The EPOMAKER HE68 Lite is a budget-oriented Hall Effect mechanical keyboard that offers impressive features and performance for its price point. Priced around $49, it caters to users seeking a reliable, responsive keyboard with magnetic Hall Effect switches without breaking the bank. We tested the keyboard extensively to assess whether it delivers value beyond its modest cost.
Unboxing and Build Quality
The packaging is secure and includes a generous accessory bundle for a budget keyboard: a screwdriver, spare switches, a keycap puller, and even a detachable leatherette strap with mounting hardware. The keyboard’s case is fully plastic, but its thick bezels provide a sturdy feel that distinguishes it from other budget options. It weighs approximately 547 grams, offering a substantial but not heavy presence on the desk.
The build features a one-piece plastic shell with a drop-in tray mount PCB, secured by eight screws. Internal foam layers are used for sound damping. Although the plastic construction limits adjustability — with no fold-out feet and only rubber pads on the base — the design incorporates a hollow rim that reinforces rigidity and minimizes flex. While the strap attachment involves somewhat unsightly crosshead screws, the overall assembly is solid, and the strap, although optional, attaches securely.
Design and Aesthetics
Available in both white and black variants, the HE68 Lite’s thick bezel design gives it a distinctive, premium look despite the plastic construction. The included strap, while a matter of personal taste, adds a unique flair but can be easily removed if undesired.
Keycaps and Switches
The HE68 Lite comes equipped with double-shot PBT keycaps featuring shine-through legends, which enhance RGB lighting visibility. The keycaps have a Cherry profile with a non-uniform sculpted design, providing a comfortable typing experience. While some minor light bleed is visible, the legends remain clearly illuminated.
Switches are EPOMAKER’s own clear magnetic Hall Effect types, which feel smooth and offer minimal wobble or scratchiness. They do not quite match the refinement of higher-end magnetic switches like the Jade Pro or Mag X, but they are highly respectable for stock switches. The keyboard supports hot-swapping with other TTC or Gateron Jade-style magnetic switches, allowing for future upgrades.
Software and Customization
EPOMAKER’s desktop software is straightforward and feature-rich, compatible with both Windows and macOS (including a web-based option). It allows full customization of key bindings, macros, lighting effects, and crucially, actuation depth calibration for the Hall Effect switches.
Out of the box, the keyboard works exceptionally well on macOS without requiring mode switching, which is a pleasant surprise. The software enables tuning actuation depth down to as low as 0.1 mm, with a precision of 0.005 mm, allowing users to tailor the keyboard’s responsiveness finely. Features like rapid trigger, separate up/down points, and other Hall Effect-specific functions (e.g., SOCD, ModTap) are accessible and easy to configure.
Performance and Latency
Performance tests confirm the HE68 Lite delivers an 8,000 Hz polling rate and a remarkable 128 kHz scan rate. Latency measurements reveal a response time as low as 0.8 milliseconds, comparable to premium boards like the Wooting ATE. The rapid trigger mechanism is smooth and reliable, even at very sensitive settings, with no accidental activations observed during gaming or typing.
Gaming tests across various scenarios showed no input lag or misfires. The keyboard’s layout, including dedicated arrow keys and a compact 65% form factor, supports both productivity and gaming efficiently. Typing on the keyboard is comfortable and quiet, with well-lubed stabilizers that prevent rattling and provide a pleasant sound profile.
Sound Profile
The HE68 Lite produces a clean and muted bottom-out sound, lacking the loud “clack” typical of mechanical keyboards, which may appeal to users in quieter environments. The combination of foam damping and lube on stabilizers results in an impressively refined acoustic experience for a keyboard at this price.
Conclusion
The EPOMAKER HE68 Lite is a highly commendable budget Hall Effect keyboard. It combines solid build quality, versatile software customization, and excellent performance at a very affordable price. While the plastic case and simple strap hardware reflect its cost-saving measures, the core typing and gaming experience remain impressive. It is an ideal entry point for users interested in Hall Effect technology or those seeking a budget mechanical keyboard without significant compromises.
For around $49, or potentially less during sales, this keyboard represents one of the best value propositions in its class. We recommend the EPOMAKER HE68 Lite to anyone looking for a responsive, feature-rich keyboard on a budget.
Also Read: Epomaker Galaxy 100 Review
