Logitech Hall Effect Keyboards: PRO X vs G515 RAPID Compared

Logitech is a popular name when it comes to buying a reliable keyboard. They offer a number of keyboards with very similar names that leave the customers confused. Here in this article, you will learn about the Logitech Hall Effect keyboards. Which models exactly contain this technology, and which one is perfectly suitable for your table?

The company is now offering only two models that have the Hall Effect technology. The first one is Logitech G PRO X TKL RAPID, and the other one is Logitech G515 RAPID TKL. When it comes to their prices, it is the same. But they are made keeping in mind different players. Picking up the wrong one might waste your investment. If you are up to buy one, then you have landed on the right page. This review is based on real human research, and after reading the comparison guide, you can make the right decision.

Which Logitech Keyboards Actually Have Hall Effect Switches?

This is the first thing you need to understand. Not all Logitech keyboards are hall effect keyboards. Logitech sells some keyboards with the name “G515.” But not all G515 keyboards are the same. Some have Hall effect switches inside. Others do not. Here is a simple list to help you:

• G515 LIGHTSPEED TKL: This keyboard does not need a wire. Regular switches are used inside. It is not a Hall effect keyboard.
• G515 TKL: This keyboard uses a wire. Regular mechanical switches are inside here, too. It is also not a Hall effect keyboard.
• G515 RAPID TKL: This keyboard uses a wire, and it is thin and flat. Hall effect switches are inside. This one is a Logitech magnetic analog gaming keyboard.
• G PRO X TKL RAPID: This keyboard also uses a wire. The keys are taller. It also has Hall effect switches inside. This one is also a Logitech magnetic analog gaming keyboard.

The simple rule is this: if the keyboard name has the word RAPID, it is a Hall effect keyboard. If it does not have the word RAPID, it is not. That is all you need to remember.

What Makes These Keyboards Hall Effect?

Think about a normal keyboard first. When you press a key, something clicks inside. At a certain point, the keyboard sends the signal to your computer. That point is always the same. You cannot change it. Every key works the same way.

A hall effect keyboard is different. Inside each key, there is a small magnet. A small sensor is also inside. When you press the key, the magnet moves down toward the sensor. The sensor can feel the magnet getting closer. This is how the keyboard knows how deeply you pressed the key. The two parts never actually touch. So they do not get damaged over time.

Here is why this is good for gaming. With a normal keyboard, every key always registers at the same point. You cannot change it. With a hall effect keyboard, you can choose where each key registers. Turning on rapid trigger technology for FPS counter-strafing is also possible. This means the key is ready to fire again the moment you lift your finger, even just a tiny bit. In shooting games like Valorant or CS2, stopping your player quickly is very important. Rapid trigger helps you stop faster. This can make a big difference in a close fight.

Model 1: Logitech G PRO X TKL RAPID

This keyboard looks like a normal gaming keyboard. The keys are full height, meaning they are tall like regular keyboard keys. There is no number pad on the right side. The top of the keyboard is metal. Plastic makes up the rest of the body. It weighs about 1 kg. This weight helps the keyboard stay still on your desk when you are pressing keys fast. The keycaps are made of a material called PBT. This material does not get shiny or greasy after long use.

The keys on this board go down from 0.1mm to 4.0mm. This is what makes it an adjustable actuation point gaming keyboard. The 4mm travel is important. It gives you enough room to use a feature called dual-step actuation. Here is a simple way to understand dual-step actuation. Imagine you press a key a little bit. Your character starts to walk. Then you press the same key all the way down. Your character starts to run. One key does two things. Walking starts when you press a little. Running starts when you press deeper. Both actions come from the same key.

Another good thing about this keyboard is that you can change settings without a computer. Press some keys on the keyboard, and the settings change right away. No software needs to be opened. This is helpful when you are playing a game and want to make a quick change. Other keyboards at this price require you to open a program to change settings.

This keyboard also has a feature called KEYCONTROL. It lets you put any command on any key. Key Priority is another feature. Here is how to understand Key Priority. In a game, if you press the right arrow and the left arrow at the same time, what happens? Normally, the player stops. With Key Priority, you can tell the keyboard to choose the last key you pressed. So your player moves in the last direction you pressed instead of stopping. This helps you move very fast. But this feature is not allowed in CS2 tournaments, so be careful if you play CS2 seriously.

Some people say the keys on this keyboard feel a little soft when they press them. The keyboard is also loud. You can hear it when someone types on it nearby. If you work in a quiet office, this keyboard may bother other people. For gaming, the speed and response are very good.

Best for: FPS players who want maximum travel range, dual-step actuation, and the ability to adjust settings mid-session without software.

Model 2: Logitech G515 RAPID TKL

This keyboard looks almost the same as the regular G515 keyboard. But the switches inside are different. It uses low-profile hall effect switches for gaming. In low-profile hall effect keyboards, low-profile means the keys are shorter and flatter than normal keyboard keys. The whole keyboard is only 22mm tall. To understand how thin this is, most regular keyboards are about 40mm tall. This keyboard is almost half that height.

The keys on this board go down from 0.1mm to 2.5mm. This is shorter than the PRO X. Short keys cannot go down as far, and that is the reason. You can still make keys very sensitive. But the maximum depth is 2.5mm. This makes dual-step actuation harder to use. The two action points need to be very close together, which is not easy to control.

The keyboard is well-built. The top is made of stainless steel. This makes it feel strong and solid. Inside the keyboard, there are special layers that absorb sound. Because of these layers, this keyboard is much quieter than the PRO X. The keys also feel smooth when you press them because they come with a special coating already on them. Three settings profiles can be saved directly on the keyboard. Switching between these profiles does not require opening any software on your computer.

Some people enjoy typing on this keyboard. Others do not like the feel. Some reviewers say the keys feel “mushy.” This means the keys feel too soft and not crisp. If you type a lot every day, this might bother you. If you mostly play games, it might be fine.

One more thing. This keyboard does not have separate buttons for music or volume. On the PRO X, there are real buttons for this. On the G515 RAPID TKL, you have to press two keys at the same time to control music or volume. This is a small thing, but some people find it annoying.

Best for: Gamers who prefer slim, low-profile keyboard rapid trigger setups, care about desk aesthetics, or are already used to low-profile boards.

Head to Head: G PRO X TKL RAPID vs G515 RAPID TKL

You might think these two keyboards are the same because they cost the same and both have Hall effect switches. But they feel very different when you use them. The table below shows the main differences clearly.

Which One Should You Buy?

Both keyboards cost the same. Both have rapid trigger, adjustable actuation, and SOCD support. The difference is in how they feel and what kind of player they are made for. Ask yourself these simple questions, and the answer will be clear.

• Buy the PRO X TKL RAPID if: You like tall keys that press down deep. Dual-step actuation is also something you want, and it needs deeper keys to work well. Changing your keyboard settings quickly during a game without opening any software is also important to you. This keyboard works best for players who play games like Valorant or Apex Legends, where moving and stopping fast is very important.
• Buy the G515 RAPID TKL if: You like thin and flat keyboards. Being already used to typing on a laptop-style keyboard also fits this board well. A clean and minimal desk is what you want. Shorter keys are also fine for you, even though this makes some features a little harder to use.
• Buy neither if wireless matters to you: Both of these keyboards need a wire, so they are not among the best wireless hall effect keyboards. You cannot use them without a cable. This is because Hall effect switches need a very fast and stable connection, and wireless is not fast enough for that right now. If you need a wireless hall effect keyboard, look at the Keychron K2 HE or the NuPhy Field75 HE. These keyboards offer wireless hall effect keyboard options that Logitech does not have yet.

The right keyboard is the one that matches how you play and what you are used to. Deep keys and fast in-game changes? Choose the full-height board. Thin design and a quiet sound? Choose the low-profile board. Both are good value at $169.99.

How Do They Stack Up vs Wooting and Razer?

Wooting is a brand that many serious gamers talk about. Their 80HE keyboard is known for having the best Hall effect keyboard software customization. Wooting has a software program called Wootility. This program gives you more ways to control how your keys work. It also has a special mode where your keys work like the joystick on a game controller. Wooting also makes more keyboard sizes, including very small ones. If having the most powerful software is the most important thing to you, Wooting is the better choice.

Razer also makes a Hall effect-style keyboard. It is called the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL. The switches inside use a mix of light and magnetic technology. Because of this, the keys feel a little different. The Razer software is called Synapse 4. Many users say it uses too much of the computer’s memory and can be hard to learn.

Logitech is better in some ways. Their G HUB software is easier to learn, especially for new users. The PRO X is the only keyboard at this price where you can change settings without opening software at all. The price of $170 is also lower than that of many other Hall effect keyboards. But Logitech has fewer options. No small keyboard size is available. A wireless version also does not exist. If you need those things, another brand is better for you.

Conclusion

Hall effect keyboards are becoming very popular because they give gamers more control. The magnetic sensing principle behind these switches has been understood in physics for well over a century, and its application to keyboards is one of the more practical uses of that science to reach the consumer market.

Logitech now has two of them. One is for players who want deep key travel and fast in-game control. The other is for players who want a thin, quiet keyboard that looks clean on the desk. At $169.99, both keyboards are good choices. The important thing is to pick the one that matches your style. If you pick the right one, you will enjoy using it every time you play.

The one thing both keyboards are missing is wireless. Both need a cable. If you do not want a cable on your desk, neither of these keyboards is for you right now. Other brands have already made wireless hall effect keyboards, and Logitech will probably do the same in the future. Until then, if you are happy to use a cable and you want rapid trigger and adjustable actuation, you will be very satisfied with either of these two keyboards. The confusing names on the Logitech website made things hard. But now you know: if the name says RAPID, it is a hall effect keyboard. That is all you need to know.