Gaming keyboards have come a long way, and these days, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get something that feels premium and performs like a beast. Enter the Womier M68 HE V2, a budget keyboard that’s been making waves in the gaming community. At first glance, it might look like just another compact keyboard, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a ton of features that make it stand out from the crowd.
What’s the big deal? Well, for starters, it’s packed with Hall Effect magnetic switches, which are usually found in much pricier keyboards. These switches are super smooth and let you tweak things like actuation points and rapid trigger sensitivity—stuff that can give you a real edge in fast-paced games. Add to that an 8,000Hz polling rate (yeah, that’s crazy fast), customizable RGB lighting, and a sleek design, and you’ve got a keyboard that punches way above its weight.
But here’s the kicker: it’s all wrapped up in a package that costs around $60. That’s right—this isn’t one of those “break the bank” gaming peripherals.
Design and Build Quality
The Womier M68 HE V2 sports a 65% layout, which means it’s compact but still keeps the arrow keys and a few extra function keys. This makes it a great middle ground for gamers and typists who want a smaller keyboard but don’t want to sacrifice usability. The layout is clean, with no unnecessary clutter, and the keys are well-spaced, making it easy to adjust to if you’re coming from a full-sized keyboard.
One standout feature is the indicator lights next to the arrow keys. These small LEDs show the status of Caps Lock and Win Lock, which is a nice touch for a keyboard in this price range.
The Womier M68 HE V2 is built with an ABS plastic case, which might make some people raise an eyebrow, especially if they’re used to the heft of aluminum keyboards. But here’s the thing: while it’s plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap. The case has a solid weight to it (around 620 grams), and the construction feels sturdy enough to handle daily use without flexing or creaking. The bottom of the case features a wave design that adds a bit of flair, and the overall finish has a smooth, slightly textured feel that resists fingerprints.
One thing to note is that the case isn’t the thickest out there, which can make the keyboard feel a tad hollow if you’re typing aggressively. However, Womier has done a great job of dampening this with internal foam layers (more on that later), so it doesn’t feel as hollow as some other budget keyboards. If you love the premium feel of metal, this might not be your cup of tea, but for the price, it’s hard to complain.
The keycaps are one of the highlights of the M68 HE V2. They’re Cherry profile, double-shot PBT keycaps, which means they’re durable and have a nice textured feel that resists shine over time. The legends are side-printed, giving the keyboard a clean, minimalist look when the RGB lighting is off. When the lights are on, the keycaps let the RGB shine through beautifully, especially if you go for one of the themed versions like the Kanagawa wave design.
The keycaps are also removable, which is great if you want to swap them out for something more personalized. And since they’re PBT, you won’t have to worry about them wearing out quickly, even with heavy use.
Underneath those keycaps, you’ll find the star of the show: the Womier Jade Green magnetic switches. These are Hall Effect switches, which means they use magnets instead of physical contacts to register keypresses. This makes them incredibly smooth and responsive and allows for some cool customization options, like adjustable actuation points and rapid trigger sensitivity.
The switches are factory-lubed, which means they’re smooth right out of the box, with no scratchiness or inconsistency. They’re also hot-swappable, so if you ever want to try out different switches, you can easily pop these out and replace them with other compatible magnetic switches.
The stabilizers on the M68 HE V2 are plate-mounted and factory-lubed, which is a nice touch for a budget keyboard. They do a decent job of keeping larger keys like the spacebar and shift keys stable, but they’re not perfect. There’s a bit of rattle, especially on the spacebar, which might bother some enthusiasts. That said, it’s nothing a little DIY tuning can’t fix, and for most users, it won’t be a dealbreaker.
The RGB lighting on the M68 HE V2 is south-facing, meaning the LEDs are positioned under the switches and shine through the keycaps. This setup looks great and prevents light bleed, which can be an issue with north-facing LEDs. The lighting is bright enough to be visible in well-lit rooms, but it’s not overly flashy. There are 19 preloaded lighting effects to choose from, and you can customize the brightness, speed, and direction through the web-based software.
While the RGB isn’t the brightest or most vibrant out there, it’s more than enough to add some personality to your setup without being distracting. Plus, the side-printed legends give the lighting a unique look that sets it apart from other keyboards.
The keyboard has a USB-C port for connectivity, which is always a plus in my book. However, the port is located on the right side of the keyboard, which might feel a bit odd if you’re used to having it on the left. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if cable management is a priority for you.
On the bottom, you’ll find four rubber feet that keep the keyboard firmly in place, even during intense gaming sessions. There are also two adjustable feet that let you raise the typing angle to your preference. The feet are sturdy and provide a good grip, so you won’t have to worry about the keyboard sliding around on your desk.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Womier M68 HE V2 build is the internal dampening. Womier has included sound-dampening foam in the bottom case and a layer of EVA foam between the plate and PCB. These layers help reduce the hollow sound that’s common in plastic keyboards and give the typing experience a more solid, premium feel. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in how the keyboard sounds and feels.
Switches and Typing Experience
The switches are where Womier M68 HE V2 truly shines. This isn’t your typical mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX clones or budget linear switches. Instead, Womier has gone all-in with Hall Effect magnetic switches, and let me tell you—they’re a game-changer.
The M68 HE V2 has Womier’s custom Jade Green magnetic switches. These are linear switches, meaning they have a smooth, consistent keystroke with no tactile bump or click. They’re also factory-lubed, so they feel buttery smooth right out of the box. With an actuation force of 37 grams, they’re light enough for fast typing and gaming but not so light that you’ll accidentally press keys all the time.
One thing that stands out about these switches is how quiet they are. Thanks to the magnetic design and the internal dampening foam, the typing experience is surprisingly muted, especially for a linear switch. If you’re used to the loud clack of traditional mechanical keyboards, this might take some getting used to, but it’s a welcome change for anyone who prefers a quieter setup.
Here’s where the Hall Effect switches really set the M68 HE V2 apart. Through the web-based software, you can customize the actuation point of each key. This is the distance the key travels before it registers a press, and you can set it anywhere from 0.1mm to 3.4mm. For gamers, this is a huge deal. Want your keys to register almost instantly? Set the actuation point to 0.1mm. Prefer a deeper press for typing? Crank it up to 2mm or higher. The flexibility here is insane, and it lets you tailor the keyboard to your exact preferences.
But wait, there’s more. The Womier M68 HE V2 also supports Rapid Trigger, a feature that’s becoming increasingly popular in gaming keyboards. With Rapid Trigger, the key doesn’t need to return to its resting position before it can be pressed again. This means you can spam keys faster than ever, which is a huge advantage in fast-paced games like Valorant or Fortnite. You can even adjust the sensitivity of Rapid Trigger, so it’s as responsive or forgiving as you want it to be.
Typing Experience
If you’re using this keyboard for typing, you’re in for a treat. The light actuation force and smooth linear feel make it easy to type on for long periods without fatigue. The Cherry profile keycaps also play a big role here—they’re sculpted to fit your fingers naturally, and the textured PBT material feels great to the touch.
The 65% layout might take some getting used to if you’re coming from a full-sized keyboard, but once you adjust, it’s a joy to use. The compact size means your hands don’t have to travel as far, and the arrow keys are still within easy reach. The only minor downside is the spacebar stabilizer, which has a bit of rattle. It’s not a dealbreaker, but you might want to tweak it if you’re picky about sound.
Sound Test
Let’s talk about the sound. Thanks to the internal dampening foam and the magnetic switches, the M68 HE V2 has a deep, thocky sound profile that’s surprisingly satisfying. It’s not as loud or clacky as some mechanical keyboards, but it’s not completely silent either. The spacebar is the only key that sounds a bit off due to the stabilizer rattle, but overall, the typing experience is quiet and pleasant.
If you’re someone who loves the sound of a keyboard, you’ll appreciate the effort Womier has put into making this one sound good. It’s not quite at the level of a custom-built keyboard, but for a pre-built model at this price, it’s impressive.
Another great feature of the Womier M68 HE V2 is that the switches are hot-swappable. This means you can easily pop out the Jade Green switches and replace them with other compatible magnetic switches if you want to try something different. While the stock switches are great, it’s nice to have the option to customize your keyboard even further down the line.
Performance and Features
The Womier M68 HE V2 is packed with features that you’d typically find in much more expensive models, and it delivers a level of performance that’s hard to beat at this price point. One of the biggest selling points of the M68 HE V2 is its 8,000Hz polling rate. For those who aren’t familiar, polling rate refers to how often the keyboard reports its input to your computer. Most standard keyboards have a polling rate of 1,000Hz, which means they report input every 1 millisecond. The M68 HE V2, on the other hand, reports input eight times faster, at 0.125 milliseconds.
What does this mean for you? In simple terms, it means ultra-low latency and a super responsive experience. For gamers, this is a huge advantage, especially in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts.
Web-Based Software
The M68 HE V2 comes with a web-based software that’s surprisingly robust for a budget keyboard. You don’t need to download or install anything—just plug in the keyboard, open the software in your browser, and you’re good to go. Here’s what you can do with it:
- Key Remapping: Want to change what a key does? No problem. You can remap any key on the keyboard to suit your needs.
- RGB Customization: The keyboard comes with 19 preloaded lighting effects, but you can tweak the brightness, speed, and direction to create your own custom lighting setup.
- Macro Creation: Need to execute complex commands with a single keypress? The software lets you create and assign macros easily.
- Firmware Updates: Womier regularly updates the firmware, and the software makes it easy to keep your keyboard up to date.
The software is intuitive and user-friendly, which is a big plus for a keyboard in this price range. It’s not as feature-rich as some premium options, but it covers all the basics and then some.
SOCD Cleaning
For gamers, the M68 HE V2 includes SOCD (Simultaneous Opposite Cardinal Directions) cleaning, a feature that’s especially useful in fighting games. SOCD cleaning ensures that when you press opposite directions (like left and right) at the same time, the keyboard sends a neutral input instead of conflicting commands. This prevents unintended movements and gives you more control in competitive play.
NKRO (N-Key Rollover)
The M68 HE V2 supports N-Key Rollover, which means it can register every keypress simultaneously, no matter how many keys you’re pressing at once. This is crucial for gaming, where complex key combinations are common.
Gaming Performance
In real-world gaming, the M68 HE V2 performs like a champ. The 8,000Hz polling rate and ultra-low latency make every input feel instantaneous, and the customizable actuation points let you fine-tune the keyboard to your playstyle. I tested the keyboard in Valorant and Marvel Rivals, and the experience was buttery smooth. The Rapid Trigger feature was particularly impressive, allowing me to spam keys faster than I ever could with a traditional mechanical keyboard. The SOCD cleaning also came in handy during intense moments, ensuring that my inputs were always accurate.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Affordable price for a Hall Effect keyboard
- High polling rate and low latency
- Customizable actuation points and rapid trigger
- Sound dampening and foam layers for improved acoustics
- Web-based driver for easy customization
- Cons:
- Plastic case feels less premium
- RGB lighting could be brighter
- Some stabilizers may require additional tuning
- USB-C port placement may be inconvenient for some users
Final Thoughts
Let’s cut to the chase: the Womier M68 HE V2 is an absolute steal at around $60. When you consider the features it packs—Hall Effect switches, 8,000Hz polling rate, Rapid Trigger, SOCD cleaning, and a web-based software—it’s hard to believe this keyboard is so affordable. These are features you’d typically find in keyboards that cost two or three times as much, and yet, Womier has managed to deliver them in a budget-friendly package.
Sure, there are a few compromises, like the plastic case and the slightly rattly spacebar stabilizer, but these are minor trade-offs when you look at the bigger picture. For gamers and typists on a budget, the M68 HE V2 offers an incredible value proposition. It’s not just a good keyboard for the price—it’s a great keyboard, period.
That said, if you’re someone who prioritizes premium build quality (like an aluminum case) or needs a full-sized keyboard with a numpad, this might not be the best fit for you. But for most people, especially those looking for a compact, high-performance keyboard, the M68 HE V2 is hard to beat.