Corsair K70 RGB Pro Review — Still the Benchmark?

Overview

The Corsair K70 has been in production in various forms since 2013 — and the RGB Pro iteration shows exactly why it's lasted that long. This is a no-nonsense, high-build-quality full-size keyboard that prioritizes durability and consistent switch feel over features-for-features'-sake gimmicks like adjustable actuation points or built-in displays.

We tested the Cherry MX Red switch variant over six weeks of daily use spanning gaming sessions (competitive FPS and strategy), extended writing, and code work. This is the switch configuration we'd recommend for most people, but we'll note where Brown or Blue switch options change the calculus.

The current MSRP is $169.99. That puts it in direct competition with the Logitech G Pro X Keyboard and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL — two keyboards that have genuine merit and a loyal following. The comparison at the end of this review addresses those directly.

Build Quality: The Main Reason to Buy This Keyboard

The aluminum top plate is the first thing you notice out of the box, and it's the most defensible reason to spend $170 on a keyboard instead of $80. It's substantial in a way that most keyboards at this price aren't — the plate doesn't flex under heavy typing pressure, doesn't develop any creak over extended use, and doesn't transmit vibration to the desk the way cheaper boards do.

The stabilizers under the larger keys (spacebar, shift, enter, backspace) are well-lubed from the factory. Spacebar rattle, which is a chronic complaint on keyboards in this price range from brands like HyperX and even Logitech, is essentially absent here. This is an area where Corsair has clearly invested manufacturing attention.

The included double-shot PBT keycaps are a significant upgrade over the ABS legends that shipped on the K70 in earlier generations. PBT doesn't develop the shine that ABS accumulates after months of use — the keycap surface will look the same in two years as it does today. The legends (the printed characters) are sharp and won't fade.

The USB-C detachable cable is a major improvement over the older K70 models with soldered-in cables. The magnetic connection is snug with no wobble — one of the failure modes on competing keyboards with this feature. Cable replacement when the stock cable eventually wears is trivially easy.

The dedicated media controls and volume scroll wheel sit above the numpad and are well-placed. The scroll wheel has a mechanical detent feel that makes small volume adjustments easy without looking down. The media keys have good travel and clear tactile response.

What's missing at this price: a wrist rest. The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL also doesn't include one, but Logitech ships one with the G Pro X Keyboard. Corsair sells a compatible wrist rest separately for around $30. If you type for long sessions, budget for it.

Switch Options and Which to Choose

The K70 RGB Pro ships in three switch configurations. Here's what each actually means for daily use:

Cherry MX Red (Linear, 45g actuation)
The configuration we tested. Light, smooth, no tactile bump or audible click. Excellent for gaming because the low actuation force means fast repeat keypresses. Divisive for typing — some users love the smoothness, others find they accidentally activate keys and want feedback. If you're primarily a gamer and type maybe two hours a day, Reds are the right call.

Cherry MX Brown (Tactile, 45g actuation)
The tactile bump on Browns is subtle — described charitably as "light feedback" and uncharitably as "scratchy linear." Browns are a solid middle-ground choice if you split time between gaming and typing and don't work in an open office. They won't annoy coworkers the way Blues will.

Cherry MX Blue (Tactile + Click, 50g actuation)
The classic "clicky keyboard" switch. Loud, satisfying, and absolutely not suitable for shared workspaces or calls. Blues are a genuine joy for long writing sessions if your environment supports them. Gaming with Blues is possible but the heavier actuation and slower reset point puts you at a slight disadvantage in fast games.

All three variants are available at the same $169.99 price point. The switch choice is the single most important customization decision on this keyboard, and it's not reversible without soldering equipment.

Typing and Gaming Performance

With Cherry MX Reds, the K70's typing feel is determined by the switch rather than the board — the aluminum plate and solid stabilizers remove most of the variables that would otherwise muddy the experience. What you get is a clean, smooth keystroke from top to bottom with no wobble or lateral flex.

The polling rate is 1000 Hz by default (1ms response time), which is standard for gaming keyboards at this tier. Input lag during gaming is effectively imperceptible.

After six weeks of daily use across heavy gaming and typing loads, zero switch issues — no chattering (the problem where a single keypress registers as multiple inputs), no dead switches, no inconsistency between keys. Cherry's manufacturing tolerances hold up.

The N-key rollover (NKRO) implementation is full — you can press every key on the keyboard simultaneously and all inputs register. Anti-ghosting is complete. This is standard for keyboards at this price but worth confirming.

RGB and Software

Per-key RGB addressable lighting is fully functional and looks excellent with the stock PBT keycaps. The lighting is bright and even across the board, with the only cosmetic complaint being some underglow bleed visible under the keycaps when the keyboard is viewed from certain angles in a dark room. This is minor and invisible during normal use.

The real conversation is about iCUE — Corsair's software ecosystem. It works. The per-key RGB customization is as deep as any competitor's software, the macro programming is flexible, and the hardware lighting profiles stored on the keyboard's onboard memory mean the lighting persists without the software running.

The problem is that iCUE runs as a background service and uses more RAM and CPU than a peripheral management application should. On a modern gaming system with 32GB of memory, this is irrelevant. On a 16GB gaming PC that's also running a game, a Discord overlay, and a streaming application, iCUE is one more thing competing for resources. Logitech's G Hub software has the same reputation. SteelSeries' GG software is lighter.

If you don't plan to use advanced lighting customization or macros, you can run the keyboard in hardware profile mode and skip iCUE entirely.

Comparison: K70 vs. Logitech G Pro X vs. SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL's adjustable actuation (using OmniPoint magnetic switches) is a genuinely differentiated feature — being able to tune actuation from 0.4mm to 3.6mm per-key is useful for competitive players who want hair-trigger keys for WASD and slightly more resistance for accidentally-pressed keys. It's the reason the Apex Pro commands a $30 premium and earns it for competitive gaming specifically.

The Logitech G Pro X has hot-swappable switches, which is a meaningful advantage if you want to experiment with switch types without buying a new keyboard. Its $130 price makes it the better value pick if you're a TKL person.

The K70's advantage is build quality and longevity — the aluminum plate and Cherry's track record for switch durability make it the best choice if you want a keyboard you'll still be using in five years and don't want to think about it again.

Verdict

Score: 8/10

At $169.99, the Corsair K70 RGB Pro is a solid, boring keyboard in the best possible sense. The build quality is excellent, the switches are reliable, the RGB works, and nothing about it will disappoint you. It also doesn't do anything that justifies its price over cheaper alternatives except the build materials — which, for a device you touch for hours every day, is a legitimate differentiator.

Buy it if: You want a full-size keyboard that will last, you're in the Corsair ecosystem, or you simply want to buy a keyboard once and stop thinking about keyboards.

Skip it if: You prefer TKL form factor (Logitech G Pro X at $130 is the better call), you want adjustable actuation (Apex Pro TKL), or you're on a tighter budget ($80–$100 keyboards from HyperX and Keychron cover the fundamentals well).

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