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Magnetic switches are gradually becoming a common choice in gaming keyboards. This trend is understandable, as such switches allow precise adjustment of actuation and release points to match individual user preferences. I recently reviewed a gaming keyboard with magnetic switches from Logitech; in this article, however, the focus shifts to an alternative from a Ukrainian brand – the HATOR Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K.
Read also: All reviews of gaming keyboards on our website
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Features and Specifications
Overall, the Skyfall Mag Ultima 8K can be described as a modified and, in certain aspects, improved version of the Skyfall Pro Wireless. The Mag Ultima line, however, is available only in 65% and 80% layouts. The two variants differ solely in layout, physical dimensions, and the position of the display, while all other specifications are identical. The unit reviewed here is the 80% version.
- Format: 80% (Tenkeyless / TKL)
- Number of keys: 87 keys
- Connection: wireless (RF 2.4 GHz / Bluetooth 5.3), wired (USB-A – USB-C)
- Polling rate: up to 8000 Hz
- Switches: HATOR Aurum Ice
- Hot swap: yes
- Construction: Gasket Mount (gasket architecture)
- Keycaps: Double-Shot PBT keycaps
- Підсвічування: RGB (клавіші та корпус)
- Backlight: RGB (keys and body)
- Multifunctional roller: wheel (knob) for multimedia control
- Display: integrated 0.85″ TFT display (display of indicators, date and time, battery charge; backlight control; GIF animation output)
- Proprietary software: HATOR Skyfall Software (Windows only)
- Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, LINUX, ChromeOS
- Battery: 8000 mAh
- Cable: detachable 1.8 m USB-A to USB-C cable
- Housing material: plastic
- Dimensions: 354×140×43 mm
- Weight: 1040 g
Read also: HATOR Skyfall 80 Pro Wireless Review: Silent Switches, Hot-Swap Support, and a Mini Display
Positioning and Price
As noted earlier, the Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K is a revised and partially upgraded version of the Skyfall Pro Wireless. The key difference is the switch technology: instead of the Aurum Vanilla Silent mechanical switches, the Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K uses Aurum Ice magnetic switches. In the broader market, keyboards with magnetic switches generally occupy a higher price segment compared to conventional mechanical alternatives. The Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K is priced at $115, placing it within this category and aligning its cost with the feature set and overall build quality offered by the device.
Read also: HATOR Icefall Pro Wireless Review: 75% Gaming Keyboard with Mini Screen
Package Contents
The Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K is supplied in a branded cardboard box featuring the distinctive visual design associated with the HATOR brand.
Inside the box, in addition to the keyboard itself, you will find:
- 2.4 GHz RF wireless adapter
- detachable USB-A to USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- double puller for keycaps and switches
- branded HATOR key
- additional noise-insulating gasket for the space bar
- branded HATOR stickers
- user manual
The detachable USB-A to USB-C cable deserves separate mention. It is sufficiently long and finished with a paracord-style sleeving. The cable is lightweight and not overly thick, which allows it to bend easily and offer minimal resistance during movement, while partially retaining its set shape.
Overall, the package can be considered adequately complete. That said, it would have been practical to include at least a small number of spare switches to account for potential issues with the preinstalled units.
Read also: MechLands Vibe75 V2 Review: Solid Typing, Hot-Swap, and a Display at Affordable Price
Design, Ergonomics, and Build Quality
The design of the Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K can be described as a combination of two earlier models in the Skyfall lineup – the Wireless and Pro Wireless versions. The overall design language follows the Pro variant, while the lower part of the chassis is finished in white, similar to the standard Wireless model.
The keyboard uses an 80% layout, also referred to as TKL (Tenkeyless). This configuration omits the numeric keypad (Numpad) entirely, while retaining the arrow keys and essential function keys, including Del, Insert, PrtScr, PgUp, and PgDn.
As with the previous model, the Del key is positioned above the arrow keys rather than in the top row, as is common on many other keyboards of this layout. This placement can be convenient for certain workflows.
In the upper-right corner of the keyboard, there is also a metal rotary dial that can be pressed. By default, this control manages volume adjustments and mute functionality when pressed.
In terms of dimensions, the keyboard is identical to its predecessor at 354 × 140 × 43 mm. The new model is slightly heavier, weighing 1,040 g compared to 970 g for the previous version.
The Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K does not feel excessively tall or low. Combined with a moderate typing angle, the keyboard remains comfortable to use even without deploying the built-in feet.
The chassis is made of a matte plastic, with black on the upper portion and white on the lower. The keycaps continue the keyboard’s black-and-white theme: the spacebar, letters, numbers, and some function keys (F1–F4 and F9–F12) are white, while the remaining keys are black.
The keyboard’s construction remains unchanged, featuring a Gasket Mount design with a full set of sound-dampening pads and layers to provide a softer, quieter, and more comfortable typing experience.
It includes full RGB lighting both in the keycaps and along the sides of the keyboard, at the junction between the black upper casing and the white lower portion. The colors are clear and vibrant, with smooth transitions. Given the ability to customize animations, brightness, and the color of each individual key, the lighting system performs well and offers a satisfactory level of control.
On the top edge of the keyboard, there is a USB-C port for charging and wired connection. It is positioned conveniently and is easy to locate by touch, so connecting the keyboard without looking was not an issue during my use.
On the underside of the keyboard, there is a switch to toggle between wireless and wired modes. The keyboard is stabilized on the desk using six rubber pads – four in the corners and two additional ones centered at the top and bottom. The top corners also feature foldable feet with rubberized ends, which help keep the keyboard securely in place and prevent slipping even when it is elevated.
Read also: MechLands M75 Keyboard Review: Magnetic Switches and 8000Hz Polling at Surprisingly Low Price
HATOR Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K Connectivity
The keyboard supports three connection modes: 2.4 GHz RF, Bluetooth 5.3, and wired (USB-A to USB-C). In wired mode and when using 2.4 GHz RF, the keyboard operates at a standard polling rate of 8,000 Hz. When connected via Bluetooth, the polling rate is noticeably lower, but sufficient for general tasks. The keyboard also works reliably when paired with a smartphone over Bluetooth.
Read also: Womier SK75 TMR Keyboard Review: Magnetic Switches, TMR, and Combined Hot Swap
Switches
The primary difference between the Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K and the previous Skyfall Pro Wireless model is the use of magnetic switches. These switches are capable of detecting not only the two standard states – pressed and released – but also the depth of each keypress, enabling additional customization options.
In testing the keyboard across various settings and games, the Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K performed well. A particularly notable feature is the ability to assign multiple functions to a single key based on how far it is pressed. This allows for intuitive execution of combined actions or abilities with a single keystroke.
Keypresses feel both soft and responsive – light enough to register depth without requiring significant force, yet firm enough to provide a clear tactile feedback rather than a sense of key “sinking.”
The sound produced by the Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K is relatively quiet and unobtrusive. If the spacebar is considered too loud, the package includes a dedicated damping pad to reduce noise.
Display
The keyboard’s built-in display shows the date, time, battery level, current platform, and active connection mode. In addition, it can be used to control lighting, switch between Windows and Mac modes, and display CPU load and temperature information. The display also supports the playback of animated images (GIFs).
Display settings are managed through HATOR’s proprietary application, SyncHub, which includes a dedicated Display menu. Users can upload static images, create animations from them, or import pre-made GIFs. There is also an option to draw custom images directly in the editor using built-in tools.
Image quality is generally good: colors are vivid, animations are smooth and fast, and overall sharpness is adequate. One minor limitation is that the display does not turn off completely; it only dims when the keyboard enters sleep mode. Overall, however, it serves as an effective mini-display that combines both aesthetic and practical functions.
Read also: YUNZII B75 PRO MAX Review: Does the Display Make a Good Mechanical Keyboard Better?
Software
Like previous models, the Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K supports advanced customization through HATOR’s proprietary software, SyncHub (previously known as HATOR Skyfall Software).
The software includes seven main tabs:
Lighting – Handles all RGB lighting settings, from selecting animations and editing them to customizing individual key colors, brightness levels, and side lighting.
Keyboard – Provides tools for assigning macros to keys, configuring key combinations, and managing function keys. This tab also allows adjustment of switch parameters, including actuation and release points, as well as assigning actions to different keypress depths.
Display – Controls the built-in TFT display. Users can upload images or GIF animations for the background, synchronize the clock and system data, and select the display language.
- Macros – Enables creation, configuration, and editing of macros.
- Update and Profiles – Used for software updates and profile management on the keyboard.
Community – Offers downloadable content from the user community, including macros, lighting presets, and animations.
In practice, SyncHub is intuitive and user-friendly. Compared to alternatives like Logitech’s G Hub, configuring the HATOR keyboard feels simpler and more straightforward.
Mobile versions of the application are also available for Android and iOS.
Read also: YUNZII AL68 Review: Solid, Affordable Keyboard with Aluminum Сase
Battery Life
The keyboard is equipped with an 8,000 mAh battery. According to the manufacturer, this provides up to 24 hours of use with the backlight enabled and up to 533 hours with the backlight turned off. In practice, using moderate lighting settings – such as the “Shadow” animation in SyncHub, where keys gradually fade after being pressed – a single charge lasted roughly a week of daily active use.
Read also: HATOR Hypergang 3 Wireless Review: Gaming Hi-Res Headphone with ANC
Conclusions
The HATOR Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K represents a capable and competitive offering from a Ukrainian brand in the growing market of magnetic-switch keyboards. The model combines magnetic switches with flexible, intuitive software, solid build quality, and thoughtful ergonomics. The ability to finely adjust actuation and release points, as well as assign actions based on keypress depth, is noticeable in gaming and provides a tangible advantage – particularly for users who prefer to customize every aspect of their input experience.
Additional strengths include the switches’ pleasant tactile feel, quiet and smooth key travel, high-quality RGB lighting, a functional and visually appealing TFT display, stable wireless connectivity, and a high polling rate of up to 8,000 Hz. Battery life is also satisfactory, even with the backlight enabled, reducing the need to keep the keyboard constantly connected via cable.
On the downside, the package does not include spare switches. Additionally, the Bluetooth mode is better suited for general tasks rather than fast-paced gaming, although this is an expected trade-off.
Overall, the Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K is a strong magnetic-switch keyboard for its price. It is suitable both for demanding gamers and enthusiasts who want to fine-tune their keyboard to match their personal gaming or work style. For users interested in magnetic switches without paying premium prices for top-tier brands, this model is certainly worth considering.
Where to buy HATOR Skyfall 80 Mag Ultima 8K