How to choose a mechanical keyboard in 2022
Making a decision to pick which mechanical keyboard will be a little bit complicated. When choosing the new keyboard, the topics like switches, the material of keycaps, keyboard layout, just like the different languages. How can we get clear and buy the fit one keyboard?
We are trying to help you through this article, read the checklist in case you can find the answer quickly. Let’s begin.
1.How much should I spend on the mechanical keyboard?
2.How to choose keyboard size?
3. How to Identify an expensive keyboard o cheap keyboard
-What are the differences between an Expensive keyboard and an economic one?
4. How to choose the right Switch?
-Three major types: Clicky, Linear, and Tactile
-What switch is best for Gaming?
-What switch is best for typing?
5. Conclusion
1. How much should I spend on the mechanical keyboard?
Before buying a keyboard, please ask yourself these questions: How much should I spend on a keyboard? What is my expectation for this keyboard, and how often do I use the keyboard? There are always more expensive keyboards but choosing the suitable one is more critical for you.
If you are a beginner in this area, you could choose the budget mechanical keyboard for under 50$ and always select the hot-swappable keyboard so that you can try different switches. Also, you can buy the switch tester.
When you know more about the mechanical keyboard, you become "mean" on your keyboard and start looking for other types of keyboards. At this moment, we recommend that you look around for those between 70-100$. Cool programmable lighting effects, better keyboard base materials, higher quality keycaps, and pre-lubricated switches can be found on these keyboards.Cool programmable lighting effects, better keyboard base materials, higher quality keycaps, and pre-lubricated switches can be found on these keyboards
If you don’t care about the budget, you can target that 150$+ computer keyboard. These keyboards come with everything you need.
In a word, It depends on how many features and how much customization you want in a keyboard-compatible version, which will be reflected in the price point. Let's go into the next session.
2. How to choose keyboard size?
To find out the answer, let’s give you a brief introduction to the keyboard sizes.See the picture：
(Pic from Reddit)
The 65 keyboards are becoming more popular. The number pad is still missing on this keyboard size, but you will find the function row and the home cluster, page up, and page down keys. (Be notice you couldn’t see on some 65 keyboard cases)
(Pic from IG:@riccardopalombo)
65 percent keyboard with Dedicated Arrow Keys: Help for Gaming and reading
The function keys may be helpful, for some people, not having the arrow keys and home cluster can feel uncomfortable, especially for the gamers who love to use the arrow key for moving around and daily users who need to read news on the screen.
65 compact keyboard case or separated layout
65 keyboard case compact layout: Look like what it sounds like. All the keys are close: All Keys are Smushed Together. Home cluster keys are vertically on the right of the keyboard; next to this zoon are located arrow keys. This is your choice if you want to save your desk space and get used to the key being together. If you are a big-hand guy, the separation layout is waiting for you.
Buy Gamakay 65 keyboard- Click here
- 75 keyboard
(Pic from Pcgamer.com)
75% keyboard case: Intensive phobia super compact keyboard layout
75% of keyboards in my opinion may not be user-friendly for densely-phobic users. For saving more space, the home cluster and arrow keys are located between each other and the home cluster is set vertically.
Need time to get used to how to use
The Uncommon but awesome design may take some time to get familiar with some strange key sizes and placement. For example, the lift shift key is typically much smaller than usual and building the muscle memory of where the new entry key will take some time. The other thing that will take your time is finding the customized keycaps; you may need to search to find a set that is suitable with the 75% keyboard case due to some mini key sizes
60% keyboard layout is most used since the keycap layout is mostly standardized across this category. Some gamers love using the 60 percent layout keyboard thanks to its small size. This means you can trigger the gaming button and move to the next option quickly.
When you open the keyboard kit, the 60% interior looks like a full-size keyboard; some maybe miss the FN key, but mostly just like with the 65%, the functions row is programmable, but so are the arrow keys and home group, which are usually scattered around the keyboard and activated as secondary functions. If you rely much on the function key, try to use it more or choose the full-size keyboard.
- Tenkeyless (TKL)/ 80 keyboard
(Pic from IG:@sayonanii）
The TENKEYLESS (TKL) keyboard, also called the 80 percent keyboard, is a little bit bigger than the 75% percent keyboard, with 88 keys, depending on the keyboard layout. This layout is suitable for most people, whether you are gamers, programmers, or everyday daily users who don’t use a number pad but still want to use the function keys and home cluster.
Thanks to the keyboard's structure, you can place your hands ergonomically in front of you. THE TKL will help you get used to the mechanical keyboard soon.
- ALTERNATIVES
This sector is about the particular keyboard layout and is usually for the cracks who are willing to spend an extended period learning how to use it. Here are some niches, such as 40% or gaming pads. We don't use this type of keyboard frequently, so we are going to the next section.
3. How to Identify an expensive keyboard or cheap keyboard.
In the beginning, we mentioned the price of the keyboard. In this section, we will tell you the difference between an expensive keyboard and a cheap one.
(Pic from switchandclick.com)
4. How to choose the right Switch?
The switches are the most prominent feature that separates a mechanical from a standard keyboard—every type on the keyboard results in a reliable and reliable keystroke. There Are many switch types (The Akko is a model), so it will be a bit confusing to choose the fit one through various styles. There are dozens of different switch types out there, so it can be a bit confusing to navigate through the different types. You can personalize whatever you like on the keyboards such as keycaps with Japanese style Asina style Material of the base, CNC, Copper, aluminum alloy Switches: Cherry MX, Gateron, also Gamakay switches. We will try to explain what names of the switches, so you can choose your preferred one
-Three major types Clicky, Linear, and Tactile
- The linear shaft has only spring resistance, making the operation smooth and quiet. Common click switches: Red and black
The click switch produces a loud clicking sound with each keypress, similar to a ballpoint pen pressing a switch. Common click switches: blue and
Light-touch switches provide a thump when pressed but do not produce a click sound. Standard tap switches: brown and silver.
The different switches may cause additional touch and good feelings. It’s better to decide what to buy after clearing what works best for you.
Here are some simple tips for you if you are the green hand in this sector and have no idea how they might feel.
What switch is best for Gaming?
As you can see in this PIC, most people rate BLACK, Red, and brown. The Black and Red are Linear, and the brown is tactile. The Liner is super-amazing smooth; even though doesn’t pre-lubricated, the quick response time will help you win the game advance.
What switch is best for typing?
If you are using the keyboard for typing, such as editors, programmers, or office workers, please see the sector typing. The Tactile brown and tactile clicky Blue win this sector. The tactile solid feeling can be excellent for making fewer mistakes; someone loves this click sense while it will make a great sound, and the people around you will be annoying.
Silent switchHowever, the clicky switch will product much noice sometimes it will make feeling annoying, to maintain harmony in the office and the relationship with the people around you while you are working, we highly recommend you choose the silent switch.
Silent switches are mostly linear switches. It moves up and down without haptic feedback or clicks, so there is less friction between the stamp and The crosspoint contact. Therefore that produces less noise. We recommend using the silent switch while you are in the classroom, library, and office.
Check what the different between the gamakay silent switch and Gateron switch
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of tips for mechanical keyboards. Figuring out all the points might be quite difficult, hope these checkpoints can help you pick the first keyboard. Always think clearly about What you use it for and how much you would like to spend on it. Hope you will enjoy it.