By The Endgame Gear KB65HE is a gaming keyboard that is fast, accurate, and has excellent overall performance and build quality. In fast-paced, rapid-trigger games, it can be a game-changer because of the quick Hall Effect shifts. This tiny keyboard’s doubleshot PBT keycaps and entire aluminum casing add to its durability. The KB65HE is a fantastic 65% keyboard that you shouldn’t pass up, whether you enjoy playing esports games where accuracy and speed are essential or you want to improve your home gaming setup. After putting it to the test for gaming and typing, below is my comprehensive analysis of it.
PRICE AND CONFIGURATIONS
Everyone may purchase the Endgame Gear KB65HE gaming keyboard, ready to play, for $139.99. That is comparable to the Akko PC Tokyo MOD007B, a $149.99 Hall Effect keyboard that we just reviewed. At this time, the KB65HE is only offered in matte black. A braided detachable USB-C cable, pre-lubricated stabilizers, Ducky doubleshot PBT keycaps, a complete aluminum case, and Gateron KS-37B POM Hall Effect switches are included.
DESIGN
The Endgame Gear KB65HE features a simple design that prioritizes construction quality. The entire aluminum case, which weighs 2.3 pounds and has dimensions of 12.4 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches, really surprised me. Right out of the package, this keyboard feels substantial and weighty. The rubber grip feet on the bottom of the KB65HE and its weight prevent it from shifting around on your desk when you’re gaming. Full RGB is also available, but the Endgame Gear app’s preset modes are the only ones that can be customized.
This keyboard is quite small and straightforward, measuring 65% of its total size. Because there are no dedicated media keys or knobs, the keyboard takes up the least amount of space on your desk. That works perfectly for fast-paced games like esports titles where you might want to slant your keyboard but still have plenty of room for your mouse.
But the price for this size is that it lacks a number pad and function row. Therefore, if those are essential for your preferred games, there may be better options available than the KB65HE. For more substantial options, see our guide to the top gaming keyboards.
ENDGAME GEAR KB65HE KEYS
The KB65HE’s keys are pretty nice. Although they don’t have the best sound, they feel fantastic for gaming and typing. Since the KB65HE is a Hall Effect keyboard, it can only be used with magnetic Hall Effect switches. However, it is hot-swappable. Due to their low internal friction, HE switches are a unique kind of keyboard switch that’s perfect for gaming.
The Gateron KS-37B Hall Effect switches, which are constructed of self-lubricating POM and have pre-lubricated stainless steel springs, are supplied with the KB65HE. With a 50g bottom-out force, they have an extraordinarily light 30g actuation force. Since they are HE switches, you may adjust the actuation point in the Endgame Gear app to suit your playstyle and adjust how sensitive the switches are.
I found the Gateron KS-37B switches to be responsive straight out of the box. Even in games with rapid triggers, I never missed a keystroke because of their quick and reliable rebound. When they bottom out, they make a gentle, metallic sound. It’s not “tacky,” but it also doesn’t sound awful. It sounds nice to have the stabilizers installed and lubricated beforehand. They bottom out just as smoothly and quickly as the other keys, and they are neither scratchy nor shaky.
The KB65HE comes with simple matte black keycaps, yet they feel fantastic. Ducky’s doubleshot PBT keycaps ensure long-term durability, so you need not worry. Their tops are a little rough, which is good because it adds a little traction. Additionally translucent for RGB shine-through are the legends.
PERFORMANCE
When it comes to gaming performance, the KB65HE excels. I had a great time trying this keyboard, from the build quality to the HE switches. The Hall Effect switches on the KB65HE seemed substantially faster, even though I’m used to playing my favorite games on a dedicated gaming keyboard (like the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%).
These switches are more responsive than a standard mechanical switch because they have less friction and a quick rebound motion. Even a few milliseconds can matter in fast-paced games, thus having more responsiveness can be quite beneficial.
I tested the KB65HE in a range of games, including a couple of Fortnite battle royale games, some intense Minecraft, and a little Starfield. Although it’s an excellent all-around gaming keyboard, its advantages really show when playing at a quick speed. In Fortnite, I felt like my reaction times were a little faster than usual, and I even won my first game using the KB65HE.
The timing advantage you get from the Hall Effect switches isn’t as obvious in more casual games like Starfield and Minecraft, but it does contribute to a fast and accurate gameplay experience. For instance, I was always able to accurately register the double-tap W control in Minecraft to sprint.
The Gateron KS-37B switches’ low actuation force was one feature that caught my attention. Because my hands are smaller than typical, it can occasionally be difficult for me to reach across my keyboard to press the shift or control keys with my pinkie, which leads to inaccurate results.
Here, that was not the case. I was able to hold down shortcut keys with greater comfort on the KB65HE thanks to its low actuation force without having to take my fingertips off the movement keys. This keyboard can work well for you if you frequently have hand cramps or have short fingers.
The flip side of that, of course, is that individuals who have a tendency to “button mash” or type more quickly may find that their accuracy is reduced while utilizing these HE switches. Although you can adjust the actuation point, you may frequently find yourself inadvertently activating keys if you’re someone who typically hits keys very forcefully.
Gaming isn’t the only use for the KB65HE. It’s a good all-purpose keyboard as well. For quick typists, the quick HE switches can be very useful. I performed better than my average of 84 wpm and 94.3% accuracy on the KB65HE in the Monkeytype typing test, scoring 100 wpm with 98% accuracy.
ENDGAME GEAR CONNECTIVITY KB65HE
The KB65HE comes with a detachable braided USB-C cable, but wireless operation is not available. I prefer to use wired gaming keyboards to reduce latency, so it wasn’t an issue for me. However, if you want a desk arrangement devoid of cables, you might want to consider the Alienware Pro Wireless.
It’s important to note that the KB65HE’s USB-C port has a slightly recessed, rounded form on the back. Therefore, you will need to choose a cable with a rounded cable header if you wish to swap out the original cable with a different one (such as a coiled aviator cable). Bulky or rectangular cable header cables will not fit.
Conclusion
The Endgame Gear KB65HE is an excellent gaming keyboard, particularly for titles that move quickly and require precise timing of each keystroke. In addition to offering some of the quickest speeds available on a gaming keyboard, the Hall Effect switches let you personalize your setup to suit your preferred playing style. Although the switches’ sound quality could be improved, the KB65HE’s build quality is likewise excellent. Despite its greatness, the KB65HE is not a full-size keyboard or wireless. The comparably sized Alienware Pro Wireless is a great option if you’re looking for a wireless gaming keyboard. Look into the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro if you need the function row and number pad.
