A mechanical keyboard and a gaming keyboard are terms often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two.
A mechanical keyboard refers to a keyboard that uses mechanical key switches under each keycap. These key switches are made up of individual mechanical components, such as springs, metal contacts, and sliders. When a key is pressed, it triggers a physical switch that sends a signal to the computer. Mechanical keyboards offer a tactile and audible feedback with each key press, providing a satisfying and more responsive typing experience.
On the other hand, a gaming keyboard is a keyboard designed specifically for gaming purposes and often incorporates additional features and functionalities to enhance the gaming experience. These keyboards commonly have backlit keys, customizable lighting effects, macro keys, multimedia controls, and sometimes dedicated gaming modes. The emphasis is on providing gamers with quick access to game-specific commands and abilities, allowing for more precise and efficient gameplay.
While there may be mechanical keyboards designed specifically for gaming, not all mechanical keyboards are labeled as gaming keyboards. The main difference lies in the additional features and customization options commonly found in gaming keyboards to cater to the specific needs of gamers.
Ultimately, the distinction between a mechanical keyboard and a gaming keyboard can be blurry, as many keyboards on the market today combine both mechanical switches and gaming-centric features. The choice between the two depends on personal preference, typing style, and the intended use, whether it be for casual typing or intense gaming sessions.
Best Mechanical Keyboard of 2024
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Rating is 5 out of 5
Logitech K845 Mechanical Illuminated Keyboard, Strong Adjustable Tilt Legs, Full Size, Aluminum Top Case, 104 Keys, USB Corded, Windows (TTC Brown Switches)
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An adjustable 4-8 degree tilt and slim front lets you type at a comfortable angle.
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Choose between Red, Blue, or Brown switches for the right level of sound and tactile key feedback.
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White backlighting in 5 patterns lets you be productive your way — even in the dark.
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A modern and durable aluminum design gives you all the mechanics of a gaming keyboard in a sleek premium package that lasts
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A full-size keyboard featuring a number pad and FN keys — all in a surprisingly compact footprint.
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Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Logitech G413 TKL SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Compact Backlit Keyboard with Tactile Mechanical Switches, Anti-Ghosting, Compatible with Windows, macOS - Black Aluminum
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Take your gaming skills to the next level: The Logitech G413 TKL SE is a tenkeyless keyboard with gaming-first features and the durability and performance necessary to compete
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PBT keycaps: Heat- and wear-resistant, this computer gaming keyboard features the most durable material used in keycap design
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Tactile mechanical switches: Uncompromising performance is always within reach with this wired gaming keyboard
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Premium color, material and finish: Elevate your gaming setup with this backlit keyboard featuring a sleek, black-brushed aluminum top case and white LED lighting
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6-Key rollover anti-ghosting performance: Experience reliable key input with this anti-ghosting keyboard versus non-gaming mechanical keyboards
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FN key media controls: Twelve (12) function (FN) keys let you control volume, play and pause, skip track, mute, toggle lighting, enter Windows lock, etc
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Rating is 4.8 out of 5
RisoPhy Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, RGB 104 Keys Ultra-Slim LED Backlit USB Wired Keyboard with Blue Switch, Durable ABS Keycaps/Anti-Ghosting/Spill-Resistant for PC Mac Xbox Gamer
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【Mechanical Keyboard: Responsive BLue Switches】RisoPhy PC keyboard features clicky keys which offer you higher accuracy and quicker response with an enjoyable click sound when typing.This keyboard is more comfortable to type on since it features deeper key travel,greater feedback,and more space between keys.For those who prefer keyboards with a more tactile and "clicky" feel,our keyboard with BLUE switches is a nice choice.
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【Rainbow Backlit Keyboard: illuminate Your Desktop】With 9 different backlights,5 levels of light speed and brightness,this computer keyboard enriches your gaming experience and improves your mood greatly,which is a great addition to your desktop,especially in the dark.Plus,the ultra-durable double injection ABS engineered keycaps provide crystal clear uniform backlight and greatly improve your typing accuracy at night.
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【High-end 104 Keys Full-Size Keyboard】The Win lock function frees your worry about mistyping when gaming(Fn+Win).Keycaps are pluggable and easy to clean,saving you much unnecessary trouble.We designed 4 hydrophobic holes for this keyboard,allowing water to flow away quickly to prevent damage to the keyboard.No longer afraid of accidents.(✦Include a keycaps puller for cleaning or other needs.)
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【Advanced Ergonomic Comfort】This PC gamer Keyboard adopts a scientific stair-up keycap design that keeps your arms in the most natural state to minimize hand fatigue for long time use.In order to improve your posture and make you more comfortable during use,the wired keyboard comes with 2 strong foldable rear kickstands to slope it.Moreover,the keyboard is non-slip enough because there are 4 rubber padding underneath the keyboard.
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Rating is 4.7 out of 5
RK6 Pro Wireless Custom Mechanical PC Gaming Keyboard,2.4G/Bluetooth/USB-C,Via Hot Swap RGB Backlit,Suspended Keycap,4000mAh,Anti-ghosting,12 Multimedia Keys for FPS,MOBA,RPG,LOL,PUBG(Orange/Linear)
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⌨【Compact 96% 100 keys Layout】K6 Full Size Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with 100 keys Layout is fantastic for gamers, typists and office workers,featuring independent arrow keys and number keys, with all keys anti-ghosting,ultimate gaming experience for you.This custom keyboard has 1 USB and provides a Type C to USB data cable for data transfer.Durable and high-quality TPU materials for long-lasting performance.Universal compatibility with most USB Type-C devices.
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💻【Tri-Mode BT5.0+Wired+2.4GHz】K6 provides a variety of connection methods, including Fn+4 2.4G wireless mode, Fn+1/2/3 Bluetooth 5.0 and Fn+5 USB C wired mode( Support USB2.0--Transfer speed 60MB/s,1000Hz report rate).It can connect to up to five devices,Long press Fn+1-5 to pair with devices & short press to switch between them easily,suitable for home, office, outdoor and casual games.
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▶【Hot Swappable Linear Switch】Smooth and quiet operation with minimal actuation force for fatigue-free typing and gaming.Durable 50 million keystrokes lifespan and 2mm actuation point, providing accuracy and faster response.Ideal for those who prefer a more linear and silent switch.Support 99% 3-pin socket, hot-swap, DIY various switches like Akko /Glorious Panda Switch/Epomaker/ Kailh Cream/ Gateron switch.
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🎁 【Ergonomics & Replaceable Keycaps】 Classic High-quality Double Shot ABS material for superior durability and long-lasting usage.Ergonomic 3 adjustable supporting angles for maximum relief of hand fatigue.Resistant to wear, fading, and oil build-up,ensuring longevity and easier maintenance.Multi-color design and replaceable, you can replace keycaps according to preference like RK/ XDK/ VXV/ Hyekit XDA profile keycaps.
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Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Redragon Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Wired Mechanical Keyboard with RGB Backlit, 94 Keys, Programmable Macro Editing, Numeric Pad, Red Switches, Compact Keyboard Mechanical for Pc Mac Ipad, K636CLO
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Programmable Macros Expand your options to design your own keys, light effects and macro, the macros with different keybindings or shortcuts combine multiple keys function in one key for more efficient work and gaming
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【Programmable Macros】Expand your options to design your own keys, light effects and macro, the macros with different keybindings or shortcuts combine multiple keys function in one key for more efficient work and gaming
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Rating is 4.5 out of 5
MageGee Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, 104 Keys White Backlit Keyboard with Brown Switches, USB Wired Mechanical Computer Keyboard for Laptop, Desktop, PC Gamers (Black & White)
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WHITE BACKLIT GAMING KEYBOARD: MageGee gaming keyboard is designed with single white lighting effect, 20 different backlit modes, 5 backlight brightness levels and 5 backlit speed, creating a cool and colorful game atmosphere to enhance the excitement of the game. The backlight can be easily turned off. NOTE: THE WHITE & PINK / WHITE & BLUE KEYBOARDS COME WITH AN EXTRA SET OF KEYCAPS IN THE NEGATIVE COLOR SCHEME. THE BLACK & GRAY / GRAY & BLACK / BLACK & WHITE KEYBOARDS COME WITH 16 KEYCAPS.
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MECHANICAL BROWN SWITCHES: Brown switch is somewhere in between the blue and red switches, with good tactile feedback and a slight click. It is responsive and feels a little heavier than the red switch, especially suitable for fans of entry-level mechanical keyboards. Floating keys design, easy to clean the dust.
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DESIGNED FOR COMFORT: The mechanical keyboard adopts premium metal panel construction to make it stable. Ergonomic key layout fits your fingers perfectly and reduces typing fatigue. Two-step keyboard feet allow you to set your keyboard up at 3 different tilt angles. No driver needed, just plug and play.
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ANTI GHOSTING KEYBOARD: All keys have individual switches with full n-key rollover, which provides faster response and better keystroke feeling. 104 mechanical keys are conflict free, allowing you to press or hold multiple keys simultaneously. 12 multimedia combination keys on the top of the keyboard (FN+ F1~F12) offer quick operations, great for gaming and office.
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WIDE COMPATIBILITY: The USB wired gaming keyboard works well with computer, PC, laptop, compatible with Windows 2000/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/MAC/Linux.
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Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Havit Mechanical Keyboard, Wired Compact PC Keyboard with Number Pad Red Switch Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 89 Keys for Computer/Laptop (Black)
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【Compact Keyboard with Numpad】Unlike bulky full-sized layout, this 85% keyboard saves more desk space but keep the numkeys which is essential. Press Fn+Backspace to lock/unlock the numkeys (Note: The numpad lights up ONLY when it's unlocked, the rest of the keys don't have lighting)
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【Colorful PBT Keycaps】 Constructed from unique and high-quality durable PBT keycaps, Havit mechanical keyboard has excellent touch experience and long serving time. Colorful keycaps can bring a more pleasant mood during games or work, decorate your space and enhance your life.
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【Red Switches Keyboard for Different Needs】Perfect for office typing or playing games. Havit HV-KB487L wired keyboard frees up your desk during work, after working sessions, you can enjoy the keyboard for gaming, or bring it with you as the size is compact and easy to carry out.
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【Ergonomic Comfort】The design of this mechanical gaming keyboard is based on ergonomics, the two keyboard kickstands provide comfortable angle for typing and effectively reduces the burden on the wrist.
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Rating is 4.3 out of 5
RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK100 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard, Bluetooth5.1/2.4G/Wired 96% Full Size 100-Key Hot Swappable Gaming Keyboard with 3 USB Ports, Red Switch for Mac Windows, Carbon
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Full Size Mechanical Keyboard - RK100 wireless mechanical keyboard is 96% full size with compact 100 keys, which is solid, stable and durable. Especially suitable for the mechanical keyboard starters during gaming or working.
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Three Modes Connectivity - This mechanical keyboard includes 2.4Ghz wireless, Type-C-USB 2.0 wired and bluetooth 5.1 connections. And RK100 gaming keyboard could be connected with up to 3 devices via Bluetooth5.1; N-key rollover (NKRO) in the wired mode, all 100 keys are conflict free.
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Hot-swappable Switches - RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK100 wireless keyboard can be hot swapped at wish and replaced by all of MX-similar mechanical switches (including Gateron, Cherry, etc.), supporting 3-pin/5-pin switches. This wireless keyboard is available in blue/brown/red switch.
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3 USB Ports - This hot swappable keyboard is armed with a 3750mAh large battery and geared with 2 built-in USB pass-through ports and 1 Type-C port, this wireless keyboard is allowed to back up more facilities and works for long-time gaming/working. This gaming keyboard is compatible with Win/Mac dual system, unlimited use.
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All Keys Programmable - This bluetooth mechanical keyboard is attached with a newly-developed software that you can customize the lighting modes, macro keys and using scenarios. Find the latest software link under the part of “Product Description”
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
8Bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, Bluetooth/2.4G/USB-C Hot Swappable Gaming Keyboard with 87 Keys, Dual Super Programmable Buttons for Windows and Android - N Edition
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Inspired by the classics. Compatible with Windows 10(1903) or above, and Android 9.0 or above.
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Connnect via Bluetooth, wireless 2.4G, or wired.
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87-key layout. Kailh Box Switch V2 White. Dye-sub PBT keycaps.
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Top mount style. Hot-swappable PCB. Support n-key rollover.
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Dual Super Buttons - offer large, programmable keys. Map anything to the Super Buttons instantly without using software.
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Classic power status LED, with independent control panel.
10
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
XVX Retro 75% Gaming Keyboard with OLED Display&Knob, M87 Pro Bluetooth 5.1/2.4GHz /USB-C Wireless Mechanical Keyboard with Hot-Swappable Custom Switch, Compact TKL Gamer RGB Keyboard, PBT Keycaps
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【Smart OLED Color Display and Knob Design】XVX M87 PRO gaming keyboard built-in smart OLED color display can intuitively display the keyboard status, including custom gif image, caps lock, connection mode, WIN/MAC, battery. Built-in mechanical knobs allow quick adjustment of complex functions: connection, system, backlit brightness/speed, RGB mode/color, volume & language.
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【3-Mode Connection Wireless Keyboard】The M87 Pro TKL mechanical keyboard gears tri-mode connectivity technology, USB-C wired, BT 5.1 and 2.4Ghz wireless modes, which can be easily switched not only with key combinations, but also by knobs.
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【Unique silencing Installation Design】This custom keyboard has built-in triple absorption layers, including an EVA sound absorbing foam, an IXPE switch pad and the sponge case Foam, In addition, silencer foam installed under the space bar, which increase the rebound speed of the keys while reducing vibration, resulting in improved key sound for a unique typing feel.
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【Hot-Swappable Custom Keyboard】You can alter every switch on the M87 pro keyboard without the need to solder. Hot-swap PCB is compatible with almost all 3-pin/5-pin switches on the market, personalize your typing experience with ease.
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【Ultimate Personalization RGB Keyboard】The keyboard itself comes with 19 RGB backlight modes, 9 colors selection, 5 brightness levels and 5 speed levels. This RGB gaming keyboard can enhance your gameplay atmosphere at its maximum, and the light can also be turned off if you don’t need it for saving power. It can be intuitive switched by the knob.
Can gaming keyboards have multimedia keys?
Yes, gaming keyboards can have multimedia keys. Many gaming keyboards are equipped with dedicated multimedia keys that allow users to control functions such as volume adjustment, play/pause, skip, and mute for music and videos, among other multimedia operations. These keys are designed to enhance the user's gaming and media experience by providing quick and convenient access to various media controls without needing to navigate through software interfaces.
Do mechanical keyboards have any advantages over regular keyboards?
Yes, mechanical keyboards have several advantages over regular keyboards:
- Enhanced durability: Mechanical keyboards are built with high-quality key switches that are designed to withstand heavy use. These switches, typically made of mechanical parts, are more durable and tend to last longer compared to the rubber-dome switches found in regular keyboards.
- Tactile feedback: Mechanical keyboards provide tactile feedback with each keypress. This means that you can feel and hear a distinct "click" or "clack" when pressing a key, offering a more satisfying typing experience and better precision.
- Customization options: Mechanical keyboards often come with customizable keycaps and switch options. This allows users to personalize their keyboard by choosing different keycap colors, shapes, and materials, as well as the type of key switches they prefer (such as linear, tactile, or clicky switches) based on their typing preference.
- Faster typing speeds: The tactile feedback and distinct key actuation point on mechanical keyboards can enhance typing speed and accuracy for some individuals. Additionally, the key switches' shorter travel distance and reduced force required for actuation can contribute to faster typing.
- N-key rollover and anti-ghosting: Mechanical keyboards usually feature N-key rollover (NKRO) and anti-ghosting capabilities. This means that you can press multiple keys simultaneously, and each keystroke will be registered accurately. Regular keyboards may have limitations in registering simultaneous key presses due to their matrix-based design.
- Typing comfort: The mechanical switches in these keyboards often have a larger key travel distance compared to regular keyboards. This can lead to reduced finger fatigue and increased typing comfort while typing for extended periods.
- Consistency and reliability: Mechanical keyboards offer more consistent and reliable typing performance over time. The key switches maintain their functionality and typing experience for a longer duration without experiencing the "mushiness" or loss of sensitivity that can occur with regular keyboards.
However, it's important to note that mechanical keyboards may have a higher price point compared to regular keyboards, and the tactile feedback and noise produced by mechanical switches might not be preferred by everyone. The choice between a mechanical keyboard and a regular keyboard ultimately depends on personal preference and typing needs.
Are mechanical keyboards more suitable for programming?
Many programmers prefer mechanical keyboards for programming due to various reasons:
- Tactile Feedback: Mechanical keyboards have individual switches beneath each key, providing a tactile feedback when pressed. This feedback allows programmers to feel the actuation point, ensuring that the keystroke is registered even if not fully pressed. It improves typing accuracy and reduces the chance of making mistakes.
- Durability: Mechanical keyboards are built to be durable and long-lasting. They typically have a higher build quality compared to membrane keyboards. The individual mechanical switches can withstand millions of keystrokes, making them more resistant to wear and tear, which is useful for programmers who often spend long hours typing.
- Customization: Mechanical keyboards often support keycap customization and layout customization. This flexibility allows programmers to personalize their keyboard layout, map function keys, and create macros to streamline their programming workflow. Customization options can make it easier to access commonly used programming symbols and shortcuts.
- Typing Speed: Mechanical keyboards can potentially improve typing speed, especially for touch typists. The tactile feedback and key actuation point allow for faster and more accurate typing once users get accustomed to the keyboard.
While mechanical keyboards offer several advantages, the choice ultimately depends on personal preference. Some programmers may still prefer membrane keyboards due to factors like noise level, price, or specific preferences.
Can mechanical keyboards help reduce typing fatigue?
Yes, mechanical keyboards can potentially help reduce typing fatigue compared to traditional rubber dome keyboards. Here are a few reasons why:
- Key Actuation Force: Mechanical keyboards have a higher actuation force requirement for pressing keys, which means that you have to apply more pressure to register a keystroke. This helps in reducing accidental keystrokes that can occur with lighter, more sensitive rubber dome keyboards.
- Tactile Feedback: Mechanical keyboards offer a tactile bump or click when a key is pressed, providing physical feedback that the keypress has been registered. This feedback helps to improve typing accuracy and reduce the need for excessive force while typing, potentially reducing fatigue.
- Key Rollover and Anti-ghosting: Many mechanical keyboards are designed with features like full key rollover and anti-ghosting capabilities. This means that each keypress is recognized individually, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. It eliminates input lag and ensures that no keystrokes are missed, allowing for a smoother and more comfortable typing experience.
- Ergonomic Designs: Some mechanical keyboards come with ergonomic layouts, wrist rests, and adjustable heights, which support proper hand and wrist positioning and reduce strain on the muscles while typing. These features can help alleviate typing fatigue and prevent long-term issues like repetitive strain injuries (RSIs).
However, it's important to note that everyone's preference and typing style vary, so the effectiveness in reducing fatigue might vary from person to person. Experimenting with different keyboard types and finding one that suits your individual needs and comfort is key.
