Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT Keyboard Review

Peter Donnell / 4 years ago

A Closer Look & Performance

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the K95! No wait, sorry I was having a bit of Deja Vu, as I’ve seen this one before. I’ll be damnded if this isn’t identical to the K95 I reviewed three years ago! Of course, there have been a few tweaks, but I suspect it’s a mostly internal hardware and software job than anything else. Either way, welcome to the K95 Platinum RGB XT.

Macro

What really has been a hallmark of the more expensive Corsair K-series keyboards are the macro keys. there are six keys marked G1-6 on the left side. What I love is that they have slightly angled keycaps that are higher on the left.

The angle of the cap, plus the cool grip finish on them makes them a lot easier to control. Oh, and it looks pretty damn cool too, which is always a bonus.

Control

On the top, you’ll find a few little control switches. The left is for changing profiles, the lighting one for the lighting, obviously, and the Windows lock key is on the right. I like little details though, and the little bit of silver trim between them looks great.

The keyboard is awash with premium quality materials and finishes. The actual frame of the keyboard is a stunning piece of dark black brushed aluminium. Rather than just being a trimmed top cover though, this one is actually the full plate that the switches are mounted to and it also forms the bezel around the keyboard.

Aluminium

The aluminium does look absolutely stunning though. It feels really robust, and it does a really cool job of diffusing any light that hits it, which is going to look even better when the RGB is on.

The keys have a huge font on them, which is designed to let through as much light as possible from the RGB switches. The texture on the G-keys is like that of pressed steel panels, and you’ll find the same textured finish on the space bar. It’s a nice little detail, but as I’ve said before, it’s what we saw on the older model too.

Multimedia

Up in the top right, you’ll find my favourite keys of all, the multimedia keys! I listen to music pretty much all the time while I’m working, gaming, eating, or just generally not watching TV. Having quick access to skipping tracks and a play/pause button is a real time saver. Of course, that’s especially true while gaming. The scroll wheel is really nice too, it’s a metal roller and just gives an extra touch of quality to the whole thin.g

If you look super close, you’ll see three tiny LED lights in the top too. These are your typical num lock, caps lock, etc.

Cherry

The switches on this keyboard are nothing new, but they are fantastic. They’re the well-tried and tested Cherry MX Blue RGB. No doubt Corsair will release a Cherry MX Speed, as well as a Red for this model rather than just blue. I’d honestly comment more on how much of an amazing keyboard this is to type on. It just is, it was the best when it launched a few years back, and it still is!

Around the back, you’ll find a single USB port allowing for USB pass through. Of course, this is perfect for hooking up a headset, mouse, RGB mouse mat, that kind of thing. It doesn’t have the power for phone charging though, so stick to direct connections for that.

Finally, on the underside, you’ll find a few cable routing channels, as well as four absolutely massive rubber grips. The keyboard has a good weight to it, and with all this grip, it’ll take a sustained rage typing session and won’t budge an inch.

RGB

The strongest card in the Corsair deck is still their RGB technology. Sure, the keyboard is expertly made, the aluminium is glorious, the switches are fantastic, and it has loads of cool features. However, when people ask you “what is Corsair known for?” the first answer is always RGB. The colours, the customisation, the full SDK that allows insane levels of lighting programming, all add up to the absolute best RGB experience.

Then again, if you’re a lazy arse like me, you’re also in luck. There’s a load of built-in profiles and effects that get the job done in just a click or two. Plus, you can set a single colour and leave it, which is what I’ll do. Set it to red or purple, then leave it alone until the end of time. Of course, that’s the joy of RGB, it’s your choice how you dial it in.

Elgato

So what’s so special about this keyboard? Well, honestly, it has been a bit like reviewing a keyboard I have already done before… because I have. The main difference is that they added some blue key caps that turn them into Elgato keys. Well, aesthetically, as they don’t really change anything.

What they’ve done is take this product and put it the keyboard’s software. It’s as simple as that. The macro engine now works in the Elgato software too, rather than just limited to the Corsair keyboard software suite. That means you can control Key Light, Streamdeck features, etc right from the keyboard. That’s pretty neat.

However, Streamdeck has these neat little display panels. Come on Corsair, can we get a keyboard with six of these down the side? Now that would be neat. However, visuals aside, the functionality is there and I can appreciate that.

MORE RGB

OK, let’s just take a quick look at some of that sexy RGB trim, ooooh-yeah.

Wrist Rest

The wrist rest locks in with clips on the base. However, it’s this neat little step over on the aluminium that I like the most. This brings the rest closer to the keys and it doesn’t look like it was just bodged onto the front. It becomes more a part of the keyboard this way, and I like that.

It’s pretty big too, giving you full wrist support while working and gaming. Plus, it has a luxurious soft padding that’s very kind my poor old wrists.

The Macro keys do look fantastic, and that little bit of angled grip on the top does make a difference. As for the blue keycaps, I thought they were a little bit gaudy if I’m honest, I much prefer the grey ones. As if that looks gaudy though with a keyboard that can RGB your eyes out.