Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 Review

A strong presence in the market of computer peripherals, Corsair continues to produce top-of-the-line products for production and gaming. Today, we’re going to look at Corsair’s programmable RGB gaming keyboard, the Strafe RGB MK.2. We will go over its construction, functionality, and programmability.

So, let’s find out if this is the right gaming board for you in our Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 review…

Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 Overview

The MK.2 is a full-sized mechanical keyboard that is wholly focused on improving gameplay. The keycaps have been enhanced and sit atop Cherry MX switches to give a distinct feel and quick response. The full spectrum of RGB colors has preset designs and is programmable down to the individual keys for customization.

Moreover, it has 8MB of onboard memory, adjustable ergonomics, and a USB port and cable pass-through for convenience.

Let’s read on to learn more about the details.

Construction And Keys

Coming in at a hefty 3.2 pounds, the keyboard is made of durable high-impact plastic with a complete 104 set of keys. For your comfort, there are adjustable flip-out legs to change the height of the board. Plus, you’ll find an attachable soft-bodied palm rest.

The keycaps come in FPS and MOBA sets. They are well spaced and contoured to provide a natural and secure feeling when typing. A keycap puller is included and will allow you to easily mix and match keycap types.

Cherry MX red switches …

The keyboard uses Cherry MX red switches with gold plating to provide a fast response and a somewhat subdued ‘clack’ while typing. The switches are linear with a short actuation distance and have a light pressure setting across the entirety of the board.

To enhance the accuracy and allow you to key at a fast speed, the board has been built with full-key rollover and anti-ghosting technology. The N-key rollover is a system that is layered into the keyboard. It registers every keystroke in the order that it was made, even if you press multiple keys at a time.

Completely in charge…

This is unlike most keyboards because of the fact that it is not the computer that registers the stroke, which may create errors or ghosting if typing too fast or you roll your fingers.

Then, included on the board are dedicated multi-media keys and a volume rocker that is set above the 10-key numbers pad. Most importantly, the Windows lock keys allow you to play without having text screens randomly popping up when using the F-keys for gaming.

RGB and programming…

As stated, the keyboard is full RGB with a choice of 16.8 million colors and nine preset patterns for display. The preset patterns can be programmed to cycle through all of the patterns, use just a few of them, or display only one.

If you want to further customize the displays, that is not a problem; simply download the free iCUE software, which is essential to get this keyboard’s full capabilities.

The software allows you to see and use the whole gamut of colors and program your own choice of colors and patterns down to the individual keys. Plus, you can even set up game profiles to light up only the keys that you need for a particular game.

iCUE…

The iCUE software is where you need to spend some time to make the Strafe RGB MK.2 a serious gamer’s keyboard. This is where you create your game profiles, select your colors and assign them to the keys necessary for the game, and develop macros to handle multiple keystrokes with the tap of a single f-key.

There are several places to look online for the development of macros for individual games if this is something that you are unfamiliar with or haven’t a clue how to do it. However, some gamers will even allow you to download their individual game setups to help you.

Back to the board…

If you tend to travel with your gaming board to play at a friend’s house or in a group, you’re in good hands. Corsair has considered this and has installed an 8MB memory chip into the board itself. So, simply download the game profile(s) to the board, and whenever you plugin and wherever you may be, you will be ready to play as you do at home.

However, the board’s USB connection is a slight annoyance. It is internally connected at the center back of the board. Our gripe is that it is heavier and thicker than standard cable. For us, it seems to be a bit cluttersome on a desk.

Specifications:

Pros And Cons Of Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2

Looking For The Whole Picture?

Suppose you’d like a snapshot of the best gaming keyboard options currently out there? In that case, we recommend reading our Best Quiet Mechanical Keyboard Reviews, the Best Topre Mechanical Keyboards Review, and our Best Membrane Keyboards Review. Then, see how your favorites stack up against these bad boys in our Best Expensive Gaming Keyboards Review!

However, other superb gaming accessories can be found in our Best Gaming Glasses Review, the Best FM2 CPU for Gaming Review, the Best Motherboard for i5 4690K, our Smallest ATX Cases Review, our Best 140mm Case Fans Review, and don’t miss our latest reviews of the Best Computer Speakers available on the market in 2023!

OK, back to today’s review…

Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 Review – Our Verdict

Programmable lighting and color patterns make the Corsair RGB MK.2 a fun and exciting keyboard. Moreover, the ability to create individual game profiles, specific macros for those games, and customize the keycaps make it a great addition to any gamer’s setup.

Overall, it is a good feeling board that has some great functionality and hardware. The flaws are minimal and, for the most part, subjective. We would suggest keeping the iCUE software up to date to get rid of minor existing issues.

If you are on the market for a new keyboard, the Corsair RGB MK.2 should be in your gaming sights.

Happy gaming!