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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Monsgeek M1 HE vs M1WHall Effect or Wireless?

Choose the M1 HE for Hall Effect magnetic switches and instant actuation, or the M1W for wireless connectivity and extensive customization options at a lower price.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Monsgeek M1 HE

Hall effect

Build quality in the bottom 35% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Hall Effect magnetic switches enable adjustable actuation for gaming
  • CNC machined 6063 aluminum alloy chassis with a smooth finish
  • Gasket mount with sandwich cotton layers reduces resonance and softens typing

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.

Get the

Monsgeek M1W

QMK

Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Tri-mode wireless with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and USB-C wired connection
  • 6000mAh battery provides extended wireless usage
  • QMK and VIA support for fully customizable key mappings and macros

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Bottom line

If gaming performance with rapid magnetic actuation is your priority, the Monsgeek M1 HE is your choice. For anyone needing wireless freedom, deep customization via QMK/VIA, and a versatile daily driver, the M1W offers better value and broader functionality at a lower price point. Consider your primary use case between low-latency gaming and flexible productivity.

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.

Monsgeek M1 HE

Monsgeek M1W

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    Yes

    No

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Switch options

    Linear, Magnetic

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

  • QMK

    No

    Yes

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

  • VIA

    No

    Yes

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Monsgeek M1 HE
  • Monsgeek M1W
Performance
54
70
Build quality
60
85
Productivity
51
97
Customizability
70
96
Portability
61
92

What they share

  • Layout size: 75%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Knob
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The M1 HE wins for gaming with its Hall Effect magnetic switches and conflict-free operation, making it ideal for competitive play. The M1W dominates office, programming, travel, and modding use cases due to its wireless connectivity, VIA/QMK support, and built-in sound dampening. For content creation, both tie as each offers a multimedia knob and solid build, with the M1 HE adding speed and the M1W adding wireless convenience.

For gaming

Pick the Monsgeek M1 HE

  • Hall Effect magnetic switches offer adjustable actuation for rapid inputs
  • Full-key conflict-free operation supports faster simultaneous key presses

Full specs

Monsgeek M1 HE vs M1W specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

14 of 26 specs differ

Monsgeek M1 HE

Monsgeek M1W

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Magnetic
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

—
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Battery

—
6,000 mAh

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

—
Plastic, Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

—
2,200 g

Dimensions

—
33 x 146 x 333 mm

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2023

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Monsgeek M1 HE

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Monsgeek M1W

  • WhatGeek

    ISO

    Out of stockShips 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.

Monsgeek M1W4 stores

FAQ

Monsgeek M1 HE vs M1W: your questions

The M1 HE uses Hall Effect magnetic switches for adjustable actuation, while the M1W supports traditional mechanical switches (clicky, linear, tactile) and offers wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz. The M1W also includes QMK and VIA support for custom programming.

No, the M1 HE is a wired-only keyboard. It does not have Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. If wireless capability is essential, the M1W is the better option with its tri-mode wireless support.

Yes, the M1W supports QMK and VIA firmware, which allows you to fully customize key mappings, create macros, and adjust RGB lighting. This makes it highly flexible for programming and productivity use.

The M1 HE is better for gaming because its magnetic switches allow adjustable actuation points and rapid key registration, which is beneficial for competitive games. The M1W lacks this Hall Effect technology and relies on traditional mechanical switch actuation.

No, the M1 HE comes with side printed translucidus (transparent side printed) keycaps with ASA profile. The M1W offers either OEM profile PBT backlit keycaps (Purple variant) or Cherry profile PBT keycaps (Sky Blue variant).

Yes, the M1W features hotswap sockets that support both 3-pin and 5-pin switches. This allows you to easily swap switches without soldering. The M1 HE is limited to magnetic switches and cannot accept standard mechanical switches.

The M1W has a 6000mAh battery, which provides extended wireless runtime. The M1 HE does not have a battery because it is only wired.

Yes, both the M1 HE and M1W include a multi-function knob that can adjust volume and brightness. This feature is present on both keyboards for easy on-the-fly control.

The M1W is more customizable because it already includes Poron case foam, plate foams, an IXPE switch pad, and a VHB insulation layer. Additionally, its hotswap sockets accept many switch types and QMK/VIA support allows deep software tweaks. The M1 HE has fewer modding options due to its fixed magnetic switch design.

The M1W is explicitly compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux via an OS mode switch under the CAPS LOCK key. The M1 HE is likely Windows compatible based on its design, but Mac/Linux compatibility is not stated in the provided information.

The M1W weighs 2200g. The weight of the M1 HE is not specified in the provided data, but both use aluminum cases, so they are likely similar in heft. The M1W's weight may be less portable for travel.

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