Corsair K100 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Cherry MX Speed RGB Silver Keyswitches – PBT Double-Shot Keycaps – Elgato Stream Deck and iCUE Compatible – QWERTY NA Layout – Black
Original price was: $289.99.$249.99Current price is: $249.99.
Description
Corsair K100 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Cherry MX Speed RGB Silver Keyswitches – PBT Double-Shot Keycaps – Elgato Stream Deck and iCUE Compatible – QWERTY NA Layout – Black
In-Depth Review
I’ve been using the Corsair K100 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard for a few months now, and I wanted to share my thoughts about it. I mainly bought it for gaming, but I also do a fair bit of typing for work and personal projects. I remember reading a lot about the different features before finally diving in, and I’ll admit I was a tad nervous about spending this much on a keyboard. But now that I have it, I feel it was worth it.
Upon unpacking the keyboard, my first impression was that it’s a serious piece of gear. The design looks premium and the RGB lighting? Gorgeous. I’ve seen a few keyboards with cool lighting, but this one really stands out, especially when configured with the iCUE software. You can get it to sync with other Corsair products or even go with music reactive modes which add a bit of flair while gaming.
Getting into the build quality, this keyboard feels solid. The PBT double-shot keycaps are a nice touch and give the keyboard a heavier feel—definitely more than the typical plastic you find on lower-end models. The keys are responsive, and I haven’t experienced any rattling or flexing in the body. It’s got a solid weight to it without being cumbersome, making it feel like a long-term investment rather than just another disposable gadget.
Performance-wise, the Cherry MX Speed RGB keys are really impressive. They have a shorter travel distance, which feels great when you’re gaming. I’ve tested quite a few games with it—shooters, RPGs, and even some strategy titles. The keystrokes register quickly, and I noticed a distinct improvement in my reaction times, especially during those intense moments. For typing, it’s great too, a nice mix of feedback and comfort that doesn’t tire out my fingers even after long sessions.
Who is this keyboard best for? If you’re a gamer looking for a responsive keyboard that can handle rapid keystrokes, this is perfect. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the quality. However, folks who just need a basic keyboard for everyday typing might find this overkill, not to mention the price point isn’t exactly for everyone.
Now, let’s get into the pros and cons. Pros first: the overall design is fantastic, with very effective RGB lighting and a solid, heavy feel that speaks to its build quality. The Cherry MX keys are quick and responsive, and the software customization options are extensive. On the flip side, the biggest downside for me is simply the price. It’s significantly more than what most people would want to pay for a keyboard. Also, while the RGB is cool, it does require some setup and tweaking to get the most out of it, which might not appeal to every user.
To wrap it all up, the Corsair K100 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard packs a punch with its stellar build quality, impressive performance, and vibrant lighting options. If you’re willing to invest in a high-quality keyboard and are into customizable setups, this is an excellent choice. However, if your needs are simpler, it might be worth looking at more budget-friendly options. I’m glad I made the leap, though—this keyboard has certainly elevated my gaming and typing experience.
Technical Specifications
Additional Information
| Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
|---|---|
| Best Sellers Rank |
|
Warranty & Support
Specification
Overview
| Brand |
Corsair |
|---|---|
| Series |
CH-912A014-NA |
| Item model number |
CH-912A014-NA |
| Hardware Platform |
PC |
| Operating System |
Mac OS X 10.15 or newer, Windows 10 |
| Item Weight |
3 pounds |
| Product Dimensions |
19.3 x 3.2 x 9.4 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH |
19.3 x 3.2 x 9.4 inches |
| Color |
Silver |
| Power Source |
Corded Electric |
| Manufacturer |
Corsair |
| Language |
Dutch |
| ASIN |
B08HR68MQZ |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer |
No |
| Date First Available |
November 27, 2022 |
Customer Reviews
8 reviews for Corsair K100 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Cherry MX Speed RGB Silver Keyswitches – PBT Double-Shot Keycaps – Elgato Stream Deck and iCUE Compatible – QWERTY NA Layout – Black
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Out of stock
Joey –
Smoothest keyboard I’ve owned! Flagship feel with a few quirks.
I’ve been using the Corsair K100 for a bit now, and it’s easily the smoothest typing keyboard I’ve ever owned. The OPX switches feel incredibly responsive and consistent, whether I’m gaming or doing long typing sessions. It genuinely feels like a flagship board the moment you put your hands on it.For gaming and productivity, it shines. The macro-on-the-fly functionality is extremely useful, and the dedicated control wheel is one of my favorite features. I didn’t think I’d use it much at first, but it’s surprisingly versatile once you assign it to things like volume, app switching, or custom functions. It’s a small detail that ends up making a big difference.That said, iCUE can be a little sensitive and occasionally annoying to dial in perfectly. It’s powerful, but it may take some tweaking to get everything exactly how you want it. Also, at full price, this keyboard is definitely on the expensive side.Build quality is excellent — it’s heavy, solid, and doesn’t move around at all (which I personally prefer). The RGB lighting is beautiful if you’re into that sort of thing, with lots of customization options.One extra note: Amazon’s used or “like new” options can make this keyboard a much easier buy if full price is out of reach. It’s a great way to experience a true flagship board without paying top dollar.Bottom line: If you want a premium keyboard for gaming and serious typing and don’t mind spending a little time setting it up, this is a fantastic option
Ide –
Fast light-touch-typing with extra macro keys and knobs, and fully programmable RGB lighting
Very smooth, love the light touch typing feeling of Cherry MX Speed, extra keys and buttons and knobs, and fully programmable RGB.I have been using Corsair K95 Platinum with Cherry MX Speed for 7 years and I needed another RGB mechanical keyboard for another PC, so I opted for Cherry MX rather than OPX so I don’t have to get acclimated to new type of keys and swapping between Cherry MX and OPX when I move between PCs. I’m sure that if I haven’t used Cherry MX before, I would have chosen OPX. I also used Cherry MX Brown, but I prefer Speed once I got used it.Although pricey (especially compared to Corsair K95 at the time I bought it), I took advantage of a sale. I couldn’t find any mechanical keyboard that comes close to this one in terms of functionality and quality and programmability, especially the six macro keys on the left side I can’t do without (I also considered Corsair K70 but they don’t have macro keys). This mechanical keyboard is such a delight for gaming, coding, typing, etc.I use this on a Mac and Linux. Linux has ckb-next driver, and its development version (newer than release version as of Nov 2025) also detects the top left scroll and can program RGB on it. I created my own custom RGB lighting by copying one of the animations and then changing all the configurations to my liking.I use the USB port to connect my wireless mouse dongle and it works perfectly even if routed through a USB hub with on/off switches, then a USB KVM switch, and then through a third USB hub that is externally powered. If you are using a USB switch with mouse/key roaming feature that only works with a standard keyboard, there is a way to change the keyboard mode into BIOS mode by pressing some keys (search the Internet since it’s not mentioned in the manual). You’ll have to connect the mouse directly to the USB switch instead of the keyboard. You can revert back to normal mode with full functionality using some other key presses if you no longer need to be limited by a USB switch with key/mouse roaming feature.The wrist rest is very comfortable. It’s nice that it’s magnetically attached. The one in my old Corsair K95 had the plastic tabs broken so I had to throw it away.You probably won’t find any alternative that comes close with macro keys, full custom RGB lighting, good quality, and the smoothness of a linear mechanical keyboard. If you’ve never used linear short activation switches, it may take some time to get used to it, but once you master it, you won’t want to use any other switches. YMMV though.
ITguy –
Nice, compact somewhat mechanical-feeling keyboard w/RGB.
I replaced my Corsair K70 RGB (the OG one) with the K100 Air. Ever since I started working from home- i.e. using multiple computers throughout the day- I’ve been wanting a better keyboard.My old, wired (with GIGANTIC dual USB cables) K70RGB had fantastic feel and features. But I wanted to move it around more than the cables would allow. Also a somewhat less gargantuan footprint would be appreciated; I still need the 10-key though. Enter the K100 Air.- Still mechanical keys (more on this later)- Wireless = more mobile- RGB, G-keys (macros), 2.4Ghz or Bluetooth (or single USB wired)SO- I went for it on Day One, despite the *astronomical* price (nearly $300).• The K100 Air has made my life easier. I can now use my own PC much more easily; I’m typing this on it now. Moving the keyboard has also given me much more mousing room on the desk. (I use another computer for work, with 2 monitors; it’s to the right of my main PC (also with 2 monitors).It recharges via USB-C; when it’s low on battery the lighting turns red. Or you can check in iCue and it shows the battery % charge. iCue also works fine for applying lighting- be sure you have version: 4.29.203 or newer, otherwise it won’t recognize the keyboard. If you just see the wireless dongle in iCue but not the keyboard, update your software.• For the feel and ‘mechanical’ keys: it feels like the best laptop keyboard ever, but it does NOT feel like the mechanical Cherry switches you get on gaming keyboards. The keys feel very solid and predictable, but they aren’t at the same level as Corsair/Razer/Logitech mechanical keyboards. I will say, the Corsair’s keys are better than the (somewhat) low-profile keys on the Logitech G line (715, 915 etc). The Logitech ones feel (and sound) more springy, which isn’t that great for typing. (or gaming)• As far as build quality, this thing does look and feel like an expensive item. It’s metal on top, I believe plastic on the bottom. The lighting shows through the keys very well, but it doesn’t shine out from under the keys like a full-sized gaming keyboard. It has a spot to store the dongle when it’s plugged in. I’ve only used it via 2.4Ghz wireless, and it has been flawless as far as connection. You can plug the dongle into the back of a nearby PC directly and no connection problems. Also no interference with multiple keyboards and mice also on 2.4Ghz. The RGB lighting is adjustable from the keyboard, independent of the software. Brightness and lighting patterns (pre-saved onto the keyboard via iCue) are controllable without software. There’s also a charge light, so you’ll see it blinking and/or changing color when power is low. The iCue software also puts up an alert when it needs a recharge, this happens before the lighting turns red. Works well. I have to charge it about 1.5 times per week, with the computer on 24/7 and asleep for about half that time.• One thing about waking up from sleep: the keyboard takes about 4 to 5 seconds to wake up. In the time you press the first key to when the lighting comes on, the keys still work and are read by the PC, but it’s disconcerting to be typing on a black keyboard. It does wake up fine, the lighting is just a bit slow.• Now, the key (ha) question: is it worth the money? As far as I can tell, this is the best low-profile wireless gaming keyboard available. It has many nice touches, gives me more features than I can use, and beats the competition in both the hardware and usability. Yes- it’s really expensive. But for something that is your main interface to a system you use constantly, it is probably worth paying the premium. If I hadn’t already got a Logitech for my work PC, I would get another one of these. That probably tells you everything you need to know.
Louis –
One thing to note is that the keys are extremely sensitive, but its relatively easy to get used to it.
DespicableMe –
Vorweg: Ich bin kein Gamer, sondern benutze eine Tastatur für Büroarbeiten. Insofern sind mir das bunte Muster und die Programmierung der Tastatur egal.Pro:* Fühlt sich super solide und wertig an !* Tippgefühl ist erstmal gut* Tasten für Lautstärke und mehr* Kann sie mit Bluetooth und einem proprietärem? Funkstandard betreiben und oder per KabelMittel:o Preiso Beleuchtung ist entweder an oder aus. Nicht wie beim Mac, dass sie sich selbst ausschaltet (Luxusproblem)o Bei Videokonferenzen ist die Tastatur zu hören.Niedrig:- Nach einem Arbeitstag hatte ich irgendwie Muskelkater, da man wohl doch ziemlich die Tasten drücken muss (Grund, warum sie leider zurückgehen musste)- Stellenweise doch noch ein bisschen hoch die Tasten für meinen Geschmack — Maßstab: Laptops
Anton Derevyanko –
I have many keyboards bit only this one die very fast. Not at all reliable for that kind of money.It’s impossible to return it. I’m greeted by a crappy robot. I want a single button with a return form. But you deliberately make the return process complicated so that I give up halfway through.
Dinesh –
I previously used cherry MX Red switches on my cooler master Pro L white LEDs for the past 7 years. It’s still doing good. Wanted to try these. So here are some things I observed1. Click actuation is so short, might get time to get used up.2. In game it felt super easy to click. So for gaming is worth, not much for typing3. Build quality is next level. There’s no compromise on that.4. Is you’re into streaming, streamdeck can be integrated into the kb.5. For me personally I felt my hands are locked when using the hand rest. So I removed. I’ve never used them before as well, May be cuz f that I might’ve felt that.6. If you’ve bucks, blindly go for it
Patricio Pino –
It’s expensive, quite expensive… but the quality and typing experience are amazing. It would be really hard to go back to previous keyboard. The only issue I found is that I couldn’t make my Hue app to take control over the lighting and change the color of the keyboard. It’s possible to take control over the phillips lightstrip and sync the lights color. For some reason reason is only working one way. As you can see on the attached pic all my Razer devices are fully synchronized with my hue lights except for the keyboard.