Tex Shinobi vs Varmilo Muse65 HETrackPoint vs Hall Effect Gaming
Choose the Tex Shinobi for its unique TrackPoint and DIY nature, or the Varmilo Muse65 HE for its high-performance Hall Effect switches and gaming features.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Tex Shinobi
TrackPoint
- Includes a unique integrated TrackPoint for cursor control.
- Sold as a DIY kit with keycaps, stabilizers, and extra accessories included.
- Hot-swappable PCB allows for easy switch customization.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Varmilo Muse65 HE
Hall Effect Gaming
Build quality in the top 45% of 65% boards under $150.
- Features Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation down to 0.02mm.
- High 8000Hz polling rate and rapid trigger mode for competitive gaming.
- Constructed with a full CNC aluminum case and an aluminum plate.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you value a unique, self-assembled keyboard with a built-in pointing stick for productivity, the Tex Shinobi is the compelling option. If your priority is state-of-the-art gaming performance with Hall Effect switches, ultra-low latency, and robust metal construction, the Varmilo Muse65 HE is the definitive pick.
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.
Tex Shinobi
Varmilo Muse65 HE
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
Case material
ABS
Aluminum, Metal
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Clicky, Magnetic
Mount style
Plate Mount
Plate Mount, Tray Mount
- Tex Shinobi
- Varmilo Muse65 HE
- Performance
- 5596
- Build quality
- 5268
- Productivity
- 6069
- Customizability
- 5860
- Portability
- 4673
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
What will you mostly use it for?
The Varmilo Muse65 HE is the clear choice for gaming and content creation due to its high-performance specs and RGB lighting. The Tex Shinobi wins for office use thanks to its integrated TrackPoint and for modding due to its DIY kit format. For programming, it's a tie based on shared core features, and the Muse65 HE is more portable due to its defined compact size.
Pick the Varmilo Muse65 HE
- The Varmilo Muse65 HE features an 8000Hz polling rate and Hall Effect switches for minimal latency.
- It includes a rapid trigger mode and dynamic keystroke (DKS) functionality, as stated by the manufacturer.
- The aluminum plate and tray mount with sound dampening provide a stable platform.
Tex Shinobi vs Varmilo Muse65 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 24 specs differ
Tex Shinobi
Varmilo Muse65 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Tex Shinobi
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Varmilo Muse65 HE
Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO-SW.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Tex Shinobi vs Varmilo Muse65 HE: your questions
No, the Tex Shinobi is sold as a DIY kit that requires assembly. According to the vendor description, switches are not included and you will need to purchase 92 switches separately.
The Varmilo Muse65 HE has an 8000Hz polling rate. The manufacturer states this contributes to a total latency as low as 0.2ms from key activation to registration.
The base Tex Shinobi kit is wired only. However, the vendor page mentions that a TEX BLE upgrade kit is available for purchase separately to add Bluetooth functionality.
The Varmilo Muse65 HE comes with magnetic switches. The manufacturer lists options including Gateron Dual-rail Magnetic White, Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro, and TTC King of Magnetic RGB switches, though availability may vary.
Yes, the Tex Shinobi PCB has hot-swap sockets, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
Yes, the Varmilo Muse65 HE features a rapid trigger mode. The manufacturer describes this as allowing re-actuation after just 0.1mm of release travel.
The Tex Shinobi uses ABS keycaps, which are laser-etched. The Varmilo Muse65 HE uses PBT dye-sublimated keycaps in a Cherry profile.
This depends on preference. The Shinobi offers a standard plate mount with various switch options. The Muse65 HE uses a tray mount with an aluminum plate and includes sound-dampening poron and silicone sheets, which the manufacturer states aims for a consistent sound.
Yes, both the Tex Shinobi and the Varmilo Muse65 HE list support for macOS in their specifications.
Hall Effect switches use a magnetic field for actuation, enabling features like adjustable actuation point (0.02mm to 4.00mm), rapid trigger, and theoretically higher durability and consistency, as described by Varmilo.
No, the Tex Shinobi does not have RGB backlighting according to its metadata.
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