Here at iMore, we love Keychron’s mechanical keyboard lineup. From the company’s most premium options, like the Q1 Pro, to the more affordable K2 model. Now, Keychron is back with the new K2 HE mechanical keyboard, which expands on the K2’s iconic design and fits perfectly into the desktop Mac experience. With a lower price tag and fewer customization options than Keychron’s flagship model, is the K2 HE worth putting on your desk?
Keychron K2 HE: Price and Release Date
The Keychron K2 HE comes in black and white, both options finished with real wood sides to complement the metal frame. The K2 HE is currently available on Kickstarter for $125 ($130 when fully released) and is scheduled to ship in November, with availability on the Keychron website and Amazon later this year.
Keychron K2 HE: What I like
The Keychron K2 HE takes everything from its popular predecessor and makes it even better. Not only do you get a mechanical keyboard that fits right next to your Mac right out of the box, but it also delivers a sound and feel that far surpasses its price point. The K2 HE is a great example of how far the mechanical keyboard world has come in the last few years. For $125, you can get one of the best typing experiences under $150, and it delivers a rich sound that you would have had to pay hundreds of dollars for in the past.
The combination of a metal frame and wooden sides is a nice change from Keychron’s full-metal Q series keyboards, and has a design that will be welcomed by anyone looking to buy their first mechanical keyboard. Mac users will find all the familiar keys, such as Option and Command, and the function row shortcuts are the same as those found on the Magic Keyboard.
I love Keychron keyboards and the K2 HE delivers the experience I’ve come to expect from a $200 machine at a fraction of the price. Everything I want from a mechanical keyboard for Mac is here. Great sound, clean design, RGB lighting, premium build, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired connectivity options. It’s the complete package.
We covered the benefits of Gateron magnetic switches in our Keychron Q1 HE review, so if you’d like to read more, you can head over there. The same switches are found there as well, allowing you to fully customize the actuation point (the amount of press required to activate the key switch). The K2 HE is also hot-swappable, so if you choose to go with a different set of switches, you can easily remove the magnetic Gateron with the tool included in the box.
Keychron K2 HE: What I Don’t Like
There’s not much to dislike about this Keychron K2 HE package. It ticks all the boxes and offers great value for money. Ideally, we won’t have to wait until November for the keyboard to ship. It would be nice to see stock readily available, but that’s just how most mechanical keyboards are made.
Another issue you may find when trying to upgrade your keyboard is the lack of screws on the bottom of the chassis. I have never taken apart the Keychron K2 HE, but it looks like the bottom plastic case is sealed, so you won’t be able to modify the internals. That said, unless you want to add internal foam or make other modifications, you don’t really need to open the keyboard.
Keychron K2 HE: Competition
There are a lot of mechanical keyboards available at a variety of price points. Keychron’s Q1 HE is a more premium option than the K2 HE, but it costs close to $200 for a full metal case and the ability to open from the bottom.
Elsewhere, you’ll find the Keychron Q1 Pro at a discount, as it lacks the fancy new magnetic Gateron switches. Closer to the K2 HE’s $130 price tag is our current pick for best mechanical keyboard for Mac, the NuPhy Halo 75.
Keychron K2 HE: Should You Buy It?
If you should buy this product…
- Want a mechanical keyboard that goes well with your Mac?
- Are you interested in magnetic switches for gaming?
- Are you looking for a mechanical keyboard that feels good when you type?
Do not purchase this product if:
- I want to fix my keyboard
- Don’t like the wooden rail design?
- Don’t worry about modifying the emphasis of the switch.
Keychron K2 HE: Verdict
I am completely impressed with the Keychron K2 HE. It is a very solid mechanical keyboard at a competitive price point, and its clean, thoughtful design makes it a perfect fit for the Mac ecosystem. For under $150, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better way to spend your hard-earned money.
conclusion: The Keychron K2 HE is a very solid mechanical keyboard at a competitive price point, and its clean, thoughtful design makes it a perfect fit for the Mac ecosystem. For under $150, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better way to spend your hard-earned money.