Hands-on review: Corsair K70 Core TKL Wireless keyboard

The K70 Core TKL Wireless is a compact mechanical keyboard compatible with Corsair's iCue RGB system.

Tenkeyless or TKL keyboards are keyboards without the number pad on the right-hand side (the tenkey). This results in a smaller keyboard but one that still has the arrow keys and the control keys (INS, HOME, etc.). It gives you more desk space and a more natural distance between the keyboard and your mouse, which is especially good for gaming. Chances are you will never want to use the number pad and will never miss it.

The keyboard comes with a USB 2.0 Type-A Slipstream 1.5 2.4Hz wireless adapter, which can be stowed in a little nook on the back of the keyboard when not in use. The keyboard also supports Bluetooth 4.0.

There's a switch on the back of the keyboard, next to the USB Type-C socket, to switch the keyboard off or between Bluetooth or the 2.4Hz dongle. There are three easy-to-select programmable Bluetooth profiles for switching between different devices. 

Setting the keyboard up on a PC is easy. The K70 keyboard continues Corsair's policy of having no paper manual. The documentation can instead be accessed online via the QR code in the box. 

The keyboard works with Corsair's iCue software for firmware updates key customisation and to set up the RGB lighting. The keyboard can be set to match the lighting scheme of other Corsair and compatible iCue RGB devices. There's no need to install iCue, the keyboard worked without issue just by plugging in the wireless dongle and switching it on.

The lighting modes can all be set using keyboard shortcuts. If you are using the keyboard with a device that doesn't support the iCue software, there are up to five profiles that can be used to store your settings in hardware mode. If you are using the iCue software, you can set up unlimited profiles.

Being wireless means that the K70 Core TKL makes for a great media centre keyboard. It also works out of the box with Xbox console via the 2.4Ghz Slipstream wireless adapter. Theres a special mode that need to be triggered via a keyboard shortcut combo for use with a PlayStation 4 and 5. With no need for a trailing wire, it gives you a tidier and more versatile setup.  The keyboard can be connected to your PC via Bluetooth, the included 2.4Ghz wireless dongle, or using the included USB Type-A to Type-C charge cable. 

The 4200mAh battery takes two hours to charge and can last up to 39 hours with RGB on, 890 hours with RGB off using the 2.4Ghz wireless adapter or a whopping 2400 hours with RGB off using Bluetooth. 

Probably to conserve battery life, the keyboard does go into sleep mode when not being used. This means that the first press seems to only wake the device rather than register the keystroke. It takes a bit of getting used to.

There are a few special buttons on the top right of the keyboard. The game mode button switches off districting lighting effects and increases the keyboard polling rate to 1000Hz, which can be adjusted in iCue. The media button is set to play/pause by default but, again, is customisable in iCue. The other special button is the rotary dial, the function of which is set using FN+F12. It can be used as a volume control with press to mute, RGB brightness control, zoom and scrolling functions. 

The keyboard uses Corsair MLX Red V2 linier switches. These give the keys a soft feel that's not as clattery as other mechanical keyboards. The keyboard features full key rollover (NKRO) with anti-ghosting for precise registration of keystrokes. This is essential in competitive play.

The Corsair K70 Core TKL Wireless keyboard has been designed with comfort and performance in mind. By stripping unnecessary keys, you can use the keyboard and mouse without spreading your arms apart. The detachable magnetic palm rest makes the keyboard very comfortable to use, and the stylish embossed "Corsair" text gives it a bit of prestige, as well. The game button, media button, and dial give you instantaneous control over the lighting, functions, and response times. Whether gaming or working, the keyboard feels great to use.