The gaming market is crowded with mice, monitors, and a variety of other accessories to complement a setup. And while gaming keyboards are a central element to the recipe, for some gamers it's hard to see the value in opting for a premium keyboard. However, for those that have debated whether or not a top-tier gaming keyboard is worth investing in, Corsair has made it a no-brainer.
The Corsair K100 gaming keyboard is just about everything one could ask for out of a peripheral. It offers slick lighting, responsive keys, and in-depth customization through the iCUE software, making it an absolute powerhouse for gamers looking to pick up something new. Plus, it packs in a boatload of convenience features that make it one of the best gaming keyboards on the market.
The most immediately noticeable thing about the K100 is that it has some heft. It boasts an aluminum chassis that gives it a pleasant weight, making it feel premium and ensuring it won't slide around during intense usage. It features all-around stellar build quality - maybe even the best out there at the moment - though it certainly isn't something fit to travel to tournaments with.
The build quality is complemented by an aesthetically pleasing design. The Corsair K100 still stands out due to its RGB lights, but it can blend in with pretty much any environment, whether that's a dedicated gaming room or an office setting. Plus, it comes packed with a firm, but comfortable, wrist rest –  an increasingly common pack-in with keyboards.
The K100 isn't just about form, though, as it features a mountain of function. It's a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Speed RGB Silver Keyswitches, which is a mouthful, but also stands as some of the most impressive-feeling switches available. Not only that, but it makes for some satisfyingly silent key-presses, keeping the obnoxious crunching sounds of certain other mechanical keyboards from dominating Discord calls and audio feedback.
Plus, the K100 is uncannily responsive, with polling and key scanning speeds of up to 4,000Hz. This is great for fast-paced games where abilities need to be used rapidly, though it can also be adjusted in the iCUE program to eliminate the chance of double presses while typing. Those double presses are the only real frustration with the keyboard, as even on lower speed settings, extra keypresses were common. For most, that won't be an issue but students or anyone else that types lengthy papers or messages will want to be aware of it.
The keyboard also features a USB passthrough slot on the back, which can be used for a number of things. It's only USB 2.o, and to take advantage of it users will still need to plug two USB cables into their gaming PC, but it's a convenient thing to have close by for mice, flash drives, or anything else that someone may want to use it for.
The iCUE software is solid to work with and an integral part of the experience. It lets the user customize just about anything about the K100, from setting up the basics like the RGB lighting to customizing new macros. The software can be daunting to work with at first, largely due to how many options are available within it. However, Corsair has a host of tutorials that can be used for those looking to tweak the system to perfection, so there are resources to learn everything it can do.
An integrated iCUE control wheel at the top of the keyboard can be used in numerous ways, allowing the user to adjust different settings on the fly. These functions are relatively simple but still appreciated, ranging from raising and lowering the RGB brightness, skipping music tracks in services like Spotify, and recording new macros, among other things. This, too, can be customized through the iCUE app, giving players options to switch which functions appear on the keyboard.
There's another scroll wheel that can adjust audio volume without having to tab out a game, which is just as convenient as the iCUE one, but with a limited application. Still, for those with a single monitor setup, not having to tab in and out for something as simple as raising and lowering the volume on audio running in the background is a small detail that has a huge effect on the overall experience.
During our time with the keyboard, we tested a number of different games across multiple genres. The K100 performed admirably in each one, from ability heavy games like Diablo 3 and Wolcen to FPS titles like Battlefield 5. There's a set of six keys macros on the left side of the keyboard that allow complex actions and rotations to be fired off with a single press in games like World of Warcraft. That comes in handy quite a bit, especially in high-level play for certain games.
The Corsair K100 also packs in some interchangeable keys, which are slightly more ergonomic and textured than the standard ones. These are built for WASD and a few other keys that are common in video games, and while they do feel great to use, they might not be as great for typing. They are easy to change out thanks to an included tool, so gamers can swap between them, though that's an inconvenience many won't want to opt for.
Overall, the K100 is a standout in the field, not just for gaming keyboards, but for gaming peripherals in general. It's responsive, well-built, and an absolute beast when it comes to customizability. For those looking for something to overhaul their gaming setups with, the K100 is a dream-like option complemented by a solid software experience.
The Corsair K100 Gaming Keyboard is available now for $229. Game ZXC was provided a sample for this review.