Closer Examination

Yet more plastic covers here, with a final one on the keyboard itself. Taking the keyboard out, we get our first good look at the K68 RGB and, well, it looks exactly like the non-RGB K68, although it weighs more thanks to the increased number of LEDs and more hardware inside, including a thicker PCB to support the add-ons here. As we saw already, the K68 RGB is a full-size keyboard, and I have here the 104-key ANSI layout version. Other languages are supported given their global brand presence, and all have the same black on black color scheme with 16.8 M RGB backlighting.

The bezels are not the smallest or largest, although the top having some more hardware buttons makes this a larger-than-average keyboard overall. We see dedicated media control buttons, as well as a button each to control backlighting brightness and lock/unlock the Windows key, in the top-right corner as seen from the front. The Num Pad has secondary legends below the primary ones, with the alphanumeric section trading places. 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 legends have the same typeface as all recent CORSAIR keyboards - a larger font size with a font CORSAIR says is their balance between clean and aggressive while also allowing more light through. This is a subjective matter of course, so do let me know what you think in the comments section.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see the usual certification sticker in the middle. There are four rubber pads on the corners in the back to help keep the keyboard from sliding around on the desk, and there are two feet at the top to optionally elevate the keyboard, which unfortunately do not have rubber pads, making this another cost-saving measure. There are also several small openings in the back that act as channel outlets to help spilled fluids safely exit the keyboard, and this is part of the design change that has been incorporated to aid with spill resistance.


The non-detachable cable emerges from the middle, is the usual 6' long, and terminates in a male USB Type-A connector. USB 2.0 will suffice here even with the 16.8 M RGB backlighting with three LEDs per color, and the keyboard is rated for a maximum current draw of 500 A at 5 VDC. In practice, the keyboard had a maximum current draw of 433 mA with all LEDs on at max brightness, and this falls well within spec. No USB pass-through port here, which I would have liked to see in this price range. There is also a CORSAIR logo sticker at the top on the front, with a plastic cover over it for you to peel off.


The keycaps have an OEM profile, and the various rows are thus sculpted accordingly. They have a floating design, which allows for easier cleaning, but causes more light bleed, which may or may not be a good thing for you. The keycaps themselves are thin ABS plastic with an average wall thickness of 0.92 mm, so expect them to develop a shine due to finger oils with use. The legends are laser etched, which will have these wear out quicker relative to other application techniques, including dye sublimation and doubleshot injection. Adding to the complexity, the bottom row has a different spacing scheme than what a lot of aftermarket keycap sets cater to. These are not new complaints from me, but we finally have CORSAIR's own replacement keycap set out in the market as well, so you have first-party options now. As expected, backlighting will be affected depending on where the legends are located.


The switches on the CORSAIR K68 RGB are not as visible as others, but the ones on my sample are Cherry MX Red RGB switches, which get dampened by the rubber mold when typed on. As such, the K68 RGB is a quieter keyboard relative to most other Cherry MX Red keyboards, and that alone will make it an attractive option to some potential customers. The switches have a translucent plastic housing with the actual RGB LEDs located under each switch. The larger keycaps use Cherry stabilizers, which makes these easier to remove and install as well, but at the expense of a slightly mushy and unsatisfying feeling when depressed normally. This can of course be a subjective feeling, but the rubber mold makes it all the worse. It is necessary, however, since it helps provide an IP32 rating against dust and water at an angle for a limited time. This is NOT a waterproof keyboard, so please do not treat it as such.


Installing the wrist rest is quite simple - line it up to the keyboard on the back and simply push it in to have it click in place. The entire package looks good in my opinion, but make sure you have room for it on your desk.