Like many 60% gaming keyboards, the Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless offers a problem. It’s a perfectly adequate tablet that offers smooth key shifts and superb gaming performance. It’s also a very specialized device that comes with major drawbacks for touch typists and costs a lot of money for the opportunity.
The K70 Pro Mini Wireless has a lot to recommend it when viewed alone. One of Corsair’s biggest selling points is still the usage of best-in-class Cherry MX key switches, and a wireless mechanical gaming keyboard from a reputable manufacturer is always reason for celebration. The machine is fully customizable, both in terms of hardware and software.
The 60% design, on the other hand, is simply difficult to sell for many gaming genres and isn’t suitable for the majority of productivity tools and routine internet tasks.
Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless review: Design
The Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless is a fairly compact gadget, as its name suggests. It’s difficult to think of a desk where this device wouldn’t fit given that it is less than 5 inches broad and less than 12 inches across. You may place the keyboard almost anyplace as it is wireless thanks to a USB dongle and Bluetooth; it is not necessary for it to be close to your computer. The device is a suitable alternative for PlayStation and Xbox consoles because to its USB wireless connectivity.
The K70 Pro Mini provides no surprises if you’ve ever used a 60% tiny keyboard. But if you haven’t, you should be conscious of the keys you’re handing over. One of the tiniest keyboards you may get before moving into “keypad” zone is a 60% mini. There is no number pad, no arrow keys, no function keys, no navigation keys, and not even a separate “Delete” key. You must utilize two-key shortcuts if you want any of these functions.
I can say after reviewing several small keyboards that this is a nightmare for skilled touch typists. Yet, if your primary goal is to use a keyboard for gaming, you (probably) won’t be missing anything crucial.
Beyond that, at least, the K70 Pro Mini Wireless looks nice. The gorgeous RGB lighting is visible because to the high-profile keycaps and ample space between the white switches and the black chassis.
The keyboard can be supported by two extendable feet or left to rest flat. In the back, there is a power button and a USB-C charging port. The K70 Pro Mini Wireless is another gorgeous keyboard from Corsair, which consistently produces gorgeous devices.
Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless review: Keys
The majority of Corsair keyboards stand out from the competition because to the brand’s usage of genuine Cherry MX switches rather than less expensive knockoffs. (Unaware of the distinction? To learn more about mechanical keyboard switches, see our page.) Either of the Cherry MX Red or Cherry MX Speed switches that are available for the Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless is an excellent option. The MX Speed switches that came with our test unit have shorter key travel and activation distances. Red and Speed switches, however, are both linear, cozy, and sound.
The only significant issue is that a 60% design leaves out some keys that both gamers and typers may consider standard. At first glance, it could appear that having access to letter and number keys would be sufficient for both productivity and gaming. However, the arrow keys are still essential for navigating documents, while the function keys are significant in massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. The Delete key is helpful for both web browsing and entering chat messages for video games. You can ultimately train yourself to use the shortcuts in their place, but it never seems completely natural.
Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless review: Features
The Corsair Pro Mini Wireless succeeds in one aspect because of how customizable it is. With the help of the Corsair Utility Engine (iCUE) software, you can remap keys, modify shortcuts, change the RGB lighting, and make profiles specifically for certain games and applications. Since Corsair continues to offer the most comprehensive and sophisticated lighting options of any gaming company, the RGB lighting warrants a special mention here. Although there is a very steep learning curve, you can build stunning designs that few other devices would be able to handle by adding layer after layer of effects.
There are several ways to customize the K70 Pro Mini Wireless even if you decide against using the iCUE software. You may record macros, change the illumination, cycle through functions, imitate mouse controls, and even associate the keyboard with various Bluetooth devices using the hardwired keyboard shortcuts. Even though the K70 Pro Mini Wireless has a limited number of keys, if you’re willing to learn how, you can replicate nearly every missing function.
Beyond that, the keyboard has good Bluetooth or USB wireless connectivity, with a range of roughly 30 feet and a somewhat simple pairing procedure. Depending on your connectivity and lighting choices, the battery life also varies between “passable” and “generous”. Corsair claims a battery life of 32 hours when using USB wireless and all of the RGB settings simultaneously. We used the keyboard in this manner to test it, and the results were consistent with Corsair’s predictions. Nevertheless, you might theoretically get up to 200 hours if you use Bluetooth and turn off all the lights. You can use the keyboard in either case while it charges.
Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless review: Performance
While the Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless isn’t the best choice for the majority of productivity tasks, some gaming genres really benefit from its compact size. Age of Empires IV, Doom Eternal, Cyberpunk 2077, and Final Fantasy XIV were the titles I used to test the system, and I discovered that some of them were noticeably more enjoyable to play than others.
As expected, the K70 Pro Mini Wireless performed admirably with Doom Eternal because additional buttons would have simply impeded play. I was able to concentrate on running and shooting while quickly switching weapons thanks to the keyboard’s compact size. Yet, the MMO Final Fantasy XIV could have used a few extra buttons, especially given how important typing in chat is to the game’s overall experience.
In addition, the K70 Pro Mini Wireless’s superiority or inferiority to a full-size keyboard primarily relies on whether you focus on a small number of keys during games or distribute functionality across the entire 104-key layout. The function keys, arrow keys, and separate media keys were the ones I missed the most, but no genre was unplayable.
Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless review: Verdict
I have mixed feelings about the Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless, just like I do about other premium compact mechanical keyboards. The gadget excels at what it does, providing premium key switches and a wide range of customizing possibilities. However, most gamers and typers simply find it difficult to sell. By its very nature, the 60% design can feel limiting, and the keyboard’s expensive price doesn’t make it any more approachable.
