Introduction

When CORSAIR (yes, all caps) brought out the K68 keyboard last year, it was a confusing product that took the ID of their older STRAFE keyboard, removed the lighting side plates, added some spill resistance via a rubber mold, and ultimately led to the inclusion of plastic case keyboards in their K-series of keyboards. It came with only red backlighting in a year where everything seemingly had to have RGB backlighting, so it is no surprise that an RGB version of the same, aptly named the K68 RGB, has been released now. CORSAIR says there to be a few other tricks up the keyboard's, well, sleeve, and this should also be a more budget-friendly option for those wanting their keyboards and software driver they will use as well. Thanks again to CORSAIR for providing a review sample for TechPowerUp.


The Corsair K68 RGB is a full-size keyboard that supports different language layouts, with US ANSI being the version I have here. It is a mechanical gaming keyboard with genuine Cherry MX switches, and this time around, there is the option of Cherry MX Blue (in RGB flavor) switches in addition to the MX Red switches the previous one had. The market seemingly has decided that the Cherry MX Brown switch is not good enough anymore, which is something the mechanical keyboard enthusiasts and general populace have in common, but for different reasons, and CORSAIR seemingly agrees by not offering that option here. The K68 RGB has per-key 16.8 M RGB backlighting with support for CUE (Corsair Utility Engine), which should add more functional and aesthetic options. One of the biggest features here, as with the non-RGB K68, is the IP32 spill resistance, which we will examine in more detail later.

In addition to the keyboard, CORSAIR had also recently released their own replacement keycap sets - a PBT plastic composition with doubleshot injected legends in white or black color options. Instead of a short overview for them separately, I decided to cover them here as part of this keyboard review, so look out for those as they come up as well. Without further ado, let us begin the review with a look at the keyboard's specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

CORSAIR operates a web shop in the USA; however, this sample came from a marketing hub, so we begin with a look at the product packaging. A plastic wrap covers the packaging, which I maintain is not very practical, and removing it shows off the product box in more detail. We have the usual CORSAIR Gaming black and yellow color scheme with a print of the keyboard, the company and product name, and Cherry MX switch label on front, which corresponds to the switch your keyboard inside uses. Specifications and marketing features continue on the back and sides in multiple languages, and here is also where we see an illustration of the rubber mold used to provide the aforementioned water-spill resistance.


There are two seals and a flap to help keep the contents inside in place. Open the box and we see the keyboard itself in a plastic wrap with the keyboard cable in the cardboard cutout compartment above. The accessories are housed in separate layers of the cardboard packaging - not the best I have seen, this setup will suffice provided the shipping packaging is done well. We have two sets of accessories with the K68 RGB, and the first set contains the product's quick start guide (online copy in the downloads tab here), a warranty guide, and a warranty note specific to Australia.


The second accessory, also in a plastic wrap, is a removable wrist rest. It is completely made out of plastic with no reversible surface, which their flagship K95 Platinum had, and instead has a dimpled, hard surface. There are two clips on the back and rubber pads to help prevent the keyboard and wrist rest from moving around on your desk.

No replacement keycaps or keycap puller here; their absence and the plastic wrist rest are two of many ways CORSAIR has toned down the keyboard to hit a lower price point.