Keychron K8 HE vs Pulsar PCMK V2 HEWireless vs 8K
Choose the K8 HE for wireless and broader layout options, or the PCMK V2 HE for its 8000 Hz polling rate over a wired connection.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
5.0 (6)5.0 · 6 reviews
from$129at MK
No reviews
from$135at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K8 HE
Wireless
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, with Bluetooth support for up to three devices.
- 4000 mAh battery, with Keychron listing up to 110 hours of wireless use.
- QMK support and Keychron Launcher features for remapping and macros.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Pulsar PCMK V2 HE
8K
Build quality in the top 35% of 80% boards under $150.
- Wired polling rate is listed at 8000 Hz.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches include Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation from 0.1 to 4.0 mm.
- Pulsar lists three-stage sound-dampening foam and silicone case lining.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Choose the Keychron K8 HE if you want wireless connectivity, multiple layout options, or QMK-based customization. Choose the Pulsar PCMK V2 HE if you will use it wired and prioritize its listed 8000 Hz polling rate. Both use magnetic-only hot-swap switches, so neither is a fit if you want to install standard MX 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.
Keychron K8 HE
Pulsar PCMK V2 HE
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired, 2.4 GHz
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Wood
Aluminum, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Magnetic
Mount style
Tray Mount
Plate Mount
- Keychron K8 HE
- Pulsar PCMK V2 HE
- Performance
- 9298
- Build quality
- 8763
- Productivity
- 9476
- Customizability
- 8961
- Portability
- 7661
- Layout size: 80%
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Rapid trigger
- Hot-swappable
- Sound dampening
- Plate material: Aluminum
What will you mostly use it for?
The Pulsar is the more gaming-focused choice if a wired connection and its listed 8000 Hz polling rate suit your setup. The K8 HE is more flexible for office work, programming, travel, and multi-device use, largely because it offers wireless connectivity and more layout standards. For modding, Keychron's QMK support and specified acoustic layers give it an edge, though both boards restrict switch swaps to magnetic switches. These picks reflect feature differences, not a guarantee of personal preference or typing feel.
Pick the Pulsar PCMK V2 HE
- The PCMK V2 HE lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, compared with 1000 Hz for the K8 HE.
- Both have Hall Effect magnetic switches and Rapid Trigger.
- The K8 HE adds adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8 mm, Dynamic Keystrokes, and Analog Mode.
Keychron K8 HE vs Pulsar PCMK V2 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K8 HE
Pulsar PCMK V2 HE
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
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.
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K8 HE
- Keychron (DE)
ISO
In stockDoes not ship to you
Pulsar PCMK V2 HE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K8 HE vs Pulsar PCMK V2 HE: your questions
Yes. The K8 HE supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, and Keychron says Bluetooth can connect to up to three devices.
No wireless connection is listed for the PCMK V2 HE; its metadata describes it as wired-only. Its interface is USB-C.
The Pulsar PCMK V2 HE lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, while the Keychron K8 HE lists 1000 Hz. The Pulsar vendor also describes the PCMK's rate as 8000 Hz.
Yes. Both are listed as Hall Effect keyboards with magnetic switches and Rapid Trigger.
No. Both compatibility rules specify magnetic switches only, and standard MX switches will not fit.
The K8 HE lists ANSI, ISO, and JIS layout standards. The PCMK V2 HE is ANSI-only, and ISO variants are not offered.
The K8 HE is the more flexible choice for buyers who want QMK support and Keychron Launcher features for remapping and macros. It also lists ANSI, ISO, and JIS layouts, while the Pulsar is ANSI-only.
Yes. Keychron says its Bluetooth connection can pair with up to three devices. The PCMK V2 HE is listed as wired-only.
The K8 HE has a listed 4000 mAh battery. Keychron states wireless use can reach up to 110 hours, with actual duration varying by use.
Keychron describes 3.5 mm EVA acoustic foam, EPDM foam, and a silicone pad inside the keyboard. The vendor also refers to PET film and other acoustic materials in its product details.
The Pulsar vendor describes three-stage sound-dampening foam and silicone case lining. It presents these as acoustic features of the PCMK.
Pulsar describes its hot-swap PCB as accepting both north- and south-pole-facing switches. This does not remove the magnetic-switch-only compatibility restriction.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.