It's rare for Corsair to hit the mark with gaming keyboards and while it's released some rather pricy models over the years, their premium build quality, cutting-edge Cherry switches and excellent software usually mean they're on most gamer's shortlist. The K100 Air Wireless is unique in two ways, though, firstly being wireless and the second in being low profile.
Corsair's K1200 Air Wireless low profile gaming keyboard
The majority of Corsair's keyboards are wired, which helps to keep latency to a minimum and has provided the means for USB pass-through ports and the like. Cables don't make for a neat desktop area, though, so if you're obsessed with a super-clean setup or even just want a premium keyboard you can easily take with you, perhaps integrated into a new hybrid working routine, then keep reading.
Corsaor K100 AIr Wireless keyboard
It's Slipstream Wireless technology can keep latency to sub 1ms using the included USB dongle, but there's low-latency Bluetooth 4.2 support too as well as the option of using the included Type-A to Type-C USB cable for connectivity as well as charging the keyboard. USB polling, if you're interested, can hit up to 8,000Hz.
Corsair's K100 Air Wireless specifications
Corsaor K100 AIr Wireless keyboard
Battery life stands at a claimed 50 house if you have the RGB backlighting enabled, but up to 200 hours if you switch that off, with a full charge taking up to five hours. As a daily driver for a wireless keyboard, this is reasonable, but a docking system would always be welcome here, allowing you to place the keyboard into it for quick, easy charging overnight instead of having to connect a USB cable.
The same goes for your headphones too Corsair while we're on that matter - hint hint. There is a power button to force the keyboard to power off, but it will enter a standby state to conserve power should you forget to do this.
A USB Type-C port provides power for charging as well as a way to connect the keyboard in wired mode
Despite being just 17mm thick, the K100 Air Wireless also features mechanical switches. These are Cherry MX ultra low profile switches with 65g actuation force - a little more than black switches - but just 1.8mm total travel. Quite a bit more force and bounce than you're average red switch and they're pretty noise too - only blue switches would top them in a sound test.
The key caps feature concave surfaces to benefit tactile typing and passing it around, the general feeling from others was of fantastic feedback and comfortable accurate typing, but again, the noise was a bit of an issue.
The K100 Air Wireless features a dedicated volume control wheel and media keys
The build quality is fantastic, even being aware of Corsair's reputation. There's practically zero flex in the chassis, so there's likely very low risk that shoving it into a packed backpack would see it come out in the shape of a banana. The top section is black anodized aluminum with a textured volume wheel and dedicated media keys too. There are three different height settings using integrated stands.
Low, medium and height tilt settings on the K100 Air Wireless
The keys feature per-key RGB backlighting that can be controlled using Corsair's iCUE software or by using profile switching keys. The software is quite involved, but having multi-level lighting for each key is never going to be a simple affair. It's quick to get used to, though, and includes presets for specific sections such as WASD keys, allowing you to set a general backlight color and add a top layer for specific keys, quickly selecting them and change their colors for quicker location in those dimly-lit late night gaming sessions.
There's on-the-fly macro recording and like the lighting and key assignments, this data is either saved to the keyboard itself using its on-board memory if you're not using the iCUE software, or to iCUE's current profile. Some features, such as lighting effects, will have a combined programming experience in a future version of iCUE, while other settings will remain separate depending whether you use the keyboard in wireless or wired modes.
Low profile keys on a gaming keyboard are still quite rare, but Corsair has used them with devastating effect here with low profile switches and a slim chassis for an achingly-sleek and good-looking keyboard in the K100 Air Wireless. The RGB lighting looks fantastic, feedback is sublime, you get dedicated media and volume controls, decent battery life and fantastic build quality.
The low latency will definitely appeal to gamers, but there is also the appeal of having a keyboard that can do anything and do it very well, be it working from home and moving between workspaces with gaming on the side, to a dedicated ultra-premium wireless gaming keyboard for those that want a cable-free setup.
Corsair K100 Air Wireless - optional Type-C wired connection also used for charging
Sadly, all that comes at a cost with the K100 Air Wireless not leaving you with much change from $300 in the US and retailing for roughly the same amount in British pounds or Euros too. A quick flick through Corsair's current line-up puts it way out ahead of any other model, possibly even than any keyboard it has offered thus far. However, we can't imagine Corsair needing to tick many more boxes to justify the price to those that can afford it and feel the low latency and sleek wireless design the perfect addition to their setup.