Lemokey L5 HE 8K: Missing Some Key Elements of the P1 HE

I found myself truly impressed by Lemokey’s P1 HE keyboard, a standout contender in its price range with features and customization options that are tough to beat at $170. It boasts Hall-effect switches, fantastic acoustics, and a sturdy aluminum chassis—all rare treats in a keyboard costing under $200. The P1 HE swiftly became my go-to keyboard, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on another one of Lemokey’s innovations, their much-anticipated L5 HE 8K model, priced at $210. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Lemokey plans to start shipping to backers in May, where they can score it for a slightly reduced price at $199, before it hits retail at $210.

At first glance, the L5 HE could easily be mistaken for the P1 HE that I’ve come to rely on daily. It sports the same 75% layout and comes fitted with Hall-effect switches along with a detachable USB-C connection, mirroring the P1 HE. But when you dig deeper, there’s a notable upgrade in the L5 HE—its 8,000 Hz polling rate, a significant leap from the standard 1,000 Hz on the P1 HE and many other keyboards, driving its higher price tag.

A higher polling rate should, in theory, mean your key presses are registered more swiftly, minimizing response times—which is fantastic! However, when I tried both the L5 and P1 side by side, I struggled to perceive any noticeable difference in performance. Plus, the L5 HE’s stellar 8K polling rate only works in wired mode, which can be a letdown if you prefer the wireless flexibility offered by the P1 HE.

There are a few subtle visual tweaks too, though calling them improvements might be a stretch. These include a slim RGB light strip set within the L5 HE’s base and some uniquely-shaped keycaps on a few modifier keys.

Daily use of the L5 HE feels like déjà vu, much like handling the P1 HE. Both keyboards share the same web-based configuration software, letting you tailor key inputs, tweak switch actuation points, and adjust RGB lighting to your liking. You can also drop the polling rate if you want, although, frankly, there’s no compelling reason why you’d need to.

The L5 HE is as mod-friendly as the P1 HE, with its assembly held together by just six screws. You won’t even need to remove any switches for minor PCB tweaks. While the L5’s acoustics are decent, I personally preferred the sound of the P1 straight out of the box.

Lemokey provides several small silicone dampeners with the L5 HE, meant to be interchanged along the PCB’s contact points to personalize the keyboard’s sound. I found this process somewhat tedious, owing to the tiny size and tricky placement of some dampeners. It’s nice to have the option, but it’s a bit of a hassle. I wish they had just enhanced the acoustics right from the start.

What leaves me scratching my head about the L5 HE 8K is its striking similarity to the P1 HE, despite the higher price tag. This almost makes the P1 HE a more attractive choice since it offers Hall-effect switches and extensive customization for less, along with both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless options. While certain users might find the aesthetic changes and enhanced polling rate appealing, I find it hard to justify spending an extra $30 on upgrades that seem questionable.