SKIFF 100 vs SKIFF 100 Plus vs K55 CORE: What's the Difference?

CORSAIR is growing its keyboard lineup with the SKIFF 100 and SKIFF 100 PLUS, two new membrane gaming keyboards built for everyday gamers who want reliable, responsive performance. Both keyboards sit alongside the K55 CORE, and all three share the same basic goal: dependable, full-sized gaming keyboards built for daily use. But there are some differences between the new successors compared to their predecessor.

The most immediate difference between the two lines shows up at the top-right corner of the keyboard. Both SKIFF 100 and SKIFF 100 PLUS use a rotary dial that gives users full control over volume and media playback directly from the keyboard. In Volume Mode, rotating the dial adjusts volume, and pressing it mutes or unmutes. Hold FN and the dial switches to Media Mode, where rotating it skips to the next or previous track, and pressing it plays or pauses.

K55 CORE takes a different approach, relying on four dedicated media keys and two function keys instead of a dial. Both methods get the job done, but the rotary dial packs volume and media playback into a single control point.

This is where SKIFF 100 PLUS separates itself from both the standard SKIFF 100 and K55 CORE. The PLUS model includes six dedicated G-keys, letting users record and assign custom macros without giving up any of the keyboard's primary keys.

Neither SKIFF 100 nor K55 CORE has dedicated macro keys. However, SKIFF 100 still supports macro recording and remapping, but macros must be assigned to a regular key, which means that key loses its default function in the process.

Durability against everyday accidents is a shared priority across all three keyboards, but SKIFF 100 and SKIFF 100 PLUS take it a step further with an IP53 rating. The first digit, 5, means the keyboard is protected against dust buildup that could interfere with performance. The second digit, 3, means it can handle water sprayed at up to a 60-degree angle without issue. It's worth noting that neither keyboard is waterproof; the IP53 rating protects against accidental splashes, not submersion.

K55 CORE instead carries a 300mL spill-resistance. This is a volume-based claim rather than a certified ingress-protection rating like IP53, so the two aren't tested the same way, even though both are designed to survive the occasional spill or splash.

Both SKIFF 100 and SKIFF 100 PLUS ship with detachable, soft-touch wrist rest and one-stage tilt legs. The wrist rest offers added comfort during long typing or gaming sessions and can snap on or off depending on whether users want the extra support or a smaller footprint, while the tilt legs let users adjust the keyboard angle to find the most comfortable typing position. K55 CORE does not include a wrist rest but does have tilt legs.

At launch, SKIFF 100 and SKIFF 100 PLUS are configured through CORSAIR Web Hub, a browser-based tool that doesn't require a software to download, with CORSAIR iCUE support arriving post-launch. K55 CORE is managed through CORSAIR iCUE, requiring an app to be downloaded.

Platform support also differs. SKIFF 100 and SKIFF 100 PLUS are compatible with PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and PS5, making either one a viable option for gamers who move between a PC and a console. K55 CORE is built for PC and Mac without console support.

Across the three keyboards, the differences come down to a handful of features. K55 CORE relies on dedicated media and function keys, has no wrist rest, and uses a spill-resistance claim rather than a certified IP rating. SKIFF 100 and SKIFF 100 PLUS build on that same foundation with a rotary dial for volume and media playback, a detachable wrist rest, an IP53 rating, and added console compatibility. With SKIFF 100 PLUS going a step further with six dedicated G-keys for macro recording.

All three are well suited to any setup, whether that's a dedicated gaming desk or a shared workspace that sees both typing and gaming. K55 CORE covers the fundamentals of a reliable gaming keyboard. Where SKIFF 100 and SKIFF 100 PLUS take those same fundamentals and build on them. No matter what keyboard is selected, all will be a great choice and if interested check out K55 CORE, SKIFF 100, and/or SKIFF 100 PLUS.