its efficient layout, Corsair's budget keyboard puts on quite the RGB light show, with ten zones of bright and highly visible illumination. The K55 Core also boasts the macro programming of a higher-end keyboard.
Gamers who desire the clickiness of a mechanical keyboard or a wide choice of switches may find the K55 Core disappointing. Its plastic-dominant build and non-braided cord are reminders that the K55 Core is budget gaming gear. Regardless, the K55 Core is an attractive keyboard that's an affordable gateway into the world of RGB gaming keyboards.
Related Products
The Corsair K55 Core introduces style and functionality to membrane keyboards, which were traditionally considered boring and basic. However, if a buyer has slightly more funds at their disposal, there are options that better replicate the mechanical keyboard experience. Keyboards like the Logitech G213 Prodigy and Razer Ornata V3 provide a middle ground between membrane and mechanical switches. Meanwhile, the Corsair K55 RGB Pro is a larger, full-sized membrane keyboard that is the perfect accessory for streamers with dedicated macro keys.
Alternate Keyboard | Best Choice For | Price |
Logitech G213 Prodigy | Affordable mechanical/membrane hybrid | |
Razer Ornata V3 | Low profile full-sized keyboard with wrist rest | |
Corsair K55 RGB Pro | Dedicated macro keys |
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FAQ
Q: What's the difference between the Corsair K55 Core and K55 RGB Pro?
The Corsair K55 RGB Pro is a larger full-sized keyboard with a dedicated row of macro keys and wrist rest. However, its customizable RGB lighting only has five zones compared to the 10 zones of the K55 Core.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical and membrane keyboards?
Mechanical keyboards are usually more expensive than membrane keyboards and have individual switches that provide distinctive feedback when pressed. More affordable membrane keyboards often utilize rubber dome switches underneath keycaps, resulting in a softer typer sensation.
Q: Why do some people prefer membrane keyboards?
Besides being more affordable, membrane keyboards are preferred by some buyers because they are quieter. Mechanical keyboard switches tend to produce a repeated clicking or pinging sound that can aggravate gamers or co-workers.