{"id":321269,"date":"2021-08-10T21:00:21","date_gmt":"2021-08-10T18:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/"},"modified":"2021-08-10T21:00:21","modified_gmt":"2021-08-10T18:00:21","slug":"what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/","title":{"rendered":"#What to Look for in a Mechanical Keyboard"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a401cd922bb5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a401cd922bb5\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Pick_a_Layout\" >Pick a Layout<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Full_Size\" >Full Size<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#96\" >96%<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Tenkeyless_TKL\" >Tenkeyless (TKL)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#75\" >75%<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#65_and_60\" >65% and 60%<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Ergonomic\" >Ergonomic<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Choose_Your_Switches\" >Choose Your Switches<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Tactile_Switches\" >Tactile Switches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Clicky_Switches\" >Clicky Switches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Linear_Switches\" >Linear Switches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Optical_Switches\" >Optical Switches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Gaming_Switches\" >Gaming Switches<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Should_You_Go_Wired_or_Wireless\" >Should You Go Wired or Wireless?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Wireless\" >Wireless<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Wired\" >Wired<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Build_Quality_Is_Crucial\" >Build Quality Is Crucial<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Keycaps\" >Keycaps<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Customizability_Is_a_Key_Benefit_of_Mechanical_Keyboards\" >Customizability Is a Key Benefit of Mechanical Keyboards<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Hot-Swapping\" >Hot-Swapping<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#The_8_Best_Hot_Swappable_Mechanical_Keyboards\" >The 8 Best Hot Swappable Mechanical Keyboards<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Drop_CTRL_Mechanical_Keyboard_%E2%80%94_Tenkeyless_TKL_87_Key_Gaming_Keyboard_Hot-Swap_Switches_Programmable_Macros_RGB_LED_Backlighting_USB-C_Doubleshot_PBT_Aluminum_Frame_Halo_True_Gray\" >Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard \u2014 Tenkeyless TKL (87 Key) Gaming Keyboard, Hot-Swap Switches, Programmable Macros, RGB LED Backlighting, USB-C, Doubleshot PBT, Aluminum Frame (Halo True, Gray)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Womier_K87\" >Womier K87<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#RGB_Lighting\" >RGB Lighting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/what-to-look-for-in-a-mechanical-keyboard\/#Software\" >Software<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>&#8220;#What to Look for in a Mechanical Keyboard&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content-area\">\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage wp-image-93608 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/802d935a.jpg?width=400 400w, https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/802d935a.jpg?width=1200 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/802d935a.jpg?width=1200\" alt=\"Multi-colored mechanical keyboard with keycaps removed on a blue background\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Jules Goossens\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/mechanical-keyboard-keycaps-missing-1728958330\"> <span class=\"type:primaryImage imagecredit\">Jules Goossens\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mechanical keyboards come with many positives: They\u2019re more satisfying to type on, more durable, and offer more room for personalization than standard keyboards. But there\u2019s a lot more to them than that, and if you want to ensure you\u2019re getting the best keyboard for you, there are some things you need to know first.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pick_a_Layout\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_0\">Pick a Layout<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s start with what\u2019s arguably the most important part: the layout. This refers to the way keys are positioned on the board. You\u2019re probably used to the standard, 104-key \u201cFull\u201d layout most keyboards use, but there are many morefrom which to choose.<\/p>\n<p>Layouts tend to differ by what keys they do or don\u2019t include, so let\u2019s go over some general terms for the keys on your keyboard just to make things clear.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-94368 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/08\/f3ccdd27-1.jpg\" alt=\"Pink and blue full mechanical keyboard\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Lukmanazis\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/jakarta-indonesia-november-5-2019-asus-1550557970\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">Lukmanazis\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If we look at the Full layout (seen above), <span class=\"htgeditornotesel\">we can see<\/span> various clusters of keys clearly separated by small gaps. Of course, the core section includes all the letters, backspace, escape, and punctuation keys. Right above that is the Number (1 \u2013 9, -, and = keys) and Function rows (F1 \u2013 F12 keys), with clusters of navigation keys (PageUp, Home, and Delete, to name a few) to the right. This part also has the arrow keys, which you might be surprised to learn aren\u2019t included on every layout, but we\u2019ll get back to that. And finally, the number pad (or \u201cnumpad\u201d as it\u2019s often called), which is a separate cluster of keys for inputting numbers quicker on the right-most part of the keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>Most alternative layouts focus on making the keyboard more compact, so they tend to remove many keys. This is done by making certain key functions accessed through key combinations instead of having dedicated keys. A common example of this is getting rid of the Function row and accessing those keys by combining the Function key (FN) with the corresponding number from the Number row (so for F4, you would input FN + 4). Every keyboard handles this a little bit differently, but generally speaking, if a keyboard uses a layout that removes keys, they\u2019ll still be accessible somehow.<\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, the layout you use is completely preference based. While some layouts will save more space or include more keys, it\u2019s up to you to decide which one is right for you. So, let\u2019s go through the most common layouts on the market.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Full_Size\"><\/span>Full Size<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As I just said, this is the layout you\u2019ll find on most keyboards. It includes the core section, navigation keys, the Function and Number rows, dedicated arrow keys, and the NumPad. This usually totals 104 keys, but some boards may include additional keys like media controls (such as Play\/Pause, Skip Track, and volume controls).<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"96\"><\/span>96%<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-93609 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3018a932.jpg\" alt=\"96% mechanical keyboard on top of black deskmat\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"ceconds\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/mechanical-keyboard-custom-keycaps-made-usb-1862162491\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">ceconds\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This layout takes the majority of the keys found in the full layout (usually only removing some lesser-used navigation keys) and condenses them all to produce a smaller keyboard. This is done by \u201cdeclustering\u201d the keys; with the Full layout, the keys are separated into different groups with small gaps between them. It makes things look cleaner but causes the keyboard to eat up more space.\u00a0 A 96% keyboard eliminates those gaps, resulting in one massive cluster with every key (as you can see above).<\/p>\n<p>This layout ultimately serves as a good middle-ground between the standard full layout and the more compact ones we\u2019ll cover soon. Just be aware there aren\u2019t a ton of keyboards that use this layout, so finding one you like with it can be difficult.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tenkeyless_TKL\"><\/span>Tenkeyless (TKL)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-94369 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/08\/156005c5.jpg\" alt=\"Gray, tenkeyless mechanical keyboard on a wooden railing\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"James Dushay\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/minimalist-mechanical-keyboard-freshly-cleaned-1560038576\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">James Dushay\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>TKL is one of the most popular alternative layouts around, so you\u2019ll have an easy time finding boards using it. This makes sense, as the layout concept is straightforward: Just take a Full keyboard, and chop off the part with the Numpad. Everything else is kept the same; it just eliminates the Numpad to save a lot of space. As long as you don\u2019t find yourself using the Numpad often, this is the safest layout to go with besides <span class=\"htgeditornotesel\">Full<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"75\"><\/span>75%<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-94370 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/08\/799bad5a-1.jpg\" alt=\"75% mechanical keyboard with a wooden wrist rest\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"JeffMa_tw\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/keyboard-on-office-desk-1674335047\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">JeffMa_tw\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Like the 96% layout, the 75% layout takes everything from a TKL board (the core section, Number Row, Function Row, navigation keys, and arrow keys) and removes the gaps to save even more space. If you don\u2019t mind the cluttered look, it\u2019s a good alternative but not as commonplace as TKL keyboards.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"65_and_60\"><\/span>65% and 60%<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-94372 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/08\/d0096ec6-1.jpg\" alt=\"65% mechanical keyboard on red backdrop\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Traesure The Moment\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/unique-custom-made-mechanical-keyboards-1996089155\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">Treasure The Moment\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>These two layouts are often what people jump to when they\u2019re looking for a small keyboard. The 65% layout removes the Function Row, most navigation keys, and the gaps, resulting in a much more compact keyboard than the Full layout we started with. It takes some getting used to, but it\u2019s a good solution if you\u2019re looking to save space.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-93610 size-full\" style=\"margin-bottom: -1ex;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/2cfad44e.jpg\" alt=\"60% mechanical keyboard against blue background\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Treasure The Moment\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/unique-custom-made-mechanical-keyboards-1996089149\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Treasure The Moment\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If that\u2019s not small enough for you, then the 60% layout (seen above) removes even more keys by getting rid of the remaining navigation and arrow keys. Basically, if you\u2019re going to use either of these layouts, you\u2019ll need to get used to using a lot of key combinations for different actions.<\/p>\n<p>Both are fairly prevalent in the market, but 60% is ultimately the more popular layout.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ergonomic\"><\/span>Ergonomic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This final section isn\u2019t going to talk about a specific layout but rather an entire category. Ergonomic keyboards try to improve the position of your arms and wrists while typing to cause less harm than a normal keyboard, though the ways they go about this varies wildly. Some keyboards do this by curving the board\u2019s body, so you don\u2019t need to extend your fingers as much to reach certain keys. Other boards are split into two separate modules you can space out as much as you want to make your arms more comfortable.<\/p>\n<p>If you find yourself having issues with carpal tunnel or other forms of RSI (repetitive strain injury), using an ergonomic keyboard can alleviate a lot of pain. Fair warning, though, these are often pretty expensive compared to normal mechanical keyboards.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choose_Your_Switches\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_1\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_switch\">Choose Your Switches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-93611 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/668023e0.jpg\" alt=\"Handful of mechanical switches stored in foam display\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1065\" data-credittext=\"Kyros\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/mechanical-key-switch-comparison-727217794\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">Kyros\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mechanical switches make mechanical keyboards special and why they\u2019re more satisfying to type on than normal keyboards. Placed under each key, these determine a lot about what your keyboard will feel like to type on. Switches can vary in smoothness, depth, resistance, and noise levels, so choosing something that fits you is an important decision. Some people want their keyboard to sound like a typewriter, but others just want more feedback from every press. Regardless, most keyboards offer multiple switch types as different options.<\/p>\n<p>Typically, the switches themselves feature a square, plastic housing for the internal mechanisms, small pins on the bottom for connecting to the keyboard, and the central \u201cMX-style\u201d cross-stem to attach the keycap (you can see it in the image below colored green). A lot of that becomes more important when we starting talking about <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_key\">keycaps<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_hot\">hot-swapping<\/a> later on, but it\u2019s useful to know the basics regardless.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-93612 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dca4744d.jpg\" alt=\"Side-view diagram of a mechanical switch\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Aki Kinnunen\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-vector\/mechanical-switch-diagram-clicky-keyboard-button-1323191267\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">Aki Kinnunen\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Now, there are a\u00a0<em>lot\u00a0<\/em>of different switches out there, offering different things from different brands. The most common companies you see are dedicated switch manufacturers like Cherry, Kalih, and Gateron, but peripheral manufacturers like Razer and Logitech have also started producing their own switches.<\/p>\n<p>The options presented with every keyboard will be very different, but let\u2019s go over the general categories of switches you can expect to find and how they affect the typing experience. Switches are usually marked with different colors that express their unique characteristics, so we\u2019ll broadly cover what colors\u00a0<em>usually<\/em> fall into each category.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"admonishment_tip\"><p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Something to look out for when considering keyboards is the terms \u201cmembrane mechanical\u201d or \u201cmechanical-feel.\u201d This means the keyboard doesn\u2019t have genuine mechanical switches and tries to replicate them with cheaper hardware. They don\u2019t feel as good to type on, so if you want a mechanical keyboard, you should avoid them outright.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tactile_Switches\"><\/span>Tactile Switches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Tactile switches are characterized by having a noticeable tactile bump when the switch is pushed down. This adds more resistance and feedback to each keypress, but also requires more force to use. Different tactile switches will require different levels of force, which you\u2019ll see measured in \u201cgrams of force\u201d on the product page (although not every switch will detail this). If you\u2019re solely focused on having some more tactile feedback while typing, this is the switch type you\u2019ll want to go with.<\/p>\n<p>Tactile switches are usually represented by brown and clear.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Clicky_Switches\"><\/span>Clicky Switches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Clicky switches also have a tactile bump, but unlike tactile switches, they also produce an audible click when pushed down. This can make typing on your keyboard very loud, so it\u2019s not recommended if you\u2019re going to be around a lot of people. But if you want some audible feedback while typing, these are definitely the switches for you.<\/p>\n<p>Clicky switches are usually represented by blue, green, and white.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Linear_Switches\"><\/span>Linear Switches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Remove the tactility and clicking of other switches, and you\u2019re left with a linear switch. These don\u2019t have a tactile bump, don\u2019t make much noise, and are also the easiest to type on. If you want something quiet and smooth, then that\u2019s exactly what linear switches offer.<\/p>\n<p>Linear switches are usually represented by red, yellow, and black.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Optical_Switches\"><\/span>Optical Switches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>These have become a lot more popular over the past few years. Optical switches can still fall under one of the three aforementioned categories, but they\u2019re much thinner than standard mechanical switches. This means they require less force while typing, are less tactile, and can respond to inputs slightly quicker. If you\u2019re used to scissor-switch keyboards, you\u2019ll feel more at home with optical switches than standard mechanical ones. At the end of the day, these are just another option on the market for a different typing experience, so whether you want to go with them is up to you.<\/p>\n<p>The only downside to optical switches is they usually have very different designs compared to normal switches. This means you can\u2019t use standard keycap sets with them or install them on most hot-swap keyboards (but we\u2019ll <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_custom\">get back<\/a> to both of those later).<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gaming_Switches\"><\/span>Gaming Switches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Our final category is far more specialized than the others, as gaming switches focus on removing input delay as much as possible. This means they register inputs quicker, which can be especially useful in competitive gaming. Like optical switches, gaming switches can still fall under one of three main categories (tactile, clicky, or linear). However, the actual mechanisms inside the switch tend to be very different from your standard mechanical switch. If you want these types of switches, just look for gaming keyboards specifically\u2014you\u2019ll find plenty that offer switches of this caliber.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_You_Go_Wired_or_Wireless\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_2\">Should You Go Wired or Wireless?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is honestly a pretty simple one to figure out. While neither wireless nor wired connection is necessarily better than the other, they each have clear-cut pros and cons, which we\u2019ll go over soon. Just one thing to keep in mind is that there aren\u2019t as many options for wireless keyboards as there are wired ones. Besides that, let\u2019s dive into each of these a bit deeper.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wireless\"><\/span>Wireless<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Wireless keyboards can either connect through Bluetooth or with a specific wireless adapter included with the board. The latter usually provides a more stable connection, but either will work. The upsides to wireless keyboards are obvious\u2014it\u2019s one fewer wire you need to worry about on your desk, and (at least for Bluetooth keyboards) you can usually switch the device you\u2019re connected to with the push of a button. But when it comes to downsides, you have to worry about battery life, which can be annoying.<\/p>\n<p>On top of that, wireless keyboards have latency while typing, which means there\u2019s a small delay between you pressing down the key and the input being registered. This is largely unnoticeable for most people, but if you\u2019re interested in competitive gaming, in particular, it can be an issue.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wired\"><\/span>Wired<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Wired keyboards are very straightforward, as are the pros and cons associated with them. You have to deal with a cable, but you never have to worry about latency or battery life. If you only use your keyboard with one device, the limits of a wired connection will likely never bother you. While wired keyboards are simple, sometimes that\u2019s exactly what you want.<\/p>\n<p>The only thing worth mentioning is the cables themselves. Most wired keyboards will plug into your PC with a USB-A cable, but some use USB-C. Braided cables are also a nice bonus as they\u2019re more durable than standard wires, and they\u2019re pretty common on mechanical keyboards.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Build_Quality_Is_Crucial\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_3\">Build Quality Is Crucial<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-93613 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/71891e76.jpg\" alt=\"Side view of a mechanical keyboard on a wooden desk\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Alberto Garcia Guillen\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/rgb-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-illuminated-leds-1631940826\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">Alberto Garcia Guillen\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mechanical keyboards are expensive, at least compared to most non-mechanical keyboards. That\u2019s largely due to the switches these keyboards use, but you still want to see that price tag reflected in the rest of the product as well. A mechanical keyboard should be a solid piece of hardware, capable of withstanding every keypress without bending or flexing under pressure.<\/p>\n<p>The material of the body is the main thing to look for on the store page. Aluminum and plastic are the two most common materials, with the former being the more premium and durable option. But plastic keyboards, when done right, can still be surprisingly nice, given that the plastic has the right finish to it and is thick enough.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to get a good grasp on anything else about the build quality without the keyboard in your hands, so this is definitely a time when reviews are your best friend.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keycaps\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_key\">Keycaps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Keycaps are the plastic shells placed on top of every switch and are what your fingers actually make contact with when typing. They have printed legends to tell you what the key does, to protect the switches, and to make the keyboard look better. But there are differences in keycaps, namely in the type of plastic they\u2019re made out of and how the legends are printed on them.<\/p>\n<p>There are two types of plastic used in keycap production: ABS and PBT. ABS is the cheaper and more common option; it\u2019s not bad by any means, but it will start to shine from your hand oils after extended use. PBT never has that issue and is also more durable in general, which is why it\u2019s more expensive. Regardless, PBT is more of a nice bonus than anything else\u2014while ABS is cheaper, it\u2019s still more than fine.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to the legends, what you really want to see is double-shotting. Standard keycaps just have the legends printed on, which can lead to fading over time. Double-shotting uses another piece of plastic inside the keycap to display the legend, so it can never fade. This is far better for longevity, and fortunately, most premium boards offer it nowadays.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Customizability_Is_a_Key_Benefit_of_Mechanical_Keyboards\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_4\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_custom\">Customizability Is a Key Benefit of Mechanical Keyboards<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-93615 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/fb0684d2.jpg\" alt=\"Mechanical keyboard disassembled with tools on a white backdrop\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-credittext=\"Om.Nom.Nom\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/disassembled-keyboard-on-white-background-disassembly-2004068270\"> <span class=\"imagecredit\">Om.Nom.Nom\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While mechanical keyboards mainly gain their appeal from the satisfying typing experience they offer, the level of customization you can get out of them is also really cool. We won\u2019t touch the super in-depth stuff to keep things simple, but if you look for it, you can find people who have customized their keyboards in some crazy ways (or even created them from scratch).<\/p>\n<p>For normal use, there are some general customizations that most mechanical keyboards can offer. The biggest one is the keycaps\u2014keycaps are largely standardized, so as long the switches on your board use the MX-style cross-stem we <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_switch\">mentioned earlier<\/a> (so no optical switches), you can install any set of keycaps you\u2019d like. You can find alternative keycap sets all over the internet, so it\u2019s an extremely simple way to personalize your keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>But there\u2019s more a keyboard can offer when it comes to personalization\u2014let\u2019s go over some of the most common ones.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hot-Swapping\"><\/span>Hot-Swapping<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Inside every keyboard is a Printed Circuit Board (<span class=\"htgeditornotesel\">PCB)<\/span>\u2014it\u2019s the circuit board that registers the keyboard\u2019s inputs. Switches are usually installed onto the PCB through <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/27865\/the-5-best-soldering-irons-for-beginners-and-experts\/\">soldering, which can make replacing switches a time-intensive effort. Hot-swapping aims to be an alternative to this, however.<\/p>\n<p>Hot-swapping means there are tiny modules on the PCB that allow switches to be slotted into them. Actually taking out and installing the switches can still require a lot of force, mind you, but it\u2019s far easier and more efficient than soldering. If you\u2019re interested in experimenting with a ton of different switches on your board, you\u2019ll definitely want this feature. Fortunately, hot-swapping is only becoming more commonplace as time goes on.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"admonishment_note\"><p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Optical switches usually aren\u2019t compatible with hot-swap keyboards. If you find a keyboard that boasts both optical switches and hot-swapping, that means the hot-swap modules\u00a0<em>only\u00a0<\/em>work with other optical switches.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"box-shadow: 0 0 4px 1px rgba(0,0,0,.2); padding: 1em; padding-bottom: 0; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n<h4 style=\"margin: 0;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_8_Best_Hot_Swappable_Mechanical_Keyboards\"><\/span>The 8 Best Hot Swappable Mechanical Keyboards <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIj8+PHN2ZyB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgeG1sbnM6eGxpbms9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzE5OTkveGxpbmsiIHg9IjBweCIgeT0iMHB4Ig0Kd2lkdGg9IjUxMS42MjZweCIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1MTEuNjI3cHgiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA1MTEuNjI2IDUxMS42MjciPg0KPGc+DQo8Zz4NCjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0zOTIuODU3LDI5Mi4zNTRoLTE4LjI3NGMtMi42NjksMC00Ljg1OSwwLjg1NS02LjU2MywyLjU3M2MtMS43MTgsMS43MDgtMi41NzMsMy44OTctMi41NzMsNi41NjN2OTEuMzYxDQpjMCwxMi41NjMtNC40NywyMy4zMTUtMTMuNDE1LDMyLjI2MmMtOC45NDUsOC45NDUtMTkuNzAxLDEzLjQxNC0zMi4yNjQsMTMuNDE0SDgyLjIyNGMtMTIuNTYyLDAtMjMuMzE3LTQuNDY5LTMyLjI2NC0xMy40MTQNCmMtOC45NDUtOC45NDYtMTMuNDE3LTE5LjY5OC0xMy40MTctMzIuMjYyVjE1NS4zMWMwLTEyLjU2Miw0LjQ3MS0yMy4zMTMsMTMuNDE3LTMyLjI1OWM4Ljk0Ny04Ljk0NywxOS43MDItMTMuNDE4LDMyLjI2NC0xMy40MTgNCmgyMDAuOTk0YzIuNjY5LDAsNC44NTktMC44NTksNi41Ny0yLjU3YzEuNzExLTEuNzEzLDIuNTY2LTMuOSwyLjU2Ni02LjU2N1Y4Mi4yMjFjMC0yLjY2Mi0wLjg1NS00Ljg1My0yLjU2Ni02LjU2Mw0KYy0xLjcxMS0xLjcxMy0zLjkwMS0yLjU2OC02LjU3LTIuNTY4SDgyLjIyNGMtMjIuNjQ4LDAtNDIuMDE2LDguMDQyLTU4LjEwMiwyNC4xMjVDOC4wNDIsMTEzLjI5NywwLDEzMi42NjUsMCwxNTUuMzEzdjIzNy41NDINCmMwLDIyLjY0Nyw4LjA0Miw0Mi4wMTgsMjQuMTIzLDU4LjA5NWMxNi4wODYsMTYuMDg0LDM1LjQ1NCwyNC4xMyw1OC4xMDIsMjQuMTNoMjM3LjU0M2MyMi42NDcsMCw0Mi4wMTctOC4wNDYsNTguMTAxLTI0LjEzDQpjMTYuMDg1LTE2LjA3NywyNC4xMjctMzUuNDQ3LDI0LjEyNy01OC4wOTV2LTkxLjM1OGMwLTIuNjY5LTAuODU2LTQuODU5LTIuNTc0LTYuNTcNCkMzOTcuNzA5LDI5My4yMDksMzk1LjUxOSwyOTIuMzU0LDM5Mi44NTcsMjkyLjM1NHoiLz4NCjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik01MDYuMTk5LDQxLjk3MWMtMy42MTctMy42MTctNy45MDUtNS40MjQtMTIuODUtNS40MjRIMzQ3LjE3MWMtNC45NDgsMC05LjIzMywxLjgwNy0xMi44NDcsNS40MjQNCmMtMy42MTcsMy42MTUtNS40MjgsNy44OTgtNS40MjgsMTIuODQ3czEuODExLDkuMjMzLDUuNDI4LDEyLjg1bDUwLjI0Nyw1MC4yNDhMMTk4LjQyNCwzMDQuMDY3DQpjLTEuOTA2LDEuOTAzLTIuODU2LDQuMDkzLTIuODU2LDYuNTYzYzAsMi40NzksMC45NTMsNC42NjgsMi44NTYsNi41NzFsMzIuNTQ4LDMyLjU0NGMxLjkwMywxLjkwMyw0LjA5MywyLjg1Miw2LjU2NywyLjg1Mg0KczQuNjY1LTAuOTQ4LDYuNTY3LTIuODUybDE4Ni4xNDgtMTg2LjE0OGw1MC4yNTEsNTAuMjQ4YzMuNjE0LDMuNjE3LDcuODk4LDUuNDI2LDEyLjg0Nyw1LjQyNnM5LjIzMy0xLjgwOSwxMi44NTEtNS40MjYNCmMzLjYxNy0zLjYxNiw1LjQyNC03Ljg5OCw1LjQyNC0xMi44NDdWNTQuODE4QzUxMS42MjYsNDkuODY2LDUwOS44MTMsNDUuNTg2LDUwNi4xOTksNDEuOTcxeiIvPg0KPC9nPjwvZz48L3N2Zz4NCg==\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\"\/><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<div class=\"moka-buying-guides-product-wrap\">\n<div>\n<small style=\"color: #555;\"\/><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; margin-bottom: 0em;\"\/><br \/>\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-widgetsource=\"buyingguide\" title=\"Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard \u2014 Tenkeyless TKL (87 Key) Gaming Keyboard, Hot-Swap Switches, Programmable Macros, RGB LED Backlighting, USB-C, Doubleshot PBT, Aluminum Frame (Halo True, Gray)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07W4SNVXD\/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_5wjnEbTD96RVF?tag=reviewgeek-20\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"height160 flex-vcenter\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" height=\"160px\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41j00bSUu2L._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<h5 style=\"max-height: 24px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 1em; white-space: normal; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; display: -webkit-box; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; -webkit-box-orient: vertical;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drop_CTRL_Mechanical_Keyboard_%E2%80%94_Tenkeyless_TKL_87_Key_Gaming_Keyboard_Hot-Swap_Switches_Programmable_Macros_RGB_LED_Backlighting_USB-C_Doubleshot_PBT_Aluminum_Frame_Halo_True_Gray\"><\/span>Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard \u2014 Tenkeyless TKL (87 Key) Gaming Keyboard, Hot-Swap Switches, Programmable Macros, RGB LED Backlighting, USB-C, Doubleshot PBT, Aluminum Frame (Halo True, Gray)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<small style=\"color: #555;\"\/><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; margin-bottom: 0em;\"\/><br \/>\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-widgetsource=\"buyingguide\" title=\"Womier K87\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Mechanical-Keyboard-Gateron-Swappable-Partitioned\/dp\/B08JTFN419?ref_=&amp;tag=reviewgeek-20\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"height160 flex-vcenter\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" height=\"160px\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41d1gc2EIIL._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<h5 style=\"max-height: 24px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 1em; white-space: normal; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; display: -webkit-box; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; -webkit-box-orient: vertical;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Womier_K87\"><\/span>Womier K87<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RGB_Lighting\"><\/span>RGB Lighting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>RGB lighting is a very popular feature on keyboards, and it\u2019s easy to see why. This is a simple way to make a keyboard look cool, and it also allows for some personalization on the user side of things. Most RGB keyboards will allow you to choose what colors the lights are and how they animate, and you can get really creative with it if you put the effort in. It\u2019s worth noting that some keyboards have transparent keycaps and switches which allow the lights to shine through, which is definitely recommended if you\u2019re into RGB.<\/p>\n<p>The only downside to RGB is when using a wireless keyboard; RGB eats through the battery much quicker, but you can always turn down the lighting\u2019s brightness level to lessen this.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Software\"><\/span>Software<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Keyboard software is essential, and we\u2019re not just talking about the standard drivers here. Many keyboard manufacturers develop companion pieces of software for their boards that allow their keyboards to be fully programmable\u2014this is typically where you adjust RGB lighting, for example.<\/p>\n<p>Keyboard software can also reprogram your keyboard\u2019s keys to perform different actions and create macros that trigger multiple inputs with a single keypress. Not all software is created equal\u2014some include less than this, some include more\u2014so it\u2019s definitely worth researching if a keyboard you\u2019re interested in has software and what features it offers.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Mechanical keyboards are a lot more complex than meets the eye, but now you should better understand what to expect when looking at the store page. This is an industry where a lot of buzzwords are used, which can make it difficult to differentiate the good from the bad. But with the information provided here, you should have an easier parsing through the mechanical keyboard world and be on your way to picking up a board that\u2019s right for you.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script>\nsetTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n  fbq('init', '1137093656460433');\n  fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/92845\/the-ultimate-mechanical-keyboard-buying-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#What to Look for in a Mechanical Keyboard&#8221; Jules Goossens\/Shutterstock.com Mechanical keyboards come with many positives: They\u2019re more satisfying to type on, more durable, and offer more room for personalization than standard keyboards. But there\u2019s a lot more to them than that, and if you want to ensure you\u2019re getting the best keyboard for you,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":321270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/07\/802d935a.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-321269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/321269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=321269"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/321269\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/321270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=321269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=321269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=321269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}