Keychron has introduced the Q2 HE 8K, the latest addition to its growing range of analog gaming keyboards. This release follows the 8K refresh of its Q series, expanding the lineup with a compact 65% option that aims to deliver fast response performance and a refined build for gaming and productivity. The Q2 HE 8K carries many of the design elements found in the larger Q1 HE 8K but brings them into a smaller form factor that caters to users who prefer minimal desktop footprints.
The keyboard features an all-aluminium chassis that continues the company’s focus on durable construction. It uses a gasket-mounted structure to support the plate, which helps reduce vibration and maintain a consistent typing feel. Keychron includes its OSA-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, giving the keyboard a slightly taller and rounded profile compared to Cherry-style caps. This difference in shape provides a unique look and feel that separates the Q2 HE 8K from many other compact gaming keyboards.
The Q2 HE 8K uses Keychron’s Ultra-Fast Lime Magnetic switches, designed for fast actuation and smooth travel. These switches feature a 35 gf actuation force and a total travel distance of 3.35 mm, making them suitable for precise control in games that benefit from analog input. Alongside the new switches, Keychron has incorporated an improved sensor system that increases compatibility with various magnetic switch types. This is a shift from earlier Keychron HE keyboards, which were limited to south-pole Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switches.
The Q2 HE 8K arrives with an improved controller that delivers an 8,000 Hz polling rate, pushing response times far beyond what you typically see in compact mechanical boards. This higher rate helps cut input delay and ensures the keyboard captures every action with greater immediacy. To achieve consistent performance at this level, Keychron opted to drop wireless connectivity entirely, tailoring this model for wired use where latency stays at its lowest.
The layout follows a 65% design but with small refinements. Instead of four navigation keys, the Q2 HE 8K features two, leaving space for the CNC-machined aluminium knob. The exploded layout separates the arrow keys, navigation keys, and main typing cluster, offering a cleaner arrangement without increasing overall size.
Customization remains a key part of the experience. Through Keychron Launcher, users can access analog features such as Rapid Trigger, SOCD management, Snap Tap, controller emulation, and Mod Tap. Traditional tools like macro creation, layer configuration, and key remapping are available as well. Actuation customization ranges from 0.01 mm to 3.35 mm, with sensitivity adjustable to 0.001 mm, giving users fine control over switch behavior.
The Keychron Q2 HE 8K is available directly from Keychron for $229.99. It comes in white or black colorways, each accented with purple Enter and Escape keys and a matching aluminium knob, maintaining the visual theme seen throughout the updated Q-series lineup.
