We’re back today with a new Corsair product. We’re talking about the K65 Plus Wireless, a compact, wireless reference with PBT keys and pre-lubricated switches. Pricing is announced at €159.99 in Europe.
In short, a good reference from the outset. But what’s it worth in reality? Find out in our full review!
Technical specifications of the K65 Plus Wireless :
With this new model of mechanical keyboard, we find a reference in the 75% format that measures 320 x 136 x 25 mm for a weight of 0.922 kg. Naturally, Corsair uses double-injected PBT keys and premium materials such as aluminum. Despite Corsair’s linear mechanical switches, this model is equipped with a soundproofing system to ensure quiet operation. Not to mention pre-lubricated switches .
Here, with the K65 Plus Wireless, we’re dealing with a wireless keyboard with an impressive battery life of 266 hours(LEDs and lighting effects deactivated). The brand also boasts fast recharging in just 5 to 6 hours and a 4,200 mAh battery (compared with 4,000 mAh for Cooler Master’s last keyboard).
Alongside this, we find the classic keyboard features. These include full key rollover with 100% anti-ghosting and a polling rate of 1,000 Hz.
Recommended system:
To use Corsair’s latest keyboard, you’ll need an Internet connection to download the iCUE software. In addition, you’ll need at least a USB 2.0 port to connect it (dongle or cable). As for the operating system, Corsair recommends Windows 10/11 or macOS version 10.15.
[nextpage title=”Unpacking”]
The box:
Our keyboard of the day arrives in a box in Corsair’s colors, i.e. black and yellow. On the front, we find an illustration of the K65 Plus Wireless illuminated by its RGB LEDs. Alongside it, we find more information on this reference, such as that it’s a 75% format keyboard with silent typing. In addition, this model is wireless and features hot-swappable switches. This means we can replace them with other switches , for example, if the original ones don’t suit us.
The K65 Plus Wireless comes with Corsair MLX Red switches, which are linear and can be used on PCs, Macs, Xboxes, Playstations and iOS and Android smartphones.
On the back now, we’re treated to more technical information about our keyboard. The brand once again highlights some of the features already specified on the front of the box.
Inside, the keyboard is well protected under a plastic shell and wedged between cardboard protectors. In any case, this has served its purpose, as everything arrived in excellent condition.
In the box, don’t expect any wonders. You’ll find two instructions, a recharging cable and a small key/switch-puller. But that’s something! If you take Razer’s Huntsman V3 pro, which costs almost 300 euros, it’s already more!
The K65 Plus Wireless :
We can see that Corsair’s new keyboard is elegant right out of the box. The keyboard features PBT keys in two different colors. There are black keys, while the others are a slightly bluish gray. On top of this, we’re treated to a metallic escape key overhung by the Corsair logo and a space bar with a triangular pattern. To round things off, the K65 Plus Wireless is equipped with an attractive, well-serrated metal thumbwheel to manage the PC’s sound volume. In short, the design is flawless!
This model is also quite heavy, with an aluminum back plate.
Here, the K65 Plus Wireless is a 75% format keyboard, meaning we’ll be losing the numeric keypad compared with a full-size keyboard. However, it’s still a practical format, in the sense that we’ll be keeping the navigation keys and a few keys like “Del”, for example.
How does it look from the back?
On the rear, Corsair’s keyboard is beautifully crafted. In fact, the back features attractive glossy patterns. It’s a welcome change from keyboards with nothing behind them. On top of this, we find two elevating tabs on two levels. They face the back of the keyboard, rather than the sides as is sometimes the case. There are also four rubber pads to hold the keyboard in place and prevent it from slipping off the stand.
Finally, at the bottom of the K65 Plus Wireless, we find the keyboard’s serial numbers and recycling information.
[nextpage title=”Test”]
Let’s move on to the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless. We put it to the test in just about every scenario: video games, office work, etc…
Handling:
Corsair’s new keyboard is in the 75% format. If you’re not a fan of keyboards in this format, you may find it difficult to do without the numeric keypad. Nevertheless, in theory, you should quickly adapt to the K65 Plus Wireless thanks to its many available shortcuts. You’ll just have to get used to where they’re located, to gain in writing speed. Even so, most of the shortcuts are logical and easy to understand. However, the shortcut for screen printing is located to the left of the shift button, and I didn’t find it very instinctive the first few times. Instead, I looked for it, as on my Vulcan II Mini Air, at the end of the azerty row.
Otherwise, there are numerous shortcuts on this keyboard’s function keys, notably for managing lighting effects or certain multimedia shortcuts. Sound is controlled via the wheel on the right. It is pleasant to use, thanks to its material and well-marked notches.
Apart from the 75% format, we don’t really have any additional macro buttons on the keyboard, as we do on the K100 RGB, for example. Here, we’ve got the bare minimum, and that’s just fine with us!
On this model, the lifting lugs are well positioned. We remember some references on which they were positioned towards the outside of the keyboard. This is usually a problem, as when you move the keyboard to the left or right, they tend to fold in on their own, throwing it off balance. Here, they are positioned towards the rear, so we won’t have to worry about this on a daily basis. Not to mention the rubber feet, which grip and hold the K65 Plus Wireless securely.
Otherwise, the K65 Plus Wireless is a really well-built, aesthetically pleasing keyboard. It’s really sober, unlike the old K70 RGB MK.2, for example. It’s also heavy and qualitative. During our test session, we didn’t notice any cracking or malleable shells, as with the Cooler Master MK770.
The K65 Plus Wireless is equipped with PBT keys. This is a plastic that lasts longer and, above all, doesn’t take on a shiny effect over time. It also prevents fingerprints, which can quickly make a keyboard look dirty, even if it’s just been cleaned! No such worries here, thanks to PBT.
The K65 Plus Wireless also boasts a long battery life. The brand claims nearly 266 hours when the RGB is switched off. As you’d expect, we weren’t able to put it through its paces in this test.
Switches:
With the new K65 Plus Wireless, we don’t have customizable switches , like the K70 Max RGB. What we do have are Corsair switches, but in their linear version. These are designed to be fast, precise and silent. To activate them, you’ll need 1.9 mm for a force of 45 G. Their total travel is 4 mm and they are guaranteed for 70 million keystrokes. On top of this, these switches have been pre-lubricated, making them smoother, less rough and quieter.
In terms of feel, these are fairly soft switches, since there’s no stop. Linear switches are generally quite sensitive. Indeed, with a force of 45 cN, the key will be activated quite easily, and even more so here with the lubrication. I tend to use double letters on this keyboard when writing. Typing errors are plentiful, as are inopportune movements. On the other hand, for writing, there’s less fatigue than on harder switches, which is another advantage.
On top of this, Corsair has fitted this model with two layers of insulation in the keyboard, giving it a much duller sound in use. Clearly, we’re dealing with one of the quietest keyboards we’ve had at Overclocking. On a day-to-day basis, this will be much more pleasant for those around you if you’re not working alone in your office.
Noise :
The advantage of this new Corsair keyboard is its silence in use. We’ve already mentioned this in the switches section of this review, but it’s a real plus point for the K65 Plus Wireless. The noise is matt, pleasant and, above all, silent. As someone who makes a lot of noise when typing on a keyboard, I can really tell the difference with this Corsair model.
RGB:
The K65 Plus Wireless is also equipped with RGB LEDs. Once again, Corsair has succeeded in implementing bright LEDs that stand out well between the keys on this model. On top of this, whites stand out well, while yellows are also true to form, as are blues.
And if you’re not particularly fond of RGB, you can mute or dim it considerably using the keyboard’s buttons and shortcuts. 
[nextpage title=”Conclusion”]
It’s high time we came to a conclusion about Corsair’s K65 Plus Wireless. So, what did we think?
A keyboard that performs very well!
Once again, Corsair offers us a very fine keyboard with its K65 Plus Wireless. Indeed, in addition to its solid aluminum construction, we also find PBT keys, a well-serrated aluminum scroll wheel and sound-deadening layers that add real comfort to the keyboard. Admittedly, this adds to its weight, but in my case, it poses no problems whatsoever. In spite of everything, the new K65 is aesthetically pleasing and much more sober than the brand’s previous gaming keyboards. Nothing is left out, and the escape keys and space bar have been customized by the brand to make a discreet reminder. Corsair offers a keyboard with a sheathed cable, slim and discreet, which you’ll use for recharging in particular. What’s more, the new-generation K65 stays in place thanks to its rubber feet under the keyboard.
This model also features RGB LEDs, which are clearly visible, bright and, above all, true to life. White is white, as are yellow and blue, for example. What’s more, Corsair has equipped its K65 Plus Wireless with numerous shortcuts to compensate for the disappearance of certain buttons due to its reduced size.
In use, typing is fluid and pleasant thanks to its comfortable switches , which are discreet in terms of the noise they emit. What’s more, they’re hot-swappable, so you can easily change them. That’s great, because it means you can customize your keyboard to suit your needs and desires.
Even so, it offers an interesting battery life (up to 266 hours) if you switch off its RGB LEDs. Of course, this will be reduced if you decide to leave them on and add a lighting effect on top. Finally, thanks to its two possible connection modes (via dongle or Bluetooth), this model is compatible with most PCs, consoles and smartphones on the market!
How much does the K65 Plus Wireless cost?
Corsair is offering the new K65 Plus Wireless for €159.99, €10 more than the K65 Pro Mini and €30 more than the K65 RGB Mini. However, this is a mitigating factor, because despite this price increase, which has been rising steadily over the last few years, we mustn’t forget that this model is virtually perfect in terms of the 75% keyboard. Indeed, there’s not much to reproach it for, unlike the old K65s.
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless
We liked :
- Solid construction with aluminum
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Attractive aluminum thumbwheel
- PBT keys…
- … to avoid fingerprints
- Customized escape and space keys
- Top-notch, bright RGB LEDs
- The weight of this model
- The number of shortcuts available so you don’t have to install the software
- Sound-deadening layers that make the keyboard really quiet!
- Comfortable, discreet switches
- The fact that it’s hot-swappable
- The presence of a thin, discreet sheathed cable for recharging
- Rubber feet to keep it firmly in place
- ICUE software, as functional and feature-rich as ever
- Long battery life (266 h) when RGB is switched off
- Bluetooth connection possible, or thanks to the supplied dongle
We disliked :
- The ever-increasing price tag
Corsair’s keyboard is almost beyond reproach. Indeed, we’re dealing with a high-quality, well-kept model equipped with premium materials (aluminum), not to mention the presence of PBT keys and sound-deadening layers to limit noise. In spite of everything, it remains bright thanks to its RGB LEDs, and colors are faithful. What’s more, the switches are comfortable, discreet and can be changed to suit your needs. In short, apart from a price that has risen steadily in recent years, this is a no-fail product for the brand. For us, it’s gold!
Thanks to Corsair!
