Keychron K2 HE vs MCHOSE GX87Magnetic Tech vs Gasket Mount
Choose the Keychron K2 HE for cutting-edge magnetic switch features, or the MCHOSE GX87 for a premium gasket-mounted typing feel and longer battery life.
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4.8 (49)4.8 · 49 reviews
from$129at Keychron
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from$49at Mchose
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K2 HE
Magnetic Tech
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $150.
- Advanced Gateron double-rail magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm).
- Extensive layout compatibility including multiple ISO and JIS standards.
- Comprehensive sound dampening with EVA foam, EPDM foam, and a silicone acoustic pad.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Get the
MCHOSE GX87
Gasket Mount
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $200.
- Gasket mount structure with silicone leaf-springs for a cushioned, consistent typing feel.
- Large 8000mAh battery capacity for extended wireless usage.
- Full CNC aluminum body with options for different surface finishes (anodization, electrophoresis).
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- No numpad.
Your choice hinges on what you value more: innovative switch technology or a refined traditional build. The Keychron K2 HE is for users who want to experiment with magnetic switches, per-key actuation tuning, and gaming-focused features. The MCHOSE GX87 is for those seeking a premium, thocky typing sound and feel from a gasket mount design, and who prioritize maximum battery life over portability. Consider your primary use case and whether you need international layout support.
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.
Keychron K2 HE
MCHOSE GX87
Layout size
75%
80%
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
Battery
4,000 mAh
8,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Resin, Wood
Aluminum
- Keychron K2 HE
- MCHOSE GX87
- Performance
- 9380
- Build quality
- 9181
- Productivity
- 9789
- Customizability
- 9886
- Portability
- 8187
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron K2 HE is the clear choice for gamers and programmers due to its magnetic switch features and broad layout support. It also wins for travel due to its lighter weight. For office use and content creation, the keyboards are evenly matched in core wireless and customization features. The MCHOSE GX87's primary advantage lies in its specific build philosophy, which may appeal to users prioritizing a particular typing feel over advanced switch technology.
Pick the Keychron K2 HE
- Features adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm for per-key customization.
- Includes gaming-specific features like Rapid Trigger and Last Key Priority (LKP).
- Offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes for responsiveness.
Keychron K2 HE vs MCHOSE GX87 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 29 specs differ
Keychron K2 HE
MCHOSE GX87
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K2 HE
- Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
- Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
- Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH
In stockDoes not ship to you
MCHOSE GX87
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K2 HE vs MCHOSE GX87: your questions
The core difference is the switch technology and mounting style. The K2 HE uses Gateron double-rail magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points in a tray/plate mount. The GX87 uses traditional mechanical switches (Matcha Latte V2 or KTT Vintage White) in a gasket mount structure designed for a softer, more consistent typing feel.
The MCHOSE GX87 has a larger 8000mAh battery, which should provide longer wireless usage between charges compared to the Keychron K2 HE's 4000mAh battery. Actual battery life will vary based on usage patterns and lighting settings.
No. According to Keychron, the K2 HE is compatible exclusively with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. It does not support other magnetic switches like the Gateron Magnetic Jade, nor does it support standard mechanical switches.
Both keyboards are listed as compatible with macOS. The Keychron K2 HE specifically mentions it is built with Mac users in mind, includes Mac keycaps, and has a system toggle to switch between macOS and Windows layouts.
Yes, the MCHOSE GX87 product listing confirms support for both QMK and VIA firmware. This allows for key remapping, macro creation, and other customizations through the VIA web app.
The Keychron K2 HE comes with double-shot PBT keycaps, with Cherry profile on the standard version and OSA profile on special editions. The MCHOSE GX87 comes with Cherry profile, double-shot PBT keycaps.
The Keychron K2 HE is more portable. It is a smaller 75% layout, significantly lighter at 1743g, and has a lower front height. The MCHOSE GX87 is an 80% TKL layout and is much heavier at 2800g.
Yes, both keyboards feature RGB backlighting. The Keychron K2 HE has north-facing RGB LEDs with over 22 backlight modes configurable via its Launcher app. The MCHOSE GX87 offers 17 RGB backlight settings.
According to the vendor page, the GX87 package includes the keyboard, a user manual, a Type-C cable, a keycap/switch puller, two spare switches, and a dust cover. The Ultra version also includes ten silicone leaf-springs.
There is no information in the MCHOSE GX87 specifications or description about adjustable actuation points. This feature is specific to the magnetic switches in the Keychron K2 HE.
Both are well-damped but use different approaches. The K2 HE uses EVA foam, EPDM foam, and a silicone pad. The GX87 uses a five-layer foam system including Poron sound-absorbing foam, IXPE foam, PET film, and anti-static PET. Preference between the resulting sounds is subjective.
User reviews for the K2 HE praise its satisfying, thocky typing sound out of the box, attributed to its pre-lubed switches and internal foams. The magnetic switches also offer a smooth, stable keystroke according to the manufacturer's description.
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