Endgame Gear isn’t the biggest name in esports peripherals, but it’s aiming to carve a space for itself in the industry. I recently picked up the ‘KB65HE’, a 60% keyboard aimed at esports competitors with a need for an innovative and durable device. Once I’d got to grips with this relatively unassuming peripheral, I came to realise that it could be one of the best esports keyboards out there. In this short, snapshot KB65HE review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about this device.
This is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. At first glance, there’s nothing special about the KB65HE – but the wonders start pouring in when you use the keyboard. It’s a subtle thing that could be passed by as a bog-standard mini esports keyboard, but some unique features under the hood make this device something special.
Read on to check out my full KB65HE review.
Heavy Handed
The first thing you’ll notice about the KB65HE is its weight – which isn’t particularly polite, but it’s true! This small esports keyboard – which boasts a 60% form factor for the utmost levels of space management – weighs more than one kilo, which is pretty insane. It’s built around a solid aluminium frame, and it shows – the KB65HE is so heavy it could be used as a weapon. It doesn’t move around your desk at all, which is wonderful, but the solid aluminium build means it can get a little chilly in a colder room.
It has been described by Endgame Gear as a ‘compact powerhouse’ and I can see why. There’s not much you can do to customise the KB65HE out of the box, but you don’t really need to. You get a couple of durable rubber feet that you can opt to swap out for chunkier ones, as this keyboard doesn’t have flippable feet, but that’s about it. I used the branded Endgame Gear keycap that’s included in the box to replace the ESC key, but that’s just because the one yellow key contrasted nicely against the all-black keys.
In terms of the overall aesthetic, the KB65HE looks great when powered on. There’s a bit of software you can download to customise the RGB lighting, but even without that, the default modes are attractive enough. The backlit keys lend themselves nicely to gaming in the dark.
Time to Play
The core of this KB65HE review should revolve around the practicalities of the keyboard, right?
I was pleased to discover that the ‘Hall Effect’ Gateron KS-37B switches boasted remarkably smooth responses. These switches use electromagnetic fields to detect when a key is pressed – and I don’t pretend to understand the technology, but it feels nice. It’s perfect for any esports competitor – I played Rainbow Six Siege, Modern Warfare 3, VALORANT, and Battlefield 2042 with the keyboard and never once had a negative experience.
I believe that the KB65HE is one of the best esports keyboards simply for how durable it is. It features PBT keycaps for next-generation levels of resilience and longevity, and Endgame Gear has guaranteed that the switches will last for 150 million actuations. It’s a more expensive keyboard at around £139.99, but everything from the high-quality braided USB-C cable to the solid block of aluminium used to craft the keyboard simply screams value for money.
When paired with one of the best wired gaming mice on the market, you’ll be an esports powerhouse with the KB65HE.
For more tech news, Esports.net
You must be logged in to post a comment Login