Mechanical keyboards are all the rage these days. What was once a throwback piece of technology that was only desired by hardcore gamers and the nostalgic has now become one of the most expensive, high-quality keyboard types you can find.

But what should you look for if you are in the market for a new mechanical keyboard?

Why Buy a Mechanical Keyboard?

keychron s1 top down with tools

There are some excellent reasons why you should buy a mechanical keyboard. Our mechanical keyboard primer has an extensive set of reasons, but here are five reasons why your next keyboard should be mechanical.

  • Build quality: Mechanical keyboards tend to be heavier and better built than a regular membrane-style keyboard (it's not the only difference between mechanical and membrane keyboards, either). They're durable and designed to stand up to heavy use, and if you want something built to last, a mechanical keyboard is what you want.
  • Great for gamers: Most gamers wouldn't consider anything less than a fully mechanical keyboard. The reason? Accuracy. The satisfying click and non-mistakable tactile response give you real-time feedback that can't be found on a membrane or scissor-style keyboards.
  • Feel and sound: The biggest reason to switch to a mechanical keyboard is the sound and feel of the keyboard switches. There are many types of keyboard switches, such as linear, tactile, and clicky switches. Furthermore, they come in different colors and styles, too—but more on these differences in a moment.
  • Customization: Most mechanical keyboards are customizable to a degree. At the very least, you can swap out the keycaps. On other mechanical keyboards, you may be able to swap the switches out, customize the keyboard layout using software, and more.
  • Typing accuracy: Yes, we've talked about gaming accuracy. But typing accuracy also receives an enormous boost when you use a mechanical keyboard. Once you find the right mechanical keyboard switches, your typing speed and accuracy will likely increase.

Convinced? Great! Here are some important things you should remember when shopping for a mechanical keyboard.

1. Mechanical Keyboard Jargon

One of the most daunting parts of buying your first mechanical keyboard is all of the jargon from manufacturers and enthusiasts. If you don't know your "feel" from your "Topre," this is a good place to start.

Feel

This typically describes the physical switches used by the keyboard. Feel ranges from rubber dome and scissor switches (which technically are mechanical keyboards, but not what most people mean) to the buckling spring, ALPS, and the more common Cherry MX. If you're looking for a high-end mechanical switch feel, Topre is the way to go.

Switches

We'll dive further into switches later, but for now, all you need to know is that switches are the mechanisms that actuate (or determine) when you've pressed a key on your keyboard. It's what provides the tactile response when typing, and it also influences both the amount of pressure needed to press down and the noise produced.

keychron s1 no keycaps brown gateron switches

Bump

The tactile feedback provided upon a key press.

Travel Distance

The distance traveled between fully extended keys (at rest) and a fully actuated key (pressed). Laptops often feature shorter travel distances than desktop keyboards, for example.

Clicky

The noise made by the switch when the key is depressed to the actuation point.

Actuation Force

Mechanical keyboard actuation force refers to the force required to activate a switch on a mechanical keyboard. This force is typically measured in grams (g) and represents the amount of pressure needed to trigger the keypress.

2. Decide What You'll Use the Mechanical Keyboard For

Unlike the typical scissor or membrane-style keyboard, mechanical keyboards are often sold with specific switches depending on your purpose. For example, certain switches require you to bottom out (fully depress) the key before actuation, while others have shorter travel distances for quick clicks.

Writers tend to prefer shorter travel distances, while gamers often prefer switches that require you fully depress them to avoid accidental button presses.

3. How Much Should You Spend?

You'll have to research or experiment with this one—preferably both.

Is it worth buying high-end switches, or is a cheaper model more than okay for your needs? Do you need a backlit keyboard? A number pad? How long do you need it to last? These are just a few questions you should ask before spending $100+ on a new keyboard.

steelseries apex pro mini hand typing

Between all of the various features and the quality of hardware, the price of a keyboard can be as high as a few hundred dollars. Then again, they're designed to last for years (or even decades), so you might be able to justify the cost.

While you can purchase a mechanical keyboard for under $60, most well-respected mid-grade models will set you back at least $100-$175 or so. However, if you're jumping into the high end, you can easily get into the $200-$500 range depending on parts and features.

4. What Mechanical Keyboard Size Should You Choose?

Keyboards come in several different sizes (we're not even going to get into different shapes in this guide!). There are compact, low-profile boards, enormous full-sized options, and everything in between.

But what are the sizes of mechanical keyboards you can choose from?

Approximate Comparative Keyboard sizes
  1. Full-size keyboards have 101 to 104 keys, including number pad, function keys, and control keys.
  2. Tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards are basically full-size keyboards but without the number pad. They typically have around 87-88 keys.
  3. 75% keyboards are compact keyboards that keep nearly all the functionality of a TKL keyboard but in an even smaller footprint. They typically have around 70-75 keys, and the function row and navigation cluster are usually compacted or layered to save space.
  4. 65% keyboards are smaller again, usually containing between 66-68 keys. They typically retain the alphanumeric keys, some function keys, and arrow keys, but you lose the function row and some other keys.
  5. 60% keyboards typically have 60 or 61 keys. A 60% keyboard lacks a number pad, function row, and navigation keys. The missing functions are accessed via key combinations.
  6. 40% keyboards are highly compact, with around 40-44 keys, removing even more keys than the 60% version. They often require complex layers and combos to access a standard keyboard's functionality.

5. Consider the Switch Noise Level

I can't stress this enough. Mechanical keyboards vary a great deal in terms of noise level. If you are sensitive to the clicking sound a keyboard creates, pick a switch that makes less noise. That said, some enjoy it, and they prefer a "clickier" keyboard with noisy switches.

  • Clicky Switches: Clicky switches are known for their distinct audible click sound when pressed. If you want a clicky, audible switch noise for every key press, you'll want a mechanical keyboard that uses switches like Cherry MX Blue, Kailh Box White, or Outemu Phoenix.
  • Tactile Switches: Tactile switches provide a tactile bump when pressed, indicating the actuation point, but they do not produce an audible click sound. If you want a small bit of feedback without the noise, you'll want a mechanical keyboard that uses switches like Cherry MX Brown, Kailh Box Brown, or Drop Halo Clear.
  • Linear Switches: Linear switches are known for their smooth keypress without any tactile bump or audible click. If you want a smooth switch, you'll want a mechanical keyboard that uses switches like Cherry MX Red, Gateron Yellow, or Kailh Box Red.
  • Silent Switches: You can attempt to completely remove the keyboard switch noise with a silent switch like Cherry MX Silent Red, Gateron Silent Black, or Topre Realforce Silent.

All keyboard switches make some noise, even the silent switches. When you're at home, you won't bother anyone (well, maybe your family or housemate). But in the office, rocking a noisy set of Cherry MX Blue switches might bring some unwanted attention your way.

6. Choose Your Switches Wisely

Switches are a huge part of the mechanical keyboard experience. Knowing what you intend to use the keyboard for and what levels of noise, travel distance, and bump you desire will allow you to narrow down your options considerably. The most popular switches are Cherry MX, and they come in multiple varieties that offer different features depending on what you are looking for. Remember, one of the biggest perks of going mechanical is the level of customizability it offers.

keychron q5 keyboard switches tools feature

There are hundreds of different switches available. Now, this sounds overwhelming, but you'll pick up the differences and similarities between them quickly, as many top brands use similar color and naming conventions to help consumers figure out what they want.

Furthermore, while there are a huge number of brands, the majority are Cherry MX compatible. This means although they're not a Cherry-branded switch, they use the same switch housing, switch stem, and the number of pins, which means they're compatible with other mechanical keyboards.

  1. Cherry MX Red: Linear switch known for its light actuation force and smooth keystrokes, commonly used in gaming keyboards.
  2. Cherry MX Brown: Tactile switch that provides a gentle bump without the audible click, favored by those that need a balance between gaming and typing.
  3. Cherry MX Blue: Clicky switch known for its tactile feedback and audible click sound, popular with those who want a tactile experience and audible feedback.
  4. Gateron Brown: Similar to Cherry MX Brown, Gateron Brown is a tactile switch with a light actuation force, often considered a cost-effective alternative to Cherry MX switches.
  5. Gateron Red: Linear switch similar to Cherry MX Red, Gateron Red offers smooth keystrokes and a light actuation force.
  6. Kailh Box White: Clicky switch with a tactile bump and audible click sound, known for its durability and is popular among enthusiasts.
  7. Kailh Box Brown: Tactile switch with a light bump but without the audible click, provides a quiet typing experience for both gaming and typing.
  8. Topre: A unique electrostatic capacitive switch known for its smooth keystrokes and high build quality, favored by enthusiasts but costs more.

These eight keyboard switch types are just a fraction of the keyboard switches available but represent some of the best options for newcomers to mechanical keyboards. Indeed, many mechanical keyboard users stick with these switches regardless, as they do a great job for all users.

7. Choose a Reputable Mechanical Keyboard Brand

Like anything in life, there are mechanical keyboards, and then there are mechanical keyboards. However, with so many mechanical keyboard brands, choosing a reputable one may feel difficult, especially when the market is awash with cheap imports from places like Alibaba.

keychron q5 keyboard esc key with cap puller

Some of the best mechanical keyboard brands for beginners include:

  • Keychron: I would advise almost anyone to start with a Keychron mechanical keyboard. In fact, it may end up being the only one you ever buy, as Keychron's build quality is outstanding, and its keyboards come in a wide range of sizes to suit any user. Check out our reviews of the low-profile Keychron S1, the ergonomic Keychron Q8, or the full-sized Keychron Q5 for more information.
  • SteelSeries: You've probably already heard of SteelSeries. Its gaming hardware and peripherals are well-rated and respected worldwide, and that extends to its mechanical keyboards. SteelSeries mechanical keyboards are built to last, cover a range of uses, and look good, too. We really liked the SteelSeries Apex Mini Pro and Mini Pro Wireless.
  • Ducky: One of my favorite keyboard company names, Ducky also comes with a strong reputation for high-build quality, customization, and numerous switch options for a reasonable price.

Now, relating to "How Much Should You Spend," the three brands above will all cost at least $100-$200 for a mechanical keyboard. However, even though this seems a like a big outlay for your first mechanical keyboard, it's a worthwhile investment, and the hardware will last you for years.

8. Build Quality

The final consideration before buying a new mechanical keyboard is the build quality. Of course, realistically, the best option is to get your hands on a keyboard before buying, but that's understandably not always easy.

steelseries apex 7 gtk ghost switches and keycaps

Either way, there are a few mechanical keyboard build quality features to consider:

  • Build Materials: Mechanical keyboards are usually manufactured from plastic or metal. An aluminum frame will last for a long time.
    • Layers: Where possible, check out the construction layers of the keyboard. For example, you'll want to see a sound-absorbing layer to reduce noise and a solid plate layer for strength and stability.
  • Switch Quality: For beginners, you can't go wrong with a Cherry MX switch. Other options exist, as we've mentioned, but sticking to Cherry MX is absolutely fine.
    • Hot-swappable: Hot-swappable mechanical keyboards allow you to swap the keyboard switches without getting involved with soldering. They're handy if you want to switch up your mechanical keyboard typing experience without buying a whole extra keyboard.
  • Keycap Quality: Look for keycaps with double-shot or dye-sublimated legends, as the printing won't rub off.
  • Cable: A detachable power cable is often the best option, as it can be replaced if it fails. It may also make it easier to replace the USB port if it breaks at any point.
  • RGB: At this point, buying a mechanical keyboard without RGB is near impossible. You'll want to check for north-facing or south-facing RGB, as the south-facing RGBs will project the light toward you. It's not imperative, but it can make your RGB experience better.

Now, Go and Buy Your First Mechanical Keyboard

If you're new to mechanical keyboards and you've read to the end, you're fully prepped to head out and make your first purchase.

Don't worry too much about picking the absolutely perfect set of keyboard switches or nailing the form factor. You might have to experiment a few times to find the perfect match.

And before long, you'll be head over heels for your brand-new mechanical keyboard.