By The Keychron K2 HE has a small 75 percent layout and reverb effect technology. Although it was made for gamers, it ought to function well at work as well. We put its features, switches, design, build quality, gaming performance, and general use to the test.
Design and workmanship
Both black and a special version with wooden sides are available for the Keychron K2 HE. The latter version was put to the test. The keyboard has a pleasant, even homey appearance thanks to the well-fitting, smooth real wood side panels.
Nothing creaks, transitions, or gaps are constant, and the aluminum frame adds to the premium appearance. The board is quite stable on the table because it weighs slightly under one kilogram (965 grams). The arrow keys and the most crucial navigation row are still present in the 75% configuration, which conserves space.
The construction is sturdy: a metal support plate beneath the keys (referred to as the “plate”) stabilizes the switches, an aluminum frame at the top (referred to as the “aluminum top frame”) makes the keyboard rigid, and multiple dampening layers absorb vibrations.
The circuit board and plate are screwed into the bottom tray in the so-called “tray-mount” configuration, which guarantees a straightforward, fairly sturdy typing experience with minimal vibration. The mechanical background noise is kept to a minimum, and the acoustics are hushed (or “thocking”). However, because of the height of the casing, we advise a palm rest for extended usage; this is not supplied and is thus a drawback.
Features and technology
Both wireless and cable modes are available for the Keychron K2 HE. For quick, reliable input, you may reach a polling rate of up to 1,000 Hz using a 2.4 GHz dongle and USB-C. Although it is substantially slower, Bluetooth 5.2 may connect up to three devices upon request, making it more suited for multi-device and office use.
Depending on the illumination and usage pattern, the 4,000 mAh battery inside can last anywhere from a few days to several working weeks. Depending on the version, the non-slip PBT keycaps come in either an ANSI or ISO configuration.
However, only Gateron Double-Rail type Hall-effect switches can be used with the hot-swap system (buttons can be switched without soldering); traditional MX switches are incompatible.
Keychron comes with appropriate mod keys and is useful for daily use. You can use a sliding switch to swap between Windows and macOS key assignments. There are no dedicated media buttons or a volume knob; instead, the software uses Fn combinations or remapping for control.
Technical specifications
Keystrokes are detected by a magnetic sensor in the Keychron K2 HE’s Hall-effect switches. This makes it possible to fine-tune the trigger and reset point for every button.
The term “Rapid Trigger” technology describes the quick, automatic reset that happens right after release and is perfect for prompt follow-up entries. Depending on how deeply a key is pressed, “Multiple Actuation/Dual-Action” permits various actions, whilst “Last-Key-Priority” gives priority to the final key pressed during simultaneous inputs.
Numerous effects and infinitely adjustable brightness are provided by the built-in RGB lights.
The Keychron Launcher, an online application for key assignments, macros, illumination, and adjusting the reverb effect switches, controls everything. The USB cord is temporarily needed to apply changes; however, the keyboard saves profiles internally.
High-end switches
The “Gateron Double-Rail Nebula” kind of factory-lubricated linear switches operate with remarkable smoothness. High stability and little lateral swaying are guaranteed by the POM plunger with double-rail guide. Through software, the release can be freely chosen in increments of 0.1 mm, ranging from 0.2 to 3.8 mm.
With an initial force of about 40 grams and a bottom-out force of about 60 grams, the spring is in the light range. The entire travel is approximately 4.0 mm. The switching properties are similar to those of the Cherry MX Red.
The housing damping keeps the typing experience quiet and gentle. The space bar, for instance, is particularly damped, and large keys are properly stabilized. The stabilizers themselves are also lubricated for better acoustics and actuation.
Gaming performance
Low latency, 1,000 Hz polling (1 ms signal rate), and quick resetting via Rapid Trigger are some of the Keychron K2 HE‘s advantages when operating at 2.4 GHz and via cable. Practically speaking, this means that the buttons activate very early and are instantly usable again after a small amount of release.
For shooters, we suggest an RT hysteresis of 0.1 to 0.2 mm (the short reset travel the button needs after release until it activates again) and a trigger travel of 1.2 to 1.5 mm on WASD. Fine adjustments and “counter-punishments” are therefore more reliable.
We believe that the space bar, for instance, can trigger even flatter (about 0.8 to 1.0 mm) for jumping, whereas the abilities or reloading buttons are purposefully lower (about 1.8 to 2.2 mm) to prevent wrong inputs.
“Last-Key-Priority” keeps inputs from being “stuck” when changing directions at the same time. N-key rollover (NKRO) is handled by the K2 HE without ghosting; quick double-taps and micro-corrections are still readily repeatable.
“Multiple Actuation/Dual-Action” allows you to assign two actions to a single key. For instance, you can zoom on the same key and assign a light press to stroll and a deep press to run or create. The triggering per button can be very finely staggered for rhythm/action games; in our tests, Rapid Trigger made timing short reaction chains substantially easier.
Battery life
The board can withstand mixed use for one to two working weeks, depending on the brightness and mode. The runtime is noticeably shortened by heavy RGB use and pure Bluetooth operation. On the plus side, the board continues to operate at 1,000 Hz wirelessly using 2.4 GHz.
Keychron K2 HE Rapid Trigger Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard with Hall Effect Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switch, QMK 2.4 GHz Bluetooth 5.2 RGB Compatible with Mac Windows Linux (Aluminum + Wood)
Software
There is nothing to install because the Keychron launcher is a web application. To change key assignments, macros, lighting, and reverb effect parameters, just insert the Keychron K2 HE into a USB-C port and let the browser access the device. These profiles are stored internally by the keyboard and are applicable in both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz modes.
In reality, there are no direct shortcuts on the keyboard itself for changing the trigger, reset point, or rapid trigger; these can only be done via USB. On the other hand, Fn combinations instantly alter light, brightness, and effect.
A flat-trigger gaming profile and a deeper trigger travel, quiet lighting office profile are the two suggested profiles. Caps Lock to Ctrl or media functions on the arrow keys are examples of frequent remaps. Command sequences like “mute mic and push-to-talk” can be triggered by macros.
As long as the browser supports WebHID, the launcher is compatible with Windows, macOS, and typically Linux as well. Within a few seconds, transferred changes become active and proceed to operate independently on the keyboard. The latency of input doesn’t vary. There are no dedicated controls, like a volume knob; instead, media control is managed by remapping or Fn levels.
