The K55 is an entry-level membrane keyboard from Corsair. Corsair is known for its high-end peripherals, but this time they haven't forgotten those on a budget. The Corsair K55 is available online and on the manufacturer's website for €59.99. You can also find it on Amazon, like most gaming keyboards.
Introducing the Corsair K55 keyboard
Let's start by unboxing our Corsair K55 Gaming keyboard. Inside, we find the wrist rest, user guide, and warranty card. The Corsair K55 keyboard has a 2-year manufacturer's warranty. There are no extra keycaps included. The keyboard has 111 keys in total and measures 480.2 mm x 166.3 mm x 34.6 mm, weighing 820 grams . The keyboard features RGB backlighting and 6 programmable macro keys. It's a wired keyboard with a USB-A 2.0 connection.
Having a wrist rest provides added comfort. It allows you to play without getting tired quite quickly. It reminds us of the Logitech G513 keyboard with its wrist rest. However, the latter is more expensive, at €169.00. The RGB lighting system is 3-zone, unlike the Logitech's per-key system. While the build quality is admittedly lower than Logitech's, let's not forget that this keyboard is in the entry-level category, and there's a significant price difference. The keys on the Corsair K55 Gaming keyboard, on the other hand, are truly quiet and responsive. It is, after all, a gaming keyboard, and the finish is more refined than most office keyboards.
The materials used are all plastic. We are far from the higher-end models with an aluminum plate, such as Corsair K70 RGB Lux and Corsair K95 RGB Platinum .
Advanced configurations of the Corsair K55 keyboard
The Corsair K55 keyboard features six programmable keys that can be configured directly without the need for software. With the Corsair K55, you can easily manage your multimedia files using the dedicated multimedia keys located in the upper right corner of the keyboard. This allows you to play and control your audio while gaming.
Regarding the RGB lighting system, you can choose from various pre-configured lighting modes for a more immersive gaming experience, setting the mood for the game. If you want to synchronize the lighting system with your other Corsair peripherals, such as your mouse, fans, and coolers, you can use Corsair iCUE . This software also allows for more advanced macro programming and the ability to disable certain key combinations, such as Alt+F4, to prevent accidentally closing a game. With iCUE, your game settings can be saved for later use, allowing you to configure your own custom settings for each game.
The Corsair K55's keys are slightly raised to allow the RGB lighting , making cleaning easier. The keys are membrane, not mechanical, so they are quiet but less responsive. The keyboard comes with a plastic wrist rest, unlike the memory foam one found on the Logitech G513 . It's also not magnetic, unlike those found on higher-end models such as the Razer Ornata gaming keyboard and the BlackWidow Chroma V2 . The wrist rest attaches to the keyboard with a simple hook system.
On the back, it's clear this keyboard is in the entry-level category: the screws are visible and the finish is very basic. However, we did notice the rubber feet, which provide good grip. Two feet are available for those who prefer a more angled position. It's a bit of a shame that these feet aren't covered in rubber, making the keyboard less stable when the feet are extended.
Corsair Utility Engine (iCUE) software for more advanced configuration
The Corsair Utility Engine software offers even more features. With this software, you can create different profiles for each game or application. You can also customize the keyboard keys. All keys are configurable, not just the six macro keys. Various command options are available, and you can apply the command you prefer or create a completely new one.
Corsair Utility Engine also allows you to apply four lighting effects. The " Rainbow " effect creates a rippled, rainbow-like light effect across the entire keyboard. The " Color Change " effect provides backlighting with random color variations alternating with two or more preset colors. The " Color Pulse is a pulsed backlighting effect using two chosen colors. Finally, the " Static Color " effect allows for three-zone backlighting with customizable colors. These four effects can be combined. For example, you can have static lighting in three zones and then a color pulse effect in the central zone. We noted that the multimedia keys do not have a backlighting effect.
How do I use macro keys?
To record a macro, simply press the MR key located at the top of the keyboard. The indicator light will flash to show that the keyboard is in macro recording mode. Then press one of the macro keys (G1 to G6). Next, use keyboard shortcuts to enter the commands you want to record. For example, if you want to launch the Notepad application on G1, after pressing G1, press " windows key + R", then type "notepad" and press Enter. Once the macro is finished, simply press the MR key a second time. Now, when you press G1, Notepad will open directly. Even more advanced macro customization is possible using the Corsair software.
