The Keychron K2 HE (Hall Effect) keyboard is an upgraded version of the popular K2 model, featuring magnetic switches instead of mechanical ones.
The special edition versions of the keyboard have a sleek minimalist design, available with either black or white keys and stylish partly wooden frames. Keychron is set to launch the new keyboard on Kickstarter next month. You can now sign up on Prelaunch to receive a notification when it goes live.
Magnetic switches, also known as Hall effect switches, are relatively new in the market. The K2 HE will be the second Keychron keyboard to incorporate them, following the Q1 HE released earlier this year. These switches use magnetic fields to adjust voltage when a key is pressed, enabling precise keypress registration with the keyboard’s controller chip.
One of the main benefits of Hall effect technology is enhanced durability due to the lack of physical contact between the keycap and the switch. This durability is complemented by the doubleshot PBT keycaps on the K2 HE, ensuring long-lasting color and texture.
Another advantage is increased speed and customization. With magnetic switches on the K2 HE, users can adjust the actuation point of each key, as well as assign multiple actions to a single key, offering dynamic rapid triggering and fast feedback. This level of precision and customization caters to competitive gamers.
For those concerned about losing the satisfying sound of mechanical switches, rest assured that keys using magnetic switches still produce sound. The K2 HE features acoustic foam inside the keyboard to dampen sound, delivering a pleasing “thock” sound, as described by Keychron.
The keyboard supports wired mode with a USB-C cable, wireless mode with 2.4 GHz connectivity, or Bluetooth for seamless switching between up to three devices. The 75% tenkeyless (TKL) layout is favored by gamers for its space-saving design without compromising functionality.
Configuration of the keyboard is done through a web app, eliminating the need for software downloads and ensuring compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Although the price is not yet disclosed, considering the Q1 HE costs $220, the K2 HE is expected to be in a similar price range.
