Keychron K2 HE review: specs, performance, cost

Keychron continues to impress with its huge lineup of keyboards aimed toward each conceivable form of person. The corporate even cut up off into one other entity referred to as Lemokey with gaming keyboards and peripherals.

The most recent from Keychron is the K2 HE, which makes use of a magnetic swap for each key. Meaning the person can program the actuation distance of every key and add a number of actions based mostly on actuation distance.

Not like different mechanical keyboards, you are not going to select from quite a lot of switches with completely different sounds and actuation distances. The one possibility is the Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula Swap.

Nevertheless, that single magnetic swap is like packing a near-infinite variety of swap choices into every key. As a substitute of hot-swapping a distinct swap, you simply change its settings within the software program.

The Keychron K2 HE is one other glorious possibility from the keyboard maker. It will likely be particularly nice for avid gamers, however automators also can benefit from the in depth programming choices.

Nevertheless, iPad-first customers needn’t apply. Extra on that in a bit.

The HE stands for Corridor Impact, a know-how I’ve seen utilized in recreation controllers. It’s utilized in recreation controller triggers for extra exact analog enter or in joysticks to get rid of drift..

Keychron K2 HE evaluation: mechanical keyboard with magnets

In a keyboard, the magnets are used to find out the precise distance a key has traveled. Software program within the keyboard and programming for every key determines what command to ship to the pc based mostly on the actuation distance.

Along with the magnetic switches, the Keychron K2 HE has all the options you’d anticipate from a premium Keychron keyboard. It has north-facing RGB backlighting and might join by way of Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz.

The particular version is made with steel and wooden with pure rosewood accents. The aluminum makes the keyboard heavier however sturdy.

Keychron K2 HE evaluation: hot-swappable switches

The magnetic switches are hot-swappable, however you will want to make use of appropriate double-rail magnetic switches. So, you are seemingly restricted to the switches bought on Keychron’s web site.

Keychron even included enhanced stabilizers with bolstered sidewalls. That makes typing with the spacebar, shift, enter, and delete keys higher.

I have been utilizing the Keychron K2 HE for a number of months, and it varieties like a dream. The important thing actuation, suggestions, and sound are all completely nice.

Keychron K2 HE evaluation: one other glorious keyboard from Keychron

So, even when you’re not trying to go wild with all the choices a magnetic mechanical keyboard presents, it is nonetheless a premium typing expertise. Although, maybe you might look downmarket at Keychron’s different glorious mechanical keyboards that do not value fairly as a lot.

I’ve spun hundreds of phrases on Keychron keyboards. There’s not a lot I can say right here that I have not mentioned already.

Keychron builds glorious keyboards that do not break too removed from conventional layouts. Nevertheless, customers can substitute each swap and keycap, and reprogram each key to take it from a fundamental bland rectangle to an ostentatious gamer’s dream.

I will admit that the true motive you’d purchase a magnetic mechanical keyboard is not a part of my typical use case. Programmers, automators, and avid gamers can all profit from the vary of choices supplied by the variable actuation distance, whereas I am simply completely happy to have a cushty typing expertise.

Each key on the keyboard could be programmed with a number of press and launch motion factors. For instance, in a online game, you might press flippantly to set off the stroll ahead movement, press onerous to set off the dash perform, then half-release to cease sprinting.

The complete actuation distance of the keys is not troublesome to succeed in. I’ve been typing with the default sensitivity and actuation level and have not encountered any points with lacking a key or not urgent onerous sufficient.

I performed with the Launcher app and observed I press the complete key distance whereas I am typing, so there is not any actual want to alter that. Additionally, since that is the K2 format, only some keys may very well be thought-about “additional” for automation or motion triggering.

Keychron K2 HE evaluation: unbelievable vary of enter choices and customization

Regulate the actuation level between 0.2mm and three.8mm with 0.1mm sensitivity. Set final keystroke prioritization for smoother gameplay controls like when shifting a personality, and set Snap Click on to prioritize deeper keypresses if two keys are hit directly.

Customers may even arrange a key to have an analog response for racing video games. So, when driving a automotive, how far you press is how a lot the accelerator is depressed.

Merely put, it really works. The individuals who want this performance will purchase this keyboard, and regardless of the worth, it’s value it.

Keychron K2 HE evaluation: customary remapping choices are additionally out there

I imagine if I have been a Mac person with Keyboard Maestro or comparable, I might have a blast programming every kind of actions for various sorts of key presses. Nevertheless, I am primarily an iPad person and haven’t got the power to program system-wide shortcuts.

There’s additionally the choice of treating a half-press as an actuation of a keyboard shortcut. For instance, I might program a half-press of the pgup key to carry out the “possibility + shift + l” command I exploit to make hyperlinks in Drafts.

The Keychron K2 HE is infinitely configurable with the intuitive Launcher software program.

I am a fan of Keychron, there is not any hiding that. After years of utilizing the corporate’s numerous keyboards and configurations, I can say they’re a step above rivals and routinely rating effectively.

Keychron K2 HE evaluation: wired mode is reserved for Mac and PC

Like I mentioned earlier than, the keyboard feels nice to make use of, and the magnetic switches glide underneath my fingers. I’ve no complaints concerning the type issue, design, or use of this keyboard.

Nevertheless, there’s a compatibility downside with the Keychron K2 HE. It would not work wired with an iPad.

I reached out to Keychron to confirm this and so they confirmed that Keychron K2 HE would not work wired with iPad, nevertheless it does work over the two.4GHz connection or Bluetooth. No clarification as to why was supplied, however that is the scenario.

So, I have been utilizing it hooked up to my Thunderbolt dock so it stays powered however linked by way of the two.4GHz dongle. Which might be high quality if that did not imply utilizing two USB-A ports on my Thunderbolt dock for a single keyboard.

Keychron K2 HE evaluation: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and wired choices

If you happen to plan on utilizing the Keychron K2 HE wirelessly anyway, that is much less of a difficulty. Nevertheless, I have a tendency to make use of my keyboards over a dock at a desktop so I can simply swap my setup between my Mac and iPad as wanted, so wired is most popular.

From my perspective, there’s not a lot else to say concerning the Keychron K2 HE. I like that the magnetic actuation and reprogrammability are there, however they’re pointless for my present workflow.

If you happen to’ve learn my different Keychron critiques, the identical applies right here. It is a well-built keyboard that fanatics and avid gamers will love, however that lack of wired connectivity for iPad is not splendid for my setup.

Regardless of its incompatibility with my workflow, the Keychron K2 HE is a well-built keyboard. As soon as I’ve linked it to the system I am utilizing, it is a stable typing expertise that does not lag or disconnect — wi-fi or not.

Keychron K2 HE evaluation: wooden accents and colourful RGB backlights

I imagine corridor impact methods are taking up gaming merchandise due to their effectivity, sturdiness, and analog nature. Keychron is wise to construct premium keyboards with proprietary magnetic switches, and the Launcher software program makes setting it up simple.

I can simply advocate the Keychron K2 HE to Mac and PC customers the place there’s no subject with the wired connection. Bluetooth labored for iPad, Apple Vision Pro, and different merchandise as anticipated.

• Glorious construct high quality
• Brilliant backlight with loads of RGB choices
• Wooden accents are a pleasant contact
• Magnetic switches really feel nice to kind on
• Close to infinite customization with a number of choices per key

Every part concerning the Keychron K2 HE is great past the shortage of wired compatibility with iPad. Nevertheless, it’s an costly mannequin with a distinct segment target market, so the general rating displays that.

It’s a pre-order product on the time of publication. Preliminary shipments will exit in early December.