As a writer/editor, I spend a lot of time typing, so I’m always on the lookout for good keyboards. Ever since I got into the world of mechanical keyboards, I’ve never turned back—and the one brand I can always count on is Keychron.
That’s why, in this article, I’d like to turn your attention to Keychron’s new keyboard: the Keychron K2 HE Wireless Magnetic Custom Keyboard. It’s well-built and highly customizable, and plenty it could improve on.
Editor
Jennifer chevron_right
Table of Contents
Design & Build
The Keychron K2 HE’s design is pretty simple, a clear throwback to classic keyboard aesthetics. Our review unit was white with rosewood accents, which is stunning yet doesn’t grab too much attention.
It’s a pretty refreshing alternative to the mechanical steampunk look most gaming mechanical keyboards tend to lean toward, and the 75% layout is compact, saving desk space without feeling cramped.
Keychron’s doubleshot PBT keycaps feel as great as ever under my fingers. While the plastic case slightly undermines the premium feel, the sturdy aluminium chassis and woodgrain accents more than make up for it. The keyboard feels thoughtfully designed and ready to last.
My biggest gripe, though, is the lack of dedicated media keys. Like, literally, no media keys at all. If you want to adjust your music, you’ll have to go for the old-fashioned way using FN keys—which is a bit of a hassle when one is already used to having dedicated media keys.
Typing Experience
I truly cannot complain about the typing experience. The Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches deliver a smooth, consistent typing experience with a satisfying, deep “thock” sound. The Keychron K2 HE provides a premium typing experience that is as enjoyable for long work sessions as it is for casual use.
The Hall Effect magnetic switches allow for adjustable actuation points as low as 0.2 mm. This level of control genuinely enhances both typing and gaming. I customized lighter actuation for gaming and firmer settings for typing as according to my preferences—not exactly easily done, which I’ll talk about later.
Besides, there are also gaming-focused features like Rapid Trigger (which resets keys instantly upon release) and Last Keystroke Prioritization (LKP), which makes the K2 HE ideal for fast-paced FPS games.
However, given that it uses magnetic switches and not the regular five- or three-pin switches, the customization options are very limited. In fact, it’s compatible exclusively with the Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switch, so if you’re the kind who likes aftermarket customization, this probably isn’t the keyboard for you.
Customisation
Configuring features like actuation points or profiles requires the browser-based Keychron Launcher, which only works in wired mode. While functional, this setup feels slightly outdated for a wireless-focused keyboard.
Through the Keychron Launcher, you can personalize almost every aspect of the keyboard. From setting adjustable actuation points for individual keys to enabling multiple actions per keypress, the possibilities are endless. It’s interesting, but the website doesn’t exactly make it intuitive, so it took me a while to figure things out.
The ability to assign up to four actions per key makes this keyboard incredibly versatile. For example, in games, you can trigger different abilities with varying pressure levels on the same key.
Connectivity & Battery Life
For connectivity, the K2 HE offers tri-mode options: wired USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz wireless. Switching between devices is seamless, with minimal input lag in Bluetooth mode. The short 4-foot USB-C cable kinda limits flexibility for wired setups, but it’s not exactly a dealbreaker.
Battery life is another strong suit. With its 4,000mAh battery, I easily got around two weeks of moderate use with the backlight on.
Verdict
The Keychron K2 HE Wireless Magnetic Custom Keyboard is an impressive blend of productivity and gaming features. The smooth typing experience, advanced gaming features, and excellent battery life are great, though the limited customization options may deter some.
So, if you’re looking for a versatile, keyboard that’s just as suited for work as it is for play, the Keychron K2 HE is absolutely worth considering; but if you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard that you can build on later, maybe look somewhere else.