extensive testing and analysis

Index

Technical characteristics and specifications

The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT keyboard is one of the low cost membrane keyboards maker. This keyboard is an evolution of the K55 series, a full-size keyboard made entirely of plastic and featuring a hybrid membrane mechanism for the keys. This mechanism mimics the feel and operation of mechanical keys, but with a much smoother and quieter operation.

The K55 RGB PRO XT has a full RGB lighting system, which can customize, via the iCUE program, the color of each letter individually. It is true that the result is not entirely accurate when using a lower LED panel instead of individual LEDs for each letter, but it gets a pretty good effect, allowing the manufacturer to lower the final price. of the keyboard.

Count with a 12-key anti-ghosting system. This also has 7 multimedia keys at the top right of the keyboard and features 6 G keys for macros, which we can customize via Corsair software. This keyboard offers us a key to control the lighting without using any software, a key to disable Windows key (game mode) and the possibility of recording our own macros without depending on any program.

The connectivity of the K55 RGB Pro XT is USB 3.0, and has a 1000 Hz polling rate. The USB cable is fixed, has a rubber finish, and measures 1.82 meters. The dimensions of the keyboard are 481x167x36 and its weight is 0.94 kilos. It also includes a rubber finished armrest.

An important aspect is that the keys have a IP42 protection, which protects them from dust and splashing water.

The official price of this keyboard is 79.99 dollars.

Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT external review

This new Corsair keyboard comes in a cardboard box, just like the company’s other peripherals. In this box, the colors black and yellow predominate. At the top we can see an image of the keyboard in question, with its lighting. And on the back another photo of the keyboard, with its main specifications.

When opening the box, the first thing we will find will be the typical manufacturer’s information manuals. On the one hand, we will have the warranty manual and the safety information document. And we will also find the instruction manual itself, which will tell you how the keyboard works.

In this manual, we are going to find the keyboard shortcuts that we can use to control the lighting of the keyboard by the hardware, as well as the operation of the keys to create macros.

When unpacking the keyboard, the first thing that will grab our attention is the armrest. This is black and has the same width as the keyboard. It has a rubber finish which makes it very comfortable to use when you place your wrists on it. This armrest is attached to the keyboard from below by means of the two tabs found above, which allows it not to move from side to side when moving the keyboard. In the central part we will find the word Corsair written.

The keyboard in question, as can be seen, has a size slightly larger than normal, due to the 6 G keys on the left side.

The keyboard layout is ISO from Europe. What stands out the most about the keyboard are the macro keys, on the left side of the keyboard, and the dedicated multimedia keys on the upper right side of the keyboard.

In the middle part we can find the Corsair logo, next to the USB cable that comes out from the top part.

This USB cable has a smooth rubberized finish and is, according to your specifications, USB 3.0 type. The cable is very flexible and we will have no problem placing it the way we want on our desk.

At the bottom of the keyboard we can find the sticker with its technical data. We will also find rubber finishes that will help us keep the keyboard from moving while we write with it, and two pins to lift it up and be able to work with it more comfortably.

The height of the keys is normal in this type of hybrid keyboard. Therefore, if we are used to a hybrid, or mechanical keyboard, the curve to get used to it will be slight.

Testing and configuration

Windows automatically detects the keyboard as soon as you connect it to the computer’s USB port. If the iCUE software is installed, we can use it to configure its keys and their operation, while if this program is not installed, we can use it normally, taking advantage of the hardware configuration shortcuts to adapt it to our taste.

The keys use a hybrid mechanism. This means that, although the button is made of membrane (similar to that of laptops), the keys have a stroke similar to that of mechanical keyboards. While the feel is not the same, the truth is, it is very similar to other high end models. Of course, these types of keyboards are much quieter than mechanical keyboards, which are ideal for all types of environments.

Configure the keyboard by hardware

If we don’t want (or can’t) use the iCUE software, we can control the keyboard with these keyboard shortcuts. All are done by pressing the FN function key and then the following keys:

• 1 -> Rainbow spiral
• 2 -> Rain
• 3 -> Onda arcoiris
• 4 -> Visor
• 5 -> Key lighting
• 6 -> Corrugated lighting
• 7 -> Color change
• 8 -> color pulse
• 9 -> Ola of color
• 0 -> Static color (press to change color)
• `-> Reset water color
• – -> Lower effect speed
• = -> Increase the speed of the effect
• [ -> Girar efecto a la izquierda
• ] -> Rotate the effect to the right

Likewise, with the macro key, we will be able to record the desired macros in the G1-6 keys. But if you really want to get the most out of this keyboard, the ideal is to opt for the iCUE program.

Configure with iCUE

Corsair’s configuration program, iCUE, is the same one that we can use to configure other devices in the company. Once the keyboard is connected to the computer, it will recognize it and it will appear along with the rest of the manufacturer components that we have connected.

If we hover the mouse over it, we can see the different options that we can access.

And if we click, we can see the keyboard in more detail.

The first thing we can do with this program is to change the key assignment. From there, we can configure the G keys on the keyboard according to different actions (we can even go further by installing the Elgato software) or change the assignment of one of the keys on the computer.

Second, we can configure the keyboard lighting. Thanks to iCUE we will have a large number of configuration possibilities, being able to easily create the effects we want.

We will also be able to configure the lighting by material. These options are much more limited and they are the ones that will appear when we have not activated iCUE.

In the performance options we can configure the behavior of some of the PC keys. For example, we can disable the Alt + Tab, Alt + F4, Shift + Tab shortcuts or disable the Windows key.

Finally, the device configuration section will allow us to see the firmware we have installed, update it (if there is a new version), change the polling rate or the keyboard brightness.

Conclusion: is the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT worth it?

High-end keyboards often rely on the use of mechanical buttons. It is true that these tend to be much more precise and resistant than the other mechanisms, but they are also too expensive. And many users can’t afford to cross the $ 100 mark just for a keyboard. The Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is a hybrid keyboard, using membrane technology with a mechanical feel so that all users can get a quality keyboard without spending a lot of money.

The “Pro XT” model is the most complete, offering RGB lighting per key, more than 10 different lighting effects and game integration. But, if you don’t want to spend the 80 dollars it costs, you has another cheaper model, the “Pro” to dry, which changes the lighting (by zones instead of by key), color and is not compatible with games. And their difference is $ 20.

If we had to highlight a negative point of this keyboard, we could talk about its lighting. Corsair sells us the keyboard as with independent lighting per key. However, it does not really have an LED dedicated to each of the keys, but rather a panel which, although it is precise and can be personalized by key, offers a blur around it that we do not see. not in other types of technology.

Otherwise, it’s one of the best membrane keyboards on the market. An awesome, quiet and very durable keyboard that will stay with us for a long time.

For all this we decided to give the keyboard Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT our reward of oro.