How to pick (and customize) the best mechanical keyboard for you

You may have heard about “mechanical keyboards” in some articles around the Internet. If you haven’t, they’re keyboards that usually come with quite a high price tag but use special keyboard switches that make mechanical keyboard users swear off regular keyboards for life. You might be interested in purchasing a mechanical keyboard yourself. Perhaps you’re an avid typist, or you enjoy playing games that require heavy keyboard usage.

Before you go to the store and pick up the first mechanical keyboard you see, there’s a little something about mechanical keyboards that you should know. They often come in colours that begin with “Cherry MX” at the start, such as “Cherry MX Blue.” Here’s an example.

Don’t be mistaken – this is not referring to the colour of the keyboard itself! You cannot purchase a Cherry MX Red and Blue keyboard and expect them to perform identically as if you bought the red and blue variants of a specific car model. But what do these “Cherry MX” colours mean, and which should you buy?

Keyboard Switches, and Why They Matter

First things first: let’s discuss what “Cherry MX” means. The “Cherry” part refers to the Cherry Corporation who began producing keyboards in 1967. This makes them the oldest keyboard manufacturer in the world.

In the 1980s Cherry began to make a brand of keyboard switch called the Cherry MX switch. Keyboard switches are placed underneath the keys of a keyboard; once a key is pressed, it triggers the switch and lets the computer know that the key has been pressed. These days mass-market keyboards use the dome-switch keyboard which uses little rubber domes under each key to figure out what the user pressed. Dome-switches are cheaper and easier to make, but users report that the keys feel “mushy.” That’s due to the keys being swapped from a mechanical switch to pushing down on rubber.

Why do we care about how a key feels when it’s pressed? For people who use a keyboard on a subconscious basis, the feel of a keyboard can mean everything to them. Proficient typists want to fly through words as they type, so they want a keyboard that requires as little effort as possible to type on. On the other hand, gamers who favour accuracy over typing speed will want keys that require more effort to activate so that accidental key presses don’t ruin their game.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at the different colours you can buy and what each one does for the keyboard.

The Colours

There’s a range of switches you can buy, but the “main” ones you’ll find are “Black,” “Red,” “Brown,” and “Blue.”

Black

Black switches are designed to require the most amount of pressure before the switch activates. This means accidental key presses are less likely to happen compared to a regular keyboard. They also give very little feedback when pressed. Black switches are ideal for those who want to make deliberate and error-free keypresses such as gamers. As a downside, they can be quite fatiguing to use for long periods of time.

Blue switches are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Blue switches focus on very light and effortless keystrokes, which are ideal for those who type a lot. They also provide a solid tactile and audible feedback, meaning that speed typists can mentally “register” each key press. In fact, their audible feedback is almost too good; blue keyboard owners report very loud clicking while typing which can easily distract those close by.

Brown

Brown switches are the middle ground between blue and black. If you like the sound of a keyboard that’s good for typing but also want to play games on the side, brown switches are often heralded as the perfect choice. They give a little bit of tactile feedback, so you’ll be able to “feel” and validate each press. It does mean that you sacrifice getting a more specialised keyboard in exchange for a “jack of all trades.” On the other hand, if your computer activities aren’t specialised in itself – typing one moment and gaming the other – the brown keyboard will be ideal.

Red switches are akin to brown ones but are more recent in design. Red switches have a similar ease-of-press as red blue switches, but they don’t provide any feedback on press. This makes them more ideal for gamers who want to make more deliberate and solid presses than multiple lighter ones. Gamers usually prefer the red switch if they find black switch keyboards too tiring to use.

Remember that you don’t have to purchase a specific switch of keyboard simply because of the recommendations above. It’s entirely possible for a gamer to love blue switches or for a typist to prefer brown over blue. Think about what you’d want from your keyboard – something light and quick, solid and definite, or a mix of both – then purchase the keyboard right for you.

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Building a custom mechanical keyboard might sound hard in theory but in reality, you just need to buy all of the necessary parts and assemble them. It is actually modding your parts from the custom keyboard that can take a lot of time.

Today we will talk about all the individual pieces you need to build a custom mechanical keyboard and give you some tips and tricks regarding what you should look out for. And of course, will tell you how to put it all together.

Keyboard Case, Plate, and PCB

The first step you need to take is to select what kind of keyboard case you want to build your keyboard in. Based on the case you will select the size of your keyboard (60%, 65%, 80%, etc), you will also need a PCB that will fit, and in most cases a plate for your keyboard.

You can technically also build a keyboard without a plate if your PCB supports PCB-mounted switches, but generally, keyboards that use a plate for mounting their switches have sturdier build quality.

For the case and the plate, you will need to figure out the material you want to be used. The most popular choices for custom keyboard cases are aluminum, plastic, and acrylic. Plates usually come in brass, aluminum, and polycarbonate.

The choice of PCB will dictate the layout of your switches/keys and the RGB properties of your keyboard. If you want things like dedicated arrow keys for smaller keyboards make sure to purchase a PCB that supports those features.

A good example of these choices can be found here, where you can choose the material and color of your case/plate and are provided with a PCB that already works and fits with the keyboard.

The materials used for the case and the plate will heavily influence the type of sound your switches will produce and the way the keyboard will look overall, so do enough research about your future purchase.

There are also processes to fine-tune the way your switches sound with the use of case foam and plate foam.

These are special cutouts made out of foam that can dampen some of the switch ping making them more muted. Depending on the amount of foam and where it’s placed you can make your custom keyboard sound just the way you want!

Mechanical Switches and Stabilizers

The second fundamental choice you will have to make is what kind of switches will you be using in your build. This will heavily dictate how your typing experience will go. Do you want linear switches or tactile? What spring weight do you prefer? What kind of housing material sounds better?

Depending on how you answer those questions you will arrive at different results for what switches you want to use in your build. If you have no idea where to even start, look at our list of the best current switches you can purchase.

If the case and plate are the foundations of the mechanical keyboard you are building then the switches are its heart. Essentially your entire custom keyboard experience will be shaped by the combination of these items so choose carefully!

Besides the switches, there is another component you need to decide on when building your custom mechanical keyboard – the stabilizers. In most cases, you will receive stabilizers along with your PCB, but these are usually not the best choices.

Having a rattly stabilizer will ruin your experience therefore you need to make sure you purchase a good product.

It’s Lubing Time!

If you thought you were done with the switches and the stabilizers you are wrong. This is because if you are building a custom keyboard, not lubing your mechanical switches and stabilizers is like using ketchup for making pizza instead of tomato sauce – not a criminal offense, but people will hate you.

This is also a favor to yourself because this process will GREATLY improve your custom board’s acoustic and typing experience.

This process will require that you purchase a couple more tools like a switch opener, lube, brushes, stem holder, etc.

As mentioned in our guide, certain tools are optional (switch opener, stem holder) since you can use a pair of tweezers to get the job done, but having the tools will make your life a lot easier.

Be mentally prepared because this process can take up to 8 hours or more depending on the number of switches (+stabilizers) you will have to lube. This can be daunting but having some video to watch, or some relaxing music goes a long way.

Besides the lubing, we would also encourage you to clip and band-aid mod your stabilizers or simply use premade cutout foam. This will make your stabilizers sound a lot better than stock.

Just think of this process as a relaxing time for yourself and you will be done in no time. You can also lube the switches in batches instead of doing them all in one sitting which will make the process a bit easier.

Keycaps and Custom Cables!

To finish up your custom keyboard build you will need to select a set of keycaps and a custom keyboard cable. These are purely aesthetic choices but are still important since you want your board to look nice.

You would want to match the color of the keyboard case with the color of the cable and the color of the keycaps to create a unified image so choose carefully. Keycap sets can become pretty expensive so be careful with your design choices because you might end up spending more than 200$ on just keycaps.

Assembly!

All that is left is to assemble your custom keyboard from 0. Take your case, put in whatever foam you deemed necessary, and screw the PCB in (should have the stabilizers already mounted).

Put the plate on top and slide the switches in (if you use the plate foam don’t forget to put it between the plate and PCB). Place your keycaps on the switches and plug in your keyboard cable.

Now your custom keyboard build is officially completed and you can look at the stock keyboard users and laugh (not mandatory but a nice step overall).

Enjoy your thick thocks and smooth typing experience!

Michael Crider is a veteran technology journalist with a decade of experience. He spent five years writing for Android Police and his work has appeared on Digital Trends and Lifehacker. He’s covered industry events like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Mobile World Congress in person. Read more.

Mechanical keyboards are a surprisingly resilient trend among gamers and power users. But as they get more popular, the various options and technical variations become more and more complex. If you’re looking for everything you need to know to get started in this surprisingly varied portion of the PC world, we’re here to help you out.

The Basics: It’s All About the Switches

A good place to start is our basic run-down of the pros and cons of a mechanical keyboard. The biggest difference in any specific keyboard selection is the switches: most are variants on the ubiquitous Cherry MX design, with different click actuations and spring strengths determining the “feel” of the keypress. Some keys will be harder to press down than others, while others will be light. Some will be clicky, some will have a small bump, and some will have no tactile response at all. These characteristics are usually delineated by the “color” of the switch, with each color representing a broad assignment for tactility and resistance.

But there are many variations beyond the standard Cherry MX design, like the older Alps and buckling spring designs or the niche Topre electrostatic switch (shown above middle and right). When you’re done with our article on the basics, open up a new tab to our exhaustive glossary of terms and definitions related to mechanical keyboards of all kinds. It’s a handy reference for all kinds of keyboards, and it covers every major and minor switch type you’ll find.

Find a Keyboard with the Bells and Whistles You Want

Once you know the basics, it’s time to actually set out and find a keyboard. You’ll obviously want to find one with the switches you want, but beyond that, you’ll also want to look at build quality and other features, like key layout and backlighting.

If you’re looking for a specific recommendation, the CODE keyboard is a great place to start. It’s a solid option that covers all the basics and comes in a variety of switch types and sizes. But not everyone wants to drop $150 on their first mechanical. If you just want to try your hand at the mechanical keyboard trend without spending a ton upfront, there are plenty of cheaper options. We have recommendations for multiple boards in the popular Blue, Brown, and Red switch styles, all under $40—and with many key layouts and lighting features, too. (By the way, lighting isn’t just for show—it can be pretty useful, depending on how programmable it is.)

Unfortunately, there is one feature that’s a bit rarer in mechanical keyboards: wireless. But we’ve managed to track down some great choices for Bluetooth-equipped boards at a variety of prices.

Customize Your Board to Your Heart’s Content

You don’t have to stop there, though. Half the fun in mechanical keyboards is customizing them with your own keycaps, so check out our article on exactly how to do that. (It’s not complicated, we promise!) If the sound of the keys themselves are bothering you—and yes, they are quite a bit more noisy than most membrane-based keyboards—you can add dampeners to the individual switches as well.

And if you’re ready to jump into the deep end of classic keyboards, we have a guide on disassembling and cleaning the timeless Model M, the buckling spring keyboard that still inspired modern designs. It’s time-consuming, but not particularly difficult, and the results can be dramatic.

When you’re a programmer, the tools you use can make or break your working experience.

You want to be coding with a super satisfying and highly-functional keyboard that can perform to the standards required to get the job done efficiently.

Let’s take a look at our recommended mechanical keyboards for programming.

Best Mechanical Keyboards For Programming – Our Top Picks

1. Corsair K100 RGB: Best All-Around Pick

Plush detachable wrist rest Standard bottom row Dedicated media keys Programmable control wheel RGB lighting Fast polling rate 4000 hz

Steep price tag Thick non-detachable cable Bulky and not portable

Interesting layout includes numpad Multicolor PBT dye-sublimated keycaps Hot-swappable Optical switches Feels sturdier than expected

Difficult layout has a learning curve Not many optical switch options No adjustable feet

Full aluminum build Hot-swappable switches QMK compatible PBT keycaps

Steep price Specialized power cable required Key chattering

Compact-ish 96% layout Windows/Mac compatibility Wireless connectivity Aluminum build (optional)

No software support

Hot-swappable Easy access arrow keys PBT keycaps

Strange case design Rubber feet fall off easily Easy to scratch backplate

High quality custom keycaps Smooth stabilizers Cherry MX switches Cool add-ins DIP switches

USB port difficult to use with custom cable Not many switch options

Software support Aluminum case Smooth stabilizers PBT keycaps

Recessed power port Small forehead

Windows/Mac compatible Low-profile design Wireless connectivity

No software support No adjustable typing angle

Super fast switches Smooth stabilizers Full RGB lighting Excellent software

Light on features Non-detachable power cable

Thick aluminum top plate Built-in USB hub Cherry MX switches PBT keycaps Multi-purpose ruler

Non-detachable power cable Low contrast keycaps No software support

The Ideal Features For A Programmer’s Keyboard

When looking for a keyboard for coding, there are a few features that you should really look for to get the most out of your keyboard.

• Portability: If you plan on taking your keyboard into different rooms to change up your surroundings, a portable keyboard can make this a breeze. We recommend looking at smaller sizes along with detachable cables or wireless connectivity.
• Programmable Keys: Being able to change up your layout and program your keys is a great way to boost productivity and improve efficiency. Software support is the best way to ensure you have this option, otherwise you’re stuck with the standard layout.
• Macros: Macros and shortcuts set to specific keys can make coding a breeze, especially for actions that you can automate away.

Along with these main features, we also recommend looking at the standard stuff, such as good build quality, a fun typing experience, and an ergonomically-friendly keyboard.

The Best Switches For Programming

While there is no “best switch” for programming, I can make a few recommendations based on my experiences testing hundreds of different switches.

When it comes to mechanical switches, there are three main types: linear, clicky, and tactile.

If you work in an office, stay away from clicky switches at all costs, don’t be THAT guy.

This leaves you to choose between tactile and linear.

Tactile is more typing friendly, which means you should experience fewer mistakes and a more controlled typing experience. The small tactile bump will provide feedback on each keystroke to let you know when the key has registered.

Linear on the other hand, is a bit harder to get used to if your new to mechanical keyboards.

You may experience “bottoming-out” which refers to slamming the switch down and possibly hurting your fingers. After a while, you’ll adjust to this switch type, but it may feel a bit foreign at first.

For this reason, we usually recommend tactile switches for programming, unless you are already used to linear.

If you plan on gaming, however, linear is considered much better for that purpose do to the smooth and consistent actuation. So if you plan on gaming and coding, a Red/Black switch could be a better option.

Conclusion

Finding the ideal mechanical keyboard for programming usually comes down to choosing the perfect layout that comes with the ideal features to fit your needs.

We went over our top picks to help you find the perfect keyboard, along with some tips out-lining exactly what you should look for in a programming keyboard.

While some of the picks may be a little out there, having a wide variety of options will allow you to choose something that’s unique to you.

Good luck and happy typing!

Jake has been an avid mechanical keyboard user for the past six years. He has a background in Mechanical Engineering and wants to apply his expertise to break down how mechanical keyboards and other tech work to show the world all of the cool aspects of the hobby.

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Looking for the best mechanical keyboard for your Mac? Then stop looking as we have gathered the best available option out there.

Whether you need a keyboard for working purposes or gaming needs, choosing the best one can be a daunting task since options are countless. But the best part is you can even get your keyboard customized according to your requirements. Convenient, no?

Despite it being a subjective topic, there are a few things we can all agree upon: the keyboard should be stylish, durable, and most importantly, not costly. But perhaps for many even more important factor is that it should make a nice clicky sound.

Keeping these reasons in mind, a good Mac mechanical keyboard is a better choice. But again, which one should you go for? To make it easier for you, we have put together the list of the best mechanical keyboards for your Mac.

Best Mechanical Keyboards For Mac

1. Keychron K4 96% Layout 100 Keys

A 96% layout (100-key) white LED backlight wireless mechanical keyboard comes in a compact design with a number pad. If you want to ensure productivity or experience tactile typing, then this keyboard would be your best bet.

This keyboard can get connected with your iDevices, via broad compatibility Broadcom Bluetooth and switch among them effortlessly. You can even connect it with a USB Type-C connection to convert it into wired mode.

This unique K4 mechanical keyboard with a Mac layout is equipped with all the essential Mac function keys. On top of that, it is also compatible with Windows.

The K4 is the only keyboard with a 4000 mAh battery that lasts over 240 hours. N-key rollover (NKRO) on wired mode or 6KRO on wireless mode.

Get your hands on Keychron K4 69% at $79.99

2. Logitech MX Mechanical Wireless Illuminated Performance Keyboard

Logitech is yet another one of the best mechanical keyboards for Mac out there that offers fluid and quiet mechanical typing with low-profile keys that deliver next-level flow.

It is designed with smart illumination that lights up Backlit keys the moment you lay your hands on the keyboard. Additionally, it automatically adapts to different lighting conditions so you can work on it even on the go.

You can pair MX Mechanical wireless keyboard with 3 several devices on nearly any operating system via Bluetooth Low Energy.

The battery life of this keyboard is also impressive, as it can last up to 15 days on a full charge or up to 10 months with the backlight turned off.

You can purchase Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard for $169.99 at the link below

3. Keychron Q2 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard

If you haven’t come across a keyboard that could be customized according to your needs yet, go for Keychron Q2.

Keychron Q2 is a mechanical keyboard that can be fully customized with a compact 65% layout. This Q2 keyboard features a full aluminum frame that can be assembled easily for personalized premium typing comfort.

It includes QMK and VIA support, which gives you the opportunity to program and remap each key on the keyboard conveniently.

You can simply connect the Q2 to your device with a cable, import the Q2 keymap JSON file into the VIA software, drag and drop your preferred keys or macro commands to remap any key you want on macOS, Windows, or Linux operating system.

The south-facing RGB design is aimed at better lighting the keyboard backlight from the typing angle with the premium non-shine-through PBT keycaps installed. In addition to providing excellent oil resistance, PBT keycaps prevent the legends from fading and improve the feel of typing.

Get Keychron today for only $199.99 at the link below

4. Macally Backlit Mechanical Keyboard for Mac

The Macally backlit mechanical keyboard features brown mechanical switches, a weighted base for stability, and a stylish, see-through frame that provides you with the ultimate mac keyboard experience.

This keyboard is ideal for workers, gamers, video editors, as well as graphic designers. Because it gives you the option to set brightness levels in three ways so you can work seamlessly even in dim light.

For enhanced productivity, Macally Mac mechanical keyboard features a 104-key mac specific layout with 16 convenient shortcut keys.

Get Macally for only $129.99 at the link below

5. Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac Wired Mechanical Keyboard

If aesthetics is your main concern, Das Keyboard 4 professional is the thinnest and hands down the best mechanical keyboard for Mac!

Das Keyboard 4 offers a combination of tactile feel, the psycho-acoustic experience, and incredible craftsmanship to deliver an unmatched and faster typing experience.

This Mac mechanical keyboard is ideal for fast typists, productive professionals, and game enthusiasts as it supports full NKRO over USB.

Its laser-etched keycaps are paired with Cherry MX Brown switches to ensure maximum durability, giving the keyboard life up to 50 million keystrokes.

Gold-plated switches, on the other hand, provide the finest typing and contact experience because, unlike metals, gold does not rust, which extends the lifespan of the switch.

Get Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac for $169.00 at the link below

6. Havit Mechanical Keyboard

If you are on the lookout for a keyboard that gives an excellent touch experience and long-serving time then the Havit mechanical keyboard is the one for you.

In combination with the two keyboard kickstands, this mechanical gaming keyboard has been designed to provide a comfortable angle for typing, which effectively reduces the strain on the wrists.

Besides, it is aesthetically pleasing as well, its colorful keycaps enhance your mood while playing games or working, giving new life to your dull workspace.

Its compact size offers you space on your work table and makes it easier for you to carry it around during meeting sessions and gaming.

This 89-key mechanical keyboard is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows VISTA, and other systems.

You can get Havit HV-KB487L for $39.99 at the link below

Key to Your Success

Whether you are a writer, video editor, graphic designer, a corporate professional, or a gamer buying a mechanical keyboard might cost you an arm and leg. Though think of it as an investment because they offer a premium typing and gaming experience.

Now that you have gone through the list of the best mechanical keyboards, it will be easier for you to pick the one that would suit all your needs.

Comment down any queries you have and we will get back to you at our earliest convenience.