Corsair K100 Air vs Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro - low profile for the win?

Here I'm comparing the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro and the Corsair K100 Air. Two flagship keyboards with a premium price tag but also premium features to match.
Corsair K100 Air unboxing and review • Corsair K100 Air unbox...
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review • Razer's best keyboard ...
Highlights of the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro include:
- Comfortable typing experience
- No flex or bend in the body
- Very little wobble in the keycaps
- Nicely stabilised keyswitches which are comfortable and quiet
- Good RGB lighting
Lowlights:
- Battery life is a bit meh (but that's because it's powering optical lights per switch)
- Expensive
Please note links listed here include affiliate links which may earn me a commission. Find out more below.*
Amazon US - amzn.to/3cMeEu0
Amazon UK - amzn.to/3S1qiRL
Amazon FR - amzn.to/3b4bYan
Amazon IT - amzn.to/3orGL4a
Amazon DE - amzn.to/3vfsg7j
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3vdnc3q
Razer - razer.a9yw.net/Aoe6kj
Specs of the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro:
Razer low-profile optical switches (linear) - 1.2mm actuation, 2.8mm full travel, 45gf actuation force
Razer low-profile optical switches (clicky) - 1.5mm actuation, 1.5mm tactile point, 2.8mm full travel, 50gf actuation force
Guaranteed up to 70 million clicks
Low profile design with HyperSpeed Wireless (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth or USB-C connectivity
Laser-etched ABS keycaps with a durable coating
Onboard memory for five profiles
Multi-functional media button and media roller
Gaming mode
Razer™ HyperSpeed Wireless Technology
Razer™ HyperSpeed Multi-device Support
Connect via Razer™ HyperSpeed Wireless (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth, or Type C
Multi-functional media button and media roller
Ultra-durable coated ABS keycaps
Razer Chroma™ RGB customizable backlighting with 16.8 million color options
40-hour Battery Life
Razer™ Synapse enabled
Hybrid On-Board Memory and Cloud Storage - up to 5 profiles
Fully programmable key with on-the-fly- macro recording
N-key roll over
5052 Aluminum Alloy Top Case
Corsair K100 Air:
Corsair - go.corsair.com/ORMJqQ
Amazon US - amzn.to/3ye77vB
Amazon UK - amzn.to/3C3cqzf
Amazon FR - amzn.to/3fCCWb6
Amazon IT - amzn.to/3ye7czp
Amazon DE - amzn.to/3SyLGxB
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3ycWI3A
Highlights of this keyboard:
Comfortable keyboard with low profile design
Premium design asthetic
Very little keycap wobble
Superb design layout
Good battery life
Excellent extra buttons
Lowlights:
Loud
Keycaps aren't removable (or at least not recommended)
Sharp angles
Specs of the K100 Air:
Full size form factor
Chassis - Aluminium adonized black brushed finish
Individually backlit LED keys with per key programmability (upto 20 layers)
16.8 million colour RGB
108 to 112 keys depending on region
Four dedicated macro keys (also work with Stream Deck)
On-board Macro recording - FN + Key combination
Keyswitches - Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile - 65g actuation force, 0.8mm actuation distance, 1.8mm total travel
Full key rollover, 100% anti-ghosting
Connectivity:
Hyper fast sub 1ms 2.4GHz Corsair Slipstream Wireless
Low latency Bluetooth (4.2)
Wired USB-C (3.0) - also gives 8,000Hz polling rate
Wireless encryption 128-bit AES
Battery life - upto 50 hours with RGB on or 200 hours with it off
Built-in Lithium Polymer Recharable battery
8mb on-board memory
Upto 50 onboard profiles and 20 layers of RGB lighting
Dedicated media keys with pause/play, skip, rewind, etc
Profile switching key, brightness key, Game disable mode
Works with Windows, Xbox, Playstation and more
Dimensions - 437mm x 156mm x 17mm
Weight 0.78kg
🏆Big thanks to my super awesome KZbin members:
SirSpawnsALot, Meatykeyboard, Beaster Bunny, JayShank007, Rawrr483, DStarastins, McFarty, Riggsy79, Chief Hao, Aaron Yarden, Geralt of Rivia, Derrick Townsend and you? 🏆
PLEASE NOTE
Affiliate links*:
Disclosure: Shopping links within the description of this video generate a commission at no extra cost to you. These are added for your convenience but other retailers are available. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@ralezEU]

Loving the video! Very informative I still can’t decide which one to get 😩

[@Luxflux777]

Jesus christ thank you for having a 1 second intro and getting to the point. Cheers

[@A.G.Y]

Nice review but one question remains unanswered😊 It's not even answer on the Razer website. Can they be used with Android and/or iPhone/Apple TV?

[@phillipg1588]

I'm about to purchase the Corsair K100 Air. Interestingly I currently own the Corsair K100 which is a full sized, full key height keyboard - Very confusing naming structure by Corsair. I was comparing the Logitech G815 (wired low profile keyboard) with the Corsair K100 Air as I prefer a wired keyboard but keeping the K100 Air plugged in all the time for that increased polling rate shouldn't be a problem. The Corsair K100 Air is even lower profile than the Logitech G815 which is what I want.

[@YoungSweat]

As much as I've been wanting a low profile wireless keyboard from Corsair... I really dislike the keys they chose, and choice of having them non removable. I'll probably end up getting the deathstalker even though most of my system is Corsair

[@eckz8659]

Couldn't have said this better myself. Plus, knowing Razer, they'll eventually release customization options for it as well. Like fricken KEYCAPS. Which Logitech never bothered to do.

[@viathenomad]

The keys on the K100 Air are Cherry Ultra Low Profile originally for laptops, the Deathstalker has normal low profile switches, look for normal Cherry Low Profile and you get the normal cherry stem with changeable keycaps.

[@Shadowhunter10011]

Got a Question for you since i read a lot about the DS v2 having some Buzzing sounds when the RGB is on a lot of people said its annoying. Did you also had similar problems with it ?

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

No

[@Shadowhunter10011]

@@TheProvokedPrawn ok thanks man , btw your voice is ely calming ^^

[@mike.soto_]

After trying both I can say I prefer the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro. The Corsair K100 Air felt too hard to press and I always seemed to misclick certain keys. The Deathstalker is a dream to type on but maybe that's because I came from a keyboard with linear switches

[@SeanOMatic]

Agree. Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL is one of my favorite keyboards to type on. The low profile optical switches are really smooth and responsive. Once you get used to the board and how sensitive it is compared to traditional MX switches, it's excellent.

[@KR_10]

They aren’t just cherry low profile. They are the ULTRA LP. The regular cherry low profile is going to be similar to the deathstalker for height.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

I did mention that I believe

[@garretts431]

That left shift key is non-existent in the corsair. Is that a concern or has that been ok when using shift to attack/run in games?

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

That's just because it's UK layout. You will have your massive shift on American ones

[@garretts431]

@@TheProvokedPrawn which do you feel is more comfy for long sessions? i have the k100 air now, and it's not bad but all my stuff is razer lol. kind of wanting to stick with the whole razer 'universe', but k100 air is just do damn thin i feel the deathstalker will require more wrist and finger bend.

[@fairycat]

awesome keyboard

[@Cooper3312000]

I hate the glossy black plastic on the top of new Corsair keyboards. It's like they were thinking about putting a display there but they had to cut cost somewhere.

[@dijhili]

I have the Corsair and the G915 ..the Corsair looks great however I destroyed it in total frustration as it keeps dropping connection for a few seconds now and then. NEVER have an issue with G915 or other wireless.

[@TheDarmach]

Can razer be used on USB wire when battery completely depleted?

[@destyrian]

Yes but it needs to be plugged into the computer you are connected to unfortunately, not a random power source.

[@therealjgreens]

Great review! Thank you. Just bought the k100 air. Time to sit in the overwatch 2 queue while typing on my gorgeous keyboard.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

This made me chortle. Enjoy

[@86Raxor]

How doy ou like the sound? I really hate typing sound and an Ultr LP like my gaming laptop is a bliss. But form this video, the k100 air seemed to be quite noisy. Compared to the linear Deathstalker V2 pro. Would you agree?

[@therealjgreens]

@@86Raxor Honestly, I think it sounds great. I do wear headphones while using the keyboard so I don't really hear the sound but I haven't had a problem. Not distracting at all. Also, I love using the keyboard for work. It's so easy to type on.

[@garretts431]

Hows the left shift key on the k100? Its super small so wasnt sure if sprinting/attacking in games is still just as easy as a normal sized one. Looks like it would be harder to press every time and you might slip up?

[@therealjgreens]

@@garretts431 I actually decided to buy a Glorious GMMK Pro and it's become my daily driver.

[@Roman9441]

I like Deathstalker V2 Pro more even i like Corsair software.

[@twlsrovrdaar]

You mention the thickness of the Razer being due to a larger battery, but the K100 Air actually has better battery life if you compare specs.

[@techquad1151]

The spar button is not only very loud, i did survive it after a week, however its so slow rythm is un stable. so i cant cant jump fast in valorant , Val is a difficullt game to jump without loosing speed at once, with this keybord i cant do it . i practice a week now, i finded out that the space bar button is to slow and or un rythm somehow, that very bad? i must use my mx keyboard fort office use for jumping good in games :) ilmao

[@wonderwing5139]

I have both of these keyboards on my desk right now brand new out of the box for the last two weeks. K100 Air is paired up with a Dark Core RGB Pro and the DeathStalker V2 is paired up with a Basilisk Ultimate. I've been using them with a Lenovo Slim 7i w/9i 13900H w/4070 and a Lenovo Pro 7i w/9i 13900HX w/4090. And I can't truly separate them. Both of them put the G915 and BlackWidow V3 Pro wireless keyboards out of there misery. So there back in there boxes and in back up or loaner duty. I'm not a super gamer, typist, creator and since I'm now retired I really don't give two shits about productivity,,,, done with freaking productivity, spread sheets, presentations and damn stupid busy work the modern idiots think is necessary to make millions. Both keyboards are excellent! One is thinner than the other, both have great switches and feel and pretty much the same over all sound profile to me. One has removable caps on really doesn't. Both have good RGB and both of them have software that sucks. One has better battery life but the other has better ways of looking at state of charge. So I'm kind of at a loss with making my mind up concerning these two heavy hitters.

[@artyboy1377]

The K100 Air seems like a downgrade from the full-fat K100. Both seems like unnecessary products just conveniently jumping onto the Logitech G915's bandwagon.

[@killertruth186]

It actually took me a long time to say how bad these "gaming wireless keyboards" really are. Especially for their price point. Their wired versions are far superior in every way without the battery life to make it worthwhile. There's plenty of space and "compromise" they can have since they already did to make it look flashier and force you to be on wired anyways. The best way to remedy this, is to take the backplate off and throw it in the garbage along with the tiny battery and get a modified backplate and bigger battery as well. Or just permanently disable the RGB on it, which it would just make it like an expensive office keyboard (which they obviously are!). I know I am just fuming over something that was made for tech illiterates which the companies are hoping for people to buy into. The best thin and light "gaming" wireless keyboards are the cheap chinese versions. And wireless gaming mouse is much better than these "thin and light" wireless gaming keyboards ever had done. Sorry for the angry rant, those "thin and light wireless gaming keyboards" look more of a scam to me. Because There's plenty of footprint where you can literally use a full size laptop battery inside the keyboard and get 10X the battery life on wireless keyboards. Like there's no reason for them to not make the battery life with RGB to last more than 5H. Which at that point you are better off getting the wired versions instead as long they are priced way too high.

[@killertruth186]

On top of that, those thin and light wireless gaming keyboard are just glorified office wireless keyboards with custom lighting. If they were $80-$100 then it would be much more worth it.

[@sujithkoneru8475]

The k100 air looks like a cheap dell keyboard.

[@garretts431]

I mean the razer isn’t looking too hot either and all my stuff is razer.

[@FPS-A.shitter]

first

[@KalyuGD727]

🗿