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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 2, 2026

Endgame Gear KB65HE vs Vortex Cypher Split

Choose the KB65HE for adjustable Hall effect switches and rapid trigger, or the Cypher Split for its split spacebar and traditional switch options.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Endgame Gear KB65HE

Hall effect

Build quality in the top 30% of 65% boards under $50.

If you want

  • Hall effect magnetic switches with rapid trigger and adjustable actuation points.
  • Hot-swappable magnetic switches, with a silicone sound dampener and lubed stabilizers.
  • CNC-machined aluminum case and aluminum plate.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.

Get the

Vortex Cypher Split

Build quality in the bottom 10% of 65% boards under $50.

If you want

  • Split spacebar design, which the vendor says can reduce stabilizer rattle and ease typing.
  • Switch variants include clicky, tactile, linear, and silent options, with Cherry MX variants listed by the vendor.
  • Hardware key programming and pre-programmed QWERTY, Colemak, and Dvorak layouts.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.

Bottom line

Choose the Endgame Gear KB65HE if gaming features, adjustable magnetic actuation, RGB, and hot-swappable magnetic switches are your priorities. Choose the Vortex Cypher Split if you prefer a split spacebar, traditional Cherry MX switch choices, or hardware layout switching. Check the switch compatibility distinction before buying: the KB65HE accepts magnetic switches only, while the Cypher requires soldering to replace its switches.

What actually differs

The differences that matter

Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.

Endgame Gear KB65HE

Vortex Cypher Split

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    Yes

    No

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Rapid trigger

    Yes

    No

    Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Ergonomics

    Standard

    Split Spacebar

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    Plastic

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Endgame Gear KB65HE
  • Vortex Cypher Split
Performance
96
54
Build quality
77
45
Productivity
79
61
Customizability
79
46
Portability
76
70

What they share

  • Layout size: 65%
  • Connection: Wired
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The KB65HE has a clear edge for gaming and switch customization because of its Hall effect design, rapid trigger, and hot-swap support. The Cypher is a stronger fit for typists who want a split spacebar, silent switch options, or built-in access to Colemak and Dvorak. Travel is a close call: both are compact and wired, with different case materials. For content creation, the KB65HE's RGB lighting is the main differentiator.

For gaming

Pick the Endgame Gear KB65HE

  • The KB65HE has Hall effect magnetic switches and rapid trigger for repeated keypresses.
  • Its polling rate is listed as up to 1000 Hz, and the keyboard supports N-key rollover.
  • The Cypher has N-key rollover, but its vendor description lists 6-key rollover.

Full specs

Endgame Gear KB65HE vs Vortex Cypher Split specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

11 of 22 specs differ

Endgame Gear KB65HE

Vortex Cypher Split

Typing & switches

Switch options

Magnetic
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Rapid trigger

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

65%
65%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Split Spacebar

Display

LED
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
—

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Plastic

Plate material

Aluminum
Plastic

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Typing angle

5°
—

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Endgame Gear KB65HE vs Vortex Cypher Split: your questions

The KB65HE is the more gaming-oriented choice, with Hall effect magnetic switches, rapid trigger, adjustable actuation, and a listed polling rate up to 1000 Hz. Both product listings include N-key rollover.

Yes, rapid trigger is listed as a KB65HE feature. Its vendor description says the feature enables faster repeated keypresses.

No, the KB65HE's compatibility rule says it accepts magnetic switches only, and standard MX switches will not fit. Its hot-swap feature is for compatible magnetic switches.

The Cypher's switches are soldered rather than hot-swappable. Replacing them requires soldering.

The product metadata lists clicky, tactile, linear, and silent options. The vendor lists Cherry MX variants including Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Clear, Silver, Silent Black, and Silent Red.

Yes, the vendor says pre-programmed key combinations switch among QWERTY, Colemak, and Dvorak. It also describes full key programming by hardware.

The Vortex Cypher Split has a split spacebar. Its vendor description says this design is intended to reduce stabilizer rattle and ease typing.

The KB65HE has RGB lighting, and its vendor description says RGB can be adjusted through software. The Cypher is listed without RGB.

Both keyboards are listed as wired-only and include USB-C connectivity. Neither listing specifies a wireless connection.

The KB65HE has an aluminum case and aluminum plate. The Cypher has a plastic case and plastic plate.

Both product listings specify Mac and Windows support. The KB65HE vendor description also lists Linux compatibility, and the Cypher vendor description does as well.

The KB65HE is listed with sound dampening, and its vendor description specifies a silicone sound dampener and lubed stabilizers. The Cypher vendor describes its split spacebar as a way to reduce stabilizer rattle.

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