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CORSAIR – K70 RGB MK.2 LOW PROFILE RAPIDFIRE Full-size Wired Mechanical Cherry MX LOW PROFILE Speed Switch Gaming Keyboard – Black
CORSAIR K70 MAX review – simply the best yet
The latest addition to the K70 line, the MAX may be the best one yet
Updated: Apr 12, 2024 4:07 pm
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CORSAIR’s K70 MAX keyboard is, without a doubt, a significant step-up in design quality compared to the last generation of mechanical boards from the company. At first glance, it’s a rather subtle product. There’s no over the top RGB lighting strips, no garish type-face screaming “gamer” at you, and no detachable gimmicks designed to pull in those early adopters looking for something fresh. But what is it that truly makes this board the new king of full-size keyboards?
CORSAIR K70 MAX Keyboard
Form-factor
Full-size
Key-switches
CORSAIR MGX
Actuation Force / Travel
45g / 2.0mm
Dimensions
442 x 166 x 39.2mm
Pros
- Magnetic key-switches feel sublime under touch
- Clean non brushed and stylish aluminum design throughout
- Adjustable actuation points changes gameplay dynamics
- Sound-dampening helps refine enjoyment
Cons
- Only linear switches
- Missing USB pass-through still
- Still no Capellix LEDs
- Could use adjustable actuation force
| Form Factor | Full Size |
| Keyswitches | CORSAIR MGX |
| Actuation Force | 45g |
| Actuation Point | 0.4 – 3.6mm |
| Total Travel | 4.0mm |
| USB Report Rate | 8,000 Hz |
Nope. It’s subtle, refined. Brushed aluminum has been replaced with a simple, clean alu finish. The top bar, admittedly, does come with CORSAIR’s now signature triangle pattern aesthetic, but it’s sleek and more refined, and of course it has that glass display plate found on the last gen of K70, complete with RGB sailboat logo. But aside from that, there’s really very little that detracts from the overall finish. At home, in the office, at a LAN, this board doesn’t particularly stand out, at least not in a distracting way, and honestly, that’s no bad thing. It feels and is premium.
Design & Features
So what makes the K70 MAX so special? Well, It’s under-the-hood that the real magic happens. CORSAIR has departed from its traditional design approach, re-evaluating just how it operates in the keyboard category, that much is clear. The K70 MAX features two layers of internal sound-dampening, along with a set of bespoke magnetic-mechanical key-switches with adjustable actuation points (more on that in a moment).
“CORSAIR has departed from its traditional design approach, re-evaluating just how it operates in the keyboard category”
Of course, you get the usual bells and whistles now associated with the brand’s top of the line K70 keyboards. That includes AXON hyper-polling for 8,000 Hz report rates, a huge array of on-board profiles, that clinically adept scroll-wheel plus dedicated media keys, removable USB cable, and that tournament switch (for the 0.01% of users who will enter a tournament three times a year with it, if they’re not using a 60% keyboard anyway…).
But it’s that combination of sound-dampening and magnetic key-switches that delivers the real pizzazz on this whole affair.
CORSAIR K70 MAX Media Keys
CORSAIR K70 MAX MGX key switches
A detailed review of the CORSAIR K70 MAX keyboard showcasing its close-up view and cable connection.
A CORSAIR K70 MAX keyboard showcasing the wrist-rest
CORSAIR’s K70 MAX Gaming Keyboard Side On
Price
The big question then. Price? Well, it’s not entirely a smooth pill to swallow. CORSAIR’s K70 MAX gaming keyboard will retail on launch for $230 US, $330 CAN, and £220 in the UK (plus or minus a cent or two). Admittedly, that is a fairly beefy price point. It actually comes in very close to the K100, which, at the time of writing, you can pick up for sub $130 on Amazon. In fact, with CamelCamelCamel we’ve even seen that price drop as low as $99.99.
That said, the CORSAIR K70 MAX still represents impressively good value. The step-up in quality, even in comparison to the now slightly aged K100, makes it well worth the investment. Particularly when it comes to that magnetic key-switch and sound-dampening combination that you get.
Performance
So, CORSAIR K70 MAX. How does it feel to type on? Honestly, incredible. This is a linear switch, so if you’re a fan of how those typically feel, you’ll likely love this one too. It’s very similar to a Cherry MX Red on touch alone. You’re talking the same 45g of actuation force required, the same (default) actuation point of around 2.0mm, and the same total travel of 4.0mm.
These feel like they’re slightly lubed switches as well, (although we’re awaiting official confirmation from CORSAIR on this). Regardless, they feel super smooth compared to some similar linear models we have in the office. Whether that’s because of the magic of magnets, or the addition of some lube, is fairly inconsequential when they feel this good.
K70 MAX Device Settings
Setting Actuation Point on K70 MAX
A screen shot of a CORSAIR K70 MAX gaming keyboard review.
A screenshot of the Microsoft Xbox keyboard featured in a CORSAIR K70 MAX review.
The big party trick to the K70 MAX’s switches, is the adjustable actuation points. In iCUE you can effectively alter the actuation distance all the way from 0.4mm down to the full-fat 3.6mm depth. This is superbly intuitive to do, and completely changes the dynamic feel of the board. If you need fast reactions in game, and instant key-presses, then ramping all the way up to 0.4mm makes for an incredibly reactive experience. Healing in World of Warcraft, was stupidly rapid. The one caveat from such a high actuation point is that it is incredibly easy to miss-press a key and have it actuate a different ability (less helpful in the heat of the moment, and when that key is a major cooldown). In fact, when sat idling, just resting your fingertips on the K70 MAX, it’s remarkably easy for your character to just start drifting lazily to the left or right, dependent on which rogue finger decided to rest just a little too much on the switch. So you may need to tweak the distance until it’s just right for you. Sadly, adjustable actuation force isn’t something possible yet it seems.
Actuation qualms aside, you can also set secondary actuation points, deeper in the switch, and assign that to a different command or key, making it super easy to do 1-2 key-press commands on the fly. Ideal for combos or binding multi-actions together.
The best feature, though? The sound dampening. Long gone are the days of rogue pings on space-bars, or errant clangy sounds reverberating around your ear-drums as you depress the keys, rapidly smashing out your 100th email. General day-to-day typing is a joy. The K70 MAX is a board that’s not offensive in any manner, certainly not in the office.
“Long gone are the days of rogue pings on space-bars, or errant clangy sounds reverberating around your ear-drums.”
It’s hard to fault the CORSAIR K70 MAX. The usual criticisms we’re used to leveraging at its keyboards, have been fully addressed. Through what effectively amounts to subtle, yet warranted, internal design changes, build quality, gaming, and general-use, feel so so so much better than with its predecessors. In fact, it’s at the point where it’s almost hard to recommend any of CORSAIR’s past keyboards.
If you’re looking to get into the world of magnetic switches, and sound-dampening, but aren’t quite ready to drop 1.5 to 2x the cost on your own custom board, the CORSAIR K70 MAX may be the next best thing.
CORSAIR K70 MAX Keyboard
Form-factor
Full-size
Key-switches
CORSAIR MGX
Actuation Force / Travel
45g / 2.0mm
Dimensions
442 x 166 x 39.2mm
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