Why a Mechanical Keyboard Will Make Yours Seem….Really Unsatisfying

The conventional keyboards that come packaged with desktop computers or built into laptops are fine. Also called “membrane” keyboards, they sense keystrokes via a single connected layer. Mechanical keyboards are built differently: Each letter, number and symbol has individual springs and switches. While typing, you experience a satisfying amount of haptic and sonic feedback. Once you’ve tried it, typing with your old keyboard can feel a bit like sliding your fingers across a wet towel.

What can you expect to pay for this luxury, which notably lasts much longer, and can be repaired far more easily, than a membrane model? As little as $50 (though you could spend over $200). And the bragging rights that accompany it cost nothing at all.

Another advantage: Mechanical keyboards offer practically infinite customization options that go well beyond aesthetics. You can actually choose how you want typing on your keyboard to feel.

With this comes an intimidating amount of jargon. Even mainstream retailers like

Best Buy

sell mechanical keyboards with staggeringly long product names. Stay calm, don’t get bogged down and remember: Any mechanical keyboard will beat the conventional one you already have. All you need to know is that switches exist on a spectrum from “linear” to “clicky.”

The most linear, or straightforward, like the Cherry MX Reds, are relatively smooth. The most clicky, like the Cherry MX Blues, provide more resistance when you press down and make a loud sound when they bottom out. Though a big part of the fun, that thock! could cause resentment in a shared office space. But again, don’t worry about this too much: Most keyboards are built so that you can change the switches later—look for one that is “hot-swappable” to ensure the easiest time of it.

Next, it’s time to choose from the myriad mechanical keyboard designs available. Many feature unique configurations, like an “Alice” layout. These boards have keys split in two sections, letting you relax your arms and wrists to reduce strain as you type.

Further, you can always change the look of a mechanical keyboard by swapping out its keycaps—the molded plastic forms marked A, 4, $ and so on. Want blue keys? Easy. Want keys that evoke the computer at the helm of the Enterprise-D from “Star Trek”? Also possible with the right colors and pattern. Want yours to display characters in a language from “The Lord of the Rings”? You’ll have to be more specific: Keycaps are available in both Tengwar, the language of Elves, and Khuzdul, the language of Dwarves.

In short, the world is your oyster. I started my journey with a prebuilt board, but have more recently started assembling keyboards myself, growing more adept at choosing the perfect switches and other component pieces to achieve my vision. Make that visions: I now have a keyboard for practically every mood. One has a body made out of wood. Another features clear keycaps and an LED Screen.

If you want to start more simply, mechanical keyboards have grown so popular you can buy really good ones at Best Buy, though specialty sites like Drop might be easier to navigate. And, if you do want to go deeper, plenty of knowledgeable

Etsy

vendors will work with you to build a keyboard to your exact needs.

Zealots like me gather in endless forums, Discord servers and YouTube comments sections to offer help to would be enthusiasts. In fact, perhaps the greatest gift that getting into mechanical keyboards offers is the vast community. The more you dive in, the more you’ll discover that, online or off, lots of people will want to know about your specific wants and needs—or just gab about what they’re dreaming of building next.

START A NEW SENTENCE

Three options to jumpstart your mechanical keyboard adventure

Flashy Fundamentals

With a 66-key layout rather than the typical 104-key full-size board, the Womier K66 ($75) is on the smaller side—but still contains everything you really need. RGB lighting gives it a stroke of panache, enhanced by the frosted board and shine-through keycaps. You can order this hot-swappable board with whichever switches you prefer and the peace of mind that, if you want to change things up, you can.

Go Wireless 

The MelGeek Mojo84 ($229) boasts Bluetooth capabilities that let it pair with up to eight devices at a time. Its gasket mount design gives it a relatively quiet, more-cushioned typing action and the keycaps it comes with are slightly concave, so the pads of your fingers rest nicely on top while you’re typing. All of this makes it extremely comfortable to use.

The Secret Superstar

Not only does the Novel Keys NK87 ($225) feature customizable RGB lights under its adorable-yet-sleek keycaps, but it’s also built with Silk Milkshake switches (rather than the more common ones from Cherry) that produce a wonderful “thocky” sound. It even comes with a carrying case should you decide you just can’t work without it.

3 POP CULTURE KEYCAP SETS WORTH KNOWING

1. This set in Tengwar, the written language of the Elves in “The Lord of the Rings,” is just one of the high-profile collaborations in Drop’s deep catalog of keycaps. $130, Drop.com
2. Clackey often releases sets for more niche audiences, but it recently announced this one for Scrabble lovers with type that resembles the game’s tiles. $149, Clackeys.com
3. At NovelKeys you’ll find both elegant boutique designs and “Star Wars” keycap sets, including this one in the colors of the spirited BB-8. $99, NovelKeys.com

The Wall Street Journal is not compensated by retailers listed in its articles as outlets for products. Listed retailers frequently are not the sole retail outlets.