There was a time not all too long ago that getting a responsive mechanical keyboard, especially one with RGB lighting, was an expensive investment. As technology has progressed, though, new, more affordable variants have become available, and the Corsair K60 RGB Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is the latest one to hit the market.
Corsair is well-known for its expansive line of computer peripherals, and the K60 RGB Pro keyboard fits in well with the rest of its pricier options. While the K60 offers a lower cost, it's still extremely customizable and works alongside Corsair's iCUE software, allowing users to customize their keyboard lighting or to set the lighting to respond in real-time with games being played, all for less than a hundred bucks.
In terms of lighting effects, the Corsair K60 comes with a wide range of pre-set lighting options even when not using iCUE. These lighting effects can be controlled via the keyboard itself, letting players cycle through colors, set a single color, choose pulsing or wave-like color shifts, or even trigger lighting solely on keys that the user has just typed on. While users can utilize iCUE to customize the lighting exactly to their liking, the numerous built-in options are quite satisfying and can be utilized even without the assistance of PC or Mac-based software. In other words, the keyboard can put on an impressive light show even if plugged into something like a Chromebook.
Gamers on a budget will be happy to know that the Corsair K60 RGB Pro doesn't cut corners when it came to materials, and it shares some construction features with more expensive keyboards, like the Corsair K100. Both feature an aluminum frame, giving this keyboard some heft and preventing it from sliding around during particularly heavy gaming sessions.
The Corsair K60 RGB Pro keyboard utilizes Cherry Viola mechanical keyswitches, which are a more affordable alternative to the Cherry MX line that are often implemented on more expensive mechanical keyboards like the K100. The keys provide the clicky, responsive experience that one typically expects from a mechanical keyboard, despite the lower cost of the switches. The keys are slightly stiffer than one might find with most Cherry MX keyboards, but this could actually be a good thing for some people. In testing, the Corsair K60 didn't register any unintended double key presses, which is a problem that some users experience with Cherry MX mechanical keyboards. This ensures that users will have a convenient experience whether they're using it to play an action game like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, or typing out a paper for work or school.
In terms of layout and overall design, the Corsair K60 RGB Pro is definitely more simplistic than some of its pricier, bells-and-whistles keyboard cousins, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. The keyboard is sharp and streamlined-looking, but otherwise gives the impression of a generic mechanical keyboard when the lighting is not in use, making it ideal for anyone who needs to present a professional appearance while working. The keyboard isn't compact, as it features a numpad, but it's definitely slimmer than keyboards that have additional rows of macro keys, making it a good choice for anyone who doesn't have much space to work with at their desk.
Although the K60 RGB Pro doesn't have buttons solely for macros, it does have on-the-fly controls for general PC purposes, keyboard lighting, and the ability to program one's own macros using combinations of keyboard presses. For example, there are no dedicated dials to adjust audio volume, but users can ultimately control these things by toggling multiple pre-programmed keys, like FN + F5 to mute, or they can set up their own macros through iCUE to trigger exactly what they want. In other words, the functionality is there, but users may need to spend some time getting acquainted with the keyboard's built-in key combinations and iCUE software before getting to fully experience what this keyboard has to offer.
The Corsair K60 RGB Pro keyboard lacks additional USB ports to plug in a mouse or other computer accessories, nor does it include a wrist rest or interchangeable keys. However, none of these things are particularly a big problem, as most modern PCs have a plethora of available USB ports, and the ergonomics of a keyboard are often best left to the user themselves so they can get exactly what they need.
The Corsair K60 RGB Pro Gaming Mechanical Keyboard offers gamers a great entry point to everything RGB lit keyboards can offer, with a surprising amount of customization built-in. While the keyboard may come with a bit of a learning curve to fully utilize everything it can do, players can ultimately get a great experience while saving money. Whether a gamer is budget-conscious or wants to divert the majority of their funds to a new expensive Nvidia RTX 3080 or other pricey hardware, this keyboard can serve as a major upgrade from run-of-the-mill membrane keyboards. The Corsair K60 RGB Pro can provide a more responsive and enjoyable gaming experience, along with a sharp, professional appearance when not utilizing the RGB lighting, all without breaking the bank.
The Corsair K60 RGB Pro Gaming Keyboard is available now for a retail price of $89.99. Game Rant was provided with a sample for this review.