It might seem otherwise from all the buzz, but not everyone is using a mechanical keyboard yet. Despite the massive boom in their popularity, you might still be relying on your trusty membrane keyboard. After all, if you've been using membrane boards for years, what's the big hurry to move to a mechanical keyboard? Maybe your existing keyboard does everything you need it to, and you're not really looking to shake things up.
On the other hand, if you've been smitten with the mechanical keyboards you keep seeing on your feed, and finally want to jump in, there are five crucial questions you need to ask yourself before you buy one. I won't get into "gaming" features, keyboard designs, and software support, focusing instead on the aspects of a mechanical keyboard that will determine if it can properly replace your reliable membrane keyboard.
6 features that should be mandatory on every mechanical keyboard
Mechanical keyboards differ greatly in both form and function, but skipping these 6 features should be illegal
5 Do you prefer loud or silent switches?
This is something you just know
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned user, you can immediately answer this one. Membrane keyboards are usually quite silent, thanks to the silicone or rubber membrane under the keys. This also makes the typing experience feel "soft", which some people don't like. However, the feedback aside, if you want to continue to have a silent keyboard even after moving to the mechanical camp, you have a few good choices.
If you'd rather prefer a slightly louder switch that emits a satisfying click when pressed, a clicky or tactile switch might work better for you.
Linear switches are generally the most silent when compared to clicky or tactile switches. The overall sound will depend on a lot of other factors (which we'll cover below), but the bulk of it will be determined by the switch type. If you'd prefer a slightly louder switch that emits a satisfying click when pressed, a clicky or tactile switch might work better for you. A tactile switch is relatively more silent than a clicky one, but retains the satisfying feedback preferred by many users.
Another option, if you want an extremely silent operation, is a Hall effect keyboard. These keyboards feature magnetic switches that are considerably more silent than most mechanical switches, and might appeal to users who want an understated sound profile. Hall effect keyboards have a few other benefits over mechanical ones, such as custom actuation points, less wear & tear, and lower input delay — these might not matter to most people, but they're good bonuses.
7 reasons mechanical keyboards aren't the best keyboards anymore
Hall Effect is in, and mechanical keyboards are on their way out.
4 Do you need that thock?
The switches are just the beginning
People sometimes forget that the biggest factor in a keyboard's quality is how it sounds and feels. Everything else is secondary. If you aren't going to enjoy typing on your keyboard day in and day out, that's just a needless tragedy. As I said above, the switches play a big role in how your keyboard sounds, but they aren't the only thing that matters.
An entry-level keyboard with a tray mount will never sound as good as a budget or premium gasket mount.
The keyboard material, type of keycaps, mounting style, and sound-dampening material need to be on point as well. All of them together determine if your keyboard sounds meh or wow — that's essentially it. A keyboard with an ABS plastic case might sound lackluster when compared to one that's made of solid aluminum or wood. An entry-level keyboard with a tray mount will never sound as good as a budget or premium gasket mount.
Besides a decent gasket mount, sound-dampening material is also needed to adequately minimize distracting pings, creating that signature thocky or creamy typing sound. Even the material of the keycaps can change how your keypresses sound, from ABS keycaps sounding hollow to PBT keycaps sounding deep and hefty. Many keyboards come with additional weights inside or outside the case to further add to the heft and sound of the board.
Fortunately, you don't need to spend hundreds to get a keyboard that sounds like heaven. These days, a $100 budget keyboard packs in all the features you need for a splendid, premium experience.
10 once-rare features that are now common on budget mechanical keyboards
Oh how the tides have turned for budget mechanical keyboards!
3 Do you want to be a keyboard tinkerer?
To mod or not to mod
The great thing about mechanical keyboards is that they allow you to make subtle or major changes to them to tailor the experience to your preferences. Well, if you choose wisely, that is. If your first-ever mechanical keyboard features hot-swappable switches, you can always buy different switches and swap them for the stock switches in minutes. However, you need to ask yourself if you even want to do that.
When buying your first mechanical keyboard, you could make it a point to get one that has a hot-swappable PCB and is easy to open and put back together.
A lot of users simply want a pre-built mechanical keyboard that sounds and feels great out of the box. They don't intend to make any changes to it — not even the keycaps. Disassembling the keyboard and making advanced mods is out of the question, in such cases. However, the point is that the option to do so is always there if you want it. So, when buying your first mechanical keyboard, you could make it a point to get one that has a hot-swappable PCB and is easy to open and put back together.
Let's say you're unsure of which switch you'll like, so you pick one, order the keyboard, and then find out you don't, in fact, like the switches. A hot-swappable PCB will allow you to instantly remove and replace the switches without needing any tools or accessories. All you need is a switch puller that most likely came in your keyboard box. Other modifications (mods) you could do later are adding or removing foam, taping the PCB, lubing the switches and stabilizers, etc. If the idea of this excites you, then you have the answer to this question.
6 simplest mods for mechanical keyboards
Modding your mechanical keyboard can be tons of fun, but also intimidating. Here are 6 of the simplest mods to get you started
2 Do you want a do-it-all keyboard?
One keyboard to rule them all?
You might be using your existing membrane keyboard solely at your desk, but you don't need to continue doing that with your new mechanical keyboard. Depending on the size and features of the keyboard you buy, you can take it with you anywhere you want and enjoy a good typing session wherever the need arises.
Of course, a keyboard doesn't have to be mechanical for features like wireless connectivity and compact layouts. However, mechanical keyboards tend to enjoy the most variety when it comes to keyboard sizes and features. Maybe you're after a well-designed keyboard with a compact layout and Bluetooth connectivity for when you're away from your desktop. You have countless TKL, 75%, and 65% mechanical keyboard options that feature wired, Bluetooth, as well as 2.4GHz connectivity.
If you have no plans to use the same keyboard on your desktop as well as portable devices, you can always go with a full-sized layout, heavier but premium materials, gorgeous aftermarket cables, and more.
Many of these keyboards are light, portable, and support multiple operating systems to make your "traveling professional" life easier. On the other hand, if you have no plans to use the same keyboard on your desktop as a portable device, you can always go with a full-sized layout, heavier but premium materials, gorgeous aftermarket cables, and more. If you don't plan to move your keyboard an inch away from your desk, you can make wildly different choices.
I tested every keyboard layout and this is what I'm sticking with
From full-sized to 40% keyboards, I tried everything to decide my favorite layout
1 Do you care about ergonomic form factors?
Function versus form
Ergonomic keyboards prioritize wrist and hand comfort over fancy designs and enthusiast features. If you've already been using an ergonomic membrane keyboard, you might want to stick with the same form factor when switching to a mechanical keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards can feature various layouts, and if you haven't used one before, you might need to spend some time deciding which one will suit you the best.
On some models, you can even customize the tilt and tent angles both at the time of purchase and later with the use of provided kits.
Some of them come with a wavy and raised surface that aligns better with the natural position of your hands when typing. Others feature split layouts where you can position the two halves the way you want for maximum convenience. On some models, you can even customize the tilt and tent angles both at the time of purchase and later with the use of provided kits.
Many users might not prefer the appearance or the learning curve required for these keyboards. If you belong to this club, you can pick a regular, non-ergonomic option as your first mechanical keyboard, and later consider ergonomic models should you really need them.
I ditched my mechanical keyboard for an ergonomic one, and I might never go back
I thought I'd hate the Logitech Wave Keys, and yet it has stayed on my desk for weeks.
Mechanical keyboards are all about choice and customization
If you've decided to enter the world of mechanical keyboards, you've probably resonated with the endless possibilities available there. From the size and vibe of your keyboard, to the sound, typing feel, and upgradability features, there's nothing quite like mechanical keyboards. Choosing your first, however, can be daunting. Hence, these questions can help you narrow the list down to a few top choices.