Common keyboard FAQs
Buying a keyboard is a personal decision, as preferences vary significantly. Gamers, photo editors, and work-from-home managers have different needs. Here are some points to ponder if you’re unsure which keyboard is for you.
Key switches explained: Membrane vs. scissor vs. Mechanical
A key switch is the physical and electronic mechanism that supports the keys and registers the keystroke. Keyboard fans argue endlessly about which switch design is best. Most people don’t need to dig into the nitty-gritty, but a basic understanding is useful if you’re serious about buying an excellent keyboard.
The membrane switch is the least expensive. Each key sits on a rubber membrane, typically shaped like a dome, which provides resistance and keeps keys elevated. The dome collapses when you press a key, forcing the bottom into contact with the circuit board beneath. Membrane switches have a mushy feel that some find annoying. They respond slowly to rapid, repetitive input, which is bad news for gamers. Membrane switches are reliable and hold up well to drops, spills, and general abuse.
Scissor switches are found in many premium keyboards and laptops. The switch is shaped like a pair of scissors with the blades open. The blades separate further when you press the key, creating tension and resistance in the switch. Scissor switches have a shallow, crisp action that many people find pleasant to use but lack the chunky feel mechanical switches provide. The shallow design of a scissor switch allows for a thinner keyboard, which some people find more comfortable. You’ll prefer a scissor switch if you want an attractive keyboard that’s enjoyable to use all day.
Mechanical switches are their own sub-genre. They all use a mechanical element (typically a spring) for resistance, and this makes them thicker than the alternatives. Mechanical switches have a reputation for a loud, chunky, tactile feel, but this is only true of keyboards that label themselves as “clicky.” You’ll also find keyboards advertised as “tactile.” These have an actuation point you can feel while pressing the key but aren’t designed to make noise.
We don’t currently include any mechanical switch keyboards among our best keyboard recommendations, but our guide to the best mechanical keyboards offers options for mechanical keyboard fans.
What size keyboard should you buy?
Today’s keyboards offer many options, but they tend to fall into two basic categories: full-size and compact.
A full-size keyboard is likely the size you know best. They have 104 keys, including a numpad on the right side. Anyone who spends a lot of time with numbers is likely to prefer the speed and ease of a numpad. Full-size keyboards can be uncomfortable for some, however, because they’re wide. This pushes the mouse far to the side, increasing the movement needed to use the mouse.
Compact keyboards, also known as tenkeyless keyboards, ditch the numpad but retain the arrows keys and function keys above them. This cuts down keyboard size significantly without changing the day-to-day experience for those who don’t often use a numpad. TKL keyboards free up desk space and keep your mouse close at hand, which some find more comfortable.
The ideal size is a personal preference. Smaller keyboards free up space and can be more ergonomic, but not everyone who uses a full-size keyboard finds them uncomfortable and some people prefer the functions found in additional keys.
Wired or wireless keyboards?
Wireless keyboards are the standard for most people. It’s not hard to understand why. Wires are annoying, and the keyboard’s wire is one of the few (along with the mouse) you can’t hide.
Wireless is so popular that it’s no longer a premium feature. Most affordable and mid-range keyboards are wireless, but most high-end keyboards are either wired or offer a choice between wired or wireless models.
Reliability is the key reason. Modern wireless connections work very well, but they’re not perfect. Enthusiasts buying high-end keyboards expect the keyboard to register every keystroke every time.
Wired keyboards also provide lower latency than wireless connections. Competitive gamers, who see every millisecond of latency as the difference between winning or losing thousands of dollars at a tournament, universally lean towards the near-perfect latency of a wired keyboard.
Wireless keyboards use batteries. Budget models often use AA or AAA batteries, which tend to last for months but can be annoying to replace. Premium wireless keyboards have built-in batteries that can be recharged. This is convenient but will shorten the keyboard’s lifespan. The battery will wear out long before the rest of the keyboard.
Do I need a Mac-specific keyboard?
Apple’s macOS has a slightly different key layout than Windows. The Windows Start key is gone, replaced by an Option key, while Command keys replace the Alt keys.
These differences are minor enough that virtually all Windows keyboards will work with macOS. Apple’s operating system has a Keyboard Setup Assistant that will identify your keyboard and let you remap the keys to a more familiar layout. It’s a simple process that takes just a few seconds.
However, most modern keyboards use software to control their most complex features. This software isn’t always available for macOS. Mac owners should check software compatibility before buying a keyboard.
