Keychron K2 HE magnetic keyboard for Windows & Mac

An ode to the K2 HE

A keyboard with manners

Most keyboards never ask you anything. The factory decides how far you have to press, and that is that.

The K2 HE has better manners. It asks you, key by key, and remembers your answer too. It is a long questionnaire, admittedly. (Skipping it is fine.)

Why the K2 HE?

Magnets instead of contacts

The Keychron K2 HE is a magnetic keyboard. Under every key, a magnetic sensor measures how far the key has been pressed. No contact needs to close for a keystroke to register. That is why the K2 HE lets you choose the exact point at which a key counts.

Key response to suit you

On the K2 HE you set the actuation point per key, anywhere between 0.2 and 3.8 mm, in steps of 0.1 mm. If you like a light touch, choose a shallow actuation point and a key registers after only a small movement. If you prefer a more deliberate press, set it deeper.

It works the other way round too: give a deeper actuation point to keys you tend to hit by accident, such as Caps Lock or Delete. On the K2 HE a stray touch then does nothing, while a deliberate press still works.

Compact 75% size

The K2 HE has a 75% layout with 84 keys. Function keys and arrow keys are included; only the number pad is missing. If you know the original K2, the size will feel familiar. At 316.4 mm wide, the K2 HE brings your mouse much closer, which can help your right shoulder rotate outwards less.

What makes the K2 HE so good?

Linear Nebula switches

This K2 HE comes with Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches, version 1. According to Keychron they are linear: they travel down without a noticeable bump. The spring needs 40 grams of force at the start and 60 grams at the bottom, over a total travel of 4.0 mm. The switches are lubricated at the factory.

Dampened typing sound

Inside the K2 HE there is a 3.5 mm layer of EVA foam, EPDM foam and a silicone pad. Together with the lubricated switches, they take the hollow edge off the typing sound. The large keys, such as the space bar and Enter, have stabilisers screwed onto the circuit board, so they wobble less.

Three ways to connect

Connect the K2 HE with the included 2.4 GHz receiver, via Bluetooth 5.2 or with a USB-C cable. Over Bluetooth the keyboard remembers three devices, so a key combination switches between laptop, computer and tablet. Wired and over 2.4 GHz the polling rate is 1000 Hz; over Bluetooth it is 125 Hz. For typing, both are more than enough.

Battery

The K2 HE has a 4000 mAh battery that lasts up to 110 hours according to Keychron, measured in a lab test. Charging takes about 5 hours. That is shorter than the mechanical K2 Ultra 8K, which Keychron rates at up to 760 hours. If you use the K2 HE wirelessly most of the time, plan on charging it regularly.

Get the most out of your K2 HE

Set up with Keychron Launcher

The actuation point and the other magnetic features of the K2 HE are set in Keychron Launcher. It is a web app, so there is nothing to install. Open it in a recent version of Chrome, Edge or Opera with the keyboard connected by cable. On a Mac that only has Safari, you will need to add one of those browsers.

A tip from the manual: the K2 HE has separate layers for Mac (layers 0 and 1) and Windows (layers 2 and 3). If you work on Windows, edit layer 2 rather than the top layer. That saves a lot of searching.

Three profiles

The K2 HE can store three profiles with magnetic settings. Switch between them with fn + P plus Z, X or C. Useful if you share a desk: everyone keeps their own key response without setting it up again every morning.

Rapid trigger and more

Rapid trigger can be switched on or off per key. A key then resets as soon as you release it slightly, instead of only above the actuation point. You can also give a single key up to four actions, depending on how deep you press.

For everyday office work you do not need rapid trigger or multiple actions. The K2 HE types perfectly well with just an actuation point that suits you.

Don't miss this

Swapping switches: mind version 1

The K2 HE is hot swappable, so you can pull a switch out without soldering. Note that this version uses version 1 of the Nebula switch. According to Keychron, it only supports Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. Other magnetic switches, such as Gateron Magnetic Jade, KS-20 or the Keychron Ultra-Fast Lime, are not supported, and neither are regular mechanical switches.

For Mac and Windows

A small switch on the K2 HE toggles between Mac and Windows. The box includes keycaps for both systems. The keyboard stores a separate layout for each system, so your Mac settings stay put when you work on Windows for a while. Linux works too, there are just no dedicated keycaps for it.

Feet and wrist rest

With keycaps fitted, the front edge of the K2 HE is 30.2 mm high. That is higher than a flat keyboard, so many people type more comfortably with a wrist rest in front of it. Keychron lists three typing angles for the K2 HE: 5, 9.34 and 12.43 degrees.

If in doubt, keep the feet of the K2 HE folded in. The steeper the keyboard, the further your wrist bends backwards.

US layout

The K2 HE has a US QWERTY layout (ANSI) with a wide, single-row Enter key. If you are used to a European ISO layout, a few keys around Enter and the left Shift sit slightly differently. On Windows you type the euro sign with the US-International layout via AltGr + 5, and on a Mac with Option + Shift + 2.

Pros and cons

• Actuation point adjustable per key
• Wireless via 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth, or wired
• Solid aluminium case that stays put on your desk
• Handy if you switch between Mac and Windows
• Less ideal if you want to try other magnetic switches later
• Less ideal if you rarely want to charge
• Less ideal if you enter a lot of numbers, there is no number pad

Short specifications

In short: the Keychron K2 HE is a magnetic 75% keyboard for the office and working from home. Key points: actuation point adjustable per key, only Gateron double-rail switches fit when swapping.

Key figures: actuation point 0.2 to 3.8 mm, 84 keys, 316.4 x 126.7 mm, 980 grams, 4000 mAh battery and up to 110 hours wireless.

How happy will my body be?

Score overview: fingers 5/5, shoulders 3/5, hand 3/5, wrist 3/5 (more comfortable with a wrist rest).

Product features

• Magnetic switches with adjustable actuation point
• Actuation point 0.2 to 3.8 mm, in 0.1 mm steps
• Rapid trigger on or off per key
• Up to four actions per key, depending on press depth
• Three profiles, switchable with a key combination
• 75% layout with 84 keys
• QWERTY (US layout)
• Hot swappable for Gateron double-rail magnetic switches
• Double shot PBT keycaps for Mac and Windows
• RGB backlight
• 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.2 and USB-C
• 4000 mAh battery, up to 110 hours
• Programmable with QMK and Keychron Launcher
• N-key rollover, wireless and wired
• Aluminium case, 980 grams

Downloads

Getting started

Both are provided by Keychron.

Setup and updates

These links open the Keychron website in a new window. Only update the firmware if something does not work properly; Keychron itself advises this.

What's in the box?

• 1 x Keychron K2 HE keyboard, fully assembled
• Keycaps for Mac and Windows
• 1 x USB-A to USB-C cable
• 1 x 2.4 GHz receiver (USB-A)
• 1 x extension adapter for the receiver
• 1 x keycap and switch puller
• 1 x screwdriver
• 1 x hex key

Frequently asked questions