For those who are already knee-deep in the hobby, every single feature on their next mechanical keyboard is important. Whether it's the switch travel distance or the plate material, they pore over every detail before buying a mechanical keyboard. More advanced users build custom keyboards from scratch, as no pre-built keyboard satisfies their standards anymore.

However, these enthusiasts represent a small section of the overall market. Most users are only now leaving membrane keyboards behind and venturing into the mechanical keyboard space. They don't know, let alone care, about what makes a good mechanical keyboard. The average user will usually pick a model within their budget that looks cool or one they've heard good things about. The features we enthusiasts deem "must-have" aren't even on their radars.

6 Easy disassembly

Modding isn't everyone's cup of tea

This might be news to some of you, but it's possible to completely dismantle most mechanical keyboards. Many reviews focus highly on how easy it is to open a keyboard. This is important to users who want the option to modify or "mod" their keyboards if something isn't to their liking. For instance, they might want to insert a few layers of PE or EVA foam, or add a layer of tape on the PCB.

A regular user will rarely even think about opening up their keyboard.

Many other keyboard mods can be done — either to improve the typing sound or reduce friction during a keypress. If a mechanical keyboard is particularly hard to disassemble — maybe it has no visible screws — that's a negative in an enthusiast's book. In contrast, a regular user will rarely even think about opening up their keyboard. Modding a keyboard is something that people usually consider after trying out multiple mechanical keyboards.

5 Aluminum, wood, and other premium materials

These are reserved for the more discerning users

Mechanical keyboards are known for providing a variety of typing experiences for users. This has a strong link with the material used for the keyboard case, plate, keycaps, and more. While an experienced user might prefer an aluminum or wooden keyboard case over ABS plastic, a first-timer might not give it a second thought. As long as a plastic keyboard doesn't look too "plasticky," it'll pass the "look test" of an inexperienced user.

As long as a plastic keyboard doesn't look too "plasticky," it'll pass the "look test" of an inexperienced user.

Similarly, the plate inside more expensive keyboards can be made from metal, but most models have a plastic plate. Even the keycaps on a mechanical keyboard can be made from different materials — ABS, PBT, POM, ceramic, and more. The average user won't know or make the effort to find out about the pros and cons of each material, and will probably end up with ABS keycaps that are known to develop an unappealing shine after a few months.

This is not to say that if a keyboard isn't made of aluminum or wood, it will always sound like trash. Decent-sounding plastic keyboards are available, but they're still different from the cheaper mass-market plasticky mechanical keyboards on the market. The point is, however, that most users will not know the difference, and the keyboard might not even feel "cheap" until they try a few better models.

4 Gasket mount and pre-installed foam

Still missing from many keyboards

The way the plate is secured to the keyboard case or top frame is known as the mounting style. While entry-level keyboards ship with a tray mount, many budget and premium keyboards have transitioned to gasket mounts, where gaskets are placed between the plate and the keyboard housing on both sides (top and bottom). This dampens the typing sound and gives cushioned feedback to the user.

A new user will probably not look for the mounting style of the keyboard or whether it has foam or not.

Adding foam is another way to further improve the typing experience by deepening the sound and muffling the rattling usually heard on cheap keyboards. A new user will probably not look for the mounting style of the keyboard or whether it has foam or not. They might expect an expensive keyboard to sound good or "thocky" — as popularized by YouTubers and Instagram creators — but they won't know the specific features to look for which will result in that sound.

A new user might end up with a gasket mount and pre-installed foam anyway, since even budget keyboards are now adopting both features in droves. However, many entry-level keyboards will still skimp on them to save costs, hurting the typing experience.

3 VIA support and software customization

It's a niche requirement at best

QMK/VIA support is considered the gold standard in keyboard software, as its open-source and versatile nature enhances the experience for keyboard enthusiasts. Whether it's remapping keys, recording macros, programming layers, or customizing RGB lighting, VIA remains king on the software side. Proprietary software very rarely matches or eclipses the user experience and functionality of VIA.

This doesn't mean that every user considers it a must-have or even knows about it. Often, people don't even like to mess around with software just to use their peripherals. Bloated and slow manufacturer programs are often met with ridicule by most users. Even if VIA solves a lot of issues plaguing proprietary software, the average user doesn't want to constantly tinker with their keyboard layout or customize per-key lighting.

Programming multiple layers and remapping keys are things only advanced users are interested in.

A lot of customization can often be done on the keyboard itself, whether it's recording macros or changing lighting modes. Besides, programming multiple layers and remapping keys are things only advanced users are interested in.

2 Hot-swappable switches

Not as sought after as you'd think

When it comes to the sound and feel of a keyboard, the switches play a huge role. From a loud clicky sound to a smooth and silent one, changing your switches can have a dramatic impact on your overall typing experience. The ability to "hot-swap" or easily replace switches on a keyboard without desoldering and soldering is a huge positive for an enthusiast who loves to experiment with different switch types and models.

Buying new switches to replace the stock ones on their keyboards isn't something every user wants to do.

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However, most users aren't actively looking for a hot-swappable keyboard. They simply need a keyboard that works great out of the box. They'll probably do some research on what switches they'll like the most (linear, tactile, clicky), and buy a keyboard that has those switches. Buying new switches to replace the stock ones on their keyboards isn't something every user wants to do. It's still a niche feature that not every keyboard comes with.

1 Magnetic (Hall effect) switches

There aren't many takers yet

Hall effect (HE) switches are the latest trend in the mechanical keyboard space. While it's not accurate to call a HE keyboard "mechanical" — it has no mechanical switches — that's beside the point. Hall effect or magnetic switches bring some unprecedented advantages to keyboards, such as dynamic actuation points, Rapid Trigger, and Snap Tap, that are game-changing (pun not intended) for competitive gamers.

HE switches exist in a small bubble, and it'll be a while before the average user "needs" them on their keyboard.

However, how many users really know or care about magnetic switches? Considering it's a relatively new feature on modern keyboards (HE switches have existed for decades though), not many people are even aware of them. Moreover, only a small group of users will be able to appreciate the benefits that I mentioned above. Hence, for now, HE switches exist in a small bubble, and it'll be a while before the average user "needs" them on their keyboard.

Mechanical keyboards aren't the entire market

We can keep discussing mechanical keyboards ad infinitum, but they're still behind other keyboards in terms of market size. Accounting for around one-third of the entire keyboard market, there's still a long way to go for mechanical keyboards to become the first choice for the average user. Consequently, the features that keyboard nerds like me drool over aren't even possible on the majority of the keyboards people use today.