Cost of mechanical keyboards

Compared to other popular computer accessories, mechanical keyboards are inexplicably expensive.

Many mechanical keyboards are expensive and feature-rich. Photo: Digital Trends .

Among the common and essential computer accessories, mechanical keyboards are particularly noteworthy for their unique and interesting features. Beyond their basic input function, they offer numerous additional features and provide a distinct typing experience.

However, high-end mechanical keyboards often come with hefty price tags, causing many to regret spending such a large sum on this type of accessory. The case of author Yadullah Abidi on the technology website MakeUseOf is an example.

Are cheap mechanical keyboards lacking in functionality?

Yadullah Abidi used a Redgear MK881 keyboard from 2018 to 2023 with fairly high intensity before switching to a Keychron K2 V2. In his opinion, this inexpensive mechanical keyboard is still working well after 5 years.

The Redgear MK881 is priced under $50 on Amazon but offers valuable features such as hot-swappable switches, customizable RGB lighting, and dedicated software support.

The main difference between keyboards lies in the switches. Cheaper keyboards often use lower-quality switches from Kailh, Gateron, and sometimes Cherry MX. They offer more or less the same typing feel regardless of whether the user chooses blue, red, or brown switches.

Currently, many affordable mechanical keyboards still feature multi-mode RGB backlighting and support hot-swapping switches. Photo: MakeUseOf.

If you own a keyboard that allows hot-swapping switches, you can equip yourself with new switches, add padding under the circuit board, and apply lubricant (also known as "lube") for a smoother typing feel.

Software features are a major limitation of inexpensive keyboards compared to more expensive options. Most inexpensive mechanical keyboards do not come with software. Therefore, users cannot set up macros and custom configurations.

A typical example is changing the backlight. Cheaper keyboards come with pre-set LED lighting modes for all keys, while more expensive products, with the included software, allow users to customize each key individually to their personal preferences.

Recently, as the market has become saturated, many affordable mechanical keyboards have emerged that are equipped with full features such as hot-swappable switches, volume control knobs, wireless connectivity, smart displays, etc., which are typically found on more expensive models.

Advantages of a high-end keyboard

If you can afford to spend $150- $200 on a mechanical keyboard, you'll get a significantly higher quality product. These keyboards are heavier, made with premium materials like aluminum or steel frames, and have better keycaps, RGB lighting, and switches.

The feel of typing on a keyboard is often a matter of personal preference. However, in most cases, a high-end keyboard offers a better experience. It features smooth, stable switches and rich software capabilities that allow for the creation of custom keyboard shortcuts.

High-end mechanical keyboards typically feature a robust design and premium components. Photo: Digital Trends.

Small features like screens, dedicated macro buttons, and volume control knobs are commonly found on expensive keyboards. Some cheaper products have these features, but in many cases they are not useful and are prone to damage.

Another aspect is durability, reliability, and stability. While users can replace both keycaps and switches on cheaper keyboards that support this feature, more expensive keyboards still have the advantage of using high-quality, fully compatible components.

Is it really necessary to spend a lot of money on a keyboard?

According to Yadullah Abidi, there's really no need to spend too much money on mechanical keyboards. For him – an AI engineer, security expert, gamer, and communications specialist – after using several products, there's no reason to spend more than $100- $150 on this type of accessory.

Users can choose an inexpensive mechanical keyboard, in the range of $50-$80 . Although there is no supporting software or firmware to add functionality, the basic functions of the keyboard still adequately meet primary usage needs.

In addition, the hot-swappable switch function, which has appeared on many inexpensive mechanical keyboards, gives users the opportunity to experience different switches, including high-end ones, without having to spend too much on a more expensive keyboard.