After a year dominated by Hall Effect mechanical keyboards, a new category of TMR-based keyboards is starting to appear. These devices use Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors instead of traditional Hall Effect sensors but use the same kind of magnetic switches, offering higher magnetic sensitivity, lower power usage, and improved consistency in detecting key movement. The first widely available consumer model, the Monsgeek FUN60 Ultra, marks the beginning of this shift toward more advanced magnetic sensing in keyboards.
TMR sensors have been used for years in industrial, medical, and automotive equipment due to their precision and stability, but their cost and implementation complexity limited their adoption in consumer peripherals. Their arrival in gaming keyboards indicates that manufacturers are beginning to prioritize more efficient and more accurate sensing systems.
“TMR gives manufacturers access to far higher sensitivity and substantially lower power requirements,” said Marcus Richardson, Editor-in-Chief at HLPLANET. “This provides conditions for more precise actuation detection and more stable long-term performance.”
How TMR is different from Hall Effect in Keyboards?
Both Hall Effect and TMR switches rely on magnetic fields, but they sense those fields differently. TMR measures magnetic changes in-plane, while Hall Effect sensors measure perpendicular changes. This leads to several technical differences:
-
Higher magnetic sensitivity, improving detection of key travel
-
Much lower power consumption, beneficial for wireless models
-
Smaller sensing components, allowing more compact PCB designs
-
Higher thermal stability, reducing performance drift
-
More consistent unit-to-unit behavior, lowering sensor variability
Most early TMR keyboards still use the familiar Hall-type magnetic switches; the change is in the PCB sensor itself. As a result, users do not experience a different typing feel, but the underlying sensing accuracy improves.
First Wave of TMR Keyboards
The first TMR-equipped keyboards now available include the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra and M1 V5 TMR, as well as the Womier SK75 TMR. Keychron’s K HE and Q HE series also use TMR sensors, despite their “HE” branding, which may cause confusion for buyers. These models cover layouts from 60% to full-size, support hot-swappable switches, and offer both wired and wireless connectivity across various price points. They all offer features like Snap Tap, Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation like the Hall effect counterparts.
Although marketed as “HE keyboards” internal examination shows that both the Keychron K HE and Q HE series use TMR sensors rather than Hall Effect sensors. This naming overlap may create confusion for buyers comparing different magnetic switch technologies.
TMR in Gaming Controllers
Beyond keyboards, TMR sensors are increasingly applied in gaming controllers for analog inputs such as thumbsticks and triggers. Already plenty of Xbox, PS5 and PC controllers are using this tech, including brands like Gulikit, Gamesir and 8Bitdo. By detecting angular or linear movement with higher sensitivity and lower power consumption, TMR sensors provide smoother and more precise input for competitive and simulation gaming. This technology can improve response consistency and reduce drift over time compared to traditional Hall Effect mechanisms, especially in wireless controllers where power efficiency is important.
As TMR becomes more accessible, the same sensor technology is likely to expand in other gaming and computing peripherals, such as:
-
Mice (scroll wheel angle sensors and motion detection)
-
Racing wheels and pedals
-
VR and AR controllers
-
Webcams and folding devices
-
Flight sticks and simulation gear
The key benefit across these categories is precise positional tracking with lower noise and higher stability.
With several TMR keyboards already launched and more expected in 2026, magnetic-sensing keyboards are entering a more diverse phase. Hall Effect keyboards remain widely available, but TMR-based designs are emerging as a more advanced alternative for users who care about high sensitivity, low power demand, and consistent sensor behavior.
Media Contact
Company Name: HLPLANET
Email: Send Email
City: Manchester
Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://www.hlplanet.com