Lemokey L1 HE review | Macworld

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US$239.99

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If Apple's Magic Keyboard isn't quite right for you, then branching out into the world of mechanical keyboards is often a good choice. Lemokey L1 HE is a premium option with a price tag to match, but it's chock full of high-end features that promise to improve your typing experience.

Let's start with the aspect that is most obvious when you first unbox this keyboard: its phenomenal weight. It's built like a tank, with an all-aluminum chassis and a barely noticeable strip of plastic. It weighs just over 2kg (just under 4.5lbs), and chances are it's the heaviest keyboard you'll ever use. There's no need to worry about it moving around your desk during everyday use – it will stay in place no matter what.

Alex Blake / Foundry

Not only that, but the extra weight gives the L1 HE a real sense of class. There are absolutely no bends or bends in the body, no matter where you look. In fact, he's so strong that he could probably survive a nuclear blast and still smile.

Battery life is decent. When tested in Bluetooth 5.2 mode and with the backlight at full brightness, the battery level was 60 percent after 20 hours of use. Lemokei claims you should get up to 100 hours of battery life from the 4,000mAh battery when the backlight is at its lowest setting, or 18 to 20 hours when the backlight is full. Considering our 40 percent drop after 20 hours with all the lights on, you might be able to beat Lemoka's numbers. While RGB lighting isn't for everyone, the default wave pattern looks sleek. With 22 presets to choose from, you're sure to find something you like.

Alex Blake/Lemokey

The L1 HE has a 75 percent layout, which essentially cuts off the numeric keypad and loses a handful of bonus keys for added convenience. It offers standard QWERTY keys and a range of functions, plus a few additional functions (Delete, Paste, Page Up, Page Down, Home, but no end). This makes the keyboard more compact and travel-friendly, although this is somewhat offset by the addition of four large macro keys and, most obviously, incredible weight.

Lemokey is a sub-brand of keyboard maker Keychron aimed at gamers, and the firm has always been good at making sure its keyboards work with both macOS and Windows layouts. The Lemokey L1 HE comes with replacement keycaps for macOS and Windows (as well as a host of extras, including a keycap remover, screws and driver, a USB-C to USB-A adapter, and more), as well as the ability to change the layout on the fly so, for example, a macOS command function is automatically mapped to the correct key. Many Keychron boards have a physical switch for this, but unfortunately the L1 HE forces you to do this using the Lemokey Launcher app. This slows things down, and a physical switch would be preferable if you frequently switch between macOS and Windows.

Alex Blake / Foundry

On the left side of the keyboard are four programmable macro keys, which can be customized using the companion app Lemokey Launcher (more on that in a moment). Above them is a customizable roller (set by default to adjust system volume) and a rocker switch to switch between Bluetooth, wired and 2.4GHz modes. The roller is textured and durable, if a little heavy to operate, and the rocker switch has a nice clicky feel when in use.

Lemokey did something interesting with the keycaps on the L1 HE, taking two different approaches. You get double PBT keycaps for most keys, and the accents (like the Enter, Backspace, Shift, and Caps Lock keys) are made of clear polycarbonate plastic. The end result was controversial and, of course, not everyone will like it. While the PBT keycaps are lightly textured and resistant to finger oils, the clear keycaps pick up (and hold) smudges incredibly easily. They also feature bright, “gamer” patterns that don't quite match Apple's aesthetic (luckily, Lemokey offers a few other color options). And since their lettering is printed (unlike PBT keycaps, which have the lettering molded into the keys), they will wear out over time.

The sound and feel of typing

Typing feel is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a keyboard. If it's awkward to use, it won't last long on your desk. Unfortunately, this keyboard lacks any height adjustment, which resulted in some discomfort after just a short amount of typing. I got used to it over time, but the lack of height adjustment means its ergonomics aren't up to par. Presumably the device is too heavy for retractable legs, but perhaps some other option is possible (competing products use stackable magnets, for example). The lack of a wrist rest is also a bit disappointing, especially considering the sky-high price.

However, in many other ways the Lemokey L1 HE is excellent for printing. My review unit came with Gateron's Nebula switches under each key. Their linear nature means there's no tactile bump or click when they're activated, which is ideal for gaming (where quick keystrokes are required) but can lead to finger strain from key “pressing” if you're typing all day. Luckily, this wasn't an issue in testing, and while typists may prefer tactile switches, Nebula's linear switches are still a good choice.

Alex Blake / Foundry

These switches are pre-lubricated for a smoother operation and also feature Magnetic Hall Effect technology as opposed to the more traditional design of mechanical switches. This means that they use an electromagnetic field to trigger each time a key is pressed. Because this avoids physical contact, they should last much longer than standard alternatives. Their magnetic nature also means you can adjust the actuation point to your liking, meaning you can type with as little or as much pressure as you like.

If the switches don't do this for you, you can remove them and replace them with something else. However, Lemokei says you will need to use compatible magnetic Hall effect switches.

Any keyboard aficionado knows that the sound of a board is almost as important as its feel, and this is where the Lemokey L1 HE comes up trumps again. It makes a husky sound that is deeply satisfying when you speak sentences at a fast pace. This is partly thanks to the multiple layers of foam and sound-absorbing materials that reduce vibration when typing. It's worth noting that the Spacebar makes a slightly different sound than other keys, which may or may not be a problem for you.

While the Lemokey L1 HE is a great device for typists, it also comes with features that appeal to gamers. This includes a Quick Start mode that fires repeatedly without having to fully release each key, a Snap Click feature that lets you quickly alternate between two keys, an Analog mode that provides granular control rather than binary on/off states, and more. You can even program the keys to perform different tasks depending on how hard you press them. And if you use the board in wired or 2.4GHz mode, you get a 1000Hz polling rate, which allows for low-latency movements that can give you an edge while gaming. As macOS increasingly becomes a serious gaming destination, these features are worth having.

Many of these add-ons need to be activated using Lemokey Launcher, which is a web application rather than a standalone program. You can run it on both MacOS and Windows, and it provides a fairly intuitive way to customize your keyboard. While some of the features could be a little clearer, it's a relatively painless way to create macros, enable game tools, remap keys, and more.

If you want a premium mechanical keyboard that can barely take a beating, the Lemokey L1 HE is a worthy contender. Comfortable switches, high-quality features, and a host of quality features make it a top-notch option for discerning typists. But be prepared to pay for this privilege.

Is it worth buying Lemokey L1 HE?

At $240, the Lemokey L1 HE isn't an impulse buy for most people. However, it's loaded with high-end features that will benefit typists and gamers alike, from hot-swappable Hall effect switches and smooth acoustics to massive customization options and compatibility with MacOS and Windows layouts. If you're looking for a premium keyboard that doesn't limit your options, this should be on your list.