Easily the best mechanical keyboard for a competitive advantage

In the last few years, we’ve seen a resurgence of mechanical keyboards from the ‘80s, mostly in high-utility environments, often popularized by gamers. Although their appeal is gaining now, our favorite mechanical keyboards use slightly modernized internals but the same operating principles from the tech of yore. Hall effect key switches benefit from the affordability mass production brings, making the technology way more accessible than it was back in the day.

The Wooting 60HE+ is the newest, improved version of the Dutch brand’s Hall effect keyboard. I spent over a month using it in every imaginable application to determine if this is just for gamers or if you should buy into the hype, too. After all, this is at the pricier end of 60% sized keyboards with all-plastic construction.

Pricing, availability, and variants

Plenty to choose from

The Wooting 60HE is sold only on the company’s website. There, you can choose between a $175 fully assembled model like the one we tested or a $140 Module you can pair with your own key switches, keycaps, and a custom case. Wooting’s own Alumaze60 aluminum case for the module costs $90 and ships in an assortment of anodized finishes.

Wooting offers Module buyers a choice between 45g and 60g spring weights in Gateron-made Lekker hall effect switches, with a pack retailing for $20 each. Black PBT keycaps with doubleshot white legends come standard with the pre-built version, but you can add a white set for $30 extra or the yellow dye-sublimated set featured in this review for $50. The dye-sublimated set comes in a variety of colorways, but we suggest sticking to yellow because it pairs best with the included cable, rubber feet, and cosmetic wrist strap.

So, a 60HE+ could set you back anywhere between $175 and $295, excluding sales tax and shipping. At the time of writing, keyboards were available on backorder, so fulfillment might take a while. However, despite being headquartered in the Netherlands, Wooting has warehouses stateside. The company also accepts 30-day returns and offers a four-year warranty on the 60HE+.

What’s good about the Wooting 60HE+?

In a technological league of its own

Wooting ships every pre-built 60HE+ in a neat box with an included dust cover, a cute postcard, two spare Lekker switches, a detachable wrist strap, spare screws, a keycap puller, and a matching braided cable. All the included parts exude quality, even though the keyboard is made entirely of plastic. To fully understand what makes the Wooting special, you’ll need to differentiate magnetic key switches from conventional mechanical key switches.

Magnetic Lekker switches aren’t soldered in

The latter found on boards like the Drop CSTM65 uses a copper leaf inside to convey an ‘on’ state when depressed and an ‘off’ state otherwise, but Gateron Lekker switches in the Wooting have a magnet attached to the bottom of the stem. A Hall effect sensor mounted underneath each switch on the PCB sends a voltage change proportional to the proximity of the magnet to it, giving the switch several ‘on’ states along its 4mm key travel, but with no physical contact points prone to wear.

While mechanical switches usually actuate midway through the downward travel, gamers prefer options like Cherry MX Speed Silver switches, which have a lower actuation and reset distance. Still, with Hall effect keyboards, you can customize the actuation point in 0.1mm increments anywhere between 0.1 and 4mm, all without changing the switch.

Wooting enables customization through proprietary software, Wootility, available on the web and as a program for Windows, ChromeOS, and Mac. It is responsible for delivering firmware updates and accessing everything that sets the 60HE+ apart.

I could set up per-app profiles comprising keymaps, switch actuation distance, switch reset distances, and input latency. All your changes are committed to the 60HE’s onboard memory, so plugging the keyboard into another computer brings your settings along.

Wootility on the web

Together, these settings certainly lend a competitive advantage in FPS shooters and simulator racing titles. For instance, you could press keys lightly to walk and depress them all the way to run or provide gentler, controller-like throttle and brake inputs instead of stomping on them like an on/off switch. I didn’t try playing fast-paced games like Osu, but it’s easy to see how deep hardware customization could benefit gameplay.

Wooting also offers a one-key macro programming utility called Wootimation, which can benefit productivity enthusiasts similarly. All the software was relatively easy to use, even if you’re new to keyboard customization. I loved the concise feature descriptions and the logical categorization of options throughout.

Even otherwise, I found Wooting switches surprisingly smoother than typically acclaimed smooth linear switches like Gateron Oil Kings and Smoothies, making them fantastic options even for typists. Although we can’t test durability in short timeframes, the four-year warranty and lack of physical contacts sound promising for a service life longer than durable mechanical keyboards.

What’s bad about the Wooting 60HE+?

Minor quips and concerns

No flip-out feet under the case

The advantages of mass production have made Hall effect keyboards cheaper to produce, but the Wooting is still at the expensive end of 60% mechanical keyboards. While you get all the desired functionality for the price, I feel the form isn’t quite there yet. Specifically, I wish the plastic case included flip-out feet for an adjustable typing angle like most other keyboards with similar construction. The provided wrist strap is also a cosmetic accessory at best, but it isn’t functional.

The wrist strap is merely cosmetic

Sure, you get cool points for the strap, but practically, magnetic key switches are still a work in progress. Although the lack of soldered connections, or any copper contacts for that matter, makes Lekker switches hot-swappable, tactile and clicky switches aren’t available yet. On the software front, Wootimation and Wootility are both open-source but differ from QMK because Wooting now uses ARM microcontrollers on the 60HE+.

Should you buy the Wooting 60HE+?

This unassuming simpleton is a true ‘sleeper’ 60%

The Wooting 60HE+ is a well-rounded Hall effect keyboard that takes the best features of mechanical keyboards and makes them better. The smaller 60% form factor might deter anyone from using the numpad and nav keys for work, but it is a very popular compact size among gamers because it maximizes room for mouse movement as well. However, Wooting also sells larger keyboards like the 80HE if you’re comfortable forking out extra cash and losing a few compatible case options. Otherwise, we cannot recommend the Wooting 60HE+ enough if you love customizing your compact keyboard.

Hall effect keyboards are an emerging niche in the mechanical keyboard space, but Wooting started it all. Boards from VGN and Keychron are available, and you can check them out before pulling the trigger.