Lemokey has truly captured my attention with its P1 HE keyboard, offering a range of features and customization options that are hard to find in a keyboard priced at just $170. With Hall-effect switches, impressive acoustics, and a sturdy aluminum chassis, it’s rare to see these qualities in a sub-$200 keyboard. As a result, the P1 HE has become my go-to keyboard. I was thrilled to get my hands on Lemokey’s upcoming Hall-effect keyboard, the L5 HE 8K, priced at $210. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Lemokey plans to ship these to backers in May. Those backing the campaign can snag a unit for $199, but its retail tag will be set at $210.
At first glance, the L5 HE could easily be mistaken for its predecessor, the P1 HE, which I’ve been using. The L5 HE sports a similar 75% layout and shares features like Hall-effect switches and a detachable USB-C connection with the P1. However, the standout feature—and the reason for its heftier price—is the L5 HE’s whopping 8,000 Hz polling rate, a significant leap from the P1’s 1,000 Hz rate and surpassing most keyboards on the market.
Theoretically, a higher polling rate allows for quicker input registration and reduced response time, which sounds great! Yet, when I pit the L5 against the P1 in performance tests, the difference wasn’t noticeable to me. Moreover, the L5 HE’s impressive 8K polling rate is only available in wired mode, making it less appealing for users who cherish P1 HE’s wireless features.
The L5 HE also comes with some minor cosmetic tweaks, although I wouldn’t call them enhancements. For instance, there’s an RGB light strip integrated into the base and the modifier keys come with some non-standard keycaps.
Daily use of the L5 HE feels almost identical to the P1 HE. It uses the same web-based configuration software, allowing you to tweak inputs, adjust switch actuation points, and modify RGB lighting. You can also dial down the polling rate if you so choose, though I can’t imagine why you’d want to.
Much like the P1 HE, the L5 HE’s internal components are fairly easy to tweak. Just six small screws hold the board together, and there’s no need to remove switches for minor PCB adjustments. While the L5 HE’s acoustics are decent, I personally feel that the P1 HE has a more pleasing sound right out of the box.
Lemokey has included several silicone dampeners with the L5 HE, letting you alter the keyboard’s acoustics. However, this task is quite tedious since the dampeners are tiny and positioned in tricky spots on the PCB. Although I’m glad for the option, it’s a frustrating process, and I wish Lemokey had refined the out-of-the-box sound.
My main gripe with the L5 HE 8K is its strong resemblance to the P1 HE. The steeper price tag doesn’t seem entirely justified. In fact, it makes the P1 HE look more attractive, boasting Hall-effect switches and extensive hardware customization at a lower cost, plus Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless options. While the aesthetic tweaks and higher polling rate might appeal to some, the $30 premium for these questionable upgrades isn’t something I can support.
