2.5 Hall Effect

And if we wandered off into the contactless switch category then Hall Effect switches merit some investigation. These are also called unipolar sensors – detecting the presence or absence of a magnetic field as compared to a predefined threshold for magnetic flux. When a magnetic field is detected the switch closes and yields a letter on the screen. When the magnetic field is removed the switch turns off (opens).

As a result keyboards featuring Hall Effect switches are customisable to a degree we simply cannot touch with classic mechanical switches. Setting the height of actuation and sensitivity individually per switch and this only by software means is something truly special. At the same time servicing such a keyboard becomes incredibly complicated as there are no loose Hall Effect switches available for purchase. Steelseries Apex Pro is one of the few keyboards featuring Hall Effect switches and it does not do so with all its keys – it is just the alphas – so the F-keys, the nav cluster, and the numpad use Gateron Red switches.

The greatest advantage Hall Effect switches hold over other mechanical switches is for the people who prefer the smoothest switch in the world without any effort involved. Becuse HE switches are contactless they are some of the smoothest switches in the world straight from the box and no other MX switch can even come close even when adequately lubricated.

The greatest disadvantage is that these keyboards are entirely dependent on the software from the manufacturer. If it’s decent then great! If it isn’t, then it is up to you to decide whether or not to go for such a keyboard.