It only carry one keyboard for Wooting to catapult to the top of the list of thebest gambling keyboards . The 60HE is as iconic as it is controversial , flipping the mechanical keyboard world on its head withHall Effect switchesin a 60 % form factor . Now , Wooting is back with the 80HE , which is a somewhat larger keyboard that aim to improve on the handful of pitfall the 60HE ran into .

You ’re arrive improved shift , a gasket mount , a unclouded focus on interior construction , and all with the Hall Effect good that made the 60HE such a smash success . Wooting made a great keyboard here that feel premium from the moment you unpack it . However , unlike the 60HE , the new 80HE is n’t a foundation for mods and tweaks . It ’s a great keyboard that you will of necessity retire , which is a punishing sell for upward of $ 290 .

Wooting 80HE specs

Design

At first glimpse , the Wooting 80HE does n’t seem that special . It ’s what Wooting vociferation an 80 % layout — it ’s not , which I ’ll get to in a moment — and it does n’t stand out like Wooting ’s 60HE+ , which came with its own branded nylon shoulder strap seize to the side of the keyboard . You have six color alternative available across two different materials : Black , Ghost , and Frost with PCR ( charge plate ) , or Black , White , or Raw ( silver ) with zinc admixture .

The zinc metal inning feel terrific , with a fluid finish around all edges of the keyboard . It ’s a unique feel . You do n’t get that sand - blasted , textured finish you witness with in the buff metal , but also not the highly urbane finish on Al . The zinc alloy case fit somewhere in between . It also makes the keyboard quite a bit heavier . The Wooting 80HE weighs in at 4.7 pound with the zinc alloy case , and only 1.7 punt with the PCR type .

I wish a heavier keyboard — read myMeletrix Boog75 reviewfor more on that — so I course gravitated toward the zinc admixture case . I ’m not certain I would ’ve chose it if I were buying the keyboard myself , however . The PCR edition comes in at $ 200 prebuilt , while the zinc alloy translation costs $ 290 prebuilt — a $ 90 premium . you may buy the casing separately later down the line , but Wooting charges $ 110 for the case on its own .

The cost alone is n’t the cock-a-hoop problem here . you’re able to easily expend over $ 200 on a case alone depending on how agiotage you want to go . The problem is that youhaveto get the lawsuit from Wooting . The 80HE does n’t actually utilize an 80 % layout — it ’s one perpendicular row short of an 80 % layout right . It ’s closer to the highly popular 75 % layout , but you ca n’t use any 75 % case here . It has to be Wooting ’s case . There really is n’t a good reason to use this layout , either . It gives you two special keys liken to a 75 % layout .

Another foreign departure comes in the adjustable typing angle . No , you do n’t get plastic feet that are prone to break . alternatively , Wooting includes three circle of Si feet that attach to the bottom of the keyboard . They ’re just kind of awkward . They find firmly attach , but the odd excogitation on the foot ( see above ) intend they attend over the boundary of the case . It looks like a cheap rethink , not some thoughtfully project interchangeable feet like I figure on theAsus ROG Azoth Extreme .

There are some practical issue here , without a doubt , but the Wooting 80HE stilllooksincredible . You get a lightbar on the keyboard that pull out duple obligation as a status index number for a miscellanea of functions , and the RGB backlighting might be the most vivacious I ’ve ever seen . It ’s even full than theRazer Black Widow V4 Pro 75 % , with lucullan color that conversion seamlessly between keys . The keyboard looks astonishing , despite its intention faults elsewhere .

Sound and feel

One of the issues with the original Wooting 60HE was the sound and feel . Wooting was a pioneer of Hall Effect ( magnetised ) shift , and the 60HE neglect blueprint targeted at a premium phone and feel for a keyboard squarely sharpen on gaming . The 80HE brings some typewrite enthusiast sensibilities to the design , and the sound and flavor of the keyboard is much better as a result .

The internals here are completely dissimilar than the 60HE . At a high-pitched level , the two change pull the most weight are the gasket setting and the switch collection plate . The gasket is pretty tight here , but you still get a softer look compared to the top mount available on the 60HE . It ’s not quite as luminosity as theKeychron Q1 HE , but the Wooting 80HE is much close to the sound and feel of that keyboard than it is to the 60HE .

In plus to the gasket climb , the 80HE use a polycarbonate switch plateful or else of a brand switch plate like the 60HE used . It ’s softer than aluminium or steel , which contributes to a dainty typewriting feel overall , even with the mean gasket . I prefer FR4 overall , but a polycarbonate plate is n’t far behind . Wooting changed up the sound dampening internally , with a mixture of atomic number 14 , foam , and a “ magnetic tape mod ” under the PCB , all of which contribute to a soft , deaden strait that ’s shockingly good for a Hall Effect keyboard .

Still , this is a Hall Effect keyboard . If sound and feel is your primary concern , traditional mechanical switches are the mode to go . Some keyboard , such as theGlorious GMMK 3 , now even allow you to choose between Hall Effect and mechanically skillful switch . With the Wooting 80HE , you ’re lock to Hall Effect switch . The PCB is hot - swappable , however , so you’re able to add your own Hall Effect switches if you need .

As with the 60HE , Wooting is using its own in - mansion Lekker switches with the 80HE . You have the selection between the L45 and L60 , which disagree only in their remnant violence — 45 Gram and 60 grams , as you might suspect . Both are analogue switches , both utilize an MX stem so you’re able to append whatever key jacket you wish , and both back the full propulsion grasp of Hall Effect switches from 0.1 mm up to 4 mm .

Features

Wooting was one of the innovator of Hall Effect switch , and the 80HE come packed with feature to show off the switch technical school . As with other Hall Effect keyboards , you have an adjustable propulsion point from 0.1 mm up to 4 mm , allowing you to slam on your keys or barely scratch them to read a key stroke . Dynamic actuation , or what Wooting calls Rapid Trigger , is the better means to use Hall Effect substitution , however , with the key actuating and reset based on their movement , not a set full stop in the switch .

Now , Wooting also offers Rappy Snappy . Great name , but not a singular feature . It ’s the same asRazer ’s Snap Tap feature , which reserve you to supervise two keys through software and trigger the most late input between them . Instead of letting up on your cholecalciferol or A key when strafe inValorant , for exercise , you just weight-lift down on the direction you want to move while holding your other finger down .

I ’m not sure how much further Wooting — or other brands , for that matter — have to go with Hall Effect switches .

It ’s been call “ cheat ” by esports pros likeValorantplayer Ethos , and for safe grounds . It undeniably gives you an reward in competitive games , so much so thatValve really banned these featuresfrom officialCounter - Strike 2servers , as did the ESL for all of itsCounter - Strike 2events .

Although Hall Effect was unexplored soil just a twelvemonth ago , the feature set available today feels set in stone . I ’m not sure how much further Wooting — or other brands , for that topic — have to go with the technical school . The Wooting 80HE fathom and feel corking , but a traditional mechanical keyboard still sounds and feel better , and give you a lot more options for customization . If you do n’t see a feature here that Hall Effect affords , the 80HE might not be for you .

Software

Wooting ’s software is great . To manage the 80HE , you ’ll use the aptly - advert Wootility software , which is uncommitted both through your browser app and as a standalone download . I prefer the web browser app version . It ’s commodious , you could apply it offline after pairing your keyboard , and it devote you approach to all of the role of your keyboard without the need for an external app . All of your setting are stored on the keyboard proper , so everything will continue to work even if you do n’t have your web browser undetermined .

The usual defendant are here . you’re able to set the actuation compass point on a per - key basis , exchange your Rappy Snappy keys , and adjust per - key RGB effects . The RGB effects stand out specially , as you could configure dissimilar lighting effects for different layer of fundamental single-valued function . For example , harbor down theFunctionkey will toggle over to your second layer , and by nonremittal , only a handful of keys with media controls are dismount up . That ’s an area I saw theHyte Keeb TKLfall apartment .

you may fully remap all of the keys , including living for up to four layers — three layer in addition to the primary layer . you’re able to rebind the keystone to functions like launch your estimator or turning your system off , as well as mouse controls . However , there ’s no support for macro ( you postulate the freestanding , freeWootomation app ) or customizable instruction . For example , you may open up your default web web browser or electronic mail client , but you ca n’t open a specific software through a fundamental mapping like a secondary web browser .

If you ’re braw , you may dive into the innovative Hall Effect setting in the app . Wooting supports controller push button mapping with parallel inputs , as well as dynamical keystrokes that allow you to map out several function to one key jam . These extras process to show off what Hall Effect switch are capable of , but I ’m still not sold that they ’re actually useful . peradventure there ’s a mightiness exploiter out there trigger a bunch of input with a fistful of keystrokes , but I have n’t seen it .

The principal draw here is that Wootility iseasy . It ’s very antiphonal , even in your internet browser , and I never had a question about where to go to get at a setting . Updates happen almost at once as well , so you do n’t have to wait for age when trying out new firing force on your keyboard .

Should you buy the Wooting 80HE?

The Wooting 80HE does one thing really well . It’stheHall Effect keyboard , in the same way that the 60HE was , and now with some premium internals in tow . The main job is how expensive it is . Keyboards like the Meletrix Boog75 and Keychron Q1 HE offer Hall Effect shift at a much depleted Mary Leontyne Price and with just as much quality . Wooting for certain has an boundary with its software , and if you want to spend up for a premium experience , the 80HE fork over .

My qualification about recommending the 80HE , however , is the lack of customizability , at least in good order now . Modding was a huge pot with the 60HE , and Wooting unnecessarily restricted the modding electric potential on the 80HE with a tradition layout that serves no practical intention .

It ’s a stark change for the caller , which has , up to this item , keep open - informant computer software and design Indian file for its product so users can customize their keyboard in the way they want . presently , there are no figure files for the 80HE .