TMR Gaming Keyboards Make Their Debut at CES 2026

Magnetic keyboards have gained significant traction over the past year, with Hall effect models making their debut in the gaming scene in 2025. These adjustable switches first emerged in 2018 with Wooting’s 60HE. Now, as Hall effect keyboards are starting to gain popularity among gamers, TMR technology is making its entrance, with a notable showcase at CES 2026.

Cherry has unveiled its own TMR keyboard at the event, following in the footsteps of Keychron’s Q16 and the Ducky One X from last year. While these aren’t the first devices to incorporate Tunnel MagnetoResistance tech in their sensors, TMR keyboards have taken some time to capture the attention of mainstream gamers. Hall effect may have just started to make waves, but TMR is not far behind.

These magnetic sensors are poised to be behind some of the top gaming keyboards of 2026. They offer the same core customization features found in traditional Hall effect options, but with a stronger and more accurate magnetic pull, along with enhanced sensitivity for each keypress. Additionally, they can often manage power more efficiently, paving the way for more wireless gaming keyboards.

Cherry is capitalizing on this advantage.

At CES, the brand introduced the Cherry XTRFY MX 8.2 Pro TMR Wireless, a TKL keyboard featuring TMR sensors and an impressive 8,000Hz wireless polling rate. The Cherry MK Crystal switches can be adjusted in 0.01mm increments, but the standout feature is its dual hot-swap capability.

This means that most of the keyboard can switch back to mechanical switches. In fact, this is the first instance of a magnetic keyboard offering true hot-swappability, and it comes from Cherry, a brand known for its long history with switches. It’s exciting to see Cherry re-entering the fray with this innovation.

It might take another year before we see TMR technology from major brands like Corsair, Logitech, and SteelSeries, especially since the first two have only recently started rolling out Hall effect options in 2025. However, the shift towards TMR is definitely on the horizon.