Corsair K70 PRO TKL Hall Effect Mechanical Keyboard Review

Introduction

Corsair continues to evolve its K70 series with the K70 PRO TKL Hall Effect Mechanical Keyboard, a product aimed at delivering high-end gaming performance and customization. This keyboard builds on Corsair’s legacy of premium peripherals but introduces a unique take on Hall Effect technology, combining it with modern aesthetics and competitive pricing. While it’s not Corsair’s first foray into Hall Effect switches, the K70 PRO TKL represents their most compact and gaming-focused implementation to date.

Priced at $179 for the ABS keycap version and $189 for the PBT version, the K70 PRO TKL enters a competitive market but aims to differentiate itself with features like adjustable actuation points, rapid trigger functionality, and compatibility across PC, Mac, Playstation and the Xbox One. Read on!

Features & Specifications

• Speed is Everything: It’s all about speed. With Rapid Trigger, ultra-fast polling rates, and per-key adjustable switches, K70 PRO TKL removes every barrier that comes between you and gaming greatness
• Space-Saving Tenkeyless Layout: The sleek, streamlined tenkeyless layout fits in nearly every gaming setup, while leaving room for sweeping mouse movements
• MGX Hyperdrive Magnetic Switches*: Pre-lubricated CORSAIR MGX Hyperdrive magnetic switches deliver a smooth, ultra-responsive keypress. Its sturdy double-rail structure reduces wobble and guarantees peak performance for 150 million keystrokes. *Function keys and non-primary keys feature CORSAIR MLX switches
• Rapid Trigger Advantage: Rapid Trigger dynamically changes your keys’ actuation and reset points, so you can move and reset your movements faster than ever
• Customizable Per-Key Actuation: Adjust the actuation point of each key from a super-sensitive 0.4mm to a deep 3.6mm (in 0.1mm steps) or set two actions to a single keypress with dual actuation for quick-fire combos and action pairs

Official product page

Closer Look

First things first, the K70 PRO TKL comes in a cheaper ABS keycap version (our sample) and there is the more premium PBT keycap version which costs a bit more. To be fair, if you already own or plan to replace the keycaps on this keyboard, its best to opt for the ABS keycaps but if you plan to use is as-is, then PBT is the way to go.

Focusing on the packaging itself, I just realized I’ve never asked Corsair why they shifted to bright yellow as their company colors. They did it, sort of, back in the Corsair Gaming days with the tramp stamp logo but that was mostly a bit of a browner yellow but this bumblebee yellow has really grown on me. But I’ve been noticing they’ve been aggressively spreading that yellow to a larger portion of the packaging.

Anyway, the front of the box has a hero shot of the K70 PRO TKL along with some feature bullets. Many of these are very nich and unless you’re really into keyboards or competitive FPS, then they really won’t make much sense. The prints at the back doesn’t help much either.

Inside the box we’re greeted with this nice flip cover label that creatively links us to the manual page via QR code. Inside we have the keyboard and wrist rest covered in eco-friendly paper packaging, the USB-C cable and some documentation leafleats.

The Corsair K70 PRO TKL comes in either all-black or all-white options. The sample we have is the black version featuring all-black case and keycaps. In the white version, the wrist rest is grey rather than white. This is a tight TKL keyboard packing much into a smaller footprint.

Speaking of which, the base of the K70 PRO TKL has a very stylish tooling design with a nice central logo. The flip-out feet have rubber linings to serve as the anti-slip feet when not flipped out.

The flip-out feet stands don’t really add much height but their substantial enough to give that angle that some keyboard users prefer but yet, it is a bit low. From this angle, we can also see the floating keys design that Corsair has stuck with since time immemorial.

Corsair uses a metal chassis that houses the PCB. Corsair has never been DIY-friendly and the K70 PRO TKL is non-serviceable. The switches are soldered directly to the PCB, supported by the plate. From this angle we can see the Corsair MLX Plasma Linear switches which are used on the Fn keys, arrow keys and Home key group. We can also see the USB-C port located on the upper-left corner of the keyboard.

On the upper right corner we have a control knob or dial and two raised buttons. While the raised buttons look like tiny knobs, only the large one is actually turnable. The control dial can be programmed to adjust volume as as a few others. We’ll talk more about this in the iCUE section.

And here’s the K70 PRO TKL keyboard fully naked with all the keycaps removed. We can now see the alphanumeric groups have the Corsair MGX switches and the other keys have the MLX Plasma. Seriously, Corsair… could’ve just given us an entire Hall Effect layout.

While this is done to save cost, I really don’t see the point of dropping the arrow keys from the hall effect placements. These are soldered switches and some players do use the arrow keys extensively.

The most customization you can do on this keyboard is to swap the USB cable and change the keycaps. I have some spare Corsair PBT keycaps lying around so I installed them on this keyboard to replace the ABS ones that came stock.

I didn’t switch out Fn switches that’s unique to the K70 PRO TKL. Speaking of, K70 PRO TKL uses a new keycap legends which contrast the larger gamery font from the previously released Corsair keyboards.

Since this is mostly marketed as a tool for FPS players, Corsair keyboard owners that have the special gaming keycaps that have special curves to allow best utilization of the Rapid Trigger function.

iCUE Customization

The Corsair K70 PRO TKL can be configured in iCUE: Corsair’s company-wide product configuration utility. In iCUE users can customize lighting, controls, and unique features of the K70 PRO TKL which is customizable actuation and Rapid Trigger.

The K70 PRO TKL follows in the vein of the K70 MAX, both of which features customizable actuation points for its MGX Hallf Effect switches. What this means is that you can set any of the MGX Hallf Effect switch to activate immediately anywhere from 0.1mm to 4mm of actuation. With this, you can utilize any of the 3 core advantages that this trait enables via iCUE which is Rapid Trigger and Dual Actuation. Rapid Trigger allows dynamic adjustment of reset points based on your actuation allowing for faster actuation window of the next keypress. This reduces the delay between keypresses allowing for faster input. Dual Actuation on the other hand allow 2 points of actuation to trigger diffrent actions e.g. pressing softly is walk while pressing down all the way is sprint.

The other feature this keyboard is most notable is FlashTap. Other companies have varieties of name for this but its effectively a way to immediately cancel a known opposing key when its opposite is pressed. In the case of the K70 PRO RGB, its the A and D keys.

It is important to keep in mind that games like Counter-Strike 2 actively prohibits the use of FlashTap and similar technologies. While I do use FlashTap for COD BO6 right now and never had a problem with it, publishers like Valve are not so lenient. I can honestly it is a very nice feature to have especially for FPS games. For MOBAs and MMOs, Rapid Trigger is a very good addition as well.

User Experience & Conclusion

The Hall Effect MGX HyperDrive switches provide a smooth, responsive typing and gaming experience, especially with the ability to fine-tune actuation points. Competitive gamers will appreciate features like Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation points, which make movement and precision tasks more seamless. However, casual users may find the feature set overwhelming, especially when paired with iCUE’s sometimes complex interface.

Corsair’s decision to include linear MLX switches for secondary keys (function row, arrow keys, etc.) is polarizing. While the main keybed delivers a premium experience, the lack of uniformity in switch technology may disappoint purists who expect consistency.

Build Quality

The build feels premium, with no flex in the chassis and a well-weighted design. The brushed aluminum top plate adds a touch of elegance, while the customizable RGB lighting ensures the keyboard stands out visually. However, the non-mod-friendly design means enthusiasts who like to tweak their keyboards may face challenges.

Value Proposition

At $179-$189, the K70 PRO TKL is priced competitively within the premium keyboard market. While brands like Wooting or Razer may offer comparable Hall Effect keyboards, Corsair sets itself apart with its multi-platform compatibility, robust software ecosystem, and thoughtful hardware features.

Final Thoughts

The Corsair K70 PRO TKL Hall Effect mechanical keyboard strikes a balance between innovation and usability, catering primarily to competitive gamers and tech enthusiasts. Its customizable actuation, rapid trigger functionality, and premium build quality make it a standout option for those seeking performance and flexibility. However, its mixed use of switches and reliance on iCUE may not appeal to everyone. For gamers looking to elevate their gameplay experience, this keyboard is a compelling choice.

Corsair backs the K70 PRO TKL Hall Effect mechanical keyboard with a 2-year warranty. Highly recommended!