Key Takeaways
1. Affordable Price Point: The Keychron C2 Pro 8K QMK is priced at $64.99, making it a budget-friendly option compared to premium models.
2. High Polling Rate and Customizability: The keyboard features an 8 kHz polling rate and QMK firmware, enhancing its customizability for users.
3. Durable Build with Unique Features: It includes durable double-shot PBT keycaps, a wired-only connection, and adjustable typing angles for better ergonomics.
4. Design Aesthetic and Usability: The keyboard has a retro aesthetic with a beige and brown color scheme, but south-facing RGB backlighting may affect readability in low light.
5. Advanced Features for Gamers: It offers compatibility with Keychron Launcher for customization and includes a unique Snap Tap feature for improved gaming performance.
Keychron has a reputation for producing some of the finest pre-assembled mechanical keyboards and gaming accessories. While their premium models, like the Keychron Q13 Max we recently looked at, are priced over $200, their latest offering is available for just $64.99 on Amazon.
Latest Release: Keychron C2 Pro 8K QMK
The Keychron C2 Pro 8K QMK is the newest addition to the brand’s lineup, following the C1 and C3 Pro 8K models. As indicated by its name, this keyboard features an impressive 8 kHz polling rate and QMK firmware, which greatly enhances its customizability. The C2 Pro 8K comes with a standard full-size layout that includes a num pad and a navigation cluster positioned above the arrow keys. However, it lacks the convenient shortcut keys located above the num pad, which are present on the Keychron Q13 Max.
Features and Specifications
The C2 Pro 8K shares numerous attributes with Keychron’s higher-end mechanical keyboards, such as compatibility with the Keychron Launcher, durable double-shot PBT keycaps in a unique OSA profile, and a choice of Keychron Super Red, Brown, or Banana switches. To keep the price lower, Keychron has gone for a wired-only connection, but a replaceable USB Type-C cable is still included for ease of repair, and the keyboard is encased entirely in ABS plastic.
The use of an ABS case shouldn’t be seen as a drawback to the C2 Pro 8K’s build quality, as there are benefits to choosing ABS over aluminum. For one, it allows Keychron to integrate features like the flip-out feet, which provide 4°, 8°, and 10° typing angles for better ergonomics, along with cutouts for the indicator LEDs above the num pad. The overall weight is also lighter than a full aluminum design, with the C2 Pro 8K tipping the scales at about 975 g.
Design and Usability
Many specifications remain consistent, like the five-layer acoustic treatment and the practical hardware OS selector switch that allows for easy switching between macOS and Windows layouts. In terms of design, the C2 Pro 8K shares similarities with the recently released Keychron C3 Pro 8K, thanks to its tray mount structure and retro aesthetic. While it may not offer the same shine-through feature as the Keychron C1 Pro 8K, the C2 Pro 8K has a distinct charm with its beige and brown color scheme. Unfortunately, this model features south-facing RGB backlighting, which can hinder readability in dimly lit environments unless you prefer side-printed legends.
As previously mentioned, the Keychron C2 Pro 8K is compatible with Keychron Launcher, a consistent highlight in our reviews of Keychron keyboards, and the open-source QMK ecosystem. This compatibility enables users to customize the keyboard with macros, unique lighting effects, and key mappings. An unusual feature that Keychron included in the C2 Pro 8K is Snap Tap—also known as Snap Action in Keychron Launcher—typically found only in Hall-effect keyboards. This feature allows players to counter-strafe more effectively in specific shooter games, giving them the ability to prioritize one key press over another depending on the timing of the key activations.
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