Wooting is giving its popular 80HE gaming keyboard a major refresh, adding a split spacebar, new Lekker Tikken switches, an FR4 plate, and the long-awaited Lekker Knob Large. The company has officially announced the Wooting 80HE+, with pre-orders scheduled to open on September 17.
The Wooting 80HE+ is still built around the Hall Effect technology that made the original 80HE popular with competitive gamers. The keyboard retains features such as adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger, while the new hardware is aimed at improving the overall typing and gaming experience. The original 80HE also supports 8,000 Hz polling, keeping the platform focused on fast input response.
The split spacebar is one of the biggest changes. Instead of a single large spacebar, the new layout divides the bottom-row area into three sections. This gives users additional keys that can be assigned to different commands, making the design useful for players who want extra controls without moving to a larger keyboard. Wooting says the change comes from feedback from its community and professional players.
Wooting is also changing what sits underneath the keycaps. The 80HE+ uses the Lekker Tikken switches found in the newer 60HE V2 rather than the switches used in the original 80HE. The new model also gets an FR4 plate, a combination intended to provide a different feel and sound compared with the current keyboard.
Another major addition is the Lekker Knob Large. The programmable control replaces the four navigation keys positioned above the arrow cluster. While it can be used as a volume control, Wooting has designed it to support more than simple volume adjustment, including programmable functions through its Wootility software.
Wooting is keeping the 80HE’s focus on software customization as well. The company’s Wootility software allows users to configure profiles, actuation settings, Rapid Trigger, and other keyboard functions without requiring the software to remain running after configuration.
The company has not positioned the 80HE+ as a completely new keyboard platform. Instead, it is an updated version of the existing 80HE, with changes targeting areas that users have been asking Wooting to improve.
For gamers already using the 80HE, the split spacebar, revised switches, FR4 plate, and Lekker Knob Large could make the new model more interesting than a simple cosmetic refresh. For new buyers, the 80HE+ gives Wooting another high-end Hall Effect option at a time when magnetic gaming keyboards are becoming increasingly common.
Wooting will begin taking pre-orders for the 80HE+ on September 17. More details about configurations, pricing and availability are expected around the launch.
