AULA F87 vs Keychron K2 HE: Budget Gasket vs Premium Magnetic

Compare AULA F87 vs Keychron K2 HE Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers torn between a value-focused entry and a premium, tech-forward keyboard. The AULA F87 offers a solid gasket-mount build and tri-mode connectivity at a lower cost, while the Keychron K2 HE commands a higher price for its adjustable magnetic switches, extensive programmability, and premium material options. The decision hinges on whether you prioritize core functionality or cutting-edge features and customization depth.

Model
Rating	5.0 stars (1 reviews)	4.6 stars (69 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2025 Has Linear switch options Available in a 80% layout Built with the ANSI layout standard Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Weighs about 1020 g Sized at 41 x 139 x 365 mm Made with a ABS case Features PBT keycaps Offers No RGB lighting	Released in 2024 Has Linear, Magnetic switch options Available in a 75% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-CH, ISO-Nordic, JIS layout standard Comes with a knob Provides dedicated media keys Utilizes Hall effect sensors Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Enables rapid trigger functionality Includes screw-in stabilizers Uses a Tray Mount mounting style Weighs about 1743 g Sized at 30 x 127 x 41 mm Made with a Aluminum, Wood, ABS, Resin case Features PBT, ABS, PC keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face, White, White North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 57.7 Build Quality: 60 Productivity: 75.7 Customizability: 48.5 Portability: 73	Scores Performance: 93.3 Build Quality: 90.8 Productivity: 96.9 Customizability: 99.6 Portability: 81.3
Name	Name AULA F87	Name Keychron K2 HE
Release year	Release year 2025	Release year 2024
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear	Switch Options Linear, Magnetic
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 80%	Layout Size 75%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-CH, ISO-Nordic, JIS
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 4000 mAh	Battery capacity 4000 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style Tray Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight	Backlight Rgb, North-face, White
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material ABS	Case Material Aluminum, Wood, ABS, Resin
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS, PC
Dimensions	Dimensions 41 x 139 x 365 mm	Dimensions 30 x 127 x 41 mm
Weight	Weight 1020g	Weight 1743g

AULA F87 TKL Gaming Mechanical Keyboard Gasket Hot-Swappable

Keychron K2 HE Wireless Magnetic Switch Custom Keyboard

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5.0 stars (1 reviews)

4.6 stars (69 reviews)

Released in 2025
Has Linear switch options
Available in a 80% layout
Built with the ANSI layout standard
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Weighs about 1020 g
Sized at 41 x 139 x 365 mm
Made with a ABS case
Features PBT keycaps
Offers No RGB lighting

Released in 2024
Has Linear, Magnetic switch options
Available in a 75% layout
Built with the ANSI, ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-CH, ISO-Nordic, JIS layout standard
Comes with a knob
Provides dedicated media keys
Utilizes Hall effect sensors
Supports QMK firmware
Supports VIA configuration
Enables rapid trigger functionality
Includes screw-in stabilizers
Uses a Tray Mount mounting style
Weighs about 1743 g
Sized at 30 x 127 x 41 mm
Made with a Aluminum, Wood, ABS, Resin case
Features PBT, ABS, PC keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face, White, White North-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 57.7
Build Quality: 60
Productivity: 75.7
Customizability: 48.5
Portability: 73

Scores

Performance: 93.3
Build Quality: 90.8
Productivity: 96.9
Customizability: 99.6
Portability: 81.3

Name

AULA F87

Name

Keychron K2 HE

Release year

2025

Release year

2024

Switch Options

Linear

Switch Options

Linear, Magnetic

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

80%

Layout Size

75%

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-CH, ISO-Nordic, JIS

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Battery capacity

4000 mAh

Battery capacity

4000 mAh

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

Tray Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, North-face, White

Case Colors

Case Material

ABS

Case Material

Aluminum, Wood, ABS, Resin

Keycaps Material

PBT

Keycaps Material

PBT, ABS, PC

Dimensions

41 x 139 x 365 mm

Dimensions

30 x 127 x 41 mm

Weight

1020g

Weight

1743g

Pros and Trade-offs

The AULA F87 is an excellent budget-conscious choice that delivers a pleasant gasket-mount typing experience and reliable wireless connectivity. The Keychron K2 HE is a premium investment for enthusiasts and competitive gamers who will utilize its magnetic switch technology, deep software customization, and high-end materials. Prioritize the K2 HE if its advanced features justify the cost; otherwise, the F87 provides remarkable value.

AULA F87

+More affordable price point for a feature-rich keyboard.
+Lighter weight (1020g) and compact TKL layout for better portability.
+Gasket-mounted design with a five-layer sound-dampening structure for a cushioned typing feel.
+Hot-swappable PCB supports standard 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches.
+Includes double-shot PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile for durability.

−Limited to linear switch options out of the box.
−Lacks advanced programmability features like QMK/VIA support.
−Backlighting is limited to white LEDs without RGB customization.
−Case material is ABS plastic, lacking premium material options.

Keychron K2 HE

+Features advanced Gateron double-rail magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm).
+Extensive customization via QMK and VIA open-source firmware support.
+Premium build with options for aluminum, wood, or resin cases and an aluminum plate.
+Includes gaming-focused features like Rapid Trigger, Analog Mode, and Last Key Priority.
+North-facing RGB backlighting with multiple foam layers (EVA, EPDM, silicone) for sound tuning.

−Substantially more expensive than the AULA F87.
−Much heavier (1743g), reducing portability.
−Hot-swappable functionality is limited to compatible Gateron double-rail magnetic switches only.
−Some user reviews mention concerns about long-term key reliability.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Keychron K2 HE is the clear choice for gaming, programming, modding, and content creation due to its advanced magnetic switch features, extensive programmability, and premium construction. The AULA F87 wins for travel due to its lighter weight and is a capable, cost-effective option for office use, tying with the Keychron in that category. Your primary activities will dictate the value of the K2 HE's premium features versus the F87's core competency.

GamingKeychron K2 HE

•The Keychron K2 HE features adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm and Rapid Trigger for competitive play.
•It includes gaming-specific features like Last Key Priority (LKP) and Snap Click for directional key prioritization.
•The manufacturer cites third-party testing data showing industry-leading latency performance.

OfficeTie

•Both offer tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) for flexible device switching.
•Both include Mac and Windows support with relevant keycaps.
•Both have sound-dampening foam for a quieter typing experience.

ProgrammingKeychron K2 HE

•The Keychron K2 HE supports QMK and VIA firmware for extensive key remapping and macro programming.
•Its 75% layout retains arrow keys while being more compact than the AULA's TKL layout.
•The ability to save two different system layouts (macOS/Windows) is listed as a feature.

TravelAULA F87

•The AULA F87 is significantly lighter at 1020g compared to the Keychron K2 HE's 1743g.
•It has a smaller physical footprint (365mm length) than the Keychron K2 HE (322mm length, but wider).
•Both have the same 4000mAh battery capacity for wireless use.

ModdingKeychron K2 HE

•The Keychron K2 HE offers extensive modding potential with QMK/VIA support, screw-in stabilizers, and multiple case material options (Resin, Aluminum, Wood, ABS).
•It features a hot-swappable PCB for its specific magnetic switches and includes multiple foam layers (EVA, EPDM, silicone) for sound tuning.
•The AULA F87 is hot-swappable for standard 3-pin/5-pin switches and has a gasket mount, but offers less firmware and material customization.

Content CreationKeychron K2 HE

•The Keychron K2 HE's Dynamic Keystrokes feature allows assigning up to 4 actions per key based on press depth, useful for shortcuts.
•North-facing RGB backlighting with over 22 modes offers more visual customization compared to the AULA F87's white backlighting.
•Programmable knobs are listed as a supported feature on the Keychron K2 HE.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)