How to Choose the Perfect Mechanical Keyboard for Your Office

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, switches make the board and the experience. For example, two common types of switches are clicky and linear, and the distinctions between them make all the difference when you press them. There are other types of switches beyond these two, however, and they all have their own attributes that can change the way you interact with a keyboard. Why is this important? Well, it depends on what you use the keyboard for and what you hope to achieve. The environment can also play a role. For example, if you’re choosing a keyboard for your office, it’s extremely important to choose the right type of switch, perhaps even for reasons you might not expect.

To choose the perfect mechanical keyboard, first think about the type of experience you want. Do you like tactile or clickable feedback, or no feedback at all? Next, think about when and where you’ll use your keyboard most, such as at a home desk versus at work or on the go to a library or coffee shop. For work, you’ll probably want to opt for a linear (no feedback), touch (minimal audible feedback), or optical display, with a linear or tactile feel. They’re still satisfying and feel good, but they’re not as loud and distracting to others around you.

All mechanical keyboards have a per-key switch that adjusts how the board reacts to your keystroke. This is different from the full keyboard membrane used on traditional boards. As a result, mechanical keyboards tend to be more precise, customizable, and often more durable than traditional form factors. If you want one, you’ll have to choose between the different types of switches under the keys, including linear, tactile, clicky, optical, or Hall effect-based varieties. Here’s a quick overview of how to make this choice.

Clicky switches are the epitome of mechanical keyboards and what most people imagine when they hear “mechanical” in this context. These switches are springy, produce loud, audible clicks, and have a very tactile response when pressed. In terms of sound and feel, clicky switches are similar to those you’d find on a typewriter. This tactile feedback is also one of the main reasons why enthusiasts choose mechanical keyboards over other options in the first place.

If you’re in a small office or professional environment where it needs to be quiet, loud clicking probably isn’t the best option, no matter how satisfying it may be. Or maybe you have roommates who can’t stand noise? Linear switches are an alternative in these cases. They are quieter, less durable and have virtually no feedback, while remaining versatile.

But what if you still want physical feedback with lower volume? Now you understand why there are so many options. Each type of switch has a specific feel, purpose, and custom features. The tactile switches have a smooth action, while providing enough subtle feedback for precise and satisfying keystrokes. They also make less noise than click switches. Optical switches, on the other hand, rely on a small laser or light, and when the beam is interrupted, as detected by an optical sensor, it triggers a key action. They have fewer mechanical parts, are a relatively newer type of switch, and should last longer than other options thanks to fewer points of failure. Hall effect switches have similar advantages, but they use magnets instead of mechanical switches. They also have fewer mechanical parts and points of failure. Hall effect and optical switches can mimic the feel of other switch formats in that they can be linear, tactile, or clicky.

To choose an optimal mechanical keyboard for any situation, whether gaming, home office, or even work, consider the feel of each switch type, then consider the environment and situation in which you will use the board. If you are at home and don’t want to disturb or distract anyone and the noise doesn’t matter, you can use any of the available options, including the loudest and most satisfying one. But if you’re in an environment where noise needs to be limited, linear, tactile, and optical switches are probably better options. Also think about your applications. Tactile switches can be useful in situations where precision and error reduction are essential. That’s not to say you can’t be precise with other formats, but the touchscreen design lends itself better to fast, consistent keystrokes, such as when typing long documents, handling transcription tasks, or even gaming.

You’ll also need to choose between compact and full-size keyboards. Consider how much space you have in your workspace and what you need functionally. Compact keyboards typically remove the extra number pad and reduce the available keys by including macros, which incorporate a function key and combination presses. If you need that number pad or hate using macros, the full size is ideal. Additionally, the best-sized keyboards for gaming generally differ from the best-sized keyboards for writing, office work, and casual browsing.

Of course, the best way to know which type of mechanical switch you prefer is to test them individually. You can go to a nearby store to test them out or find someone you know who has a mechanical keyboard. Regardless of which model you choose, the good news is that owners say their mechanical keyboards last for many years.