Many of us who use keyboards every day know the benefits of a good keyboard. We care how the keyboard feels. How responsive is it? Does it make the right sound when a key is activated? How hard should you press and how easy is it to feel key activation?
Much of that detail is determined by a keyboard’s switches, the foundation that does the activation for each individual key. Most switches are soldered to a keyboard during manufacture and cannot be easily changed, but there is one important exception: hot-swappable switches and their associated keyboards.
What are Hot Swap Switches?
These are specially designed keyboard switches made to work with interchangeable keyboards, so you can easily replace the current switch with another switch using a simple switch puller.
“Wait, I’m banging keys off my keyboard all the time,” you might be thinking. That’s true, but that’s just the cap, the top of the switch, which can be removed when cleaning the keyboard, etc. Most switches aren’t designed to be removed at all – unless you want to do some soldering.
But with interchangeable keyboards, you can change the switch yourself on demand without taking the keyboard apart (that’s what makes it “hot”), choosing which kind of switch you prefer, key by key.
What is the advantage of this design?
It allows very specific adjustments to how each key responds. You can experiment with different switches for all keys or swap switches for just a few keys you use most. Or you can place different switches to identify certain important reassigned keys just by how they feel when activated.
All of these tweaks are often offered by the best gaming keyboards, but they’re not the only ones, and you don’t have to be a gamer to take advantage of them. Anyone who likes to control the feel of their keyboard and use a lot of specialized commands will also enjoy hot-swappable switches.
What different switches can you switch to?
Interchangeable keyboard connectors are designed to work with standard switches, especially those in common styles like Cherry MX, Alps, or Topre, so you have a lot of options. Many switches are color-coded to show their special strength: blue switches are very tactile and produce a classic, loud, clicking sound, while red switches are smooth, fast and quiet. Brown switches sit somewhere in the middle, with a focus on clear feedback with a palpable bump in the actuation. Switches can also be defined based on travel distance, actuation force, and other specifications for buyers to look at.
Switches can also be three-pin or five-pin, referring to the number of contacts the switches have with the keyboard connector. Five-pin designs are more stable, but otherwise the same as their three-pin counterparts.
What kind of keyboards have hot-swappable switches?
There are mechanical keyboards designed specifically for interchangeable switches. Your average keyboard doesn’t have this capability, as do alternative designs like Apple’s Magic Keyboard. Hot-swappable keyboards are more commonly offered by game brands or keyboard manufacturers that specialize in customizable mechanical keyboards. They are also available in compact sizes.
Should I look for hot-swappable switches when buying a new keyboard?
Do you like mechanical keyboards? This design is for a mechanical keyboard configuration only. If a mechanical keyboard is on your list, do you want a version that’s customizable? Some people like the mechanical design, but prefer that the keys don’t make as much noise, so they can switch to quieter switches. And as we mentioned above, others may want to tweak certain commonly used keys so they feel just right.
That makes hot-swappable switches a great choice for a variety of serious PC gamers, as well as anyone who wants to plan a keyboard with a very special feel.
How do I switch keys with this design?
you will want a switch puller, a fairly simple grab that is made to lock onto the switches so you can lift them out. Otherwise, switches are a little too compact to remove by hand. You can then insert the replacement switch, making sure the pins align, and lock the switch in place. Many hot-swappable keyboards are made to replace multiple switches, although this will increase wear and tear.
Which brands offer these kinds of switches and keyboards?
A number of brands that specialize in mechanical keyboards have hot-swappable switches you can buy, as well as compatible keyboards. That includes MK, Keycron, Camisyn, KPRepublic, Royal Kludge, and quite a few others. The Logitech G Pro X is an example of a more mainstream keyboard with hot-swappable switches.
How much do hot-swappable switches cost?
The keyboards themselves can range in price from $30 to $200 depending on size and features. An additional set of switches can cost $20 to $50, depending on how many you get and their functions.
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