Keychron K8 HE: Hall-Effect Gaming Keyboard with Flexible Layout

Key Takeaways

1. The Keychron K8 HE features Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches for excellent stability and minimal wobble.
2. It adopts a traditional TKL layout, making it familiar for gamers, with customizable function rows and a dedicated navigation cluster.
3. The keyboard supports deep software customization through the Keychron Launcher web app, allowing for macros.
4. It offers tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and USB-C), with a 1,000 Hz polling rate for optimal gaming performance.
5. The K8 HE is priced at $129.99 for the Standard Edition and $139.99 for the Special Edition, currently available on the Keychron website.

We took a look at the Keychron K4 HE, a wireless Hall-effect gaming keyboard, and we loved its beautiful Cherry wood details, great customizability, and comfy typing experience. Now, Keychron has introduced the K8 HE, which brings all those same great features to the popular TKL (tenkeyless) design.

Impressive Features

Similar to the Keychron K4 HE (currently priced at $144.99 on Amazon), the K8 HE is equipped with Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches, providing excellent stability for the keycaps with nearly no wobble. Moreover, the K8 HE Special Edition showcases the same OSA-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, while the Standard Edition has shine-through Cherry-profile keycaps that let the north-facing RGB backlighting glow brightly.

Traditional Layout

Unlike the K4 HE, the K8 HE adopts a more classic TKL layout that many gamers will recognize. The navigation cluster is positioned above the arrow keys, just to the right of the main alpha keys, and the function row is divided into groups of four keys. The K8 HE also includes the same aluminum plate material and allows deep software customization through the Keychron Launcher web app, making it one of the few Hall-effect gaming keyboards that can support macros, unlike the Wooting 80HE and Iqunix EZ63.

Connectivity Options

The K8 HE offers tri-mode connectivity, which includes Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and USB-C wired options, and the 2.4 GHz mode comes with a quick 1,000 Hz polling rate for optimal gaming performance. Additionally, the K8 HE has a dedicated macOS mode, featuring a hardware switch to toggle between operating systems, and it includes extra macOS keycaps in the package to ensure a seamless experience.

Currently, the Keychron K8 HE is only available on the Keychron website, priced at $129.99 for the Standard Edition or $139.99 for the Special Edition, but it is expected to be listed on Amazon in the future.

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