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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

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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EPOMAKER HE80

4.8 (49)

$59at Epomaker

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Epomaker HE80

Budget

Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

Bottom line

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.

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.

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

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker HE80
  • Keychron Q3 HE
Performance
98
100
Build quality
60
88
Productivity
76
97
Customizability
58
98
Portability
58
78

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Hall effect (magnetic)
  • Rapid trigger
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

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.

For gaming

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.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Epomaker HE80

4.8

49 owner reviews

Praise
“Great Linux compatability and perfect for osu!, Geometry Dash, other games, and general work I do throughout the day. Increadible customisation and responsiveness”
Lachlan R.Verified buyer· via Epomaker
Critique
“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.”
Oforah C.Verified buyer· via Epomaker

Keychron Q3 HE

5.0

8 owner reviews

Praise
“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!”
Mazbaul A.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

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

Typing & switches

Switch options

Magnetic
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
Yes

Rapid trigger

Yes
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

Battery

Wired only
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Plastic
Aluminum, Metal

Plate material

FR4
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT, PC
PBT

Weight

830 g
1,775 g

Dimensions

42 x 332 x 146 mm
23 x 137 x 365 mm

Typing angle

9°
5°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2024

For EU buyers

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

Where to buy

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.

FAQ

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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