There are many important things to consider when selecting your next mechanical keyboard. Here are some important factors we prioritized in our decision-making process:
Wired/Wireless
Thanks to technological advances, most electronic devices now have the option of being wired or wireless or both when it comes to connectivity. The same thing goes for keyboards. With that in mind, we selected options that fall into each of the aforementioned categories, leaving you with a variety of choices based on your preferences.
Noise
As we mentioned earlier, the materials used in the construction of mechanical keyboards can make them quite noisy. However, this depends on switch type — clicky being the noisiest and liner being the most silent — and brand of product. As time goes on, more efforts are being made to lessen the noise made by these devices, and we have selected options that will give you a quieter user experience.
Switches
Mechanical keyboards offer different kinds of switches, but the best ones give you the option to choose. There are three major types of key switches that can be found on a mechanical keyboard, and the choice is up to you based on your preferences.
Linear switches – These are the least noisy type of switches. They feel the same once you start pressing the key up until you reach its bottom, providing no tactile feedback (clicking noise) at the actuation point where the key gets registered. Hence, you would most likely have to fully press your key to be satisfied with its registration. If you work in an office space with other individuals, these might be the best bet for you as they provide a noise-free user experience. Linear switches typically come in red or black colors.
Tactile switches – As the name says, these switches provide some form of tactile feedback at their registration points in form of a small bump. So, as you press the key down, you will notice a small bump somewhere in the middle, letting you know it has been registered. Tactile switches are often brown or clear in color.
Clicky switches – These switches are usually blue or green and are the noisiest type of switches. This is owed to the fact that they provide the highest form of tactile feedback through an audible clicking noise. With these types of switches, you don’t need to press a key all the way down for it to be registered, and can instead release the key once you feel a bump accompanied by a clicking noise halfway through, similar to an old-fashioned typewriter. The satisfying click, believe it or not, is what makes these types of switches such a hit.
The most popular manufacturer of mechanical key switches is the Cherry MX company. We chose products that have different types of switches that meet individual needs and preferences.
Style/Design
We all love an aesthetically pleasing product. A mechanical keyboard that offers all the bells and whistles, but lacks a beautiful layout or design is one we simply would not suggest to our awesome readers. The style of any keyboard is generally a combination of its layout, size, switch type, and other extra features such as LED and RGB lights. Our selected keyboards are not only beautiful to look at, but they also provide a clean, organized layout and allow you to customize settings to suit your taste.
Price vs Quality
Although these devices are generally the more expensive option, we picked keyboards that offer utilities worth their price ranges, giving the best value for your money in terms of durability and features. More so, our top picks strongly compete with current market prices, while providing quality features that are found lacking in their counterparts. This means that you get to spend a reasonable amount but reap amazing consistent rewards.
Durability
Mechanical Keyboards generally have a longer lifespan than other kinds of keyboards, however, some brands are even more durable than others. We made sure to select products that will last as long as you need them.
Easy to Install
The goal is an easy user experience in all aspects, including the installation of these devices. Our picks have easy installation processes and straightforward setup instructions.
Easy to Clean
You don’t want your keyboard having an early retirement simply because you couldn’t figure out how to clean it. We don’t want that either and that’s why we picked products that won’t be a hassle to clean and maintain.
Gaming Capabilities
We know that gamers are one of the top users of mechanical keyboards. So we factored in their needs and the keyboard’s capabilities to meet those needs in our selection process.
Customizable
One of the most anticipated features of a mechanical keyboard is the ability to customize it to individual preferences. Therefore, we ensured to consider this factor when making our decisions.