Introduction

We just had a new CORSAIR keyboard launch last week, and the company did introduce a few new things with the flagship K100 keyboard late last year, including a standard bottom row of keycaps and stock PBT doubleshot keycaps that necessitated a new mold. Now, anyone with an inkling of how much a keycap set mold costs will tell you that it makes sense to amortize that cost in the form of new products using the same keycap design. Add to this train of thought CORSAIR's AXON hyper-processing technology, also introduced with the K100, and the likelihood of seeing a revamp of their keyboard lineup sooner rather than later suddenly makes sense. The K65 RGB Mini was a pleasant surprise in the new-to-CORSAIR form factor, and I expected perhaps an updated K70 with these updates next. Instead, some love is given to their budget-friendly membrane keyboard range, and here we are then with the newly updated CORSAIR K55 lineup.


Well, technically, the CORSAIR K55 RGB PRO XT just adds more ammo to my hypothesis that CORSAIR is running out of ideas about how to get out of their self-imposed keyboard numbering scheme that barely holds together logically today. But this time around, the added "PRO XT" makes sense since a CORSAIR K55 RGB keyboard precedes it. What the updated lineup does is offer not one, but two keyboards. The first—not provided as a review sample—is the K55 RGB PRO that builds upon the older keyboard and adds more backlighting zones while retaining Elgato Stream Deck support for the G-keys. This K55 RGB PRO XT also adds per-key backlighting support and game integration with iCUE, but at a slightly higher cost. We will take a look at these features in detail and begin with the specifications in the table below—thanks to CORSAIR for sending a review sample to TechPowerUp!

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

CORSAIR operates a web shop in the USA. However, this sample came from a marketing hub, so we begin with a look at the product packaging. A plastic wrap covers the packaging, which I maintain is not very practical, and removing it shows off the product box in more detail. The radioactive yellow continues its detested presence here (yes, CORSAIR, I will continue to hate on it), but otherwise, the packaging design is similar to recent CORSAIR gaming products from the last couple of years. On the front is a textured pattern with yellow triangles along with the company logo and product name and a large render of the keyboard all lit up. We also see more specific information of the keyboard SKU inside, including language and region, which continues on the side. Marketing features and technical specifications in multiple languages adorn the other sides and the back with more renders. Two seals and double flap keep the contents inside in place during transit.


Opening the box, we see the keyboard tucked between cardboard on all sides for protection during transit. Underneath, we have the associated paperwork consisting of a user manual that can also be found online and the generic safety information on usage and disposal that is mandated by law in some regions. The keyboard cable itself is tucked inside a separate cardboard compartment, which is also where you will see the wrist rest that comes in more plastic wrap.


We do not get the plush memory foam wrist rest here, and the included one is a soft-textured plastic wrist rest with the updated CORSAIR aesthetic, including the CORSAIR name and yellow box on front. The top surface is hard enough not to be mistaken as a soft-touch plastic, but will do the job just fine. There are three rubber pads on the underside to add friction against the resting surface, as well as two plastic clips for installation with the keyboard, which we will get to soon.