Neo65 Sonic HE+ Review: There is no other 65% Hall Effect board better than this
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Quick take
Qwertykeys built a compact Hall Effect 65 that looks and feels like a boutique custom, ships with clean stabilizers, uses box-stem Nova switches for rock solid stability, and runs simple software that still delivers the essentials. The price is the plot twist. One hundred twenty five dollars. The only misses are no per key RGB and a quirky ALT legend. Everything else punches well above the class.
What is in the box
- Travel case sized for a 65%
- Braided USB-C cable
- Standard keycap and switch pullers
- Powered keycap puller
- Extra switches
- Warranty and quick start card
Nothing gimmicky, just useful tools. You can unbox, plug in, and type. No day one surgery required.
Build and finish
The Neo65 Sonic HE+ looks like it came off a small batch custom line. Clean chamfers, even anodization, and a handsome weighted back plate that belongs in the two to three hundred dollar tier. The footprint is compact but the mass is right, so the board sits planted and resists desk buzz. The surface shrugs off fingerprints. Pick it up and you feel confidence, set it down and you hear confidence.
Switches: Nova box-stem Hall Effect
Qwertykeys’ Nova Hall switches use a box stem. That choice matters. Lateral wobble is low, which keeps aim steady on repeated taps and directional switches. The housings feel tight, travel is consistent, and there is no mystery friction. Compared to traditional stems on some competitors, this feels locked in without sounding stiff. Out of the box, the experience is ready for both typing and gaming.
Stabilizers and factory tuning
The spacebar test decides most boards. This one passes. The stabilizers arrive evenly lubed and aligned. No tick, no loose rattle, no panic. Large keys land with a controlled, full note that does not need band-aids or emergency grease sessions.
Software: simple where it should be
The Qwertykeys app recognizes the board quickly and presents four profile slots that are easy to manage. You get:
- Lighting modes that include solids, gradients, dynamic patterns, reactives, and a heat map
- Core Hall Effect tools: DKS, SOCD, MT, TGL
- Key remapping and basic macro coverage
- Fast firmware and settings access
The layout is clean. You can set the board up in minutes and remember where everything lives. If this is your first Hall Effect keyboard, you will not feel lost.
Gaming notes
- Rapid trigger behavior feels snappy and predictable
- Box-stem stability helps A-D strafes and rhythm taps
- Low latency feel from actuation through reset
- SOCD and DKS are simple to configure so you can build repeatable inputs without a rabbit hole of menus
If you have been waiting for a 65 that behaves like a competitive tool without sounding like one, this is it.
Typing and acoustics
Out of the box the Neo65 Sonic HE+ sounds controlled and confident. No hollow shell, no metallic ping. Bottom out is firm but not harsh. Return is clean. The combination of chassis weight, plate choice, and internal damping gives a full note that reads custom adjacent rather than budget prebuilt.
Lighting
You get tasteful effects and reactives that are easy to tune. You do not get per key RGB. If you theme boards for holidays and color code layers, you will notice. If your priority is sound and feel, you will not miss it after a day.
Layout and compatibility
- 65% layout with arrows and a compact nav cluster
- Hot-swappable Hall Effect sockets for Nova switches
- USB-C wired
- Works on macOS and Windows with easy layer swapping
Price and value
At $125, this undercuts a lot of options that do not ship with this balance of build, tuning, and software. The value story is simple. It sounds like a board you had to work on, without the work.
Compared to others
Wooting 60HE or 80-series
Wootility remains very deep for power users. The Neo65 Sonic HE+ aims for a different win. It feels and sounds dialed on day one and the software is straightforward. If you want the deepest macro logic and custom actuation maps, go Wooting. If you want a 65 that already sounds right and still covers the HE essentials, go Neo65 Sonic HE+.
Hex80 HE
The Hex80 gives you a TKL canvas and a different vibe on the desk. For compact setups, the Neo65 Sonic HE+ keeps most of that custom feel in a smaller footprint and a much lower price.
Budget sub-$50 HE boards
The budget tier can be fun to tinker with, but you will fight case hollowness, loose stabs, and inconsistent software. The Neo65 Sonic HE+ skips all three fights.
Who should buy this
- New to Hall Effect and want a first board that feels premium
- 65% fans who want a daily driver with clean acoustics
- Gamers who want stability and repeatable inputs without a setup course
- Creators and typists who want a quiet, confident desk sound
Who should skip it
- You require per key RGB for color coded layers and themes
- You need a dedicated function row or a numpad
- You want the deepest possible software stack for niche automation
Pros
- Aluminum chassis with a stylish weighted back plate
- Nova box-stem Hall switches with excellent stability
- Stabilizers arrive properly lubed and quiet
- Straightforward software with four profiles and core HE tools
- Clean, full acoustics without mods
- Price that makes no sense in the best way
Cons
- No per key RGB
- ALT legend looks odd (AIT) and should be corrected in future runs
Verdict
The Neo65 Sonic HE+ nails the balance that most people actually want. Custom-leaning sound and feel. Gamer-ready stability. Beginner-friendly software. A price that reads like a typo. Fix the legends and add per key RGB in a future revision and it becomes the default 65% Hall Effect recommendation. Even right now, it is the one I tell people to buy.
FAQ
Does it need mods to sound good
No. The tuning out of the box is clean, especially on the large keys.
Can I game competitively on it
Yes. Rapid trigger behavior is predictable and the box stem design helps with repeated inputs.
Is there wireless
No. This model is USB-C wired.
Mac friendly
Yes. Layer swaps and modifier positions are easy to set.
Can I change actuation points
Yes. The software covers actuation behavior alongside DKS, SOCD, MT, and TGL.
