The Ultimate Corsair K65 Pro Mini Keyboard Guide: Unmatched Performance and Precision Revealed

The Corsair K65 Pro Mini is a keyboard that prioritizes performance, excellent acoustics, and a minimalist design approach. In the past few weeks, we have developed a strong liking for this keyboard. It is an updated version of the K65 RGB Mini, now offering a slightly larger size as it transitions from a 60% layout to a 65% layout. This expansion in size grants the keyboard additional space, allowing Corsair to integrate arrow keys, delete, page up, and page down keys. However, the standout feature of the K65 Pro Mini is its exceptional acoustic profile.

In recent times, the 65% keyboard market has become highly competitive. Companies like Asus have introduced compact keyboards such as the ROG Falchion, while Razer has downsized its Blackwidow V3 to create the V3 Mini. Established brands like Keychron, Ducky, and Drop have also been refining their previous 65% designs, all within the $120 price range. While some of these keyboards offer wireless capabilities, Cherry MX switches, or a fully customizable design, the K65 Pro Mini opts for a simplified feature set. It focuses solely on delivering outstanding performance, a satisfying typing experience, and impressive sound quality, all while being a wired keyboard.

Corsair K65 Pro Mini: Build Quality and Ergonomics

Similar to the K65 RGB Mini, the K65 Pro Mini maintains a simplistic design on its top side. The key layout on the Pro Mini consists of a standard English qwerty set, without any key truncation to fit them onto the compact form factor of the board. The right side of the keyboard features full-size keys like "Enter," "Shift," and "Backspace," which are easily accessible for users who are familiar with any other keyboard. No adjustment or learning is necessary. For more advanced functions such as the "Print Screen" button or skip and play buttons, they are assigned to specific keys and can be activated by holding down the FN button, which also illuminates the corresponding keys—a nice feature of the K65 Pro Mini.

Although the top side of the K65 Pro Mini may appear simple in terms of layout and relatively unremarkable in terms of aesthetics, it possesses all the qualities of a truly high-end keyboard. The K65 Pro Mini comes with PBT double-shot keycaps that have a textured finish, which some people prefer over glossy keycaps that tend to smudge over time or with frequent use. Each keycap is equipped with smooth stabilizers to ensure stability and precise inputs. Occasionally, there may be a slight wobble in the spacebar, but it is not very noticeable and is similar to most keyboards available in the market. Beneath it all, there is a brushed aluminum faceplate that not only adds a sleek look but also enhances the keyboard's durability, following the recent trend of premium keyboards featuring brushed aluminum faceplates. It not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also provides a sturdy feel to the keyboard.

Notably, this year's K65 Pro Mini has incorporated feedback from the K65 RGB Mini by adding kickstands at the back. Although this is a welcome addition, the keyboard only comes with one set of feet for the kickstands, limiting users to a single adjustable height. In our experience, the fixed-height kickstands provided ample elevation for comfortable typing, yet additional ergonomic customization options would have been appreciated. It would have been ideal to include a wrist rest, considering the keyboard's deceptively tall profile given its compact form factor.

Corsair K65 Pro Mini: Typing and Performance

Instead of using the popular Cherry MX switches, Corsair has opted for their own optical-mechanical switches called the "Corsair OPX" switches for the K65 Pro Mini. During our testing of the K65 Pro Mini, we found these switches to be highly responsive and tactile. However, it is worth noting that the key switches on the K65 Pro Mini have a higher actuation point compared to most other keyboards, which can make typing on the K65 both highly responsive and occasionally challenging.

The sensitivity of the K65 Pro Mini keyboard should be noted, as it can be activated accidentally even with slight movements. This may result in novice typists making more mistakes. On the other hand, speed typists who prefer short travel times on their keys will find the Pro Mini suitable.

A standout feature of this year's K65 Pro Mini is its two layers of sound-dampening material. This addresses the issue of Corsair keyboards having a tinny sound and improves the overall sound quality. The satisfying clicky sound associated with mechanical keyboards is retained, but without the metallic tin. Users who appreciate mechanical keyboards but dislike the loud and sometimes annoying sound of mechanical switches may find the K65 Pro Mini to be a good fit for their preferences.

Corsair K65 Pro Mini: Software

For the avid esports fan, Corsair has incorporated an outstanding feature in the K65 Pro Mini keyboard - its impressive 8,000 Hz polling rate, a feature that was also present in the K65 RGB Mini. By default, the K65 Pro Mini operates at a standard 1,000 Hz polling rate, but users have the flexibility to adjust it through iCue. During our testing, we discovered that there wasn't a significant improvement in keyboard responsiveness when comparing the 1,000 Hz and 8,000 Hz polling rates. However, for esports enthusiasts who strive for every ounce of performance from their peripherals, the high polling rate should more than meet their requirements. In terms of responsiveness, we found that the optical-mechanical switches, with their high actuation points, along with the smooth stabilizers, had a greater impact on the overall performance of the K65 Pro Mini compared to the hardware polling rate, at least in the scenarios we tested.

Fortunately, the Corsair K65 Pro Mini is a remarkable keyboard that requires no additional software downloads, making it suitable for most users. However, utilizing Corsair’s iCue software provides users with additional tools to enhance the performance and functionality of their K65 Pro Mini. The great news is that Corsair has made significant progress in eliminating the bloat from the iCue software, resulting in a quick, effortless, and user-friendly keyboard setup process.

In iCue, users have the ability to customize the lighting, key assignments, and create new keyboard profiles for the K65 Pro Mini. All the usual fancy lighting effects that are typically applied to Corsair memory sticks AIOs, or any other Corsair peripheral are available here as well. Most users will likely be interested in setting up new macros to accompany their lighting profiles. The K65 Pro Mini has the capacity to store up to 50 profiles on its onboard 8 MB of storage, although we never came close to reaching that limit. Corsair has provided ample space for its more creative customers.

The most significant feature of iCue is the ability to directly save all settings to the integrated hardware storage of the K65 Pro Mini. This means that users can customize the keyboard to their liking, save those settings directly to the keyboard, and uninstall iCue if they wish. This is particularly beneficial for users who prefer to minimize additional software on their PCs. Additionally, it proves to be a user-friendly feature for those who frequently use this keyboard at LAN parties or across multiple PCs.

The Corsair K65 Pro Mini is undoubtedly one of the best 65% layout keyboards in its price range of $129.99. It features a sleek design that saves a significant amount of desk space. The keyboard offers a satisfying tactile feel and produces a great sound. Moreover, its level of responsiveness is unmatched. However, the heightened responsiveness may prove to be a bit too sensitive for some users, resulting in occasional incorrect inputs. It is important to note that the K65 Pro Mini is not recommended for beginners or keyboard enthusiasts who prefer a deeper keystroke experience. Nevertheless, for those seeking a fast and efficient keyboard, the K65 Pro Mini is a remarkable upgrade to the already outstanding K65 RGB Mini. The Corsair K65 Pro Mini is currently available for purchase. This review is based on a retail unit provided to Game Rant for evaluation purposes.