The Ultimate Guide to Buying the Best Budget Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard

Tired of making excuses about why you can’t get work done? You don’t need to spend your entire day looking for ways to improve your productivity, and you certainly don’t need to drop hundreds of dollars on equipment just to be more efficient. The best budget hot-swap mechanical keyboard will make all the difference in how efficiently you’re able to get things done, and they can be yours with only a few clicks of the mouse!

Why Buy a Hot Swap Mechanical Keyboard?

These keyboards are different from your run-of-the-mill membrane keyboard. They’re more expensive, but also vastly superior when it comes to durability and responsiveness. Once you try one, you’ll never want another keyboard again. But, how do you choose? There are many options available on the market for hot-swap mechanical keyboards; selecting one can be quite challenging. Thankfully, there are a few important things that we must take into consideration before making our decision. I hope that after reading our reviews of hot-swap mechanical keyboards, you’ll feel much more confident in your choice!

Which Switch Type Should I Buy?

There are many different varieties of mechanical keyboard switches. Some are clicky, some tactile, and others linear. Some are hybrid switches that offer a mix of two types (such as tactile-clicky). The ultimate choice comes down to your personal preference; you should do plenty of research if you're not sure what kind is right for you. For those who aren't familiar with mechanical keyboards, though, I recommend starting with Cherry MX Blue, which most typists seem to agree is a great all-around switch type for gaming and typing alike. If you want something quieter for work or home life, try looking into Cherry MX Red. It's quieter than Blue and still very responsive.

What Other Features Should I Look Out For?

There are tons of things you can look out for when purchasing a mechanical keyboard. Don’t let all these features intimidate you, though! After some research, you’ll be able to quickly identify what is and isn’t worth considering and then narrow down your search with relative ease. Features such as anti-ghosting will allow your keyboard to register several inputs at once, which allows you to press more than one key at a time. While there aren’t too many applications for doing so (unless you're a competitive gamer), it's always good to know that your keyboard won't mess up just because you're trying to press two keys at once.

How Much Should I Spend?

While it’s easy to point at a $100+ mechanical keyboard and say, that’s too expensive, let me assure you that $150 isn’t going to be any better than $50 if you don’t know what you’re doing. Remember: while a higher price tag often correlates with higher build quality and materials, not all budget keyboards are created equal. If you're looking for a great value pick but don't want to skimp on features, there are options like a tenkeyless (TKL) model (if space is an issue) or mid-sized models that hit that sweet spot between size and cost without skimping on ergonomics.

Where Can I Buy One of These Keyboards?

As technology becomes more prevalent in our day-to-day lives, it’s not hard to find at least one individual who is a fanatic of some sort or another. With everyone having different preferences and needs, it’s no surprise that there are thousands of different keyboards on today’s market. Finding a keyboard that will suit your needs is as easy as shopping online; in fact, most individuals prefer purchasing their items through websites like Amazon because they are guaranteed to receive their item promptly and can return or exchange them if they aren’t happy with what they received.

Example Models From Some Top Brands

Microsoft - The Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard is a great budget choice for many users. Some prefer that it uses 2 AA batteries instead of an on-board rechargeable battery, which can cause inconvenience if your batteries run out at an inopportune time. Many consider it a more comfortable keyboard and easier to use than other ergonomic keyboards with wrist support, thanks to its unique key layout and design. While some have commented that its USB cable could be better constructed, in general users appreciate how easy it is to use and find that they are satisfied with their purchase.

Pros & Cons

The first thing that you need to do when looking best hot swappable keyboard for a keyboard is asking yourself what your needs are. A mechanical board is great for typing at home and even in a business setting but it might not be the best choice for gaming. If you want something that you can use anywhere, then a mechanical keyboard will work just fine but if you prefer something quiet and easy on your fingers, there are plenty of options out there. If you only plan on using your keyboard at home or in an office setting, I recommend that you invest in a better model with backlighting because they look nice and h