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Corsair, a leading American manufacturer of gaming peripherals, is renowned for catering to gamers with products that are both aesthetically pleasing and functionally diverse. Following the release of the Corsair K70 RGB TKL Champion Series keyboard, designed for esports professionals and fast-paced FPS gameplay with its Cherry MX Speed switches, Corsair has introduced the Corsair K70 RGB TKL Red Switch variant. This new version offers a familiar feel for gamers who prefer the tactile feedback of traditional Cherry MX switches.

Corsair K70 RGB TKL Red Switch packaging

Key Differences and Features

The Corsair K70 RGB TKL Red Switch is essentially a variant of the existing K70 RGB TKL, utilizing different Cherry MX switches. As such, both versions share numerous similarities, inheriting the core design and features previously reviewed. Even the packaging remains largely consistent.

Rear view of the Corsair K70 RGB TKL Red Switch box

A small sticker on the back of the box clearly identifies the Red switches within. Unboxing the keyboard reveals the familiar tenkeyless (TKL) design with a compact key layout.

Corsair K70 RGB TKL Red Switch keyboard layout

Continuing the trend, the keyboard adopts a low-profile design exposing the key switches, similar to Corsair’s more budget-friendly K60 Pro. It features a detachable USB Type-C cable with a braided sheath for durability and a tournament switch that activates a red backlight and disables macro keys for focused gameplay.

Corsair K70 RGB TKL Red Switch features

Despite its compact size, the K70 RGB TKL Red Switch retains dedicated media controls and the signature volume roller found on higher-end Corsair keyboards like the K100 RGB, unlike the more streamlined controls on the K60 or K65 RGB MINI.

The most significant distinction between this version and its predecessor lies in the choice of Cherry MX Red switches.

Close-up of Cherry MX Red switches

Cherry MX Red vs. Speed Switches

Cherry MX Red, Speed, and the budget-oriented Viola switches all share a similar actuation force of 45 cN, the lightest among Cherry MX offerings. However, they differ in key travel and overall feel, catering to different preferences. Cherry MX Speed switches boast the shortest travel distance at 1.2mm, compared to 2mm for Red and Viola, making them incredibly responsive. This “hair-trigger” responsiveness is ideal for fast-paced games like CS:GO, PUBG, and Apex Legends where rapid keystrokes are essential.

Corsair K70 RGB TKL Red Switch keyboard and accessories

However, this sensitivity can lead to accidental keystrokes during everyday tasks like typing or browsing, especially with the compact layout of the K70 RGB TKL. The Cherry MX Red switches in the K70 RGB TKL Red Switch offer a more balanced experience, suitable for both gaming and general use.

Close-up view of the keycaps

The K70 RGB TKL Red Switch also benefits from Corsair’s AXON hyper-processing technology, with a polling rate of 8000Hz, four times faster than the first generation seen in the Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro and eight times faster than standard gaming keyboards, ensuring minimal input lag.

Conclusion: A Versatile Choice

The Corsair K70 RGB TKL Red Switch maintains the strengths and weaknesses of the Speed switch version while offering the familiar feel of Cherry MX Red switches, making it more versatile for everyday use. It’s a compelling upgrade for owners of older keyboards like the Corsair K70 RGB MK2, providing a modern and well-rounded option in the mid-to-high-end gaming keyboard market.