Corsair K60 RGB Pro Review

Conclusion

A common theme amongst affordable keyboards is their use of switches other than the Cherry ones that are so gorgeous to type upon. Normally at this price point you’re stuck with a membrane keyboard, scissor switch or a clone of the Cherry style. Usually if you are able to get a mechanical switch you’re having to dispense with RGB lighting. This isn’t always the case of course, but it’s a general rule of thumb.

The K60 RGB Pro utilises the newest affordable Cherry switch type, the Viola. If you compare it on paper to the more famous Cherry switch types then it appears closest to the Red models, with a linear press, no tactile feedback either in the form of a bump or audible click. Equally it requires the same 45nm of pressure to actuate and does so at 2mm depth. For those of you who fear that a more affordable switch will have less of the glorious feel of the Cherry MX type, the Viola is so close that unless you’ve spent years typing on a Cherry MX you won’t notice any difference at all, and even what tiny difference there is remains almost imperceptible. It’s a country mile ahead of other affordable key switch types. Part of this is also down to the design of the switch itself which has eight guide points to ensure that there isn’t any flex or wobble that can plague some switches. In fact the only real difference we can tell is that the return spring isn’t quite as aggressive on the Viola as it is on the other Cherry models. It still doesn’t hang about returning, but it’s still a hair behind.

One thing that we’re really keen on is that the Viola has a graduated actuation pressure. At the top of the stroke it’s 45nm, perfect for those of you whose fingers fly across the top of the keys, barely grazing them. However, as you use more of the key travel passed that point the pressure ramps up until it’s more akin to a Cherry Black by the time you get to the bottom of the travel. So those of you who prefer to hit your keys hard, or perhaps just prefer a firmer typing experience, will be just as satisfied. They are nearly all things to all people. The fact they are so affordable to manufacture and so easy to build helps bring that quality to a more affordable keyboard and the Corsair K60 RGB Pro makes full use of this.

Away from the switches the build quality is up to Corsair’s usual high standards. It’s not quite as absolutely tank-like as their more premium models, but it’s by no means flimsy. Equally you’re giving up on the famous Corsair scroll volume wheel and any additional keys for macro functions. We think that’s a small price to pay to get such a lovely, accurate, typing experience and the security of quality mechanical switches. The decision to go with low profile key caps also makes full use of the lighting design of the Cherry Viola switches to bring some of the most eye-popping RGB lighting we’ve seen on a keyboard anywhere near the price of the K60. There are a good selection of lighting presets built into the hardware of the K60 RGB Pro, but if you want something more complicated it’s fully compatible with the excellent Corsair iCUE software.

The Corsair K60 RGB Pro combines the delicious typing experience and longevity of the German made mechanical Cherry switches to all the RGB lighting and build quality you’ve come to expect from Corsair, and wraps it up in an affordable package. If you want to dip your toes into the world of mechanical keyboards there has never been a better entry point.

  

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