Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT gaming keyboard review
Our Verdict
The Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT combines the features of a mechanical gaming keyboard with the affordability of a membrane model, albeit imperfectly.
For
- All-encompassing lighting options
- Programmable macro keys
- Excellent media controls
Confronting
- Unsatisfying keys
- Inefficient blueprint
- Pricier than competing models
Tom'due south Guide Verdict
The Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT combines the features of a mechanical gaming keyboard with the affordability of a membrane model, albeit imperfectly.
Pros
- +
All-encompassing lighting options
- +
Programmable macro keys
- +
Excellent media controls
Cons
- -
Unsatisfying keys
- -
Inefficient blueprint
- -
Pricier than competing models
The Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT is the latest in a long line of membrane gaming keyboards from major manufacturers. While mechanical switches and gaming peripherals go together beautifully, they don't come inexpensive, with fifty-fifty tenkeyless models routinely topping $150.
That'south why, in theory, something like the K55 RGB Pro XT is so attractive. It features per-key RGB lighting, programmable macro buttons and discrete media controls similar its more expensive mechanical brethren, but information technology costs only $70.
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As such, the K55 Pro XT could be one of the best gaming keyboards for newcomers to the PC gaming space, who aren't quite prepare to sink hundreds of dollars into their peripherals just yet.
On the other mitt, the K55 RGB Pro XT has some wasted space in its design, and information technology costs more than like keyboards from other manufacturers. Also, similar a lot of membrane keys, the K55 RGB Pro XT's just aren't that satisfying to blazon on.
Since yous can get a perfectly good membrane keyboard for about $25, that means you're essentially paying $45 for fancy lights and some software functionality.
Read our full Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT review to find out whether information technology'south worth the upgrade.
Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT review: Specs
Primal Type: Membrane | Switch Type: N/A | Illumination: Full RGB | Size: 19.0 10 6.half dozen x i.4 inches
Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT review: Design
At 19.0 x 6.6 x 1.4 inches, the Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT is pretty large, even by full-size gaming keyboard standards. Part of this length is due to the actress macro keys, but other keyboards with similar features, such every bit the Logitech G915, are a full one-half-inch shorter.
Instead, the K55 Pro XT seems to have a lot of extra infinite, whether it's the large, glossy, fingerprint-decumbent bar at the top, or the generous bezels on either side of the black plastic chassis.
Compared to something like the Corsair K70 RGB Mk. 2, the K55 RGB Pro XT isn't very pretty either. There'south no airbrushed metal design, no tastefully recessed keycaps, no metal volume dial. Everything looks simple, blackness and either "patently" or "cheap," depending on your perspective.
At that place'southward likewise a detachable wrist balance, which is pretty comfortable thanks to a coarse, bumpy texture.
However, the K55 RGB Pro XT does not skimp when information technology comes to extra keys. On the left side of the keyboard, there's a cavalcade of 6 programmable macro keys. These are easy to programme, thank you to a dedicated macro recording button on top of the keyboard, alongside a brightness button and a "win lock" button. This last one disables the Windows keys and other primal combinations that can accidentally take you lot out of a game (Alt + Tab, for case).
I of my favorite parts of the K55 RGB Pro XT, yet, is in the upper-right corner: a suite of dedicated media keys. A lot of cheaper keyboards skimp on these, relegating them to keyboard shortcuts instead.
Merely the K55 RGB Pro XT gives you lot stop, rewind, play/break and fast-forrad buttons, in improver to volume up, volume down and mute. If you've never had a keyboard with discrete media controls before, you'll be amazed how apace you come to rely on them.
Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT review: Keys
When it comes to how the keys feel, the Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT is destined to be divisive. I take no desire to wade into the never-ending "membrane vs. mechanical" argue, but I will say that in my experience, mechanical keyboards are mostly more than comfy, better for gaming and able to last a much longer time.
Granted, yous accept to pay a lot of coin for the privilege. This isn't always feasible for new PC gamers, who may be a footling strapped for cash after dishing out $ane,000 or more on a make-new rig.
As such, the question is whether the K55 RGB Pro XT's keys succeed on their ain merits. And the answer is, "sort of."
To requite credit where it'southward due, like a lot of membrane keyboards, the K55 RGB Pro XT is actually quite good for typists, with precise, responsive keycaps. On a Typing.com test, I scored 124 words per infinitesimal with 99% accuracy on the K55 RGB Pro XT, compared to only 108 words per minute with 98% accuracy on my usual Logitech G915
However, that doesn't accurately capture the feeling of typing on the K55 RGB Pro XT, which feels unsatisfying and even a little exhausting at times. The keys don't respond to extremely light touches and feel a little stiff, both when depressing them and letting them pop back up. Writing out extensive notes for a production briefing, my wrists got tired; later, I looked at my typo-laden document with some dismay.
Looking back over my other membrane gaming-keyboard reviews, it seems I oasis't liked whatever of their keys all that much. So, at the very least, the Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT is no worse than its competitors. Merely information technology's notwithstanding not the peripheral I'd want at my desk for the side by side three years or so.
Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT review: Features
In the "bells and whistles" department, the Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT gets just about everything right. This keyboard offers per-key RGB lighting and an extra cavalcade of macro keys, both of which are very rare in programmable models.
It as well runs on the Corsair Utility Engine (iCUE) software, which lets y'all reprogram keys, create intricate lighting patterns and even sync the keyboard with the Elgato Stream Deck software.
Since Corsair owns Elgato, many Corsair products offer Elgato functionality, only this is good to keep in mind if you're an up-and-coming streamer — perhaps i without a large production budget.
While the iCUE software itself can be a picayune cabalistic, it even so offers an incredible degree of functionality, especially for a relatively inexpensive peripheral. The RGB lighting and macro keys by themselves aid drag what is otherwise a adequately standard keyboard — and help justify its asking price.
Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT review: Operation
The Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT works fine across a diversity of game genres. The keys aren't necessarily whatsoever more comfy for gaming than they are for typing, but I also didn't notice whatever sort of drawbacks for everyday play.
I tested the peripheral with Age of Empires Three: Definitive Edition, Doom Eternal, Baldur's Gate III and Concluding Fantasy 14. The keys were responsive whether I was building houses for my Inca empire or gunning down demons in the ruins of a blasted city.
It'southward worth noting that thanks to the K55 RGB Pro XT'due south macro keys, information technology may be peculiarly useful for MMO players who similar executing complex attack patterns with a single keystroke. For everyday FFXIV play, though, I didn't observe this keyboard to be significantly better or worse than others I've tested.
Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT vs. Corsair K55 RGB Pro
The Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT actually has a slightly cheaper variant: the Corsair K55 RGB Pro. The Pro model eschews the per-central RGB lighting and patterns, opting instead for five zones with 6 possible patterns.
It'southward arguably a big loss, only on the other hand, the Pro costs only $50 to the Pro XT's $70. The models are the same in terms of design and performance.
Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT review: Verdict
Having used the Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT as my primary keyboard for the final few days, I'm of two minds about it. On the one hand, I don't find it very comfy, and I tin can't wait to become back to a mechanical model.
On the other manus, if I had never owned a gaming keyboard before and learned that I could get all these features for $70, I'd probably exist very pleased. This is doubly truthful if I owned an Elgato Stream Deck and needed a peripheral with piece of cake integration.
As membrane gaming keyboards go, I adopt the simplicity (and $10 toll break) of the Razer Cynosa V2. But the K55 RGB Pro XT is roughly on a par with the Cynosa, as well as the SteelSeries Apex iii and the Logitech G213. The Razer Cynose V2 is another suitable alternative.
This Corsair keyboard is arguably a skilful identify to first in the world of PC gaming peripherals, but in that location's a whole lot more to see if you lot can beget to spend but a piffling more.
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Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/corsair-k55-rgb-pro-xt
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