Buzz
With the K65 RGB Mini, Corsair ventures into the realm of 60% gaming keyboards for the first time. This PCB comes equipped with Cherry MX mechanical switches, dynamic RGB lighting on each key, the new Corsair Axon super processing technology enabling an 8,000Hz polling rate, and a detachable USB-C cable. In other words, it's a compact keyboard with plenty of potential.
Design
We don't often get 60% keyboards for review, but the market for them still thrives. The compact form factor eliminates unnecessary parts like arrow keys, the number pad, and function keys to maintain a sleek appearance. The keys are also generously spaced, which in this case can be further customized using the Corsair PBT Double-Shot Pro mod kit.
Measuring at 294x105x44 mm and weighing only 570 grams, the keyboard has a base made of black plastic similar to most other keyboards on the market. At the bottom, we find 4 rubber feet to keep the PCB stable, and at the rear, there's the black Corsair logo and a connection for the braided USB-C cable. The fact that you can disconnect it from the K65 RGB Mini makes it easy to carry around without the cable getting tangled.
Corsair also includes an extra escape key in the packaging with their logo on it, and you can replace the spacebar key with a more translucent one if desired.
Testing
However, where Corsair hopes to make a difference and justify the €129.99 price tag is the key. As mentioned, these are Cherry MX mechanical switches and PBT Double-Shot keycaps capable of withstanding necessary assaults, up to 100 million keystrokes. The 8,000Hz hyper-polling feature ensures your inputs can be registered 8 times faster than a standard keyboard. With a actuation distance of just 1.2mm, you can type very fast and have the fastest response times when gaming.
In reality, the keys feel great. They have a light structure, feel good to touch, and show fewer fingerprint marks than smooth surfaces. Although 60% keyboards typically lack a wrist rest, the typing position is still comfortable, even during longer sessions.
Typing is also very comfortable, though the auditory experience is less pronounced. Ultimately, beyond the mechanical click of the keys, you also hear a metallic sound as a key returns to its position. This is particularly noticeable with larger keys like the spacebar or Enter. Amidst gaming actions, you'll notice this less, and it's not an issue, but in everyday tasks, it can be slightly concerning.
It's also worth noting that the Corsair K65 RGB Mini will take some time to get used to if you're transitioning from a full-sized keyboard. Ultimately, you've missed quite a few keys, and the odd thing is the lack of a delete button or arrow keys. However, it's less of an issue than you might think and that's thanks to the function key(s). By pressing the function key, you can activate various shortcuts found at the end of each key, from arrow keys to media keys, left or right mouse clicks, and of course, the F keys. Not all keys are placed logically, such as the arrow keys under UHJK, but everything will be utilized after a while. Additionally, you can add a third layer of hotkeys via the iCue software; you activate this layer by pressing FN and FN2 together.
iCue plays a crucial role in maximizing your Corsair K65 Mini. In addition to customizing individual keys, you can also set Hardware Macros and Lighting here. These are changes you make and store in the keyboard's onboard memory so you can use them on any computer.
RGB
As its name suggests, the K65 RGB Mini naturally features RGB lighting. The lighting is uniquely distributed as each key has its own LED and can be seen between keys and beneath letters and other symbols. It's one of the best RGB implementations we've seen on a mechanical keyboard, with a range of convenient presets right out of the box. Of course, you can also create your own design, as not everyone will be a fan of exaggerated rainbow effects. It's also handy that you can sync your keyboard with other devices thanks to iCue. Your Corsair mouse or headset are logical choices, but you can even fine-tune your case and RAM lighting with the effects you've chosen. The same goes for devices from other brands that support iCue, such as our ASUS motherboard.
Final Verdict on the Corsair K65 RGB Mini
In our opinion, the Corsair K65 RGB Mini is an excellent 60% mechanical keyboard that will please many gamers. At €129, it sits among similar boards. The RGB lighting and keys are very user-friendly, though we'd like to see an aluminum base to give it a premium finish. However, the mod kit also provides options for customizing the aesthetics.
