Summary
- TMR sensors are more sensitive than HE, giving finer actuation point changes, faster inputs, and higher responsiveness than HE.
- TMR is more power-efficient than HE, extending wireless battery life and enabling better all-wireless setups.
- TMR enables off-center sensors and hot-swap MX sockets, so you can mix magnetic and mechanical switches.
Mechanical keyboard fans have seen huge innovation lately, particularly with magnetic switches in Hall Effect keyboards. Now, a new contender is here—one that uses those same magnetic switches but with better precision, efficiency, and responsiveness. Its name? TMR.
TMR Solves the Limitations of HE Keyboards
TMR stands for Tunnel Magnetoresistance. Unless you’re a scientist, the term probably means nothing to you, and as fascinating as the technology is, we only need to know a few things about it as it relates to keyboards.
Unlike Hall Effect sensors, which output a voltage proportional to the strength of a key switch’s magnetic field, TMR sensors measure changes in electrical resistance. Each sensor has two magnetic layers separated by a thin insulating barrier. When an external magnet (i.e., the one attached to the key’s stem) moves, it slightly changes the alignment of these layers, which alters the resistance. The keyboard’s controller reads these changes and registers key inputs with incredible sensitivity.
So, how sensitive are we speaking? A good HE keyboard can measure keystroke travel in increments of 0.1mm. In practice, this is already extremely precise, but TMR makes that figure look like nothing because it can detect changes as small as 0.01mm.
This sounds impressive, but what’s the benefit of something like that? While a lower actuation point is beneficial for faster inputs in online games, nobody is actually going to use an actuation point of 0.1mm or possibly even 1.0mm. I tried gaming on 1.0mm once, and it resulted in a lot of accidental ability casts in Marvel Rivals. Around 1.4mm is much more reasonable for the average gamer, though pros can probably go lower.
The real practical benefit of such high sensitivity becomes apparent in conjunction with other features that magnetic switches enable, such as Rapid Trigger and Snap Tap (SOCD). For instance, with Rapid Trigger, you can spam keystrokes slightly faster with a TMR keyboard compared to HE.
Granted, we’re probably talking about fractions of a millisecond, but it is still technically an advantage. In a competitive esports environment, gamers need to take every advantage they can to stay competitive, and this is one such advantage.
Another, perhaps more practical advantage of TMR is that it’s more power-efficient. HE keyboards are infamous for their high power consumption when used wirelessly, and if you want an all-wireless setup, a TMR keyboard is clearly better.
I can’t find any apples-to-apples comparison, but for instance, both the Monsgeek FUN60 Ultra TMR and the Keychron K2 HE have the same 4000mAh battery capacity. Keychron promises a battery life of up to 110 hours with backlighting off, whereas IGN cites up to 200 hours on the Monsgeek. Even if the real-world difference isn’t as massive, and factors beyond just the sensors affect battery life, it is still indicative of the improved power efficiency.
- Form factor
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60%
- Backlight
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ARGB
The Monsgeek FUN60 Ultra TMR is a 60% magnetic switch keyboard with hot-swappable sockets for both TMR and 3-pin/5-pin mechanical switches. It features an adjustable actuation point in increments of 0.01mm, rapid trigger, ARGB lighting, 8K polling rate, and numerous other gaming-oriented features.
Combine Mechanical and Magnetic Switches in a Single Keyboard
I somehow made it this far without even touching on TMR’s biggest advantage over HE—the option to use both mechanical and magnetic switches. That’s because I wanted to talk about this in more detail, as it’s such a massive advantage over Hall Effect.
HE keyboards must mount the sensor directly underneath the key because the Hall Effect sensor only works along a single directional axis. In contrast, TMR sensors can be mounted slightly off-center, as they don’t require the magnet to move in a specific direction to measure changes in electrical resistance. This allows keyboard manufacturers to include hot-swappable sockets and leave space for the base housing of a standard MX-style mechanical switch.
For people who only have the budget for one keyboard, this is a massive advantage, as magnetic switches are often thought to have a worse feel and sound compared to mechanical ones. I’ve only tried one type of HE switch, and based on that, I’m inclined to agree, though there are some decent magnetic switches out there.
Still, both Hall Effect and TMR keyboards are somewhat pricey compared to traditional mechanical keyboards, and not everyone wants or needs more than one keyboard. If you prefer the feel of traditional mechanical switches when you type but don’t want to be at a disadvantage in competitive games, you can swap in just the keys that matter for gaming and keep the rest mechanical.
For instance, League of Legends players could swap in the Q, W, E, R, D, and F keys before a match. If all you care about is faster strafing thanks to Snap Tap, it’s even easier to swap out just the A and D keys before a match, then return to mechanical switches afterward for smoother typing.
Plus, people who prefer tactile or clicky switches have been left out of HE keyboards, as the vast majority of magnetic switches are linear—because they cater to gamers, and it makes the most sense given the adjustable actuation point (anybody out there using Gateron Magnetic Emerald Jade tactile switches?).
With TMR, you can enjoy both benefits with none of the drawbacks, aside from spending 30 seconds to swap out switches while waiting for your game to load or perhaps living with a couple of different-feeling switches.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that the magnetic switches used in HE and TMR keyboards are actually similar in design, aside from magnet polarity. This means a wide range of compatibility in theory, though in practice, whether the keyboard works with a specific set of switches and how well it works will vary. So, check the manufacturer’s list of compatible switches before committing to a new set.
Should You Get a TMR Keyboard?
TMR keyboards are the Swiss Army Knife of keyboards, as they cater to both the mechanical and magnetic keyboard audiences. With TMR, you don’t have to choose between one or the other. That said, it’s still worth noting
that the vast majority of TMR keyboards will come with magnetic switches as standard. If you don’t already own a set of switches you want to use, this means an additional purchase, which drives the cost up.
The good news is that TMR keyboards aren’t as expensive as you might expect. The technology is still relatively new, so there isn’t much competition, but the Womier SK75 TMR/HE and the MONSGEEK M1 V5 TMR are both reasonably priced at under $150. The aforementioned Monsgeek FUN60 Ultra can be found for under $100, but a 60% keyboard layout isn’t for everyone.
Still, these TMR keyboards are quite a bit pricier than some of the cheapest HE keyboards—and even some brand-name mechanical keyboards—but it’s a worthwhile tradeoff if you want the latest technology and the added flexibility of using mechanical switches.
