Keychron K2 HE review: Best of both worlds
The Keychron K2 HE is the company’s latest gaming keyboard, but it may be better for more casual gamers.
Keychron's K2 HE is a gaming take on one of their most popular 75% format keyboards, but is it worth the investment?
While Keychron isn't quite as big as legacy brands like Logitech and Razer, its keyboards are some of the most widely regarded builds in the market. On the website, you can find anything from a miniature 40% keyboard to various full-size builds, as well as ones featuring the ergonomic Alice layout.
The company's most recent endeavor is a focus on turning their high-quality builds into gaming keyboards by switching to Hall Effect switches and adding features like Rapid Trigger, SOCD, and more.
The K2 HE is one of the first Hall Effect keyboards from Keychron, and after using it for a few weeks I can confidently say that it's worth checking out.
Disclaimer: Keychron provided this keyboard in exchange for a review, but did not influence the results whatsoever. Also, links on this page may be affiliate links that pay me a small commission.
Key Specs
- Switch type: Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula
- Keycaps: OSA profile double-shot PBT
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4Ghz, Wired
- Form factor: 75%
- Lighting: Per-key RGB
- Features: Screw-in stabilizers, rapid trigger, gamepad programming, acoustic foam
- Price: $140 as reviewed, $130 for non special-edition
Design & Features
The K2 HE is available in three different variants: regular, special edition, and special edition ISO. The regular is just black with shine-through PBT keycaps, while the special edition has white/wood and black/wood colorways to choose from. Special edition ISO, of course, is much of the same but with the European-focused ISO layout over the commonly used ANSI.
I've been testing the white special edition keyboard, which features light brown accents and non-shine-through keycaps. It also sports beautiful woodgrain sides that really tie everything together beautifully.
Instead of the standard USB port on the back side of the keyboard, Keychron decided to put this one on the right. I don’t think I’ll ever personally like having it on the side, it makes more sense to do it on the back, but they include a right-angle USB-C cable that makes it work out just fine. It’s important to note, however, that using a regular straight cable will look horrendous as it sticks out from the side of your keyboard.
Being a keyboard reviewer, I actually keep a right-angle USB cable sitting under my monitor mount for when I come across devices with this design. Otherwise, I’ll use the NuPhy coiled cable that came with the Gem80 that I reviewed for Dexerto.
Keychron is ahead of the industry with the K2 HE as they’re one of the only major brands offering wireless connectivity on magnetic keyboards. It’s tri-mode wireless, with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth modes available.
Much like the NuPhy Field 75 HE, however, the K2 HE is limited on which Hall Effect switches it’s compatible with. Keychron’s website says it only works with Gateron Double-rail magnetic switches, which are available on its website.
Like most of Keychron’s keyboards, it works on both Windows and MacOS and does so wonderfully. With a flip of a switch, you can pivot between the two operating systems. Doing so will change the Windows key, ALT, and CTRL layout over to Control, Option, and Command — and vice versa.
Software
Keychron has created its web software for the K2 HE, and it’s quite well made. You’ll find different tabs for each major feature; keymapping, macros, lighting adjustment, and of course, Rapid Trigger/SOCD adjustments.
Everything’s super easy to locate, and the Launcher does a great job at describing the more niche options and how to set everything up the way you like. Changes are saved to the profile on the keyboard, meaning you’ll be able to see the changes across multiple devices.
Instead of screenshots, here's a video from Keychron detailing its Launcher program.
You’ll have to plug the keyboard in directly to access everything, so wireless enjoyers will have to make sure the included USB-C cable is within reach.
Performance
Keychron equipped the K2 HE with some of the best features you can find on Hall Effect keyboards, including Rapid Trigger, SOCD, and joystick emulation. Everything is super easy to set up and worked great during my testing in Deadlock and Warzone.
It’s limited to just a 1,000Hz polling rate, meaning it’s not the fastest HE keyboard on the market, so those looking to only use it for gaming may want to look elsewhere.
Where it lacks in latency and polling rate, the K2 HE shines with how it feels when typing. Keychron uses double-shot PBT keycaps with hot-swappable switches and plenty of sound-reducing mods to mods to make an absolutely wonderful typing experience.
Battery Life
Battery life on the K2 HE is phenomenal. Using it as my daily driver with my MacBook Air through Bluetooth offers well over a week of use, but you’ll see slightly less when using the 2.4 GHz dongle.
Verdict - 4/5
Keychron is known for producing high-quality keyboards that don’t break the bank, and they’ve proven that yet again with the K2 HE. It’s positioned in the middle of the market, aimed at both productivity and gaming, and it does so quite well.
I don’t like the fact the keyboard has a right-side USB plug, but its stellar battery life means I only have to plug it in once a week or so. Because of this, I’m willing to push my distaste for the port location aside.