Skilled’s Score
Execs
- Quick optical switches
- Clever structure and performance layer
- Strong parts
- Nearly all choices accessible with out software program
Cons
- Costly
- Sound dampening is ineffective
Our Verdict
For players who desire a compact, wired board that’s all about pace, the K65 Mini Professional is the most effective round. It’s a bit expensive and the inner foam isn’t doing a lot, however stable {hardware} and a very good structure push it above the competitors.
Have you ever checked out the marketplace for mechanical mini gaming keyboards currently? You would possibly assume that’s a reasonably small area of interest, but it surely’s completely swarming with opponents from producers each massive and small. So, to make its newest itty-bitty keyboard, the K65 Professional Mini, stand out, Corsair did…effectively, not so much, at the least at first look.
However appears to be like may be deceiving. Whereas the K65 Professional Mini doesn’t wow you with flashy gimmicks or an eye catching design, it nails the fundamentals and consists of some options that players will love. Optical switches and high-quality supplies make an announcement all on their very own.
That in all probability isn’t sufficient to justify a hefty price ticket, particularly for such a small board…besides that the competitors is about the identical worth. For those who’re prepared to splurge and also you desire a stable, simple optical design shorn of pointless extras, the K65 Mini Professional is an effective choice.
Design & construct
- Spectacular PBT keybcaps
- Quick and exact OPX switches
- Sound dampening could possibly be higher
The K65 Professional Mini differentiates itself from different mini gaming keyboards with just a few particular options. It comes with PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) keycaps as commonplace, and it is a notably well-made set with a pleasant tough texture that’s very grippy throughout gaming periods.
The board has foam dampening contained in the physique, and maybe most significantly, comes with Corsair’s speedy and semi-proprietary OPX linear optical switches.
The K65’s OPX optical switches are extremely specialised for gaming, however can’t be eliminated or changed.
Michael Crider/Foundry
For the uninitiated, optical switches interrupt a beam of sunshine to actuate a key press as a substitute of ready for a bodily connection on {an electrical} contact. Mixed with a clean linear motion, it makes the switches extraordinarily quick and lightweight with no scratches or bumps by the press.
Corsair says this keyboard has two layers of inner sound dampening, confirmed by the exploded view. But when it’s considerably quieter than different linear boards, I can’t hear it.
Optical, linear switches are in all probability the most effective switches for gaming, at the least in purely technical phrases. The optical construct means this board comes with out the hot-swap sockets for true customisation past lighting and keycaps, although. For that characteristic, you’ll want to have a look at one thing just like the K70 RGB ($129.99/£159.99).
The neatest tweak for usability is that the operate layer lights up whenever you press the Fn key.
However the K65 has different charms. These embody the aforementioned PBT keycaps (commonplace), a powerful 8,000Hz polling price (for these of you with actually superhuman reflexes) and a stable aluminium high deck.
It additionally retains a light-weight most important physique for travelling, alongside a braided, removable USB-C cable and clever structure that’s helpfully illustrated by each the keycaps and lighting system. Between that and the forgiving 65% structure with arrow keys, it is perhaps the mini keyboard with the least quantity of adjustment time.
Let me present you what I imply. See how the default place of the Delete key’s proper subsequent to the key, only some millimetres away from the place it’s on an ordinary structure? That leaves the far less-used Web page Up and Web page Right down to be bodily shifted.
Media and quantity keys are all clustered within the bottom-right nook, so that they’re straightforward to control with one hand. The Print Display key’s matched to Fn+P, an apparent alternative {that a} surprising variety of smaller keyboards merely don’t make. It’s great things. And all that is clearly seen on the default keycaps.
Michael Crider/Foundry
However the smartest tweak for usability is that the operate layer lights up whenever you press the Fn key, immediately exhibiting you which ones keys do what, and leaving the unused keys darkish. It’s an awesome little technique to provide you with an on the spot refresh on features, even at midnight.
Different options
- Numerous options by way of iCue companion software program
- Customized macros, customized profiles, lighting results, PlayStation mode
- No potential to maneuver Fn button
Talking of lighting, the K65 can do all the standard bells and whistles, after which some, by Corsair’s iCue software program.
iCue is frankly a bit of clunky, however when you’ve assigned any customized structure and impact you need, there’s no purpose to return. Since it is a wired board, there’s no purpose to show down the lights or that fancy 8,000Hz polling.
Michael Crider/Foundry
However Corsair has a powerful vary of options on the keyboard itself. Certainly, many of the necessary features may be accessed with out iCue put in in any respect.
Customized macros may be programmed and cleared from the keys alone. As much as 50 customized profiles may be saved on the keyboard’s native reminiscence, cycled by with Fn+Z by default. You’ll be able to even save as much as 20 on-board lighting results, all of that are selectable and adjustable by way of the keyboard {hardware}.
You additionally get PlayStation mode for the PS4 or PS5 – simply press Fn+Win for 5 seconds to allow it.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The one factor you possibly can’t do, with or with out the iCue software program, is transfer the Fn button. That was an enormous detraction for me on the similar-sized K70, but it surely’s much less of a problem right here because of the additional keys.
So, you received’t must re-learn the location of arrow controls, however I nonetheless lengthy for a day when you possibly can simply transfer the Fn button on a mainstream keyboard. It’s already simple on specialised variations with VIA compatibility.
As for different gripes, they’re few and much between. I want the keyboard toes have been double-staged for a barely larger profile, and possibly {that a} wrist relaxation was included for the value. However there’s not a lot to dislike right here.
Worth & availability
Speaking of worth, the K65 Professional Mini doesn’t come low-cost.
It’ll set you again $129.99/£129 when paying full worth, from Corsair and Greatest Purchase within the US or Corsair and Amazon within the UK.
That makes it one of many extra premium keyboards round, but it surely’s not extortionately priced for the whole lot you’re getting right here.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Verdict
Assuming a super-fast optical setup is what you need, and also you don’t care about some high-end options, the the K65 Professional Mini is a good compact keyboard.
It affords a superb typing really feel and clever structure selections. Additionally, the truth that you possibly can entry so many features with out the iCue companion software program is an enormous plus.
I want it was cheaper, however you could possibly say the identical about nearly any gaming keyboard as of late. It’s nonetheless in step with the competitors, and prone to be on sale in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.
However except you’re feeling frugal, you in all probability received’t remorse shopping for the K65 Professional Mini proper now.