Things To Consider Before Buying A New Gaming Keyboard

Before jumping into a keyboard purchase, there are a few things to consider. Keyboards vary in almost every way you can think of, from different sizes to different features. Choosing the right one can actually come down to several factors, not just one.

In this section, we are going to look at a few of the possible variables you may come across to help you make a more informed decision.

Sizes

The first thing to think about when buying a gaming keyboard is selecting the right form factor for you. Do you want a full-sized keyboard with all the standard keys on? Or maybe a Tenkeyless keyboard to save space?

A full-sized board is exactly what it says on the tin and features the number pad to the right as you would expect. Full-sized keyboards also have extra room for fancy features like volume bars and dedicated media keys, so bear this in mind.

Keyboards have had some really interesting form factors developed, and you can often see sizes range from 40% to 100%. Tenkeyless keyboards (TKL) offer computer enthusiasts all the joys of a great keyboard, only at 80% the size of a full board. Essentially a TKL board doesn't have the number pad on the side, saving room and giving you a more versatile small form factor.

Of course, you can go even smaller to a 60% sized keyboard too. The 60% keyboards are similar to TKL except they lose the function keys at the top and squash your function keys and arrow keys closer to the letters on the board.

If you want something even smaller than that, you can go 40%. However, at this size, you are limiting the number of key binds you can have for your games. With a 40% board, it may be pocket-size, but they often won't have arrow keys or number keys, and a lot of your function buttons are squashed into peculiar places.

Switches

So you may have heard a lot of talk about switches when hunting for your next keyboard. Switches are the main feature to almost every mechanical keyboard, and they are essential to consider as each switch has a different characteristic - including feel, actuation pressure, and responsiveness.

Understanding what switches best suit your needs comes down to a few factors, but for the most part, gamers prefer Cherry MX Red switches. Cherry MX Red tends to offer gamers a fast linear option. Red switches tend to have a lower actuation point meaning you have a more responsive keyboard. Exactly what you need when playing those fast-paced competitive esports titles.

Some people prefer to have mechanical purely because of the tactile feel and sound they produce (it can get addictive). Again, using Cherry MX switches as an example, Blue switches offer a clicky tactile feel when you press the key. This type of switch produces a clicky sound notifying you of a keypress, but you also feel the keypress when it actuates.

Whatever you decide, don't worry, most keyboard manufacturers release mechanical boards with multiple switch types to cater for everyone.

Membrane Vs. Mechanical Switches

Membrane and mechanical keyboards differ significantly but only underneath the surface. Gamers prefer mechanical type keyboards because of how durable they are. Furthermore, mechanical keyboards are easy to customize and are considered to be highly responsive.

Mechanical switches often tend to be louder, but there is such a wide variety of switches available that you can dampen the noise level and still benefit from the low actuation force required to press the key.

It is worth noting that membrane boards tend to break quicker due to the membrane layer flattening out over time, resulting in the keyboard becoming less responsive. Mechanical keyboards are easy to disassemble and clean plus when you factor in the sensitive switches they feature; they are a must for gamers.

Aesthetics Vs. Comfort: RGB & Wrist Rests

While it doesn’t have anything to do with performance, aesthetics play a huge part in the selection process. Keyboards with full RGB customization options are preferred these days, and ideally, you’d want one that can be customized to your liking.

You would struggle to find an uncomfortable keyboard, but you will find the more premium boards feature luxury extras like wrist rests and adjustable feet.

Keyboard Switches also factor into the comfort side of things as Cherry MX Reds may offer the ultimate for gaming performance, but they do tend to be quite loud so make sure you get the right ones!

Other Features: Macros & Keycaps

Nowadays, high-end keyboards come with a whole plethora of features. For instance; macro keys can be a huge asset while gaming, multimedia and volume keys offer some extra convenience, and replaceable keycaps can offer a textured feel.

As with most hardware, the more features your keyboard has, the higher the price tag is likely to be. If you're looking for a keyboard that offers mechanical switches, full RGB, a wrist rest, and a cool design, just be ready to pay the price.

Price

The final thing we need to consider before purchasing a gaming keyboard is, how much are you willing to spend. Price is, more often than not, one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing new hardware and peripherals.

Are you only willing to get a gaming keyboard under $50? Your budget has the ultimate say about this matter, and you must evaluate ahead to make sure you’re investing in the right product.