These days, it seems like everyone needs the best cheap hot-swap mechanical keyboard in order to be productive at work or play video games competitively online. If you’re on the market for one, you might be confused by all of the options available. To make things easier on you, here are three steps to take when searching for your perfect new keyboard that won’t put too big of a dent in your wallet.
What Is a Mechanical Keyboard?
A keyboard that uses mechanical switches as opposed to membrane switches. Membrane keyboards, which are common in most computers, use a layer of plastic with a grid-like pattern printed on them. When you press down on these keys, it sends an electrical signal that's registered by your computer. But unlike mechanical boards, membrane boards only register keystrokes one at a time: they don't allow for simultaneous key presses. For example, if you wanted to type touch, you'd have to first press t, then release and re-press the t, then release and re-press once more for ouch. You could theoretically do all three at once (touch touch touch) but it wouldn't work properly.
The 5 Types of Switches
Keyboards that use mechanical switches are great for those who want a tactile and auditory response when typing. To find out what type of switch is best for you, you first need to know how they work. There are five main types of switches on mechanical keyboards: dome, scissor, membrane, buckling spring, and Hall effect.
Top 7 Considerations Before Purchasing
There are dozens of factors that go into choosing a mechanical keyboard, but if you can narrow your selection down to one primary deciding factor, it should be price. At its core, a mechanical keyboard is just an array of switches under your fingertips and a plastic base. If you want additional features like LED backlighting or Bluetooth functionality, it’s up to you how much more you want to spend. That said, there are always other factors worth considering before pulling out your wallet. For example: Do I prefer a detachable cable or a USB cable? What kind of switches do I want? What color does my current desk look best with?
Comparison Charts and Guides
Once you've narrowed down your options and have decided that mechanical keyboards are indeed what you want, you'll want to start comparing models. There are tons of sites out there with lists and charts that can help you compare and contrast various brands, models, switches, layouts, etc. Sites like tech report or pure gaming have these lists in abundance and they're a great place to start looking for what will suit your tastes best. Some of these comparison charts even let you sort by brand, region (i.e., where it was made), price point, and more.
How Do I Clean My Mechanical Keyboard?
A question that is often asked of us: how do I clean my mechanical keyboard? Unfortunately, it isn’t something we can easily tell you to do. Each keyboard needs cleaning in a slightly different way and there are a number of products you can use. We suggest checking out our guide here which goes over a few different ways you can try cleaning your keyboard. If nothing works or if your cheap hot-swap mechanical keyboard is still not working, then it may be time for a replacement. In that case, check out our buying guide here to help you find one that fits your budget. Our buying guides answer some of those common questions people have about specific things and hopefully, they will help inform your purchasing decision in some way!
Where Should I Buy From?
The first step in choosing a great cheap hot-swap mechanical keyboard is figuring out where you should buy it from. For most people, buying from a local shop means you can test out your hot-swap mechanical keyboard before buying and make sure that it’s right for you. The downside is that local shops often have higher prices than online shops do. If there isn’t a local shop selling hot-swap mechanical keyboards, or if you want to save money on shipping fees, buying online is a good option. Make sure to read reviews of any online stores before placing an order so that you know they’re reputable!
Conclusion
Looking for a great cheapest hot swappable mechanical keyboard but don’t want to break your bank? You don’t have to! With tons of cheap mechanical keyboards on Amazon, there are plenty of good options for you. From low-cost mechanical keyboards with only basic features and no backlighting to high-end mechanical keyboards with RGB lighting and macro keys, there is an option out there for you. So get out there and buy that gaming keyboard you always wanted—you just might get it at a price that you can actually afford!
