The HyperX Origins 2 65 is a 65-percent mechanical gaming keyboard praised for its smooth, fast switches, lack of case ping, and customizable features like 3D-printable cases and swappable colored cases sold separately. However, its unique o-ring mount design, intended to improve typing feel, is criticized for being ineffective and making the keyboard feel like a standard tray-mounted board. Other noted drawbacks include its availability only in black by default and switches that some may find too loud.
The keyboard is positioned as an upgrade with hot-swappable switches, an 8,000 Hz polling rate, and a starting price of $119.99.
The main topics covered are the keyboard's features and specifications, its pros and cons as evaluated in the review, and details on its design and customization options.
Tom's Hardware Verdict
The HyperX Origins 2 65 is a solid 65-percent with the potential to become great.
Pros
- +
Smooth and fast switches
- +
Zero case ping
- +
Flip-up feet
- +
Thick shine-thru keycaps
- +
Cases are 3D printable
Cons
- -
O-ring mount attempt could’ve been better
- -
Only comes in black; other cases are sold separately
- -
Switches could be quieter
Why you can trust Tom's Hardware
If you have been a member of the PC hardware world for even a short amount of time, you’ll know HyperX is one of the biggest names out there. The gaming subsidiary of HP is known for making some of the best microphones, headsets, mice, and gaming keyboards, and at a relatively affordable price point. HyperX's Origins line of gaming keyboards is a staple: The keyboards come in several sizes, are excellent for gaming, and often go on sale (so we're often recommending them). The brand debuted the next generation — the HyperX Origins 2 series — at CES 2026, starting with the Origins 2 65 and the Origins 2 1800 (full-size).
We're taking a look at the HyperX Origins 2 65, which is the next-gen update to the HyperX Alloy Origins 65. The Origins 2 65 is, like its predecessor, a 65-percent mechanical gaming keyboard, but it's packed with upgrades: Hot-swappable switch sockets, lightning-fast linear switches, up to an 8,000 Hz polling rate, and a unique o-ring mount design. It's available now, in black, for $119.99.
Specifications
Design
The HyperX Origins 2 65 is, as the name suggests, a 65-percent mechanical keyboard. The Origins 2 features an o-ring mount design (more on that later), per-key RGB, a frosted back polycarbonate case, a hot-swappable PCB with support for 5-pin switches, dampening foam in the case, and a polling rate of up to 8,000 Hz.
The switches — HyperX's Linear Reds — are mechanical and are practically the same as the classic Cherry MX Reds, but utilize a “box-style” construction like you’d see from Kailh. I’ve always been a fan of the box design, as it limits stem wobble and typically features a tighter housing. The switches are very smooth and are rated for 80 million keypresses. But, because this PCB is hot-swappable, you can use any mechanical switch you want — which is what I would personally do, since I’ve always found linear switches to be too light for everyday typing.
As mentioned above, this keyboard features an o-ring mount. What that means is that there's a rubber o-ring sandwiched between the PCB and switch plate — while this might sound obscure to non-mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, it is somewhat common if you dig deeper into the market. The last time I used a mechanical keyboard with an o-ring mount was when I looked at the CannonKeys Bakeneko65. The goal of this mounting style is to provide a more responsive — and less harsh — typing experience. Unfortunately, the Origins 2 65... didn’t give me this feeling. If I'd been blindfolded, I wouldn't have even guessed that the Origins 2 65 was an o-ring mounted mechanical keyboard, because it ultimately feels like any other well-dampened, mechanical, tray-mounted board.
In addition to its attempted ambitious mounting design, HyperX also offers customization in the Origins 2 65 with different-colored cases. You can't pick a color at the beginning (all Origins 2 65 keyboards ship with a translucent smoke gray polycarbonate case), but you can purchase different colors for around $19, which isn't too bad. You can currently choose from royal blue, light pink, and white cases on HyperX's website — all cases are translucent. The cases are easy to swap out, though you pop the keyboard in from the bottom, unlike the custom cases for Drop's CSTM series (which overlay from the top).
If you happen to have a 3D printer, you can also print your own case, as HyperX is kind enough to offer up the source files for free on its Printables page. (If you don't have a 3D printer, check out our list of the best 3D printers.)
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Although I rarely use RGB on my keyboards, I kept it enabled while I was testing the Origins 2 65 — because it just looked that good. It's bright and vibrant; there's a setting called confetti — and even though it's just a slow, flickering preset, it looks great combined with the keyboard's shine-through switches and polycarbonate switch plate and keycaps. It made me feel a bit nostalgic for my original Glorious GMMK that I bought about seven years ago, which had a similar lighting effect. You won't have the same nostalgia trip as I did, but you'll find something you like in the lighting options. The Origins 2 65 features the following lighting presets: alternating, solid, swipe, breathing, calming waves, twinkle, confetti (my favorite), sunrise, and surging waves. The lighting is per-key, so you can also adjust each key's lighting individually. The RGB looks very good on this keyboard — it's bright and pretty, and this is accentuated by the shine-through keycaps and switches. However, you can't shuffle between RGB modes on the keyboard itself — you need to do it manually in the Ngenuity software, which is inconvenient (and a bit inexcusable in 2026).
The rest of the HyperX Origins 2’s design is pretty straightforward. On the back it has one set of flip-up feet along with four rubber feet to keep it from slipping around your desk. The USB-C port is located along the top left of the board, and the cable is removable.
Typing and Gaming Experience on the HyperX Origins 2 65
The HyperX Origins 2 65 is attempting to bridge the gap between "best gaming keyboard" and "best typing keyboard," and it doesn't quite succeed — it's much better for gaming than it is for typing. The keyboard comes with a HyperX Linear Reds, which have an actuation force of 40g and a short 1.8mm travel actuation. The keyboard features a hot-swappable PCB and a polling rate of up to 8,000 Hz — and with its compact size, it's perfect for fast-paced gaming.
I’m in the midst of my New Game Plus (NG+) run on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 because it’s easily the best game I have played in recent memory and I want to 100% it with a keyboard this time around, as I used an Xbox controller in my original playthrough.
Because Expedition 33 utilizes a parry and dodge system, you need to be quick, and because of that, I needed a fast keyboard. While I don’t really believe in polling rate, I do believe that lighter switches play a huge role in succeeding in any fast-paced game.
Performance-wise, the HyperX Origins 2 65 did a great job keeping my expedition alive and my in-game deaths were limited to lack of skill — not a shoddy keyboard. I don't know if it's the compact size, the snappy response, the light actuation and short travel, or all of the above, but I loved gaming with the Origins 2 65.
While I thoroughly enjoyed gaming with the HyperX Origins 2 65, I was a bit disappointed by the o-ring mount design. I’m not sure if it’s because CannonKeys made a splash with the Bakeneko by providing an exquisite, bouncy typing experience, but the Origins 2 felt like a tray mount with good noise dampening. In addition, the switches are loud. While I didn't expect a mechanical keyboard enthusiast-tier typing experience, it does feel like HyperX had a lot of potential with the o-ring mounting system and the POM switches... but that just kind of fell flat.
All in all, the gaming experience with the HyperX Origins 2 65 is superb, but the typing experience was subpar at best.
Software
The HyperX Origins 2 65 is supported by the company’s NGENUITY software and I found it to be simple to use and not bloated like some other mechanical keyboard software. NGENUITY actually reminds me a lot of “VIA” which is the open-source key mapping software used by most enthusiast-level mechanical keyboards.
NGENUITY allows you to change lighting effects, re-map keys and record macros. That’s it — and this is good, because I don’t like when keyboard software is bloated with unnecessary features nobody will ever use.
That said, it was cute to see an animated hedgehog appear when I selected the confetti lighting preset.
Bottom Line
The HyperX Origins 2 65 is an interesting mechanical keyboard — it's definitely a gaming keyboard, first and foremost, but its o-ring design suggests the brand is also trying to appeal to keyboard enthusiasts. Unfortunately, that effort falls a little flat — if you're looking for a compact gaming keyboard that will also give you an enthusiast-level typing experience, we suggest the magnetic Arbiter Studio Polar 65 (or you can just go straight to enthusiast with something like the Mode SixtyFive custom keyboard).
I do hope HyperX will go back to the drawing board and refine its o-ring design, because the components are there — it just needs to be implemented better. But despite the ho-hum typing experience and the lack of ability to change the keyboard's RGB presets on the fly, I did enjoy gaming on the HyperX Origins 2 65. It's a compact, customizable board with easy-to-use software, light linear switches, and a snappy 8,000 Hz polling rate. If you're looking for a compact gaming keyboard you can easily personalize, the Origins 2 65 is a solid option.
Myles Goldman is a freelance writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews keyboards and cases.
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