As the new flagship product for Corsair, the K100 RGB brings many new features and upgrades to the table.
So when compared to the K95 RGB Platinum XT, do the upgrades make the K100 worth the extra price?
Let’s find out: Corsair K100 vs K95
The Verdict
When looking at the Corsair K100 and K95 RGB Platinum XT, there is a clear winner.
After testing both keyboards out, I can definitively say the K100 RGB is leaps and bounds better than its predecessor.
The standard bottom row, improved stabilizers, programmable control wheel, and screaming fast polling rate all contribute to the massive improvements the K100 made over the K95 RGB Platinum XT.
While both keyboards are still pricey, if you’re even considering the steep cost of the K95, the K100 RGB is worth the extra cost.
Most of the time, when a company releases a new flagship product, the item is 1-2% better (looking at you Apple), but Corsair knocked everyone’s socks off with this new release.
Not to mention, if you’re looking to do any sort of competitive gaming, the new optical switches combined with the increased polling rate make this keyboard one of, if not the fastest keyboards on the market.
You can check out the K100 RGB on Amazon and the K95 RGB Platinum XT to get the most up-to-date prices.
A Closer Look at Both Keyboards
Let’s go ahead and break the keyboards into different categories and assign a winner based on which does better based on the feature or application.
Then we’ll assign the overall winner at the end.
Build Quality: Winner = K100 RGB
When looking at build quality, both keyboards have a very similar design. Both come in a bulky full-sized layout decked out with a number pad, dedicated media keys, and more.
The builds feature an aluminum top plate with a plastic underbelly to contain all of the inner parts. Overall, both builds feel a little creaky when you twist the keyboard, so the build quality isn’t anything crazy.
The overall build quality was almost a tie, but the wrist rest on the K100 RGB is improved and feels less flimsy and more robust. The material is plush and leather-like, making it more comfortable for long sessions at your computer.
Due to the improved wrist rest, the K100 edges out the K95 in this department.
Keycaps: Winner = K100 RGB
The K100 RGB wins hands-down in the keycaps department.
Although both keyboards come with durable PBT keycaps, the K100 RGB has a improved legends that look much cleaner than the K95 predecessor.
The larger text and minimalist aesthetic give the keyboard a higher-end feel.
Another major improvement is the standard bottom row found on the K100 RGB. Now you’re able to swap out the keycaps to whatever new set you might want. The sky is the limit with customization.
On the K95 RGB Platinum XT, if you tried to replace the keycap set, the new set likely wouldn’t fit.
Stabilizers: Winner = K100 RGB
One of my biggest complaints on the K95 RGB Platinum XT was the extremely loud and creaky stabilizers. On each keystroke, the keyboard would make scratchy and rattily noises. They were quite bad.
With the K100, Corsair improved the stabilizers ten-fold. They figured something out, because the stabilizers feel pretty normal now. Not amazing by any means, but it was a much needed imporvement.
Not to mention, they applied a small amount of factory lube to lower the friction of the stabilizers when they move up and down.
The K100 wins without a doubt in the stabilizer department.
Switches: Winner = K95 RGB Platinum XT
When looking at switches, the K95 RGB Platinum XT actually ends up winning – and for a simple reason. There are more options to pick from.
The K100 RGB features the new Corsair Optical switch, which is a linear switch designed to be super fast for gaming. In addition, you also get the Cherry MX Speed Silver option.
Being stuck with only two options that are both linear switches is a big downside to the consumer and is likely disappointing to a larger percentage of the Corsair fanbase that prefers tactile or clicky switches.
Because the K95 RGB Platinum offers both a Cherry MX Blue and Brown option, the variety of switches available make the K95 a winner in this department.
Software: Winner = K100 RGB
The software for both keyboards is the exact same. They use the same program.
The main difference is that with the K100 RGB, you get a programmable control wheel so you’re able to use the software to its full potential and customize the settings of the wheel.
You can use the wheel to change up RGB lighting, sound levels, which application your using, and more. With the software you can customize the wheel even further.
Getting more usage out of the software due to having the control wheel makes the K100 RGB a winner when it comes to software.
Portability: Winner = K100 RGB
Both keyboards have a very similar bulky build which makes you laugh a little bit when you hear the word “portability”. These keyboards are built like tanks.
Not to mention the non-detachable power cables and USB passthrough make these keyboards a pain in the butt to connect/disconnect.
But when you take a closer look at the K100 RGB, you realize the overall frame is slightly smaller and is packed with extra features (such as the new control wheel). The more efficiently packed layout wins in the portability department.
Lighting: Winner = K100 RGB
Another improved aspect of the K100 RGB is the improved RGB lighting.
Along the sides and in front of the K100 RGB you have access to programmable side lighting, which adds another element of RGB to the build.
Instead of just having access to per key lighting, you can also customize the lighting profile of the control wheel and other miscellaneous aspects of the keyboard.
Not to mention, if you want to synchronize the RGB on your keyboard with the rest of your setup, you can do so with the Corsair software.
Due to the improved lighting, the K100 RGB is the clear winner.
Typing: Winner = K100 RGB
The lubed stablizers and reduced rattle give the K100 RGB an advantage over the K95 when it comes to typing.
The only advantage the K95 has is access to more switch options such as the Cherry MX Brown and Blue switches. If you enjoy typing with a tactile or clicky switch, the K95 likely wins in this department.
But when matched up with the same switch, such as the Cherry MX Speed Silver, the K100 RGB wins with the better stabilizers.
Gaming: Winner = K100 RGB
The K100 RGB has a new feature that I haven’t seen on any other keyboard at this point, and that is an improved polling rate.
Most keyboards have a polling rate of around 1000 Hz, but the K100 RGB can be cranked up to 4000 Hz. In theory, this should improve your reaction time by around 0.75 ms.
This improved speed probably won’t be too noticeable, but the fact that it’s quantifiably faster makes it an interesting value prop to most super competitive gamers.
(Small warning: You’ll experience around 2-3% more CPU usage with a faster polling rate.)
Not to mention, the screaming fast Corsair Optical switches give an even faster gaming experience than the K95 RGB Platinum XT.
Best Overall Keyboard: Corsair K100 RGB
When looking at which keyboard wins in each category, you can see that across the board, the K100 RGB comes out ahead in this comparison.
With a faster polling rate, optical switches, control wheel, improved stabilizers and switches, standard bottom row, and more – the K100 RGB destroys the K95.
The only reason I would recommend the K95 RGB Platinum XT over the K100 RGB is if you prefer a tactile or clicky switch such Cherry MX Blues/Browns and you don’t want to be stuck with a linear switch. In addition, at the time of writing this article, the K95 is around $30 cheaper.
If it were up to me, I would go with the K100 RGB any day of the week, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide for yourself which keyboard is a better fit for you.
Happy typing!