One of the latest trends when it comes to PC peripherals is the use of Hall effect switches in mechanical keyboards. However, Hall effect switches are far from new. They were created way back in 1968, but, as you can imagine, the technology has come a long way since then. They are now becoming cheaper to manufacture, and as we start to see them being used in more products, they will likely become even more affordable and widespread.

Mechanical switches have been around for a few years longer than Hall effect switches, but have been much more widely adopted. While membrane keyboards are also still around, mechanical keyboards have pretty much become the norm in the last few years. Mechanical keyboards have many features and offer a great combination of form, function, and durability. In the past few years, the prices for mechanical keyboards have become much more respectable, which is a big part of why they are becoming the go-to keyboard of choice.

4 The new gimmick in town

As mentioned, Hall effect switches aren't exactly new, but they are generating a lot of buzz lately. They offer similar features to standard mechanical switches with one main difference. They use a magnet instead of physical contact, which lets users change the actuation point on the switch. You can set an actuation point between 0.1mm and 4mm depending on your preference. Let me ask you though, have you ever really sat and tried switches with a different actuation before?

I'm not saying you can't tell different actuation points apart, I am just saying in most cases it doesn't make as big a difference as you might think. Once you get used to a switch type, it just feels more comfortable. You can set up to 4 actions per key with Hall effect switches. While this may sound amazing, it can be a nightmare if you don't know what you are doing and aren't careful.

3 More options to choose from

While we are starting to see more options for magnetic Hall effect switches, mechanical switches are mass-produced at a much higher rate. Mechanical switches also offer many more options to choose from, and it's not just switch types, it's manufacturers, colors, and so many more options.

Hall effect switches are becoming more readily available, but they have a long way to go to catch up to mechanical switches. While both categories have been around for quite some time, mechanical switches were somehow much more adopted when the industry was looking for something other than membrane keyboards, and therefore have become more prevalent.

2 Pricing

Lately, we are seeing more and more cheaper mechanical keyboard options hitting the market. The days of having to pay a premium for a mechanical keyboard are now over. There was a time when you couldn't pick one up for less than $100, now you can purchase various models for under $30 with ease.

Unfortunately, Hall effect switches are just starting to become popular. This means they aren't as widely used and aren't generally found on budget keyboards. A Hall effect keyboard won't cost you any more than a top-notch mechanical keyboard, but for now, they just aren't as available as your run-of-the-mill mechanical keyboards. They also don't have as many different switch variants to try and help drive competition, which would keep the prices lower.

1 Tried and tested for the win

While Hall effect switches may have a longer lifespan on paper, I don't know many people who can say they have had their Hall effect keyboard for 10+ years. However, I can personally say I have had a mechanical keyboard for over 10+ years and I know many others who have as well.

This is not to say that Hall effect keyboards can't stand the test of time, it's just to say that even with some of the cheaper mechanical keyboards, the longevity they offer is already seriously impressive. Mechanical keyboards have been taking a beating for a much longer period, and we know how durable they can be.

The main differences

Hall effect switches use a magnet on a spring that moves up and down near a sensor to register the key press. As there is no physical contact, this is a smoother keystroke and can help improve the longevity of the switch.

Mechanical switches use a slider to push two metal contacts together, closing a circuit which the keyboard then registers as the key press. As this is physical contact, it causes friction which over time can damage the switch, reducing its longevity.

Now, I am not saying Hall effect keyboards aren't good, because they are. I am simply saying don't just buy them for fear of missing out on the next big thing. Unless you actually need the features they offer and know the critical differences, you will likely be happy with a trusty mechanical keyboard for all your computing needs.

Hall effect keyboards, while amazing, need to be more widely adopted before they can be a real contender. A lot of this comes down to their pricing, which can be attributed to the lack of mass production and overall options for Hall effect switches currently on the market. Of course, it all comes down to what you need from a keyboard to determine which one will be the best for you.