4 Reasons Why Hall Effect Keyboards May Not Be Ready to Replace Other Mechanical Keyboards

One of the latest trends in PC peripherals is the use of Hall-effect switches in mechanical keyboards. However, Hall-effect switches are far from new. They were developed back in 1968, but as you can imagine, technology has come a long way since then. They are now becoming increasingly cheaper to manufacture, and as they are used in more and more products, they are likely to become even more affordable and widespread.




Mechanical switches have been around a few years longer than Hall Effect switches, but they are much more common. Although membrane keyboards still exist, mechanical keyboards have pretty much become the norm in recent years. Mechanical keyboards have many features and offer a great combination of form, function, and durability. In recent years, mechanical keyboards have become much more affordable in price, which is a big reason why they are becoming the keyboard of choice.


4 The new gimmick in town


As mentioned, Hall Effect switches aren't exactly new, but they've been making a lot of noise lately. They offer similar functionality to traditional mechanical switches, but with one key difference. They use a magnet instead of physical contact, allowing users to change the actuation point of the switch. You can set an actuation point between 0.1mm and 4mm, depending on your preference. But let me ask you: have you ever sat down and tried switches with a different actuation?

I'm not saying you can't tell different actuation points apart, I'm just saying that in most cases it doesn't make as much of a difference as you might think. Once you get used to one type of switch, it just feels more comfortable. Hall effect switches allow you to set up to 4 actions per key. While this may sound amazing, it can be a nightmare if you don't know what you're doing and aren't careful.

3 More options to choose from


While there are more and more options with magnetic Hall Effect switches, mechanical switches are much more commonly mass produced. Mechanical switches also offer many more choices, not only in switch types, but also manufacturers, colors, and many more options.

Hall effect switches are becoming more readily available, but they still have a long way to go to catch up to mechanical switches. Although both categories have been around for some time, somehow mechanical switches were adopted much more widely when the industry was looking for something other than membrane keyboards, and as a result, they have prevailed.

2 Prices


Recently, more and more affordable mechanical keyboards have been coming onto the market. The days of having to pay extra for a mechanical keyboard are over. There was a time when you couldn't get one for less than $100, now you can easily buy various models for under $30.

Unfortunately, Hall Effect switches are still in their infancy. This means they are not as widely available yet and are not typically found on budget keyboards. A Hall Effect keyboard will cost no more than a top-of-the-line mechanical keyboard, but right now they just aren't as available as regular mechanical keyboards. Plus, there aren't as many different switch variations to drive competition, which would keep prices lower.

1 Proven and geared to win


Although Hall Effect switches have a longer lifespan on paper, I don't know many people who can say they've had their Hall Effect keyboard for over 10 years. However, I can personally say that I've had a mechanical keyboard for over 10 years and I know many others who have as well.

That's not to say that Hall Effect keyboards aren't durable. It's just to say that even with some of the cheaper mechanical keyboards, the durability they offer is really impressive. Mechanical keyboards have been around for a lot longer, and we know how durable they can be.

The main differences

Hall effect switches use a magnet on a spring that moves up and down near a sensor to register the keystroke. Because there is no physical contact, the keystroke is smoother and can help extend the life of the switch.


Mechanical switches use a slider to press two metal contacts together, completing an electrical circuit that the keyboard then registers as a key press. Because this is physical contact, it creates friction, which over time can damage the switch and shorten its lifespan.

I'm not saying that Hall Effect keyboards aren't good, because they are. I'm just saying that you shouldn't buy them just because you're afraid of missing out on the next big thing. Unless you really need the features they offer and don't know the key differences, you'll probably be happy with a reliable mechanical keyboard for all your computing needs.

While Hall Effect keyboards are amazing, they still need to become more widely adopted before they can pose any real competition. Much of this has to do with their price, which is due to the lack of mass production and the Hall Effect switch options currently available on the market. Of course, it all depends on what your needs are in a keyboard to determine which is best for you.

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