Closer Examination

As we saw before, the K57 RGB wireless keyboard from CORSAIR comes in a plastic wrap to keep it pristine and free of dust out of the box. Removing it, we get our first good look at the keyboard, and it is on the larger side of average as a result of all the extra keys onboard. These extra keys include a column of six macro keys on the left, a macro recording key/brightness control/Win lock button towards the top-right corner, and media controls above the number pad and at the top-right corner. Indicator LEDs are found between these two sets of extra keys as seen above, which includes one to denote the status connection in addition to the battery level during charge and discharge. The top of the keyboard also comes with a plastic strip over a glossy section, which has a CORSAIR logo in the middle and is pretty much a big dust magnet. I have no idea why CORSAIR decided to make this glossy; it really is not pronounced enough to be different looking and only takes away from the user experience in my opinion.

The extra keys at the top mean a lot of empty space there (but actually used to host the battery inside as we will see on the next page), so it does appear as if the keyboard has big bezels at first glance. It is lighter than average as a result of the membrane keyboard sans a metal plate in use, as well as the use of CORSAIR's new space-efficient Capellix LEDs instead of the more typical SMD LEDs, which are larger and weigh more when added up. There is no flex in use, but you can twist the keyboard slightly if you go rotate the ends in opposite directions, which is nothing that should count as a negative when it comes to practical build quality.

The numpad has secondary legends below the primary ones, with the alphanumeric section choosing to have them diagonally across and under instead. This, combined with the location of single legends being in the top-center, is indicative of where the backlighting will be more uniform, and those at the bottom may not end up as bright as those at the top. The font typeface is similar, if not identical, to other recent CORSAIR keyboards in that they are large to allow more light to pass through, but not out of place in a typical work environment.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see the usual certification sticker in the middle. There are two large rubber pads on the bottom corners and two smaller, circular rubber pads at the top corners to keep the keyboard from sliding around on the desk or scratching, as well as two raised plastic sections similar to the circular rubber pads in between, which do not have any padding and only serve to help keep this long keyboard level. Of course, this only works if you do not plan to use the two feet at the top which open up to optionally elevate the keyboard, and these feet not having any rubber padding either is cost saving. We also see cutouts that have screws to keep the keyboard together. There are more cutouts at the top and bottom, the former of which houses the small USB dongle for CORSAIR Slipstream wireless connectivity, while the latter are used in conjunction with the wrist rest.


Installing the wrist rest is very simple because of the plastic tabs that can be pushed into place in the aforementioned cutouts. Once they click in on one side, do the same for the other and it will remain in place during normal use. Ideally, one should not use a wrist rest at all, but I understand that this is easier said than done for most people.


The keyboard has a power toggle next to the inset micro-USB port on the front facing away from the keyboard user, which is a green or red color based on whether the keyboard is turned on or off. The provided cable works well enough even if it is micro-USB in 2019 and used to charge the battery as well as bypass wireless connectivity entirely in favor of USB mode if connected to a spare USB Type-A port on your PC. USB 2.0 will suffice for power and data alike should you find yourself running out of available USB 3.1 Gen 1 or 2 ports.


The keycaps for this membrane switch keyboard do not have to adhere to any particular profile as we see with mechanical switch keyboards that use the Cherry MX stem design, and the macro key column uses less sculpted surfaces with a reliance on the overall slant of the keyboard itself. The rest of the keyboard has a more familiar sculpting if you have used a mechanical keyboard with an OEM keycap profile. The keycaps themselves are thin ABS plastic in composition with laser-etched legends that are translucent to backlighting, which will all show signs of wear and tear sooner rather than later. There won't be a lot of aftermarket support either, especially given the extra keys on the device and the bottom-row spacing CORSAIR employs.


No surprise here as far as switches go, with rubber dome membrane switches the only option on the K57 RGB wireless keyboard. The switch housing and tactile rubber domes are all a frosted white in color to allow for better diffusion of light from the Capellix LEDs underneath, and the larger keycaps have a wire-style stabilizer around the switch, which works decently.