Corsair K70 MAX RGB Magnetic-Mechanical

The Corsair K70 MAX RGB takes the familiar K70 shape, a full-size keyboard with an aluminium frame, media keys and a volume roller, and swaps the traditional mechanical switches for Corsair's MGX magnetic-mechanical switches. The result is a keyboard where you decide how deep a key has to travel before it registers, from very shallow for fast games to deeper for accurate typing. This page explains what magnetic switches change, what the other features are worth, and who will get the most from a keyboard that costs more than an ordinary mechanical board.

What "magnetic-mechanical" means

In a conventional mechanical switch, the actuation point, the depth at which a key press counts, is fixed by a metal contact. Corsair's MGX switches replace that contact with a magnetic sensor that measures how far the key has travelled. Because the keyboard reads the distance rather than waiting for a contact to close, the actuation point becomes a setting. On the K70 MAX you can adjust it from 0.4mm to 3.6mm in 0.1mm steps, key by key, in Corsair's iCUE software. A shallow setting means a light touch triggers the key, which helps in games where every millisecond counts. A deeper setting reduces accidental presses while typing. Our guide to mechanical keyboard switches explains the classic switch types this technology departs from.

Rapid trigger and dual-point actuation

Corsair highlights two features that only make sense on adjustable switches. Rapid trigger resets a key the moment it travels upward, so you can press it again immediately without waiting for it to rise past a fixed reset point. That helps with fast repeated inputs, such as quickly changing direction in a shooter. The second feature lets you assign two discrete actions to one key: a light press does one thing, a deeper press does another, so you can execute an instant two-step combo, for instance casting two different spells with a single stroke. Corsair also describes FlashTap, a feature for handling two opposing movement keys pressed together: you choose whether the first key, the last key or neither takes priority, which is useful for counter-strafing in shooters. FlashTap is disabled by default, is toggled with FN plus Right Shift, defaults to the A and D keys with last-input priority when enabled, and requires an update to the latest firmware through iCUE. Some games and tournaments restrict such features, so check the rules before you rely on them in competitive play.

Speed: 8,000Hz polling and AXON

Corsair's AXON Hyper-Processing Technology is the processing engine behind the keyboard. It transmits keystrokes with 8,000Hz hyper-polling, which means the keyboard reports its state to the computer up to 8,000 times per second, and it handles complex lighting effects at the same time. The keyboard stores 8MB of onboard data and up to 50 profiles of custom settings and lighting, so your configuration travels with the keyboard to a friend's PC or a tournament. A dedicated tournament switch flips the keyboard into a mode with static backlighting and disabled macros, removing distractions and any latency associated with them.

Feel, sound and materials

The keycaps are 1.5mm-thick PBT with double-shot legends. PBT resists shine and fading better than thin ABS, and double-shot means the legends are moulded in rather than printed on. The Steel Grey version has an etched tri-hex pattern. Two layers of sound dampening soften the keystroke sound, and the K70 aluminium frame adds stability. A detachable magnetic palm rest with memory foam and a leatherette cover attaches to the front of the keyboard, and the keyboard has adjustable height. For everyday comfort, the palm rest is a big part of why full-size boards like this suit long sessions. If you like to customise switches and keycaps, read our guide to hot-swap switches and custom keycaps to see how that world differs, since Corsair does not describe the K70 MAX as user-swappable.

Controls and connections

Dedicated media keys and a fully programmable aluminium volume roller sit at the top right. The keyboard connects by a detachable braided USB-C cable that plugs into a USB 3.0 or 3.1 Type-A port. It is a wired keyboard with full key rollover (NKRO), 104 keys, per-key RGB lighting and a Windows-lock hotkey. Compatibility is listed as PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PlayStation 4 and 5, with iCUE software requiring Windows 10 or 11 or macOS 10.15 and an internet connection to download. In the box are the keyboard, the detachable palm rest, the braided USB-C cable, a radiant space bar and a Corsair logo keycap.

A note on the specifications

Two things on Corsair's page need a careful eye. First, the specification list gives a weight of 1.39 without a unit, so we cannot state whether that is kilograms or pounds; check the box or a retailer listing if weight matters for your desk or for travel. Second, the listing says "Full TKL" next to the size but also says "Full Size" and lists 104 keys, which is a full-size layout with a numeric keypad. Treat it as a full-size keyboard.

How it compares

Magnetic-switch keyboards are one of the biggest changes in gaming keyboards recently, and our news article on what has changed in mechanical keyboards in 2026 puts that into context. Within our catalogue, the Wooting 60HE+ is a compact 60 percent board built around the same idea, while the Keychron Q1 HE 8K is another Hall-effect keyboard. The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is a traditional mechanical board with extra controls, for those who prefer conventional switches. The K70 MAX is the full-size choice with a numeric keypad, a palm rest and media controls.

Price and warranty

On the Corsair US page we read, the K70 MAX was priced at 249.99 USD, with a two-year warranty. That is a premium price, and it makes sense if you use adjustable actuation, rapid trigger and the onboard profiles. If you just want a quiet, reliable full-size board for office work, an ordinary mechanical or membrane board will cost less; our keyboards category shows the range.

Who should buy it

Choose the K70 MAX if you want a full-size keyboard with adjustable switches for both gaming and typing, if you value a wrist rest and media controls, and if you like a sturdy metal frame. Look elsewhere if you need a compact layout, wireless connectivity or user-replaceable switches. It is a wired, full-size tool that rewards people who enjoy tuning their setup.