HP Class 1800 Southpaw vs Wooting 80HE
Choose the Wooting 80HE for Hall Effect gaming features, or the HP Class 1800 Southpaw for its southpaw layout and aluminum kit.
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![[Extras] Class 1800 Southpaw Keyboard Kit](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0607/5351/0626/files/class-1800-barebone-kit-754652.jpg?v=1727321750&width=3840&quality=75)
from$350at MMkeyboard
from$164at MK
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Which one should you get?
Get the
HP Class 1800 Southpaw
- Aluminum case with a listed 4200g weight.
- Southpaw ergonomic layout with an ANSI standard layout.
- QMK support and DIY kit/barebones format.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
Get the
Wooting 80HE
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 35% of 75% boards under $200.
- Magnetic Hall Effect switches with Rapid Trigger.
- 8000 Hz polling rate and adjustable actuation points through Wootility.
- Hot-swappable design for compatible magnetic switches.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Choose the Wooting 80HE if gaming features, adjustable actuation, and compatible magnetic-switch swaps are the priority. Choose the HP Class 1800 Southpaw if you want an aluminum DIY kit with QMK support and a left-side numpad. Before selecting the Wooting, check that your preferred switches and keycap profile fit its compatibility limits.
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.
HP Class 1800 Southpaw
Wooting 80HE
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Ergonomics
Southpaw
Standard
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Plastic
- HP Class 1800 Southpaw
- Wooting 80HE
- Performance
- 4994
- Build quality
- 6674
- Productivity
- 4973
- Customizability
- 5962
- Portability
- 4163
- Connection: Wired
What will you mostly use it for?
The Wooting 80HE is the clear fit for gaming features and offers the more compact listed layout for travel, though both require a wired connection. Office and programming choices are closer, with the HP’s southpaw arrangement and QMK support balancing against the Wooting’s configurable magnetic switches. For modding, the Wooting allows compatible magnetic-switch swaps, while changing the HP’s soldered switches requires soldering. Content creators may prefer the HP’s left-side numpad or the Wooting’s 75% layout, depending on their desk priorities.
Pick the Wooting 80HE
- The Wooting 80HE has magnetic Hall Effect switches and Rapid Trigger.
- Its listed polling rate is 8000 Hz, and it supports adjustable actuation points through Wootility.
- The HP listing specifies wired connectivity and QMK support, but does not list these gaming-focused features.
HP Class 1800 Southpaw vs Wooting 80HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 22 specs differ
HP Class 1800 Southpaw
Wooting 80HE
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
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
Released
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HP Class 1800 Southpaw vs Wooting 80HE: your questions
The Wooting 80HE is the stronger match for gaming features, with Hall Effect magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger, and a listed 8000 Hz polling rate. The HP listing specifies wired connectivity and QMK support but does not list those features.
Yes, Rapid Trigger is listed as an extra feature on the Wooting 80HE. Its vendor description also says Wootility can program actuation points and profiles.
No, the Wooting 80HE is specified for magnetic switches, and standard MX switches will not fit. Its vendor listing names Gateron KS-20, Gateron Magnetic Jade, and Lekker switches as compatible options.
The HP Class 1800 Southpaw has soldered switches, so swapping them requires soldering. It is listed as a DIY kit, but that does not make its switches hot-swappable.
Both keyboards are listed as wired-only. The Wooting vendor description specifies a USB-C interface, while the HP listing identifies wired connectivity.
The HP is listed with an ANSI standard layout and southpaw ergonomics. Its product name and layout listing identify it as the southpaw option in this comparison.
The Wooting 80HE is listed as a 75% keyboard. The HP Class 1800 Southpaw is listed with a southpaw 1800 layout.
The Wooting has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility note warns that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Check the specific keycap and switch fit before buying.
Yes, QMK support is listed for the HP Class 1800 Southpaw. Its vendor description specifies QMK-VIAL for the PCB.
Yes, the Wooting 80HE is listed with RGB, including north-facing per-key RGB in its vendor description. The description also notes four LEDs under the spacebar.
The HP is listed with an aluminum case, and its vendor description identifies the case material as 6063 aluminum. The same description lists a brass inner weight with antioxidant treatment.
The Wooting is hot-swappable for compatible magnetic switches, and its vendor listing describes a PCB module that can be installed into cases or used without a case. Standard MX switches will not fit, and north-facing LEDs can interfere with Cherry-profile keycaps.
Not sold on either?
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