In the last few years, mechanical keyboards have skyrocketed in popularity, going from a fairly niche hobby to must-try equipment. A passionate community, rapid development, falling prices, and new entrants in the market have made people take notice, wondering what's so special about mechanical keyboards.
If you've still not tried a mechanical keyboard, I urge you to upgrade to one as soon as possible. There are far too many reasons that make mechanical keyboards objectively better than membrane keyboards. And it's not just high-end features or silly additions like RGB lighting that make mechanical keyboards special; it's the superior typing experience, unlimited options, customizability, and durability.
6 myths about mechanical keyboards that are no longer true
Being a niche interest, some people still hold a lot of misconceptions about mechanical keyboards
6 The typing experience is unparalleled
This is what matters the most
The single biggest pull of mechanical keyboards is the signature typing experience you gain access to when you finally upgrade from a membrane keyboard. Due to the nature of mechanical switches, every key press actuates the switch in a satisfying, often "thocky" or "clacky" fashion. Fans of mechanical keyboards love to experience this distinct sound and feel, not possible on a membrane keyboard.
The assumption that all mechanical keyboards are needlessly loud and annoying is unfounded. Yes, some of them can sound quite loud due to clicky switches or the case material, but that's just one type of sound profile when talking about mechanical keyboards. You can easily opt for a keyboard with a different type of switch that sounds deep and creamy or whisper-silent. There are low-profile keyboards that are silent while still offering satisfying tactile feedback.
Unlike a membrane keyboard, each mechanical switch is an individual entity, so you won't find many mechanical keyboards plagued with the kind of mushy and bland typing seen on membrane keyboards. If you've never experienced typing on a mechanical keyboard, you can watch some YouTube videos or Instagram posts to get a feel for how various types sound. It'll also help you gravitate toward the kind of sound and feel that you like the best.
5 There's a mechanical keyboard for everyone
You don't need to confine yourself to one style
When you think about non-mechanical keyboards, what kind of options come to mind? Maybe a standard black office keyboard, an ergonomic model, a low-profile Amazon Basics keyboard, or a compact gaming keyboard? That's pretty much it. But the world of mechanical keyboards will unlock scores of possibilities for you — a full-sized keyboard with a multimedia knob and swappable switches, a TKL (tenkeyless) model with tactile low-profile switches, or a 75% gasket-mounted model with a customizable display.
And these are just three of the possible form factors combined with a few standard features that I described off the top of my head. When you start shopping for your first mechanical keyboard, you'll find so many more options that it will get tough to make a choice. You can stick to the full-sized form factor that you're used to, or consider a compact TKL or 75% model that saves desk space without sacrificing functionality. You could even go smaller with a 65% or 40% board for a cuter aesthetic, if that's more important than the keys you'll lose.
The form factor and core features might be the starting points when picking a mechanical keyboard, but you can also differentiate your choice through the type of switches, keycap profiles & designs, case color & material, layers of pre-installed foam, mounting style, connectivity options, and hot-swappable PCBs. The number of mechanical keyboards on the market can be daunting when you're just starting, but it's easier to pick a great keyboard than it sounds.
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Before you make the momentous move, asking these questions will ensure your first keyboard isn't a dud
4 They're not expensive anymore
Don't let the price stop you from upgrading
There was a time not long ago when mechanical keyboards were way more expensive than regular membrane keyboards. Only a few brands were making them, the market was too small, and hence, prices weren't exactly consumer-friendly. It made sense for most users to just get a non-mechanical model for their gaming or workstation PC.
However, once the market expanded and a lot more players entered the business, prices started dropping fast. Today, you can grab a wireless, hot-swappable, gasket-mounted, 75% mechanical keyboard with multi-layer sound-dampening and a volume knob for under $70. This was unthinkable only a few years ago. If high prices were stopping you from going mechanical, I'm happy to inform you that you can let that fear go.
The kind of build quality, feature set, and post-purchase service that could be expected only from the bigger brands is now being offered by many upcoming and budget brands as well. In fact, some budget brands produce keyboards that are more premium and feature-packed than those from the major brands at the same or even lower price. Whether you prefer brands like Logitech, Asus, Corsair, and Keychron or Aula, Epomaker, and Akko, you rarely need to spend over $100 for a great first mechanical keyboard.
5 things major keyboard brands need to improve to compete with budget players
Bigger keyboard brands need to step up their game to stand against premium offerings from budget competitors
3 They're ideal for both gamers and professionals
Don't let the popular image of mechanical keyboards fool you
Mechanical keyboards aren't just for gamers who like RGB lighting, remappable keys, macros, and linear switches. They're also perfectly suited to professionals who primarily use their PC for creating content, coding, writing, or other jobs requiring long hours on the keyboard. Those who prioritize a great typing experience will benefit from features like tactile switches, sound-dampening foam, aluminum cases, and pre-lubed switches & stabilizers.
If you're worried that you'll need to buy a second keyboard for when you're away from your desktop, you can choose a wireless mechanical keyboard with both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity, a slim and light form factor, and a long-lasting battery. The same macros that come in handy for gamers can also help you be more productive in your work.
The latest models entering the market have plenty for gamers to be excited about — low-profile keyboards with all the gaming features you already love, 40% and 65% models with VIA support for customizing layers, and Hall effect switches making their way to every form factor. The line between keyboards that are strictly for "gaming" or "work" is getting blurred with every new product, and this is something I can get behind. We have plenty of models catering to either category, plus a healthy number of models serving as hybrid options.
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There are some exciting things happening with mechanical keyboards, and I am here for each of them
2 Cutting-edge features are here
Mechanical keyboards are leading the charge
It might not be news to those in the know, but mechanical keyboards have been at the forefront of innovation in keyboard technology for a while now. First, there were features like gasket mounts and hot-swappable PCBs, and now you will see Hall effect (magnetic) switches, 8kHz polling rates, and materials like anodized aluminum and walnut wood coming to more and more models.
While blazing-fast magnetic switches might not be relevant to you even as a gamer, having an aluminum case or gasket mount on your keyboard can make a world of difference to the typing experience and overall look and feel. Hot-swappable PCBs are a godsend for people who are buying their first mechanical keyboard and can't commit to a switch type yet. They can easily buy replacement switches and swap them with the stock switches on their keyboard.
In terms of customizing your keyboard, using VIA to remap keys, program layers, and create macros is useful for almost every kind of user. Also, the latest trend of knobs and LCDs is paving the way for more convenience and personalization in mechanical keyboards. It's a great time to enter the mechanical keyboard space if you haven't already.
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Mechanical keyboards differ greatly in both form and function, but skipping these 6 features should be illegal
1 Building your own has gotten way easier
If you'd like to craft your own custom keyboard
Building a mechanical keyboard from scratch isn't for everyone, but if you want to explore the option, it is now considerably easier to build one than it was a few years ago. Although you can get a great package with many pre-built keyboards on the market, building your own gives you the freedom to tailor every single aspect of the keyboard to your liking.
You could source the keyboard case from one source and the PCB from another. You could buy whichever switches and keycaps suit your fancy, and pick the internal foam of your choice. Stabilizers, plates, gaskets, and many more components further allow you to tweak the sound and feel of your custom keyboard. It's gotten way simpler to source each of these components, and there's no dearth of tutorials guiding you through the process.
If this sounds too complicated and long, you always have the option to buy a DIY kit that gets you more than halfway through the journey. You simply need to pick out the switches and keycaps, while the rest of the keyboard is already assembled. This saves you the time and hassle of building everything from scratch, yet allows you to create a personalized keyboard.
5 reasons I prefer a pre-built mechanical keyboard over building my own
Pre-builts offer nearly everything you could need from your mechanical keyboard
Upgrade the way you interact with your PC
Switching to a mechanical keyboard means embracing the importance of an enjoyable typing sound and feel, the ability to tailor the keyboard to your preferences, and the benefit of swappable components if you don't like them anymore. Even if you haven't used one before, buying your first mechanical keyboard is easier than ever. The number of brands and models has exploded, prices have never been lower, and you have tons of resources in the community to guide you on the journey.