How to Choose the Best Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard for You

There are many different hot-swap mechanical keyboards on the market, and they all have their own unique features and benefits. Choosing the right one can seem like an intimidating task, but with this buying guide, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices easily and select the best hot-swap mechanical keyboard for your needs. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when shopping around.

What is a mechanical keyboard?

While both types of keyboards are great, there are distinct differences between mechanical and traditional keyboards. When it comes to gaming and typing, mechanical keyboards offer a more satisfying experience than their plastic counterparts thanks to an array of physical features. These include high durability; near-silent operation; n-key rollover capabilities; tactile feedback, etc. In short, you'll get a better typing experience on a quality keyboard (regardless of type) than you will on any tablet or smartphone. So if you're seeking ultimate comfort while gaming or typing, look no further than our guide to choosing the best hot-swap mechanical keyboard for your needs!

Where to buy

When buying a mechanical keyboard, it’s important to pick up one that suits your lifestyle. Some keyboards are better suited for gaming while others work best with productivity. If you’re serious about playing games or typing away at home, you’ll want a high-end mechanical keyboard. There are plenty of entry-level models available but if you want something great, expect to pay more than $100. If you travel regularly or spend most of your time in an office or cubicle, look into a compact tenkeyless keyboard that can easily be slipped into a laptop bag. The added portability makes these keyboards perfect for people who live on their computers and need to pack light.

Who makes them?

There are several companies that make hot-swap mechanical keyboards. All of them can be purchased from Amazon and most are within $20 of each other. I've listed some of my favorites below: WASD Keyboards: One of my favorite hot-swap keyboard manufacturers are WASD Keyboards. In addition to making great quality mechanical keyboards, they have a variety of customizable options including key colors, backlit colors, lettering styles, and even wood paneling on their cases. Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire XT: A step up from their QuickFire Rapid line, CM Storm offers solid budget boards without allocating too much cash. Check out our review here. Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja: One of my personal favorites, I've had mine for almost a year now with no complaints!

Other questions to ask yourself when buying

What type of hot-swap mechanical keyboard do you want? Why do you want a hot-swap mechanical keyboard? How much are you willing to spend on a hot-swap mechanical keyboard? Who will be using your hot-swap mechanical keyboard, and what kind of games or applications do they play/use that might necessitate your choices in parts or design? What is your budget range? Is there anything else we should know about why you're looking at hot-swap mechanical keyboards and what your tastes are like overall? If so, tell us! Thanks for taking time out of your day to read our guide. If we were able to help please comment and share so that others can enjoy it as well. If not feel free to ask any questions in the comments below. We love hearing from our readers! ​

Why use a hot-swappable switch?

Before deciding on a mechanical keyboard, you need to figure out what style of key switches you like. While many people prefer linear switches, some are better suited for tactile switches. The reason that a swappable switch is important is that not every hot-swap keyboard supports all key types. Choosing a product without customization will cause one type of switch or another not to be supported. In addition, having a custom keyboard allows you to easily replace your keys in order to customize your experience. If there is an issue with a single key or if multiple keys are worn down from repeated use, it’s important that they can be replaced quickly and easily.

Common features

Below are some common features that you may come across when reading about these keyboards. These aren’t specific to mechanical hot-swap keyboards, but they can help with your decision: True N-key rollover (NKRO): A keyboard will only be as good as its inputs, so make sure a potential purchase has NKRO. This means you can press and hold down multiple keys at once without those other keys interfering with one another. While ordinary keyboards use modifier-lock states to get around not having true NKRO, all of our picks below have it—and there’s really no excuse not to have it if it’s being touted as a feature on something being sold as a gaming or productivity tool. Ghosting is bad!

Common brands

Cherry MX Switches, Topre, and best hot swap mechanical keyboard are all popular options when it comes to hot swap mechanical keyboards. Before you jump into purchasing your new keyboard, it’s important that you research which brand is right for you. Some brands, like Cherry MX Switches or Topre, are known for their durability. Cherry MX Switches keyboards tend to be higher quality, but not quite as durable as ALPS boards. ALPS boards are less expensive than most mechanical models, but they also tend to feel flimsier in comparison. This isn’t always true; some people actually prefer how cheap keyboards feel when typing at a desk with both hands!