INSANE VALUE | Neo65 Sonic He+ Review
If you’re familiar with QwertyKeys, you’ll know their reputation for producing high-quality mechanical keyboards at competitive prices. Now, they’ve entered the Hall Effect space with the Neo65 Sonic He+, a 65% Hall Effect keyboard that comes in at just $115. Available in six colors, this board combines premium build quality with a surprisingly refined software experience, making it a strong contender in the Hall Effect market.
Brand Background
QwertyKeys have built a strong name for themselves by delivering outstanding quality at lower price points than much of their competition. They also stand out for their fast fulfillment times, unlike many other brands that rely on long group buys or pre-orders. On top of that, they offer extensive customization options and back their products with a one-year functionality warranty. For the Sonic He+, fulfillment is expected in around two weeks, as the only customization option is case color.
Unboxing and Build Quality
The keyboard ships in a high-quality carrying case with a handle and protective foam. Inside, you’ll find a warranty card, four extra switches, a keycap and switch puller, and a braided USB-A to USB-C cable.
The board itself features a full CNC aluminum case with smooth anodization and a brass weight. At $115, the build quality is impressive—solid, heavy, and premium in feel.
The Neo65 Sonic He+ sports a 65% layout with a blocker, a design many enthusiasts prefer. Stabilizers are tuned to perfection, free of rattle or sticking. The translucent keycaps allow RGB lighting to shine through, though their texture and printed legends may take a little getting used to.
Switches and Typing Experience
The included Hall Effect switches are lightweight and well-suited for gaming. They feature box stems, minimal wobble, and long 20mm springs that create a smooth, bouncy return.
Typing feels crisp and snappy, especially when paired with SOCD settings or rapid-trigger gaming profiles. The sound profile, however, leans bright and slightly rattly due to the switches—something to keep in mind if acoustics are a priority.
Internal Design and Mounting
The Sonic He+ uses a friction-fit module with a ribbon cable connecting the PCB to the daughterboard for the USB-C port. The internal structure features gasket mounting with rubber supports, plate foam, and a carbon fiber plate that offers a balance of stiffness and bounce.
Additional case foam reduces residual pinging, though the internal design remains fairly simple overall. The result is a typing feel superior to stiff steel-plate builds, offering a bit of bounce and comfort.
Software and Features
Software can make or break a Hall Effect keyboard, and the Sonic He+ impresses here. The driver is intuitive and functional, allowing for easy setup of actuation points, dead zones, and rapid trigger functionality. A live actuation feed makes tuning straightforward.
Profiles can be switched on the keyboard itself using function + Q/W/E, with LED indicators to show which profile is active. Macros and full key remapping are supported, including ISO-friendly binds like NUHS and NUBS, which many brands overlook.
While the lack of profile duplication or function layer linking is a minor inconvenience, the software overall is strong and flexible. RGB customization is also included, though the real strength lies in the performance tuning options.
Performance
On paper, the Sonic He+ supports 8K polling, 0.01mm sensitivity, and a 0.125ms response time under optimal conditions. While no in-depth scientific testing was performed here, the board felt consistently fast and responsive in practice, comparable to higher-priced Hall Effect boards like the Wooting 80HE.
Conclusion
At $115, the Neo65 Sonic He+ delivers exceptional value. With its CNC aluminum build, gasket mounting, quality switches, and robust software, it stands as one of the most compelling Hall Effect keyboards in its price range.
If you already own a Hall Effect board and are satisfied with it, upgrading may not be necessary. However, if you’re new to Hall Effect keyboards and want an affordable yet premium-feeling entry point, the Sonic He+ is hard to beat. For gamers who prioritize responsiveness and customization, this board should be at the top of your list.
