Corsair Vengeance K95 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Cherry Red (CH-9000020-NA)

First, what do I think is bad? I only have one complaint. The media keys are pretty far indented so in order to reach them you have to bring your hand up and over the number pad. Not a huge deal as I do not use them but I would see how it would be annoying for others if you keep your hands close to the key board. However, not worth subtracting a star. Not a complaint for me, but the keys are easy to press and you might get an accident key stroke if you rest your fingers on the keys but most proficient typists don't and gamers should have enough control not to as well. Whats good: - I always like the sound of the keys being pressed on mechanical keyboards and this does just that. With the Cherry MX red switches they use you here the keys bottoming out on the keyboard rather than the click associated with blue switches. I love the sound of it and find it rather soothing to type to. The blue are a little too much for me. The reds this key board comes with are easy to push in and register with ease. - The ability to use macros and the ease to set them up with the macro recorder are a big deal to me. I use this key board at home so I store passwords on my macro keys for the most part, or log ins or emails. You can have the macros so the "bulk" type it like in Logitech gaming software. You just need to click ignore delay timer before you record and its ready to go! - The construction is very sturdy. High quality plastic parts and a nice metal sheet under the keys. - The back lighting is phenomenal. It is very bright if you like it that way or you can dim it down. People complain that 33% power is too bright, but I don't see how. Along with the back lighting the way you can program it is great. You simply hold down the back light key button for 5 seconds and then you can click the keys on or off individually for the ones you want lit up. So you can make it so only qwerdf are lit up for a game like League of Legends and the rest are dark. I personally don't use that because I find the next feature the coolest. You can hold control and press the back light key button and the keyboard will go dark, but when you press a key it will light up individually for a second or so then go dark again. Very impressive. - The wrist rest is nice, can't really describe the back besides maybe close the the back of the original Nexus 7 by ASUS? My hands rarely rest on it unless I am gaming but I do a lot of typing on this key board. - Last point to make is the quality of the keys. I love the feel of them. They have this paint on them that is almost grippy and leaves next to no finger prints. It just feels so much nicer than any other keys I have felt myself, but I am no key board collector. - I like the USB on the back for my headset, but you could also use it for a mouse. Would be nice to maybe have both but I have no problem with distance from my computer for my mouse as my rig sits on the table on the right of my screens. I would highly recommend this keyboard to anyone. If you think you won't like Cherry MX Red switches, I understand your concern. I was scared buying this keyboard because I thought I would like the feel of Blues or Browns more but having felt all the switches, Red is now my favorite, for comfort and the sound produced. Do to the maybe excessive number of macro keys you may think this is for a MMO or MMORPG gamer but it is also great for any game and even typing, if you don't rest your fingers on the keys. If you are the FPS type gamer, check out the alternative keys that Corsair offers. I believe its about 15 dollars for wasd, 1-6, a key changing tool, and a left wrist rest to sit under wasd. I will update my review if something happens to the keyboard that you all should be aware about, but for now, best 130 I have spent for a keyboard yet! I hope this review helps your decision. **Yes I did write a review on this because I now love to type excessive amount and hopefully this newly found typing desire sticks around**

I bought this keyboard when it first came out. It was a huge huge upgrade over my old membrane keyboard. It types so smoothly and the keys feel amazing. The keyboard itself is not too loud thanks to the red switches. I think I prefer the smooth keystrokes of red switches over keys with a tactile click. I have no other experience with other mechanical keyboards, so I cannot offer a proper comparison to them. My main reasons for choosing this keyboard is because I wanted macro keys and red switches on a mechanical keyboard. Macro keys were the only reason I did not get a typist's mechanical keyboard, despite claims to their superiority. I also really liked the media keys on the K95, though they are not unique or special to this keyboard. I use the macro keys mostly for everyday productivity purposes, rather than for gaming. My major gripe about the macro keys is that they are not on-the-fly. At least not without the most updated software suite from Corsair. About a few months in, the LEDs started to die off on my keyboard. Initially, there was only 1 dead LED. This wasn't a big deal to me. But with continued use, more LEDs continued to die off. Eventually, I had about 10 dead LEDs all across my keyboard. I did a little research on the Corsair forums and I was told that the only way to get this fixed was to RMA the keyboard. So I applied for an RMA and paid the $30 shipping to get it fixed. It says it on the warranty that the customer is responsible for all shipping costs back to them. However, I felt $30 (20% the cost of my keyboard) was a huge price to pay for something that is inherently wrong with the keyboard. I asked them if they could reimburse me for the costs, and they refused. I have always loved Corsair, but I thought this was grossly unfair. Had I destroyed the LEDs on my own, I would gladly pay the cost. But because the LEDs died on their own and because Corsair even has a dedicated RMA option for dead LEDs on their keyboards, I think forcing us to pay these costs is ludicrous. I could have easily put that $30 to a new keyboard from another maker with LEDs that won't crap out on me after a couple of months for no reason. There is also no guarantee that this won't happen again in the future. Pros: Cherry Red Switches feel great. Smooth typing, no tactile click. Might be a pro for some, con for others. Tons of macro keys. Keyboard looks beautiful. Metal chassis is classy. LEDs are pretty and you can customize which keys light up. Cons: Macros are not truly on the fly LEDs may die on you and it is not cheap or convenient to RMA your keyboard If you are looking for a beautiful and functional mechanical keyboard with macro keys, the K95 will not disappoint. YMMV with the dead LEDs. Hopefully the newer K95s don't have this dead LED problem. I did buy one from the first lot. I just wish my loyalty to Corsair wasn't being punished with high shipping costs for faulty LEDs. UPDATE: 9/24/2015 I've had my second K95 for about a year now and even within a few weeks, the LEDs started dying. The fact that Corsair has not addressed this issue at all (except in the form of RMAs) is really disrespectful to their customers. They continue to crank out faulty units and keep on selling it to all of us, all the while using those very same crappy LEDs as a selling point! It's pretty outrageous. Spent almost $200 on a supposedly aesthetically pleasing keyboard that now looks like a washed-out broken-down neon tube sign from the side of a cheap strip club. GG Corsair.

Bliss from my Fingers to my Brain. My lungs are indifferent and my hips could care less. My knees are clueless and my poor toes miss all the action. But my fingers – on the other hand – love the K95. Every appropriate part of my brain glows orange with joy when I type, tap, and target on the K95. Initially I was worried about the following: price, the loud click clack of the keys, and whether or not it would be a good keyboard for non-gaming activities. After 6-weeks of use here is what I think about price, noise, and non-gaming uses. Price – It’s more than I have ever shelled out for a keyboard but it’s worth it. The K95 is the sturdiest board I’ve ever owned. Its high grade metal and feels like you could break down a door with it; it’s a large keyboard with metal framework and some weight behind it. The keys feel great all the time. The lighting options (3 levels of brightness), programmable G keys, on-board controls for volume, and the programmable lights (keys that let you pick any array of keys to light vs. not light. For example, the default WASD keys are on as an alternative with the rest out) is amazing. The price is justified for me because this is a high quality piece of equipment. The only thing to wait on is the long term durability. I have no regrets about the high price. Noise – Not only does the clicking of the keys NOT bother me, I rather like it. You can actually press down more lightly to avoid the “full press” louder click but that’s tricky for me. It is not a quiet keyboard but the noise does not bother me a bit. Non-Gaming – For me there is no issue with the daily uses of the K95. I do a fair amount of typing and really enjoy doing it on this keyboard. The price could be a turn-off for some. It’s not inexpensive so you are always asked to take a chance by purchasing the K95. The keys and metal base do retain grease from your hands. It’s a minor thing but is something to consider. The K95, along with the MM600 mouse pad by Corsair, have made me a Corsair peripheral proponent! This is a wonderful keyboard!

UPDATE: Lowering my review (again) (Removed 1-star for every return I've had to make) as this is now the 3rd K95 I have had to replace in under a year! Yes, the LED's went out yet again! I really don't know what to say at this point... the keyboard itself is absolutely terrific, but the quality of the LED's used is beyond abysmal! If I didn't love the keyboard itself so much (and actually use all of the macro buttons regularly) I'd put the thing in the trash. After three units with multiple defective LED's it's obvious this is a design flaw with the keyboard. Frankly, for a $150 they should have used higher quality LED's. By contrast, I had a K90 for over a year before "upgrading" to the K95, and had zero issues with its LED's during the entire span. ---Original Review------------------ I'd like to start out with the good in this keyboard. Simply put it feels and types absolutely wonderful! It's easily among the best I've used, and the build quality is very stout. That given, I've also had nothing but trouble with it too... or perhaps I should say two. That's right, I've gotten two defective units in a row right out of the box! My issue has been with the LEDs used in the unit. I've had one LED on each keyboard that simply didn't work. Before you ask, yes, I have checked to ensure that the LED was simply not turned off (as this keyboard as individually toggle-able LEDs.) What's more it was different keys each time. The first time the 'K' key didn't light, and the second time it was the 'F' key. Needless to say this was very disappointing as the backlighting, at least for me, was a big selling point. Some may say it's possible it could simply have been a bad batch of LEDs. However, there were four months in between receiving the keyboards. To clarify, I ordered one and used it for a day and fell in love with it, but can't see paying this much for a keyboard with faulty LEDs. Thus, I promptly returned it to Amazon. I dealt with my old membrane keyboard for four months before I decided to try the K95 again. I set it up on my desktop, and what do I find? That's right... another dead LED on a keyboard that otherwise is perfect for me. Needless to say, it's highly disappointing and was promptly returned... again! Overall, the LED issue was my primary gripe, but I also found the Corsair software to be somewhat lacking in terms of macro program-ability. The software works okay, but I had some compatibility issues with it playing the now rather dated Final Fantasy XI. However, the software worked decently on newer titles and other software titles and tasks such as Photoshop, Visual Studio, Explorer, etc. Realistically, I feel I should give this a lower review than 3 stars due to two faulty keyboard LEDs, but the keyboard is otherwise so good that I simply can't. If it says anything about this keyboard I'm still contemplating giving this unit another try in a few months in the hopes of getting more reliable LEDs. As always, your experience may vary, but any way you slice it this is a very competent keyboard (assuming you don't care about LED longevity.)

After years of gaming as well as using my PC for non-gaming purposes utilizing inexpensive, non-mechanical keyboards I finally caved-in and decided to spend some cash to get a good mechanical keyboard. I've long used Corsair products in my PC builds including most notably Corsair RAM, PSUs, and cooling solutions. After batting around a few different keyboard manufacturer brands including Logitech, Razr, Steelseries, and Corsair I settled on the K95. I wanted this keyboard to be one that lasted many years and thus justify the $150 dollar expense. In about six months use my experience has been mixed. Corsair got some elements right and completely missed the mark in other areas. --------------------- DESIGN: The K95 is a gorgeous piece of technology. If you're into the aesthetics of your build then you'll likely be pleased with the K95. The keyboard is heavy and the main body is made from stamped piece of anodized aluminum. The wrist-rest is well designed and doesn't feel like flimsy, cheap plastic and has a nice soft rubber or silicone finish. The same quality is extended to the braided USB cord that again feels heavy and extremely well shielded. Aside from the mere looks of the keyboard the other aspect that swung my decision to go with the K95 was the 18-macro keys ("G-keys") located to the left-side of the keyboard. These keys work in conjunction with Corsair's in-house developed keyboard software to offer up to 54 unique macro settings. Aside from the gaming aspect, I've found that programing macro commands into everyday uses in other programs is pretty easy. Backlighting is of course present, however, limited on the K95. The primary limitation is that the backlighting is offered in white-LED only. A lot of the other keyboards I looked at had much more customization available when it came to the backlighting. The other issue with the K95's backlighting is that it is extremely uneven. Any keys with dual uses (e.g. the '7' numerical also doubling as the '&') will have very uneven lighting. This is due to the Cherry MX Red mechanical switches and the need for more physical hardware for each key. --------------------- USAGE: In short if I was writing a review of the K95 based on typing alone it would receive a 5-star review. I love the feel and tactility of the K95 and each keystroke is met with a very satisfying "click" or "clop" sound. I've been using cheaper rubber-dome keyboards for so long that I've long forgotten how keyboards used to feel. Be aware that if you've never used a mechanical keyboard then there is quite a bit more noise generated when typing. If you're not used to it can probably be a bit distracting. Programing macros to the G-keys is quite easy thanks to Corsairs software. Backlighting is controlled with a toggle button that lines the top of the keyboard and can be configured to light the entire keyboard or the traditional gaming 'WASD' setup. Located immediately to the right of the backlighting keys is a rotating metal cylinder that controls the master volume to your speakers or headset. So why am I only giving the K95 two-stars out of five? Simply put the LEDs Corsair used or the design of the LED implementation is poor. I've owned by K95 since November 2013 and have 4-LEDs that have failed. Two of them are on the number row and aren't keys that get heavy usage. So to put it bluntly I expected better from Corsair and from a $150 dollar keyboard. --------------------- WHAT I LIKE: (+) Materials. Built extremely well out of top-notch materials with one exception - the LEDs. (+) Aesthetics. The K95 looks absolutely brilliant and definitely different than a traditional keyboard without looking too "boy gamer". (+) Macros. Easy to program and use the macro keys in a variety of applications and functions. --------------------- WHAT COULD BE BETTER: (-) LEDs. The LEDs are simply not up to the same level as the rest of the materials used in constructing this keyboard. The LEDs fail and leave the backlighting essentially worthless cheapening the entire product. (-) Warranty. Corsair's RMA process really has me feeling raw about what exactly I paid for with the K95. --------------------- CONCLUSION: I simply cannot recommend the K95 as is. After reading so many complaints on various sites (Amazon, NewEgg, etc) all citing the same LED issue it's clear Corsair has a design fault with the K95. The current RMA process is slanted heavily to Corsair's favor and to skirt fixing the root problem. My recommendation is to buy a different keyboard. --------------------- Update 7/15/14: The total count of failed LEDs is now at seven (7). Totally unacceptable. I'll probably RMA the keyboard and then put up the refurbished unit for sale. Update 9/3/14: Another three (3) LEDs failed bringing the total to ten (10) failed LEDs on my K95. Update 12/22/14: I finally requested a RMA through Corsair technical support after another series of LEDs failed; in total my K95 had 18 dead LEDs by the time I shipped off my keyboard back to Corsair. The RMA process is relatively straightforward, however, not at all expedient. In broad terms you have two options: a) Send your keyboard back to Corsair and wait for a replacement or b) Give your credit card information to Corsair and they place a hold on the card for the cost of a new keyboard until you can ship back your broken one. I settled for the first option as I had another keyboard I was able to use. Approximately a month elapsed between opening my ticket with Corsair and getting my replacement keyboard shipped back to me. The ticket process works but isn't exactly a great customer service experience; I would describe it as utilitarian. For example I kept checking on the status of my RMA and after about a week of no change (not even a notification that they'd received my K95) I asked for an update. Every interaction between customer service through the online ticket process seems to take 2-business days so be prepared for that. Only after inquiring was my ticket moved from 'support' to 'customer service' where I was informed, "due to high demand there is a delay in shipping your product back to you". The message also indicated that there could be up to an additional month before my replacement keyboard would be shipped. So lesson learned, I'm not buying another Corsair keyboard again.

This is currently the 2nd most expensive mechanical keyboard in the world and is the first mechanical switch keyboard I've ever used. I questioned myself about going with a cherry mx brown switch instead but I honestly prefer less noise and hated the rubber dome bump my old keyboard had so I went with this one. Initially my feelings toward it was the keys grip was too much, but after a months use it's almost not noticeable. It's still there but, you just feel it as a necessary thing all keyboards should have. I bought it specifically for the white backlit keys and their font, which was better than any other keyboard on the market including the Ducky Shine 3 YOD because it's thinner profile allows you to type better. The keyboard feels super durable, and I believe will last me 30 or 50 years if I don't spill anything on it. That being said, the keys back lighting is also better than other mechanical keyboards and switching modes is super easy unlike the DS3. The DS3 was my first choice but I heard good reviews of the K70 and opted for the K95 since this model had all mechanical keys. The volume wheel knob is not flimsy plastic and feels pretty smooth and functions better than my own speakers wheel knob. The thing you'll notice is the keyboard collects particles and dust easy if you're not very neat like all keyboards do but you can clean it off easier than the rest so that's not an issue. It doesn't come with a key cap remover or the K70s rubber FPS optimized keys but that's also okay... because this keyboard has all mechanical keys plus the macro keys. You'll notice the braided cable is non-detachable, and you only need one of the two USB cables for it to work if you don't use the USB 2.0 pass-through on the back side of it but you honestly won't use it very often because you'll forget it's there... and USB 2.0 Speeds are slower than USB 3.0 anyways. So buy yourself a tiny rubber usb cap for it so it doesn't collect dust over the years. The cable feels extremely durable and you won't have to worry about one day damaging a cable connector to the PCB because it's soldered on. One thing that I really love about this keyboard is the black brushed metal aluminum however I wish they had rubberized the edges with a rubber lip to prevent any scratch and heat damage but I guess the only way I could have prevented the aluminum from becoming white with my hands heat was by putting on the wrist bar on it from the start. I think this is the best keyboard in the world if it wasn't for the Macro keys area made of plastic and the software to make them work didn't limit the polling rate to 50 ms, so I don't use them at all, they're just wasting space on my desk and wish they were detachable or not there but media and game creators benefit from them. You can hack the keys speed with other software though but I'm not into hardcore gaming really. I just wanted to type faster and have the keys back-lit at night, and this does the job perfectly. Also I wanted it to last my entire life so I can say that it did on my tombstone. "Owned a Corsair K95 for 50 years even after mind-controls were made."

My previous keyboard was the original Logitech G15 keyboard (with the 18-G-key bank). Logitech has really perfected keyboard and mouse software for Windows, and I never had any issues with it. I wish I could say the same for this keyboard. The Corsair software seems to not really recognize what application has focus all the time, particularly when leaving a game and going back to plain ol' Windows. For my Windows profile, I have many of the G keys programmed to duplicate functionality that's tougher to reach of the right side of the keyboard (Delete, Page Up/Page Down, etc). When leaving a game, it seems to stick on that game's profile, so I have to open the Corsair software and select the Windows profile again to get those key bindings back. This is the reason for losing the star, because Logitech's software doesn't have these same issues and Corsair needs to get it resolved. Now that THAT'S out of the way, on to the physical keyboard itself. I was looking for a smooth mechanical keyboard to replace my G15, as the Windows key stopped working and I wanted to have a more precise typing experience when gaming or working from home. After reading many previews and anxiously awaiting its release, I jumped at the change to buy the K95. Besides the software, I am hard-pressed to find any real flaws. After a few months of moderate use, it's showing no signs of wear. The macro keys are easy to program on the fly, which is pretty important considering the software is constantly in the wrong profile. I use the M2 bank as my "on-the-fly" bank for whatever application I'm in. This way, I don't mess up my meticulously-configured M1 bank for any games, but I also don't have to constantly open the program to manually switch profiles when switching between games or from games to work. The keyboard itself is quite heavy, which is a huge plus for me. I don't plan on moving this thing very often, so the weight helps keep it anchored in place on my desk. The elevation feet on the back of the keyboard seem very sturdy, so I don't see myself breaking those anytime soon either. The anodized black metal is a great look, though the G keys are clearly tacked on to the existing frame of one of Corsair's other high-end keyboards, given their backplate is plastic. The elevated keys and fully-mechanical switches on every key make cleaning the keyboard very easy. A quick puff of compress air knocks out most debris that a good-ol' NES-style puff from your mouth can't remove. The key action is smooth and linear thanks to the Cherry MX Red switches. For gaming, this is excellent. The keys seem to trigger at about 1/3 of the way down, so quick and light taps consistently trigger the correct key. While this is a huge plus for gaming, it's also a big negative for general typing. I've used rubber dome keyboards exclusively for the last 10 years or so (ever since I learned to touch-type), having used mechanical keyboards before then. With rubber dome keyboards, you can easily rest your fingers on the keys themselves because any off-axis movement pretty effectively keeps the key from being depressed. Not so with these Red switches. I find myself often pressing the 'S' key by accident when I'm not actively trying to keep my fingers elevated or light on the keyssssssssssssssss (see? Man that's frustrating). Given that I have a rubber dome keyboard at work and my MacBook uses scissor switches, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to fully adjust to this issue. That said, I understand that this is a PEBKAC (problem exists between keyboard and chair) situation, so I can't really fault the keyboard for that. The backlight on this thing is BRIGHT. Even in a very well-lit room, the minimum brightness setting is sufficient. My home office has four 6-foot tall windows and therefore tons of natural light, but even in the middle of the afternoon with the sun gleaming through the windows I don't see a point to the two brighter settings. Because each key is elevated, the LED backlighting bleeds onto the backplate of the keyboard. This has a nice visual effect, but can be an issue if you (like me) are sensitive to LED lighting. The 60 Hz flicker of the LEDs can sometimes cause eyestrain for me, but on the minimum brightness has never bee a major issue for me. This problem is also alleviated by using the individual key backlighting when gaming. That feature is a Godsend when first getting into a new RPG and you can't remember what key opens your journal or map (though the G keys are also great for standardizing this across games). The media controls are functional, but are pretty inconveniently placed. On my old G15, they were neatly tucked under the LCD screen at the top center of the keyboard. They were barely lower than the F keys and very easy to use. On the K95, they're all the way in the top right corner and are nearly flush-mounted to the keyboard backplate. Given the height of the mechanical keys on the numpad and the sensitivity of the MX Red switches, the media keys are hard to access without accidentally toggling NumLock or hitting another key. All in all, this is a great keyboard, and I definitely recommend picking one up if you're in the market for a high-end mechanical gaming keyboard. It's not quite the same as my old G15, but where it falls short, Corsair distracts you with other excellent points. Here's hoping they get the software issues ironed out soon!ssssssssssssssssssssss (dangit!)

This is the second mechanical keyboard I've owned, and I love it to death. When they announced the K95 I was very excited, I love Corsair, so I per-ordered it on amazon and finally received it a month later. So I will tell you my impressions so far. So far after several days of using this keyboard I can say for sure it's really worth the money. The keyboard is exposed under the keys allowing for easy cleaning, and this is a big deal for me, I live in an area where it gets dusty easily(plus I have cats jumping everywhere). I am a headphone user so adjusting the audio with the volume control is easier than adjusting it with the Windows volume control(especially in games). The wrist wrest is very nice, it's covered in some foamy plastic, I don't know the proper name for the plastic foamy stuff, but it's comfortable! The mechanical "cherry MX red" keys feels so good, I like them more than the "cherry MX blues", but typing is better with the blues(the clickity noise was cool on blues too). The plastic on the k95 is solid and looks really superb. All around the keyboard also feels heavy and solid all around. Pros(+) - Cherry MX Red Keys(Personal Preference) - Good Strong Plastic - Amazing Wrist Wrest with plastic foamy cover - Media Controls - Corsair designed and made with great warranty coverage - Quality Built Keyboard - Easy to Clean - Looks incredibly awesome! - Wrist wrest screws in(I have many wrist wrests break because it was plastic connected only) - 18 Programmable G-Keys - Reds are easy to type with, but still not blues. Cons(-) -Lights(This is personal preference, but white lights seem odd, but not a big deal, I will do a blue/white colour scheme on my new case I ordered) -You may feel a bit disoriented at first looking at the lights, they are bright, maybe it was just me, but they were visually overwhelming at first. About Cherry MX Reds: Type: Linear Switch Tactile: No Clicky: No Actuation Force: 45g Key Travel: 2mm to actuation, 4mm to bottom Cherry MX-Red keys are a great for gaming, they are lighter, and require less force to register. It's said that blues are better for typing, I agree, but not by much if you are good at typing without looking, reds are great(now that I'm used to the keyboard I don't make any errors or have issues with them being light). Reds just feel really good to press. Would I recommend this keyboard? YES! This is an awesome keyboard! If you hate the white lights get the K70 with red lights, but it has no G keys like the K95. So I would give this product a darn good recommendation to any gamer out there! For those who are planning to invest money into this keyboard, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I have posted images above of the keyboard as well in the image section.