The Wooting 80HE stands out above the competition (albeit for quite a bit), thanks to brilliant software, nice switches and a good appearance.
Joël’s Wooting 80HE review examines whether the hype surrounding Wooting is well-founded.
The best gaming keyboards come from the Netherlands. ‘Our’ Wooting single-handedly started a revolution in gaming keyboards with the introduction of magnetic (‘Hall Effect’) switches. These switches measure in mm how far you press a key, so you can use them either as a controller joystick or as a key with much faster (de)activation. After Wooting’s full keyboard, the Two HE, the (60%) 60HE followed. Since then, Wooting’s X account has been flooded with the question: ‘TKL (85%), when?’. So now, pretty much. The Wooting 80HE does not have the standard TKL format, but it is an attractive keyboard with excellent functionalities, although it does have a hefty premium price tag.
The 80HE is the most beautiful girl in the class. The excellent shapes are immediately noticeable at first impression. For example, there is an arc at the front of the keyboard, which becomes thicker towards the sides. It’s a look that is more reminiscent of a sports car than the usual ‘sci-fi gamer’ products. The compact form factor is also a relief compared to a full-size keyboard, especially when using a large mouse pad. With your hands a little closer together, quick, short mouse movements feel a little more natural. You determine the height of the keyboard with the supplied click-in rubbers – a somewhat more robust solution than the standard plastic feet. The only loss is a separate volume wheel, although the 80HE has media buttons and volume control via an FN key combination. In general, the 80HE has a stylish, timeless appearance.
There are several versions of the 80HE available, with price, modularity and housing quality leaving something to be desired. This way – unlike previous Wooting keyboards – you are stuck with Wooting’s housings for the module. This is a disadvantage for the 80HE, because this is not a common TKL format and, moreover, those housings are somewhat flawed. For example, the PCR plastic housing feels cheap and flexible, and according to other users, the white ‘Zinc Alloy’ housing scratches easily. This review is about the plastic version, which costs 220 euros. The Zinc version costs 100 euros more, while the wrist rest is sold separately for an additional 32.99 euros. Bottom line, the 80HE has a hefty price tag, which is not immediately reflected in the quality of the housings.
The 80HE’s RGB solution is strikingly impressive. The ‘double-shot PBT’ keycaps let in a nice amount of light, but the white bottom plate steals the show here. This gives each key its own halo effect. The result is a sublime RGB performance. The pre-programmed profiles are also excellent. Take, for example, the standard type profile ‘Seawave’. That profile gives your keyboard the colors of a tropical wave, starting in dark blue and ending in turquoise. On top of that you have two extra layers, which first make pressed keys yellow and then mute them via white. Sexy.
You can set your keyboard settings via Wootility, which is the gold standard in peripheral software. Wootility does not show you any advertisements, is extensive, clear and can be operated entirely via your web browser. You can also save all settings directly in the keyboard. You can also set your function key combinations here, because despite the lack of a volume wheel, the 80HE does have media buttons and volume control. You operate this as standard via the FN key, in combination with the buttons at the top right. The RGB illuminates these buttons extra when you press FN. Wooting is light years ahead of the competition in terms of software.
Wooting was the original pioneer in magnetic switches and, through the 80HE, offers the most extensive functionality you can expect – and more. This is how you set the ‘usual suspects’ (such as (de)activation) per key. Furthermore, a single key can have multiple functions. For example, pressing briefly does something different than pressing long. You will also find an implementation of the controversial SOCD rules on the 80HE. SOCD counteracts the moment of standing still when pressing two direction keys (for example A and D). Wooting’s SOCD gives you (ugh) ‘Rappy Snappy’, where only your last directional key pressed counts, or (double ugh) ‘Snappy Tappy’, where the furthest key pressed determines the direction. Some of the above options give you such an advantage in fast-paced multiplayer FPS games that they are even banned (for example, in Counter-Strike 2). In that respect, no keyboard is as complete as the 80HE.
Finally, the 80HE is equipped with Wooting’s new ‘Lekker V2’ switches and they feel great. Specifically, my version has the ‘Linear 60’ switches, which are supplied with some lubricant from the factory. Unlike other magnetic switches, these have almost no directional play and therefore feel very solid. The 80HE also has a ‘gasket mount’, a gasket between the top and bottom plate that dampens key presses. This provides a noticeably less dull typing experience. Furthermore, the stabilizers are positive, which ensure even less rattling on the large keys. All of the above in the plastic version feels very premium and muted, although for a little more feedback you’re better off with the Zinc version.
The Wooting 80HE is a phenomenal keyboard, and yet it falls just short of the coveted ‘Essential’ badge. Ultimately, in addition to some nonsense, this keyboard is considerably more expensive than any other magnetic keyboard, while the quality of the housing does not seem to be worth the price. However, is the Wooting 80HE the best gaming keyboard on the market? Of course. The 80HE is a true eye-catcher, with timeless shapes and attractive RGB. Add to that the great software, inexhaustible functionality, premium switches and the 80HE is a real pleasure to game on. The best gaming keyboards come from the Netherlands.
Update after writing: Wooting has paused delivery of the white ‘Zinc Alloy’ version. Customers with a white Zinc order get the choice between waiting a little longer for a new version, or a 40 euro discount.