At this point, I'm deep down the mechanical keyboard rabbit hole, always searching for the next great keyboard to review. I've tried almost every keyboard layout, from full-sized to 40%, reviewed both expensive and budget keyboards, and even experienced Hall effect keyboards. While it's heartening to see manufacturers try to pack keyboards with as many features as possible, I don't find all of them necessary.
It all comes down to the kind of user I am. You might find all of these features non-negotiable, and that's totally fine — that's why I love the variety of mechanical keyboards. However, after years of using mechanical keyboards, I can personally confirm that I wouldn't miss any of these 5 features on any of my keyboards.
10 once-rare features that are now common on budget mechanical keyboards
Oh how the tides have turned for budget mechanical keyboards!
5 RGB backlight
I keep it switched off anyway
Imagining your keyboard sans any kind of backlight might be tough for some, but once the novelty of the pretty lighting effects wears off, I find the backlight more distracting than useful. Backlighting can help you see your keyboard legends in the dark, but most keyboards don't come with translucent or "shine-through" keycaps anyway, defeating the entire purpose. Light bleeding from between the keycaps isn't remotely as useful as light actually illuminating them.
I always use my keyboard in wireless mode on my Windows PC, never use Bluetooth, and plug it in for charging once every few weeks.
Even if you could make use of the backlight without translucent keycaps, it's just not bright enough on many keyboards. And I know backlighting can help in other ways, such as notifying you of the battery level, connection mode, Win/Mac modes, Bluetooth device mode, and so on. However, those things are minor, especially when I always use my keyboard in wireless mode on my Windows PC, never use Bluetooth, and plug it in for charging once every few weeks.
3 reasons I can't go back from a wireless mechanical keyboard
There are a lot of reasons why I can't ever go back from my wireless mechanical keyboard. Here are the top 3
4 Customizable display
Cat GIFs are cool and all, but space is a premium
I love a screen on my keyboard as much as the next guy, but if I had to choose between a customizable display and some actual keys (or knobs), I'd pick the latter in a heartbeat. It's fun to upload wacky GIFs on your keyboard's display, at least for a few days, before you start missing, say, a dedicated Home or End key, or even a multimedia control knob.
Many manufacturers have gradually adopted displays on various models, but it's little more than a gimmick. I know a screen can display the date & time, connection modes, OS modes, BT modes, battery level, and more, but again, that stuff is barely useful since I'm never moving my board away from my dedicated workstation.
If you don't know by now, I'm not a work-from-cafe kinda guy. Besides, I have a super light and portable keyboard for whenever I need to work while traveling.
I always look for these things in a gaming keyboard, and you should, too
Some important things to consider when buying a new gaming keyboard.
3 Multi-OS support
Still wondering when I'll need Mac support
I have a Windows PC that I use when working or gaming. I have never felt the need to switch OS modes on my keyboard. Just like me, most people have a single machine — Windows, Mac, or Linux — or the same OS on each of their devices. They can easily buy a keyboard compatible with their respective operating system, and not think about it for the foreseeable future.
Multi-OS connectivity can be useful if you're using, say, a Windows desktop at home and a MacBook when traveling, or maybe you're testing different operating systems on a virtual machine. Maybe you need to use both Windows and Mac devices for reviews, and run Ubuntu on your NAS. A versatile keyboard will come in handy in such cases, but for my needs, good ol' Windows support is all I need.
2 VIA support
Too complex for my taste
VIA support enables you to remap keys on your keyboard, run macros, configure multiple layers, use different layouts, customize backlighting, and more. It's a fantastic piece of open-source software for those who need to work with super-compact keyboards or can't do without the productivity benefits it offers.
TKL and 75% are my favorite layouts anyway, and they're perfectly usable without remapping keys or configuring multiplier layers.
I don't fall into either of those camps — I prefer a keyboard that has all the keys I need without having to resort to needless key combos and layers. Whether I'm writing or gaming, as long as my keyboard has simple 2-key combos for most common functions like multimedia control, brightness control, and Home & End keys (using the Fn button), I'm happy.
TKL and 75% are my favorite layouts anyway, and they're perfectly usable without remapping keys or configuring multiplier layers.
How to configure QMK keyboards using VIA
VIA and QMK streamline keyboard customization, enabling easy remapping, macro setups, and layer management for a tailored typing experience.
1 Numpad
Why does the average user need one?
The absence of a numpad on compact mechanical keyboards is a major sticking point for many users — at least that's what the forums tell me. And I know that it's a combination of familiarity, habit, and sometimes, necessity that makes a numpad desirable on your keyboard. However, I still fail to see why so many people still desperately cling to the numpad.
On your personal system, if all you're doing is gaming and typing, you'll absolutely not miss the numpad.
Sure, if you're doing a lot of data entry, coding, software development, or networking work at your workplace, then a numpad can be highly convenient — but that's your work keyboard. No one really uses fancy mechanical keyboards at work. On your personal system, if all you're doing is gaming and typing, you'll absolutely not miss the numpad. At least that's what I've experienced, and I've seen countless others in the community echo this sentiment.
7 reasons full-sized mechanical keyboards aren’t more popular
We all seem to love mechanical keyboards. But why aren't there more full-size models available?
No one size fits all, especially in mechanical keyboards
Mechanical keyboards are some of the most personal devices, and people naturally look for one that fits their style. From full-sized keyboards to ultra-portable 40% models, flashy RGB to understated esthetics, and clicky to thocky typing, there's something for everyone. No wonder that not everyone would agree with this list. You might have your own list of features you find unnecessary or essential.
What remains common across the community is the love for mechanical keyboards and the unrelenting search for the next satisfying model. Now that I've put this list out there, let me switch over to reviewing a keyboard that just arrived at my doorstep.