The Corsair Galleon 100 SD Delivers Exciting Gaming Experience, But Its Price May Not Suit Every Budget | Review

Corsair has been on a roll lately, and from the ashes of the Vanguard Pro’s rise to the top of the gaming keyboard scene comes a new contender: the Corsair Galleon 100 SD. This mechanical keyboard seamlessly combines gaming functionality with the brand’s Stream Deck capabilities.

With a price tag of $349.99, the Galleon 100 SD offers a unique blend of features. The Stream Deck functionality alone, like that found in the Stream Deck Plus, typically runs around $200, while the keyboard itself justifies the remaining $150—assuming you find value in the dials and display. If you’re mainly interested in the buttons, the pricing might raise some eyebrows.

Despite that, this keyboard has become a staple in my setup during testing. The typing experience is smooth, the keycaps are top-notch, and the array of controls at my fingertips makes it a keeper. With a discount, it could be a game-changer for many gamers.

The Galleon 100 SD is currently available for $349.99 directly from Corsair, with delivery expected in just a few days. Stock may be limited elsewhere, making this a timely purchase.

In terms of form factor, the Galleon is a bit of a hybrid. It feels like a full-sized keyboard on the desk, which can slightly restrict mouse movement, but the actual keyboard layout is TKL. Corsair continues to innovate with layouts, following the Vanguard Pro 96’s compact design.

Aesthetically, the Galleon is impressive. The Stream Deck lights up on the right, complemented by a ‘Mood Light’ strip along the top and vibrant RGB LEDs, creating a striking visual display.

The Stream Deck integration is fully realized. While it would have been nice to have the option to position it on the right for more mouse space, I’m just glad it’s included.

At $350, the build quality is commendable. While it may not have the heft of a Keychron model, the black aluminum chassis feels sturdy and premium. Gasket mounting and sound dampening ensure a quiet typing experience.

The chassis has a slight wedge shape, but it’s not enough for significant elevation. Two flip-out feet provide extra height for comfort, although the included wrist rest feels a bit too high for my liking. It attaches magnetically and offers a cushioned surface, but I found myself preferring to use the Galleon without it.

The thick PBT keycaps deliver a firm and responsive typing experience, with longer legends ensuring consistent RGB backlighting. The only minor issue is the Enter key, where the LEDs don’t shine through as well as on the other keys. Overall, the keycaps are well-designed for precision and grip, minimizing slippage and shine buildup.

Under the hood, the Galleon features Corsair’s MLX Pulse switches. I first encountered these switches in the Corsair MAKR 75 and was impressed. While they may feel slightly less snappy without the FR4 plate, they remain smooth, thocky, and free of rattling.

With a 45g actuation force, these switches strike a balance between responsiveness and accuracy, with a 2.0mm actuation distance to prevent accidental presses. They may not be the lightest, but they resist fatigue well and provide a satisfying auditory feedback.

The entire keyboard is hot-swappable, accommodating both three and five-pin switches.

If you’ve been keeping an eye on gaming keyboards, you might notice some missing features. The Galleon 100 SD opts for traditional mechanical switches instead of magnetic ones, which means it lacks rapid trigger capabilities, customizable actuation points, and multi-step inputs. Given its $350 price, there’s little room for Hall effect switches, even though Corsair’s latest MGX V2 options are impressive.

The software experience has been a bit rocky for me, but I hope it improves soon. I’ve been testing the Galleon 100 SD with a beta version of Corsair’s Web Hub and Firmware Tool, and it hasn’t been smooth sailing. The Web Hub initially failed to recognize the Galleon until I updated the firmware, which I couldn’t do until it recognized the keyboard—quite the catch-22.

After some troubleshooting, I managed to connect and update the keyboard, and since then, it has been functioning well. The Web Hub still has some quirks, often failing to save RGB lighting changes directly to the keyboard, but it offers all the necessary features.

To set up the Stream Deck functionality, you’ll need Elgato’s dedicated software, which works seamlessly. Dragging and dropping functions to create profiles and presets is a breeze, making it one of my favorite aspects of the setup. The marketplace also offers a wealth of plugins to enhance your experience.

The Galleon features a full Stream Deck with 12 customizable buttons, two control dials, and a 5-inch display, providing an unprecedented level of control from a single keyboard. This eliminates the need for separate macro buttons, media controls, and system settings. If it can be done on your PC, you can create shortcuts for it.

I’ve set up everything from a Spotify command center to profiles for games like Planet Coaster, The Sims 4, and Baldur’s Gate 3. Having all these controls within reach makes for a more streamlined experience compared to using a separate device. While I’ve used other macro pads, none have been as accessible as this setup. The initial profiles may be basic, but they keep my essential commands close at hand.

The display allows for four control zones, enabling profile switching, volume adjustments, and even weather updates. While options are currently limited, I hope more plugins will emerge soon, as there’s significant potential here.

The Galleon 100 SD features a unique dual USB-C connection setup, connecting to two USB-A ports on your PC and providing one back via a passthrough on the right edge. While this may be useful for connecting peripherals closer to your mouse, it does mean managing two cables on your desk.

While wireless gaming keyboards have their advantages, the Galleon’s dual-cable setup might be a drawback for those prioritizing a clutter-free workspace. However, it operates just fine with only one cable connected.

For competitive gamers, the 8,000Hz polling rate is a nice touch, though it’s a feature that only the most discerning players will notice.

Corsair has significantly improved its keyboard build quality over the past few years, and the Galleon 100 SD is free from the echo and ping issues of the past. It offers a snappy, well-dampened typing experience with a satisfying feel and just the right amount of resistance.

While the Asus ROG Azoth provides a bit more spring and depth, the Galleon remains enjoyable to use and listen to, with a light touch and tight mechanical components.

Despite the absence of magnetic switches, the Galleon still caters to both casual and competitive players with on-the-fly macro recording, SOCD settings, and space for up to five onboard profiles (not including the Stream Deck).

The extra control panel is the standout feature, making tasks in games like Planet Coaster quicker and easier. There are many more in-game controls to explore across various titles, making the Galleon 100 SD a formidable choice for single-player, strategy, simulation, or competitive gaming.

Switching profiles is straightforward, with responsive buttons and immediate actions. The setup process is simpler than with other similar devices, and I’d find value in this extra panel even if I only used it as a launcher.

For streamers, the benefits are clear. The Stream Deck integration allows for easy access to controls right next to your hands, making it more convenient than reaching for a separate device. However, if you already have a Stream Deck, you might not find much new to explore.

Ultimately, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD is a premium keyboard. While it’s an excellent product on its own, the combined Stream Deck functionality makes it one of the most feature-rich control pads available. The $349.99 price tag means you’ll need to be genuinely interested in both a keyboard and a Stream Deck to justify the cost. If you’re not in the market for a control panel or already own one, the higher price may not be worth it.

The Galleon’s implementation is similar to the Stream Deck +, which costs $199.99 on its own, leaving $150 for a mechanical keyboard. If you’re looking for a mid-range option, models like the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL or Keychron V6 Max might be more appealing. While the Galleon offers a superior typing experience and additional features, those alternatives are worth considering.

If you’re willing to forgo the dials and screen, the Stream Deck Mk. 2 is priced at $150 (often found around $130), allowing you to spend $200 on a gaming keyboard. This opens up options for Hall effect switches, such as the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid or NZXT Function Elite, which offer more switch features alongside macro functionality.

This is where the value of the $349.99 Corsair Galleon 100 SD starts to wane. If you’re not particularly interested in the screen and dials—especially since I found them somewhat underutilized at launch—it makes more sense to opt for two separate devices.

However, the all-in-one design has its advantages; your keypad, display, and control dials are all in one place. This convenience shouldn’t be overlooked—using these customizable controls is much easier in this setup, motivating me to create, tweak, and find the profiles I need.

It’s an expensive luxury, likely best suited for dedicated streamers or those looking to invest in faster macro access.

I’ve been using the Corsair Galleon 100 SD for the past two weeks, alternating with another keyboard during that time. Alongside my sessions in Planet Coaster, The Sims, and Baldur’s Gate 3, I’ve also tested it in competitive CS2 and Apex Legends, enjoying my experience in Clair Obscur Expedition 33 as well.