Efficiency with low latency and adjustable actuation distance
In the ongoing refinement of how humans interface with machines, Epomaker has introduced the HE65 V2 TMR — a compact gaming keyboard that replaces Hall effect sensors with tunnel magnetoresistance technology, quietly advancing the conversation about what precision and affordability can coexist in. Revealed during a YouTube livestream in June 2026, the board represents a methodical push by the company to bring next-generation magnetic sensing to a broader audience. It is a small object with a considered philosophy: that serious performance need not demand serious sacrifice.
- The competitive gaming keyboard market is being quietly disrupted as TMR technology promises greater efficiency than the Hall effect sensors that have long defined magnetic switch performance.
- Epomaker revealed the HE65 V2 TMR via livestream without a product page or pricing, leaving enthusiasts in a state of informed anticipation.
- The 65% form factor forces a deliberate trade-off — shedding the function row and numpad while preserving arrow keys, a navigation column, and a programmable knob that many compact users consider non-negotiable.
- Two visual identities — an opaque black and a fully transparent white with UV-printed legends — signal that Epomaker is courting both the performance-focused and the aesthetically driven corners of the enthusiast community.
- Triple connectivity and a 4,000 mAh battery position the board as a versatile daily driver, while N-pole switch compatibility opens the door to user customization beyond what ships in the box.
Epomaker has revealed the HE65 V2 TMR, a compact gaming keyboard that trades Hall effect sensors for tunnel magnetoresistance technology — a quieter but meaningful upgrade that preserves low latency and adjustable actuation while operating with greater efficiency. The announcement came through a YouTube livestream, framing the board as a follow-up to the recently updated HE75 V2 and suggesting a deliberate rollout of TMR across Epomaker's lineup.
The keyboard occupies the 65% form factor, trimming away the function row and number pad while keeping dedicated arrow keys, a three-key navigation column, and a programmable knob to the right of the main typing area. It's a compromise designed for those who want a smaller desk presence without losing the keys they actually reach for.
Two colorways define the board's personality. The black version uses opaque keycaps with south-facing RGB bleeding through underneath, while the white version goes fully transparent — UV-printed legends on see-through keycaps for a more dramatic effect. Both use Cherry profile keycaps and a plastic case that includes flip-out feet and a dongle storage slot beside the power switch.
Connectivity spans 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired, backed by a 4,000 mAh battery. The included Creamy Jade Magnetic switches offer 3.5 mm of travel and N-pole compatibility, meaning users can swap in alternatives like the TTC KOM or Wooting Lekker Tikken. Pricing has not yet been announced, but Epomaker is positioning the HE65 V2 TMR as an affordable entry into the TMR space — a board built on the premise that compact size and sensor performance no longer have to be mutually exclusive.
Epomaker has taken another step into the magnetic keyboard market with the HE65 V2 TMR, a compact gaming board that swaps out Hall effect sensors for tunnel magnetoresistance technology. The company revealed the keyboard during a YouTube livestream, showing off a machine that aims to bring high-end sensor performance to a smaller, more affordable package.
The shift from Hall effect to TMR is the headline upgrade. TMR sensors operate with greater efficiency than their Hall effect predecessors while preserving the features that made magnetic keyboards appealing in the first place: low latency, the ability to adjust how far down you need to press before a keystroke registers, and analogue input that lets you vary how hard you press. For competitive gamers, that combination matters. The HE65 V2 TMR arrives as a follow-up to Epomaker's recently updated HE75 V2, suggesting the company is methodically rolling out this newer sensor technology across its lineup.
The keyboard itself is a 65% form factor, which means it ditches the function row, the full navigation cluster, and the number pad to create a more compact footprint. What remains is a dedicated set of arrow keys, a three-key navigation column, and a programmable knob positioned to the right of the main typing area. For people who want a smaller desk footprint without sacrificing too much functionality, that's a meaningful compromise.
Epomaker is offering the HE65 V2 TMR in two distinct visual flavors. The black version uses opaque keycaps that still allow light to bleed through from the south-facing RGB backlighting underneath. The white version takes a different approach: completely transparent keycaps with lettering applied via UV printing, creating a more dramatic see-through aesthetic. Both use Cherry profile keycaps, a standard shape that feels familiar to most mechanical keyboard users. The case itself is plastic, a choice that allowed Epomaker to include practical touches like flip-out feet in two positions and a dedicated storage slot for the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle positioned right next to the power switch.
Connectivity comes in three flavors. You can use the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle for low-latency gaming, pair it via Bluetooth for general use, or plug in a USB-C cable for a wired connection. A built-in 4,000 mAh battery powers the wireless modes. The keyboard ships with Epomaker's Creamy Jade Magnetic switches, which feature 3.5 millimeters of total travel, an initial actuation force of 30 grams-force, and a bottom-out force of 55 grams-force. These are N-pole magnetic switches, which means they're compatible with other popular magnetic switch designs like the TTC KOM and Wooting Lekker Tikken, giving users flexibility if they want to swap in different switches down the line. The switches themselves use a POM stem, a polycarbonate top housing, and a polyamide bottom housing.
As of the livestream reveal, Epomaker has not published an official product page or announced pricing. The company is positioning this as a budget-friendly entry into the TMR keyboard space, though exact costs remain unknown. What's clear is that Epomaker is betting that gamers and keyboard enthusiasts will find value in a smaller, wireless-capable board that doesn't force them to choose between compact size and sensor performance.
Notable Quotes
TMR technology offers improved efficiency over Hall effect while maintaining low latency and adjustable actuation distance— Epomaker product specifications
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does TMR matter more than Hall effect if both give you low latency?
Efficiency. Hall effect sensors work, but they draw more power and generate more heat. TMR does the same job with less energy, which matters when you're running on battery. For a wireless keyboard, that's the real win.
So this is cheaper than the HE75 V2?
That's the bet. The 65% form factor costs less to manufacture than a full-size board, and plastic cases are less expensive than aluminum. Epomaker seems to be using those savings to keep the price down while keeping the sensor tech.
The translucent keycaps on the white version—is that just aesthetic, or does it change how the keyboard feels?
Just aesthetic. The keycaps are the same Cherry profile shape either way. The clear ones let you see the switch mechanism underneath, which some people love. Others find it distracting. It's a visual choice, not a functional one.
Can you actually use this for gaming with the compact layout?
Absolutely. You've got dedicated arrow keys and a navigation column, so you're not hunting for them. The programmable knob gives you quick access to volume or game settings. It's smaller than a full board, but it's not stripped down.
What about switch compatibility—does that N-pole thing actually matter?
It matters if you want to customize. You can drop in TTC KOM switches or Wooting Lekker Tikken switches without any issues. It opens up options beyond what Epomaker ships it with, which appeals to people who like to tinker.
Is 4,000 mAh enough battery for actual use?
For a keyboard, yes. You're not powering a display or a processor. A 4,000 mAh battery in a keyboard typically lasts weeks between charges, depending on RGB usage. If you leave the lights on all the time, it'll be shorter. If you keep them off, you're looking at a month or more.