There are many important things to consider when choosing your next mechanical keyboard. Here are some key factors that we prioritized in our decision-making process:
Wired/Wireless
Thanks to advances in technology, most electronic devices now have the option of being wired or wireless or both when it comes to connectivity. The same goes for keyboards. With that in mind, we’ve selected options that fall into each of the above categories, giving you a variety of choices based on your preferences.
Noise
As we mentioned before, the materials used in the construction of mechanical keyboards can make them quite noisy. However, this depends on the type of switch – clicky is the noisiest and liner is the quietest – and the brand of the product. As time goes by, more efforts are being made to reduce the noise from these devices, and we’ve selected options that will give you a quieter user experience.
Switches
Mechanical keyboards offer different types of switches, but the best ones give you the option to choose. There are three main types of key switches that can be found on a mechanical keyboard, and the choice is yours based on your preferences.
Linear Switches – These are the least noisy type of switches. They feel the same once you push the key up until you reach the bottom, with no tactile feedback (click sound) at the actuation point where the key is registered. Therefore, you would most likely have to press your key all the way down to be happy with its registration. If you work with other individuals in an office space, these may be the best choice for you as they provide a noise-free user experience. Linear switches are usually available in red or black colors.
Tactile Switches – As the name implies, these switches provide a form of tactile feedback to their registration points in the form of a small bump. So when you press the key, you will see a small bump somewhere in the middle, indicating that it has been registered. Tactile switches are often brown or clear in color.
click switches – These switches are usually blue or green and are the noisiest type of switches. This is due to the fact that they provide the highest form of tactile feedback through an audible click sound. With these types of switches, you don’t have to press a key all the way down to be registered, and instead you can release the key as soon as you feel a jolt accompanied by a clicking sound halfway through, similar to an old-fashioned typewriter. The satisfying click, believe it or not, is what makes these types of switches such a hit.
The most popular manufacturer of mechanical key switches is the Cherry MX company. We have chosen products with different types of switches that meet individual needs and preferences.
Style/Design
We all love an aesthetically pleasing product. A mechanical keyboard that offers all the bells and whistles but doesn’t have a fancy layout or design is one we just wouldn’t recommend to our great readers. The style of any keyboard is generally a combination of its layout, size, switch type, and other additional features such as LED and RGB lighting. Our selected keyboards are not only beautiful to look at, but they also offer a clean, organized layout and allow you to adjust settings to suit your taste.
Price versus quality
While these devices are generally the more expensive option, we chose keyboards that offer utilities that are worth their price range, offering the best value for money in terms of durability and features. What’s more, our top picks compete strongly with today’s market prices, while offering quality features that their counterparts lack. This means you can spend a reasonable amount but reap amazingly consistent rewards.
Sustainability
Mechanical keyboards generally have a longer lifespan than other types of keyboards, but some brands are even more durable than others. We’ve made sure to select products that will last as long as you need them.
Easy to install
The goal is an easy user experience in all aspects, including the installation of these devices. Our picks have easy installation processes and clear installation instructions.
Easy to clean
You don’t want your keyboard to retire early because you don’t know how to clean it. We don’t want that either, so we’ve chosen products that aren’t a hassle to clean and maintain.
Gaming capabilities
We know that gamers are one of the top users of mechanical keyboards. That’s why we took into account their needs and the keyboard’s capabilities to meet those needs in our selection process.
Customizable
One of the most anticipated features of a mechanical keyboard is the ability to customize it to individual preferences. That’s why we made sure to take this factor into account when making our decisions.
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