Epomaker HE68 Lite vs Magcore 8765% or TKL
Choose the HE68 Lite for compact gaming features like SOCD and DKS, or the Magcore 87 for a TKL layout and aluminum gasket construction.
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4.7 · 61 reviews
from$42at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.8 · 64 reviews
from$109at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker HE68 Lite
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 35% of 65% boards under $50.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable travel from 0.1 mm to 3.4 mm in 0.01 mm increments.
- Supports SOCD, DKS, and Mod Tap.
- Five listed sound-dampening layers: PRO Sandwich Foam, IXPE switch pad, PET sound-enhancement pad, switch socket pad, and bottom foam.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Get the
Epomaker Magcore 87
- CNC aluminum case with gasket mount and an aluminum plate.
- TKL layout with 88 keys.
- Supports VIA and per-key adjustable actuation.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the HE68 Lite if compact size and gaming controls such as SOCD and DKS matter most. Pick the Magcore 87 if you want a TKL layout, VIA support, and an aluminum gasket-mounted build. Both are wired-only, and their hot-swap sockets do not make them interchangeable with ordinary mechanical switches.
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.
Epomaker HE68 Lite
Epomaker Magcore 87
Layout size
65%
85%
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
Case material
ABS
Aluminum
Mount style
Tray Mount
Gasket Mount
- Epomaker HE68 Lite
- Epomaker Magcore 87
- Performance
- 9689
- Build quality
- 7381
- Productivity
- 8691
- Customizability
- 7378
- Portability
- 7553
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The HE68 Lite has the clearest gaming and travel advantage, thanks to its dedicated magnetic-key features and lighter, smaller format. The Magcore 87 is the more practical fit for office and programming setups that benefit from a TKL layout and listed VIA support. It also leads for modding and content creation through its aluminum gasket construction and layered damping. Both are wired-only boards, so neither is a wireless travel choice.
Pick the Epomaker HE68 Lite
- The HE68 Lite supports SOCD, DKS, and Mod Tap, features explicitly aimed at responsive or layered inputs.
- Its Hall Effect switches offer adjustable travel from 0.1 mm to 3.4 mm in 0.01 mm increments.
- Both keyboards list 8000 Hz polling, while the HE68 Lite also lists a 128 kHz scan rate.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Epomaker HE68 Lite
61 owner reviews
“The switch actuation is really something else it’s really nice to play games with and the app is pretty easy to use aswell super simple and incredibly value”
“I wanted the normal HE68 but resulted in the lite cause I needed a new keyboard im not happy about it it’s missing keys I want and overall not the biggest fan”
Epomaker Magcore 87
64 owner reviews
“Just got my hand on this beast gaming keyboard and trust me.. its the most solid keyboard out there with its inductive switches it makes gaming next level.”
“The keyboard is excellent, and the build quality is great. But I have an issue with its weight—it’s very heavy. Also, if the design were more attractive, had additional features, and was wireless, it would be an amazing product for its price. In its current…”
Epomaker HE68 Lite vs Magcore 87 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 24 specs differ
Epomaker HE68 Lite
Epomaker Magcore 87
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Epomaker HE68 Lite vs Magcore 87: your questions
The HE68 Lite is the stronger fit if you want gaming-specific functions, including SOCD, DKS, and Mod Tap. Both list 8000 Hz polling, while the HE68 Lite also lists a 128 kHz scan rate.
The HE68 Lite is a 65% Hall Effect keyboard with SOCD and DKS, while the Magcore 87 is an 88-key TKL board with an aluminum case and VIA support. Both are wired and list 8000 Hz polling.
Yes, the HE68 Lite lists Rapid Trigger and adjustable Hall Effect switch travel. Its product description also specifies SOCD, DKS, and Mod Tap.
Yes, the Magcore 87 product description lists Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation. Its metadata also lists hot-swap support and N-Key Rollover.
No, the HE68 Lite uses magnetic switches only, and standard MX switches will not fit. Its hot-swap feature is for compatible magnetic switches.
No, the Magcore 87's hot-swap sockets are for inductive switches, not standard 3-pin or 5-pin mechanical switches. The product listing identifies its switch type as inductive.
The HE68 Lite is smaller and lighter, measuring 40 x 120 x 322 mm and weighing 650 g. The Magcore 87 measures 40 x 357 x 136 mm and weighs 2000 g.
The Magcore 87 is an 88-key TKL keyboard. The HE68 Lite is a 65% layout, and its compatibility notes specify that it has no function row or numpad.
The Magcore 87 lists VIA support. The HE68 Lite vendor description mentions programming software for Windows and Mac, but does not specify VIA support.
No, both keyboards are listed as wired only. The HE68 Lite uses USB-C, and the Magcore 87 connects by Type-C cable.
The Magcore 87 has a CNC aluminum case and gasket mount, and is listed at 2000 g. The HE68 Lite has an ABS case, tray mount, and a listed weight of 650 g.
Both list south-facing RGB, but that does not guarantee that shine-through legends will be visible. The compatibility notes for both warn that shine-through legends can stay dark and that some sculpted keycaps may clip the LED.
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