The subject of mechanical keyboards is deeply controversial and every opinion provokes passionate reactions in the community. For many hobbyists and enthusiasts, a mechanical keyboard is a very personal device and dedicated users go to extreme lengths to manufacture every single element of their keyboard to meticulous standards.
A pre-built mechanical keyboard can never satisfy every user. There are far too many layouts, designs, materials, switch options, keycap profiles, mounting styles, and more for one manufacturer to create the “perfect keyboard” for everyone. That said, I believe there are a number of features that should be available on every single mechanical keyboard, by law (maybe not, but you get my point). Together, these features represent the bare minimum that a modern mechanical keyboard offers.
6 Included accessories
Don't force me to buy them individually
When you buy your first mechanical keyboard, you expect everything you need to operate it to be included in the box. This includes a keycap puller for cleaning or replacing the keycaps, a switch puller for changing the switches, a few extra switches in case any break, and ideally a clear cover to protect the new keyboard from dust.
While almost every keyboard comes with a combination of keycap and switch puller as well as additional switches, the cover is often missing.
Thankfully, this has become the norm for many keyboards on the market today, but not every manufacturer follows suit. While a keycap and switch puller combo, as well as additional switches, are included with almost every keyboard, the cover is often missing. While this is not a deal breaker, I would like it if manufacturers included one. Finding a compatible cover can be difficult. Plus, it increases costs and doesn't exactly improve the customer experience.
5 PBT keycaps
ABSabsolutely non-negotiable
ABS and PBT are the two most commonly used materials to make keycaps. Other materials such as POM, resin, ceramics and metals are also used but are rare. ABS keycaps are easier to mold and cheaper to manufacture but can easily experience fading lettering and shiny surfaces with prolonged use. ABS keycaps are also thinner and less pleasant to the touch compared to many other keycaps.
Even budget keyboards have switched almost entirely to PBT keycaps; $60 keyboards proudly display them in their product titles.
This is why you'll find that most keyboards made in recent years use PBT keycaps, as they are more durable and have a deeper sound. They are relatively expensive to produce, but they increase the overall quality of a keyboard by a lot. Even budget keyboards have almost completely switched to PBT keycaps, with $60 keyboards proudly displaying them in their product titles.
When purchasing a new keyboard, you can choose between PBT double-shot and PBT dye-sublimation keycaps, as both have their pros and cons. While double-shot keycaps are the best keycaps in terms of durability, sound, and the ability to use translucent legends for backlighting, dye-sublimation keycaps can feature more complex colors and designs.
4 Pre-lubricated switches and stabilizers
Don't expect everyone to invest time in greasing
Lubricating the switches and stabilizers is an important step in building a keyboard, and custom builders are happy to do this to achieve the perfect sound and feel. However, when a user buys a pre-built keyboard, they expect it to provide a great typing experience right out of the box. If they have to go through the hassle of removing the keycaps, switches, and stabilizers and then properly lubricating dozens of switches and 5-6 stabilizers, that's not acceptable.
It prevents your keyboard from being scratchy, hard and essentially non-sounding
smooth and creamy
.
In 2024, getting pre-lubricated switches and stabilizers is not a luxury, even on extremely budget keyboards. Pre-lubricated lubricant may not boast of perfect application or finesse, but it will keep your keyboard from being scratchy, rough, and essentially non-sounding smooth and creamy. Lubrication reduces friction between the internal components of your switches and stabilizers, contributing to the satisfying typing sound and feel every user deserves.
3 Multi-layer sound insulation
Companies should stop saving on foam
Several factors come together to create the thocky or creamy Sound that many users prefer in their keyboards. Of course, the material of the keyboard case (plastic, aluminum, wood), the type of switches and the mounting method play a big role, but what is much easier to achieve is sound-dampening material.
Multiple layers of foam go a long way in eliminating the annoying pinging noise of an otherwise hollow keyboard.
These days, almost every keyboard comes with multiple layers of foam to cushion keystrokes and provide a deep, comfortable typing experience. Some cheaper keyboards try to get by with a single layer of PORON, PET, EVA, or neoprene foam, but this is usually not enough, especially if the other aspects of the keyboard are not of high quality. Multiple layers of foam go a long way in eliminating the annoying ping that occurs on an otherwise hollow keyboard.
2 Tri-mode connectivity
I need the ability to communicate wirelessly
Depending on your setup, you might not miss your keyboard's wireless connection. Maybe you don't hate cables on your desk (especially if it's a fancy one), never move your keyboard (many boards are insanely heavy anyway), or simply have a separate wireless keyboard for your forays away from the PC.
That doesn't mean other users do the same. Many of us often want to take our beloved keyboards with us when we're at a coffee shop, traveling, or working on a laptop that's away from our desk. Plus, it's not that hard to provide a circuit board with tri-mode connectivity – wired, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth. Users who want the reliability (or at least security) of a wired connection can always use that, while others can take advantage of a fast 2.4GHz wireless connection with the included dongle.
Whether you're working on a laptop in another room or on your iPad while traveling, you can take your smooth, tactile, and satisfying mechanical keyboard with you wherever you go.
Bluetooth connectivity is handy for devices where plugging in a USB dongle isn't an option. Whether you're working on a laptop in another room or on your iPad while traveling, you can always take your smooth, tough, and satisfying mechanical keyboard with you. Of course, portability is another factor to consider, but manufacturers should start providing tri-mode connectivity as standard. And while we're at it, an integrated battery indicator would be nice, too.
1 Hot-swappable switches
I don't want to be stuck with a bad switch
And finally, every mechanical keyboard should come with a hot-swappable board. It's a godsend that a user, especially a newbie to the world of mechanical keyboards, can easily remove and replace their switches. They shouldn't have to live with a switch experience they don't like and settle for it because they don't want to buy a new keyboard or, worse, learn how to solder switches.
Hot-swappable switches are becoming more common, but they still aren't on every keyboard. I think this needs to change so more people can use mechanical keyboards without having to worry too much about the switch choice. The type of switch has a big impact on the typing experience and how much you like or dislike a keyboard. Being able to easily swap out your switches offers some, if not complete, customizability to your keyboard.
Many manufacturers offer users three or four switch options during the purchase process. While this is commendable, I would still prefer the ability to hot-swap switches just to be able to experiment with different switch types. This is one of the most basic and essential aspects of the mechanical keyboard experience, and one that isn't that difficult to achieve even on the most affordable keyboards.
Mechanical keyboards are becoming increasingly popular
Due to the rapid increase in interest in mechanical keyboards, there is a flood of new brands, more affordable options, newer technology, and a certain excitement in the community. Things that were once considered luxuries are now commonplace on budget keyboards, and premium models are quickly adopting cutting-edge features like Hall-effect switches and 8kHz polling rates.
With new users trying out mechanical keyboards every day, manufacturers are bound to raise the bar. Not only will they offer the features listed above as standard, but they will also include higher quality materials, customizable displays, multimedia control buttons, and more as standard features on their newer models. It's a great time to be part of this wonderfully growing industry.