The PC Journal

Buying Guide

The Best Magnetic Gaming Keyboards

Six Hall effect boards from $38 to $150 at the time of writing.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read6 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image
Jump to
  1. Quick Picks
  2. Our Picks
  3. How We Chose
  4. What to Look For
  5. Comparison
  6. FAQ

Magnetic switches read key depth, so actuation is adjustable and rapid trigger resets keys as they rise. These six range from 60% to TKL.

We compared layout, polling and features from each listing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Best TKL

    Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired Keyboard

    MGX switches with double-shot PBT.

    Best for: Full arrows and F-row.

    Check price for Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  2. Best 65%

    ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX

    ROG HFX switches with 8000Hz.

    Best for: Compact desks.

    Check price for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  3. Best Logitech

    Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard

    Hall effect switches in a TKL.

    Best for: Logitech setups.

    Check price for Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  4. Best 68-Key Value

    AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch Keyboard

    8000Hz near $40.

    Best for: Budget shooters.

    Check price for AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  5. Best Dynamic Keys

    Attack Shark X68 HE

    Up to 4 actions per key.

    Best for: Macro fans.

    Check price for Attack Shark X68 HE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  6. Lowest Price

    Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard

    8000Hz and rapid trigger near $38.

    Best for: Tight budgets.

    Check price for Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best TKL1 of 6

Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired Keyboard

The K70 PRO TKL is Corsair's magnetic tenkeyless board.

Best for

Full arrows and F-row.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Check price on Amazon for Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired Keyboard

Why we like it

MGX switches with rapid trigger and double-shot PBT keycaps suit competitive play. Like the PRO X TKL Rapid, it has a TKL layout, while the Falchion Ace HFX uses a 65% layout. No other pick in this guide offers MGX Hall effect magnetic switches; compare the WIN68 HE, which has hall effect magnetic switches.

The K70 PRO TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. Its price falls between the X68 HE and the Falchion Ace HFX, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the Falchion Ace HFX, which offers 8,000Hz.

Key specs

Layout
TKL
Switches
MGX Hall effect magnetic
Connection
Wired
Keycaps
Double-shot PBT

Pros

  • Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • PBT keycaps resist shine
  • Rapid trigger support

Cons

  • Wired only
  • No published polling rate
  • Costs more than the K617 HE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Best 65%2 of 6

ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX

The Falchion Ace HFX uses Hall effect switches with actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm and Rapid Trigger, in a 65% layout.

Best for

Compact desks.

Skip if

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX (opens in a new tab)
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX

Why we like it

Two USB-C ports let it switch between two PCs. A 65% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the WIN68 HE uses a 68-key compact layout. You get ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches here, which sets it apart from the PRO X TKL Rapid and its hall effect magnetic switches.

It also comes with a protective cover for travel. The Falchion Ace HFX needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters.

Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. It was priced above the K70 PRO TKL and below the PRO X TKL Rapid at the time of writing.

Key specs

Layout
65%
Switches
ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
8,000Hz
Keycaps
PBT

Pros

  • Compact 65% layout
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • 8,000Hz polling
  • PBT keycaps resist shine

Cons

  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the K617 HE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX (opens in a new tab)

Best Logitech3 of 6

Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard

The PRO X TKL Rapid is Logitech's magnetic-switch board.

Best for

Logitech setups.

Skip if

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Check price on Amazon for Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard

Why we like it

Rapid trigger and adjustable actuation matter most in shooters where keys reset constantly. Like the K70 PRO TKL, it has a TKL layout, while the Falchion Ace HFX uses a 65% layout. The PRO X TKL Rapid needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.

Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Falchion Ace HFX. Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the Falchion Ace HFX, which offers 8,000Hz.

Key specs

Layout
TKL
Switches
Hall effect magnetic
Connection
Wired

Pros

  • Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • Rapid trigger with adjustable actuation
  • Hall effect switches in a TKL

Cons

  • Wired only
  • No published polling rate
  • Costs more than the K617 HE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Best 68-Key Value4 of 6

AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch Keyboard

The WIN68 HE brings magnetic switches down to a budget price.

Best for

Budget shooters.

Skip if

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Check price on Amazon for AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch Keyboard

Why we like it

The 68-key layout keeps arrows while dropping the function row. You get a 68-key compact layout here, which sets it apart from the X68 HE and its a 65% (68 keys) layout. It also offers a Hall effect board at a membrane-keyboard price.

The WIN68 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys.

Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. When we checked, only the K617 HE cost less, and the X68 HE cost more.

Key specs

Layout
68-key compact
Switches
Hall effect magnetic
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
8,000Hz

Pros

  • Compact 68-key compact layout
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • 8,000Hz polling
  • Hall effect board at a membrane-keyboard price

Cons

  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the K617 HE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Best Dynamic Keys5 of 6

Attack Shark X68 HE

Attack Shark's X68 HE adds dynamic keystrokes, up to four actions per key, to rapid trigger in a 68-key frame.

Best for

Macro fans.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Check price on Amazon for Attack Shark X68 HE (opens in a new tab)
Attack Shark X68 HE

Why we like it

It sits near $40 at the time of writing. You get a 65% (68 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the PRO X TKL Rapid and its a TKL layout. It also comes with an adjustable actuation point.

The X68 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows.

Key specs

Layout
65% (68 keys)
Switches
Hall effect magnetic
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
8,000Hz

Pros

  • Compact 65% (68 keys) layout
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • 8,000Hz polling
  • Dynamic keystrokes with up to 4 actions per key

Cons

  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the K617 HE at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for Attack Shark X68 HE (opens in a new tab)

Lowest Price6 of 6

Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard

The K617 HE brings Hall effect switches, rapid trigger and 8000Hz polling to Redragon's 60% frame.

Best for

Tight budgets.

Skip if

Worth skipping when no dedicated arrow keys or function row is a problem.
Check price on Amazon for Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard

Why we like it

Calibration runs in a desktop or web app. You get a 60% layout here, which sets it apart from the X68 HE and its a 65% (68 keys) layout. It also offers the lowest price among the 8000Hz boards here.

The K617 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys.

Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the WIN68 HE was closest.

Key specs

Layout
60%
Switches
Hall effect magnetic
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
8,000Hz

Pros

  • Compact 60% layout
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • 8,000Hz polling
  • Rapid trigger

Cons

  • No dedicated arrow keys or function row
  • Wired only

The catch

Polling rate is its weakest area, and the Falchion Ace HFX covers it better at 8,000Hz.

Check price on Amazon for Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

How We Chose These Magnetic Gaming Keyboards

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk
A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk
The figures behind the order
We compared six keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while polling rate and keycaps have gaps.
The shared baseline
All 6, from the K70 PRO TKL to the K617 HE, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
Where the specs have gaps
The K70 PRO TKL and the PRO X TKL Rapid give no polling rate; the PRO X TKL Rapid, the WIN68 HE, the X68 HE and the K617 HE give no keycaps.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the K617 HE (under $50) to the PRO X TKL Rapid ($100 to $150).

What to Look for in a Magnetic Gaming Keyboard

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Switches

    The K70 PRO TKL lists MGX Hall effect magnetic; the Falchion Ace HFX lists ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic; the PRO X TKL Rapid, the WIN68 HE, the X68 HE and the K617 HE list hall effect magnetic. Settling switches first narrows 6 picks to 4 or 1 or 1.

  2. Setup checks

    The K70 PRO TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.

    A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps
    A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps

  3. Features beyond the spec table

    The WIN68 HE: a Hall effect board at a membrane-keyboard price. The X68 HE: rapid trigger. The K617 HE: desktop and web-based calibration.

  4. Budget

    Under $50 buys the K617 HE, the WIN68 HE and the X68 HE; $100 to $150 buys the K70 PRO TKL, the Falchion Ace HFX and the PRO X TKL Rapid at our last check.

    A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor
    A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor

  5. Match the pick to your priority

    Full arrows and F-row: the K70 PRO TKL. Compact desks: the Falchion Ace HFX. Logitech setups: the PRO X TKL Rapid.

How to Choose a Magnetic Gaming Keyboard

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Full arrows and F-rowK70 PRO TKLMGX switches with double-shot PBT
Compact desksFalchion Ace HFXROG HFX switches with 8000Hz
Logitech setupsPRO X TKL RapidHall effect switches in a TKL
Budget shootersWIN68 HE8000Hz near $40
Macro fansX68 HEUp to 4 actions per key
Tight budgetsK617 HE8000Hz and rapid trigger near $38

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor

Key specs side by side

The K70 PRO TKL, the Falchion Ace HFX and the rest, as their makers list them.

KeyboardLayoutSwitchesConnectionPolling rate
K70 PRO TKLTKLMGX Hall effect magneticWiredNot listed
Falchion Ace HFX65%ROG HFX Hall effect magneticWired8,000Hz
PRO X TKL RapidTKLHall effect magneticWiredNot listed
WIN68 HE68-key compactHall effect magneticWired8,000Hz
X68 HE65% (68 keys)Hall effect magneticWired8,000Hz
K617 HE60%Hall effect magneticWired8,000Hz

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

At our last check the cheapest pick, the K617 HE, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the PRO X TKL Rapid at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.

Price tierKeyboards
Under $50K617 HE, WIN68 HE, X68 HE
About $100 to $150K70 PRO TKL, Falchion Ace HFX, PRO X TKL Rapid
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the PRO X TKL Rapid the Best Logitech?

It carries the badge for hall effect switches in a TKL. The K617 HE, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for logitech setups.

Do the K70 PRO TKL and the Falchion Ace HFX differ on layout?

The K70 PRO TKL and the PRO X TKL Rapid use TKL; the Falchion Ace HFX uses 65%; the WIN68 HE uses 68-key compact; the X68 HE uses 65% (68 keys); the K617 HE uses 60%.

What should I check before buying the WIN68 HE?

The WIN68 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks fourth of 6, as our Best 68-Key Value pick.

Beyond the specs, what sets the K70 PRO TKL and the Falchion Ace HFX apart?

The K70 PRO TKL: rapid trigger support. The Falchion Ace HFX: actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger. The PRO X TKL Rapid: rapid trigger with adjustable actuation.

Who should choose the K70 PRO TKL?

The K70 PRO TKL carries our Best TKL label for MGX switches with double-shot PBT. It ranks first of 6 here and sat in the $100 to $150 tier at our last price check; it suits full arrows and F-row.

Bottom Line

Corsair's K70 PRO TKL is the pick for a full TKL with double-shot PBT. ASUS's Falchion Ace HFX is the 65% choice, and Redragon's K617 HE is the cheapest.

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About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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