Epomaker HE80 vs Keychron Q3 HEBudget vs Premium Hall Effect
Choose the Epomaker HE80 for maximum gaming performance per dollar, or the Keychron Q3 HE for a premium, versatile, and highly customizable build.
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4.8 (49)4.8 · 49 reviews
from$59at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
5.0 (8)5.0 · 8 reviews
from$224at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker HE80
Budget
Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $100.
- Extremely competitive price for an 8K polling hall effect keyboard.
- Includes four layers of sound dampening: latex sandwich foam, IXPE switch pad, bottom silicone, and bottom foam.
- Comes with extra PBT keycaps, PC transparent keycaps, and three spare magnetic switches.
- 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.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron Q3 HE
Premium Hall Effect
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $300.
- Premium full aluminum case construction for durability and acoustics.
- Triple-mode connectivity with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired operation.
- Extensive software support via QMK, VIA, and the Keychron Launcher web app.
- 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.
Your budget and need for wireless flexibility are the primary deciders. The Epomaker HE80 delivers exceptional core gaming performance—8K polling, rapid trigger, hall effect switches—at an accessible price, making it a standout for cost-conscious gamers. The Keychron Q3 HE commands a premium for its all-metal build, wireless freedom, and unparalleled customization through QMK/VIA, ideal for users who want a versatile, high-end keyboard for work and play.
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 HE80
Keychron Q3 HE
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
Plastic
Aluminum, Metal
Switch options
Magnetic
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
- Epomaker HE80
- Keychron Q3 HE
- Performance
- 98100
- Build quality
- 6088
- Productivity
- 7697
- Customizability
- 5898
- Portability
- 5878
- Layout size: 80%
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Rapid trigger
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q3 HE is the more versatile choice, winning in office, programming, modding, and content creation due to its wireless options, extensive software support, and premium build. The Epomaker HE80 ties for pure gaming performance and wins for travel due to its light weight. For users who need a dedicated, high-performance gaming keyboard on a budget or for portable setups, the HE80 is compelling, but the Q3 HE's broader feature set justifies its higher cost for multi-purpose use.
It's a tie
- Both feature an 8000 Hz polling rate for minimal latency.
- Both support rapid trigger and adjustable actuation points for precise control.
- Both use hall effect magnetic switches for consistent, contactless input.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Epomaker HE80
49 owner reviews
“Great Linux compatability and perfect for osu!, Geometry Dash, other games, and general work I do throughout the day. Increadible customisation and responsiveness”
“The Epomaker HE80 is a really solid mechanical keyboard for gamers. From my experience the Hall effect magnetic switches makes my gaming experience really smooth and responsive.”
Keychron Q3 HE
8 owner reviews
“I am loving this kb, the rapid trigger is solid and the sound is surprisingly great for linear switches. Finally, I can jiggle peek correctly all the time without my kb holding me off. The keyboard looks and feels great!”
Epomaker HE80 vs Keychron Q3 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 29 specs differ
Epomaker HE80
Keychron Q3 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Epomaker HE80
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q3 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Epomaker HE80 vs Keychron Q3 HE: your questions
Both keyboards feature an 8000 Hz polling rate, which Epomaker states results in a 0.125ms latency for the HE80. The Keychron Q3 HE also supports 8000 Hz polling in wired mode. For gaming latency, they are technically matched on this primary spec.
Yes. The Keychron Q3 HE offers triple-mode connectivity, including Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and a wired USB-C connection. It also includes a 4000mAh battery to power the wireless modes. The Epomaker HE80 is wired-only.
Yes, both are hot-swappable. However, their compatibility differs. The Epomaker HE80 listing states it is hot-swappable with other south-facing magnetic switches. The Keychron Q3 HE product page specifies its 8K model is compatible with Keychron Ultra-fast Lime Magnetic Switches only, but the metadata indicates it supports linear, tactile, clicky, and magnetic switch types.
Build materials heavily influence sound and feel. The Keychron Q3 HE uses an aluminum case and plate with a double-gasket mount and multiple foam layers, typically resulting in a more muted, solid acoustic. The Epomaker HE80 uses a plastic case, FR4 plate, and also includes four layers of sound-dampening foam, which can produce a softer, poppier sound profile.
Yes, both offer software customization. The Epomaker HE80 uses a Chrome-based web driver for adjusting actuation, RGB, and macros. The Keychron Q3 HE supports the more advanced, open-source QMK and VIA firmware, and also has the Keychron Launcher web app for similar adjustments and features like Analog Mode.
The Epomaker HE80 includes double-shot PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile, plus extra PC transparent keycaps. The Keychron Q3 HE comes with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps and includes an additional set of keycaps for both Mac and Windows layouts.
According to Epomaker's technical specifications, the HE80 is listed as compatible with Mac, Windows, Android, Linux, PS4, PS5, and Switch. The Keychron Q3 HE listing specifies compatibility with macOS, Windows, and Linux.
The Epomaker HE80 is significantly more portable. It weighs 830g compared to the Keychron Q3 HE's 1775g, and its dimensions are generally more compact. Furthermore, as a wired-only board, it requires no charging cable or dongle for basic use, simplifying travel.
Yes, this is a core feature of hall effect switches. Both keyboards allow you to adjust the actuation point per key via their respective software. The Epomaker HE80 allows adjustment per 0.02mm, while Keychron states the Q3 HE allows adjustment from 0.1 to 3.35mm with 0.01mm sensitivity.
Warranty information is provided for the Epomaker HE80. Epomaker's policy states a 1-year warranty for keyboards purchased from their site. The vendor description for the Keychron Q3 HE does not provide specific warranty details.
The Keychron Q3 HE product listing includes 'Knob Support' in its extra features and offers a 'Fully Assembled Knob' variant. This indicates that a version with a knob is available, allowing for media or system control.
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