Buying Guide
The Best Magnetic Switch Keyboards
From the EK60 HE to the Falchion Ace HFX: five keyboards ranked on polling rate and layout, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Magnetic (Hall effect) switches measure how far a key is pressed, so you can set the actuation point and use rapid trigger. Every pick has magnetic or Hall effect switches.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: layout, switches and connection come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing polling rate is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic KeyboardUndercutting the K617 HE on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money.
Check price for DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon K617 HE Magnetic KeyboardRapid trigger.
Best for: Buyers who want rapid trigger.
Check price for Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AULA F75 HE WirelessA 4000mAh battery.
Best for: Buyers who want 4000mAh battery.
Check price for AULA F75 HE Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Keychron K2 HE WirelessRapid trigger and adjustable actuation.
Best for: Buyers who want rapid trigger and adjustable actuation.
Check price for Keychron K2 HE Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFXActuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the EK60 HE costs less.
Check price for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard
DAREU's EK60 HE pairs Hall effect switches with 8000Hz polling and a web driver that supports macOS.
Best for
- Getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no dedicated arrow keys or function row is a problem.
Why we like it
It is priced near $35 at the time of writing. It matches the K617 HE and the Falchion Ace HFX on polling rate (8,000Hz). It shares a 60% layout with the K617 HE; the Falchion Ace HFX goes with a 65% layout.
It shares hall effect magnetic switches with the K617 HE and F75 HE; the Falchion Ace HFX goes with ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches. It also offers adjustable rapid trigger. The EK60 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. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the K617 HE the next step up.
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
- Adjustable rapid trigger
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
Also Consider2 of 5
Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard
The K617 HE brings Hall effect switches, rapid trigger and 8000Hz polling to Redragon's 60% frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want rapid trigger.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function row rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Calibration runs in a desktop or web app. It matches the EK60 HE and the Falchion Ace HFX on polling rate (8,000Hz). It shares a 60% layout with the EK60 HE; the K2 HE goes with a 75% layout.
It shares hall effect magnetic switches with the EK60 HE and F75 HE; the Falchion Ace HFX goes with ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches. It also comes with 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. When we checked, only the EK60 HE cost less, and the F75 HE cost more.
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
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AULA F75 HE Wireless
AULA's F75 HE brings Hall effect switches to a tri-mode 75% board with a 4000mAh battery and a knob.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4000mAh battery.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its polling rate before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
The switches are hot-swappable. You get a 75% (80 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the Falchion Ace HFX and its a 65% layout. It shares hall effect magnetic switches with the EK60 HE and K617 HE; the Falchion Ace HFX goes with ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches.
Use the F75 HE's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. When we checked, only the K617 HE and cheaper picks cost less, and the K2 HE cost more. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the EK60 HE instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Layout
- 75% (80 keys)
- Switches
- Hall effect magnetic
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Compact 75% (80 keys) layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- 4000mAh battery
Cons
- No published polling rate
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Keychron K2 HE Wireless
Keychron's K2 HE adds Gateron magnetic switches, rapid trigger and tri-mode wireless to the K2's 75% layout.
Best for
- Buyers who want rapid trigger and adjustable actuation.
Skip if
- Skip it if polling rate matters most to you; the EK60 HE offers 8,000Hz.
Why we like it
It supports macOS and Windows. Its 1,000Hz polling rate is the slowest in this group; the EK60 HE leads at 8,000Hz. A 75% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the K617 HE uses a 60% layout.
You get gateron Hall effect magnetic switches here, which sets it apart from the Falchion Ace HFX and its ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches. You also get acoustic foam. Use the K2 HE's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. It was priced above the F75 HE and below the Falchion Ace HFX at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- 75%
- Switches
- Gateron Hall effect magnetic
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Polling rate
- 1,000Hz
- Keycaps
- Shine-through PBT
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
Cons
- Polling rate trails the EK60 HE (8,000Hz)
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
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
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the EK60 HE costs less.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wired only.
Why we like it
Two USB-C ports let it switch between two PCs. It matches the EK60 HE and the K617 HE on polling rate (8,000Hz). A 65% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the K617 HE uses a 60% layout.
You get ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches here, which sets it apart from the K2 HE and its gateron Hall effect magnetic switches. You also get 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. Only the K2 HE came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
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 EK60 HE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Magnetic Switch 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and polling rate and keycaps are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the EK60 HE to the Falchion Ace HFX, state layout, switches and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The F75 HE gives no polling rate; the EK60 HE, the K617 HE and the F75 HE give no keycaps.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the EK60 HE (under $50) to the Falchion Ace HFX ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Magnetic Switch Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Polling rate across these picks
The EK60 HE tops polling rate at 8,000Hz and the K2 HE sits lowest at 1,000Hz; 3 picks share the top figure. Start with the EK60 HE if polling rate decides it. The F75 HE gives no polling rate figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Switches
The EK60 HE, the K617 HE and the F75 HE list hall effect magnetic; the K2 HE lists Gateron Hall effect magnetic; the Falchion Ace HFX lists ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic. Sort out switches before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3, 1 and 1.
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps Keycaps
The K2 HE lists Shine-through PBT; the Falchion Ace HFX lists PBT. Sort out keycaps before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
What to check at home
The EK60 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the F75 HE's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk Features beyond the spec table
The F75 HE: a control knob. The K2 HE: macOS and Windows support. The Falchion Ace HFX: two USB-C ports for switching between two PCs.
How to Choose a Magnetic Switch Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money | EK60 HE | Undercutting the K617 HE on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want rapid trigger | K617 HE | Rapid trigger |
| Buyers who want 4000mAh battery | F75 HE | A 4000mAh battery |
| Buyers who want rapid trigger and adjustable actuation | K2 HE | Rapid trigger and adjustable actuation |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the EK60 HE costs less | Falchion Ace HFX | Actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The EK60 HE leads on polling rate at 8,000Hz, ahead of the K617 HE at 8,000Hz. "Not listed" marks polling rate where the F75 HE leaves the figure out.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EK60 HE | 60% | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| K617 HE | 60% | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| F75 HE | 75% (80 keys) | Hall effect magnetic | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| K2 HE | 75% | Gateron Hall effect magnetic | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | 1,000Hz |
| Falchion Ace HFX | 65% | ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the EK60 HE, sat in the under $50 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Falchion Ace HFX at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | EK60 HE, K617 HE |
| About $50 to $100 | F75 HE |
| About $100 to $150 | K2 HE, Falchion Ace HFX |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the EK60 HE the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on undercutting the K617 HE on price when we checked. It is aimed at getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money.
Do the EK60 HE and the F75 HE differ on layout?
The EK60 HE and the K617 HE use 60%; the F75 HE uses 75% (80 keys); the K2 HE uses 75%; the Falchion Ace HFX uses 65%.
What should I check before buying the K2 HE?
Use the K2 HE's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, and fourth of 4 on polling rate (1,000Hz).
Beyond the specs, what sets the EK60 HE and the K617 HE apart?
The EK60 HE: adjustable rapid trigger. The K617 HE: rapid trigger. The F75 HE: a 4000mAh battery.
Who should choose the Falchion Ace HFX?
The Falchion Ace HFX carries our Premium Pick label for actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger at the highest price in the group. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the $100 to $150 tier at our last price check; it suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the EK60 HE costs less.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the EK60 HE, chosen for undercutting the K617 HE on price when we checked. Look at the K617 HE for rapid trigger, the F75 HE for a 4000mAh battery and the K2 HE for rapid trigger and adjustable actuation if those matter more to you.
Rapid trigger helps most in shooters where you strafe and stop quickly.
Related Guides
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- Lower budgetThe Best Keyboards Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best Linear Gaming Keyboards
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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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