Some Hall Effect keyboards to consider
Asus Falchion Ace HFX for $200: The Falchion Ace HFX (7/10, recommended wired) has many unique features, and among them, a solid keyboard for the hall. Small details like the touchpad and visual rapig-trigger switch, paired with big-ticket items like the 8,000-Hz polling rate and the best customization software available for everyday use and the ability to play fast. It feels great to type, looks great, and is highly customizable without needing to close your game or open customization software.
Apex Pro Mini Mini 3 for $220: The apex pro mini (6/10, wire review) is a very efficient option with solid switching, fast refresh rates, and useful features like quick protection and anti-malware protection. However, the build quality is very depressing for the price, and SteelSeries’ GG Software can be frustrating at times to use. The Apex Pro Mini uses a Trey Mount with standard GH60 mounting points. This means that the typing experience feels a little stiff compared to the gasket, but it can be easily customized with the back cases. While it’s ultimately a functional keyboard, I can’t recommend it at MSRP. Wait until this one is sold out.
Sony inzone KBD-H75 for $300: The first gaming keyboard under Sony’s inzone brand, the KBD-H75, sounds great, feels comfortable to type on (as expected from a gateron switch), and has functional software to go along with it. Sony’s Ithone Hub has dynamic dynamic settings for how the hall effect is changed and behaves, with dynamic dynamic ranges and fast, fast operation. Much like Sony’s cameras, however, the configuration settings can be a bit slow at times – they offer more customization than most users will know what to do, and they don’t offer much guidance on how they work. The RGB lighting is bright, and the 8,000-Hz polling still has even the highest end keyboards of today. The response time of this keyboard feels great, too. Gasket-Mount is solid, feels more comfortable than tray-ntlent without introducing too much flexibility when typing. However, the KBD-H75 does not have a SOCD system (like the Snap tap). The volume knob can easily get “stuck” between two knobs and not register the input. Unlike the other options on this list, the KBD-H75 has only an aluminum upper part, the bottom of its case is made of plastic – something that shouldn’t be the case with a wired-only keyboard at this price. It’s a premium keyboard that works, but I’m waiting for a sale.
Elecom VK720A for $63: As one of the few hall keyboards on this list to use a non-gateron switch, this keyboard stands up to the competition. The switch is firm and smooth, and the keyboard feels great to type on. It has some fun quirks, like the Scalable SpaceBars and a set of keys designed specifically for gaming (which works pretty well). The lack of wireless connectivity and the middling build quality knocked it down a peg, but it’s a solid option.
Avoid these keyboards
Corsair K70 Pro TKL: Only if you are there kind of Looking for a Hall Effect keyboard, the Corsair K70 Pro TKL (5/10, wired review) could be for you. Most of the keyboards use hall effect switches, but everyone else on this keyboard uses standard mechanical switches. While this isn’t a big problem if you’re only using the Center Cluster of Keys, it still results in a customized selection that doesn’t match a keyboard with two distinctly different feels between the main and peripheral keys. Also, if you adjust the working distance of your variable distance, you will be stuck with a large number of keys around without doing differently than them, which I did not enjoy when I tested when I tested when I tested this keyboard. If you like the design, I recommend saving a few dollars and getting the TKL wireless model instead. It adds Bluetooth and 2.4-GHZ connectivity, and has consistent typing sound with standard mechanical switches across the board.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL: The steelseries seems to make the same mistake as the corsair, and choose to have just the middle group of buttons for use. This keyboard has a few advantages over the Corsair version, however, such as an OLED display that adds a bit of fun and functionality. However, I can’t really recommend this model over the steelSeries’ 60% WE Heath Keyboard, because you get a few hall effects switching to a compact form factor.
Photo: Henri Robbins
Corsair Vanguard Pro 96: The Vanguard Pro 96 sounds like Corsair’s First – hard It’s based on the Hall Effect keyboard, and it’s quite capable. The build quality feels solid, the transitions are smooth, and the design feels good. Corsair’s Socd feature, Flashtap, works very well, and the switch feels responsive and fast with 8,000-Hz sampling and low latency. Other than that, the memory foam Forst rest is comfortable, and the keycaps have just the right texture to feel grippy without the hassle. The screen in the upper right corner mainly shows changes to the settings, such as changing the distances of the switches’, enabling FlashTap, or changing the functionality of the knob. The knob can be used to adjust the activation distance, change the volume, and switch between windows. So why don’t I recommend it? Customization is very limited. The screen can only show GIFs and images (there are no options for program information such as GPU and CPU temperatures or fan speeds), and enabling FlashTap, syncing FlashTac, converting FlashB, converting FlashB, converting Actionuotion Distance) cannot be discussed in different keys. Certain settings, such as changing the operating distance of the switch activation, cannot be controlled by specific keys and can only be done with the knob. The Vanguard Pro 96 is not compatible with Corsair’s ICUE software, however, something that is specifically advertised on the box. Corsair says it’s working on ICUE support, but with any promise in the tech world, I’ll believe it when I see it. If Corsair can solve the software issues with this keyboard, I will gladly recommend it. This is, physically, a really nice keyboard. However, in its current state, it feels baked.
Photo: Henri Robbins
Syntech chroros68: This keyboard has everything wrong when it comes to keyboard layout, creating something, while it works, it’s not good to type at all. The biggest problem is the dustproof switch: it’s really bad. I have extensively tested many Hall keyboards. None of them compare to the Chronos68, which has a soft, unpleasant color down on some of the buttons, but not all! It sounds like a high percentage of them were over-lubricated by the factory. It sounds like you’re typing directly into a request for a sponge cake, or a milkshake oreo. The assembly is a standard style, with the usual faults: hard spots where the screw plate is in this case, and soft spots where it is not. However, the foam with the sensors-sold includes the change of making an unpleasant typing sound; The high high end, great range, and low distortion make the keyboard sound like you’re listening with a low ear. This keyboard’s performance is acceptable – it has all the expected features such as a quick trigger, 8,000-Hz voting, software operating range, and software is not good. The synhub driver software is laggy and unheard of to use. Ultimately, the specs and performance are not worth the hassle of using the keyboard’s user experience.
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