Endgame Gear KB65HE gaming keyboard review: Speed and precision for rapid-trigger performance
The Endgame Gear KB65HE is a snappy, precise gaming keyboard with great all-around build quality and performance. Thanks to speedy Hall Effect switches, it can be a game-changer in fast-paced, rapid-trigger gameplay. A full aluminum case and doubleshot PBT keycaps make this compact keyboard super durable, as well. Whether you’re a fan of esports titles where speed and precision are crucial or you’re looking to upgrade your home gaming setup, the KB65HE is a stellar 65% keyboard you don’t want to miss. Here’s my in-depth analysis of it after testing it out for typing and gaming.Endgame Gear KB65HE price and configurationsThe Endgame Gear KB65HE gaming keyboard is available to buy for $139.99, fully assembled and ready to use. That’s similar to another Hall Effect keyboard we recently covered, the Akko PC Tokyo MOD007B, which is priced at $149.99. The KB65HE is currently only available in matte black. It comes with a full aluminum case, Gateron KS-37B POM Hall Effect switches, pre-lubricated stabilizers, Ducky doubleshot PBT keycaps, and a braided detachable USB-C cable. Endgame Gear KB65HE design(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)The design of the Endgame Gear KB65HE is minimalistic with a focus on build quality. I was particularly impressed by the full aluminum case which measures 12.4 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches and weighs 2.3 pounds. This keyboard feels heavy and sturdy right out of the box. The weight, combined with the rubber grip feet on the bottom, keeps the KB65HE from moving around on your desk while gaming. You also get full RGB, although customization is limited to some preset modes you can tweak from the Endgame Gear app. This is a 65% size keyboard, so it’s pretty compact and simplistic. There are no special media keys or knobs, which keeps the keyboard’s footprint on your desk as small as possible. That’s ideal for esports titles and other fast-paced games where you might want to angle your keyboard while still having plenty of space for your mouse. However, the trade-off with this size is that there is no function row or number pad. So, if those are crucial for your favorite games, there might be better picks than the KB65HE. Take a look at our guide to the best gaming keyboards for some larger alternatives. Endgame Gear KB65HE keys(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)I really liked the keys on the KB65HE. While they could sound better, they feel great for both typing and gaming. The KB65HE is hot-swappable, but it’s a Hall Effect keyboard, so it’s only compatible with magnetic Hall Effect switches. These are a special type of keyboard switch that’s ideal for gaming since HE switches have minimal internal friction. The Hall Effect switches included with the KB65HE are the Gateron KS-37B, which are made with self-lubricating POM and come with pre-lubed stainless steel springs. They have an incredibly light 30g actuation force with a 50g bottom-out force. Since these are HE switches, you can customize the actuation point in the Endgame Gear app to make the switches more or less responsive based on your playstyle. The Gateron KS-37B switches were super snappy right out of the box for me. They have fast and consistent rebound so I never missed a keystroke even in rapid-trigger gameplay. They have a soft metallic sound when bottoming out. It doesn’t sound bad but it’s not “thocky” either. However, the pre-installed, pre-lubed stabilizers sound good. They’re not scratchy or wobbly and bottom out just as smooth and fast as the other keys. The keycaps included with the KB65HE are basic matte black, but they feel great. They’re doubleshot PBT keycaps from Ducky, so you won’t have to worry about durability. They have a slightly rough texture on top, too, which is nice for providing a bit of grip. The legends are also transparent for RGB shine-through.Endgame Gear KB65HE performance(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)The KB65HE shines when it comes to gaming performance. From the build quality to the HE switches, I had a great time testing this keyboard out, and even though I’m used to playing my favorite games on a dedicated gaming keyboard (like the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%), the Hall Effect switches on the KB65HE still felt noticeably faster. The lack of friction and the swift rebound action on these switches make them more responsive than a typical mechanical switch. In fast-paced games, even a few milliseconds can make a difference, so that added responsiveness can be a big advantage. I tried out the KB65HE in a variety of games, from a few rounds of battle royale in Fortnite to some hardcore Minecraft and a bit of casual Starfield. It’s a great all-around gaming keyboard, but its strengths shine most in fast-paced gameplay. I noticed my reaction times felt a bit quicker than normal in Fortnite and even won the first match I played with the KB65HE. In more casual games like Minecraft and Starfield, the timing advantage you get from the Hall Effect switches isn’t as noticeable, but it does make gameplay feel quick and precise. For instance, the double-tap W control to sprint in Minecraft always registered correctly for me. (Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)One thing that particularly stood out to me was the low actuation force on the Gateron KS-37B switches. My hands are a bit smaller than average, so reaching across my keyboard to hit shift or control keys with my pinkie can sometimes be a stretch and result in poor accuracy.That wasn’t the case here. The low actuation force on the KB65HE allowed me to more comfortably hold down shortcut keys without taking my fingers off the movement keys. If you’re someone who has short fingers or gets hand cramps easily, this keyboard could be a great fit.Of course, the other side of that is that people who tend to be less precise with their keystrokes or “button mash” may end up with worse accuracy while using these HE switches. You can customize the actuation point, but if you’re someone who tends to hit your keys pretty hard to begin with, you might find yourself accidentally actuating keys often.The KB65HE isn’t just for gaming. It’s also a good all-around keyboard. The speedy HE switches can be great for fast typists. On the Monkeytype typing test, I scored 100 wpm with 98% accuracy on the KB65HE, which is higher than my average of 84 wpm and 94.3% accuracy.Endgame Gear KB65HE connectivity(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)You get a detachable braided USB-C cable with the KB65HE, but there is no option for wireless use. That wasn’t a problem for me since I prefer to use wired gaming keyboards to minimize latency, but if you want a cable-free desk setup, you might want to go with something like the Alienware Pro Wireless instead. It’s worth noting that the USB-C port on the back of the KB65HE is a bit recessed with a slightly narrow, rounded shape. So, if you want to replace the stock cable with a different one (like a coiled aviator cable), you’ll have to pick one with a rounded cable header. Cables with rectangular or bulky cable headers won’t fit. Endgame Gear KB65HE software(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)If you want to customize the lighting, performance, or key bindings on the KB65HE, you can download the free Endgame Gear app. It’s fairly simple and lightweight and worked well in my testing. You can download the app directly from the KB65HE product page on the Endgame Gear website. Lighting customization is limited to some preset modes, but you can still customize those modes to a certain degree. For example, on movement-based modes like “Surf to the left”( my personal favorite), you can change the light movement speed, which is nice. If you want to tweak the performance of the Hall Effect switches, navigate to the “Advanced” tab to adjust the pressed and released trigger thresholds.Bottom lineThe Endgame Gear KB65HE is a fantastic gaming keyboard, especially for fast-paced titles where the timing of every keystroke makes a difference. The Hall Effect switches deliver some of the fastest performance you can get on a gaming keyboard and allow you to customize your switches according to your personal playstyle. The build quality of the KB65HE is also superb, although the sound quality of the switches could be better. While the KB65HE is great, it isn’t wireless and it’s not a full-size keyboard. If you’re on the hunt for a top wireless gaming keyboard, take a look at the similarly-sized Alienware Pro Wireless. If the function row and number pad are a must-have for you, check out the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro.
