Types of Mechanical Keyboards

From whisper-quiet to clacky and loud — find the keyboard that works for you

It’s no secret that mechanical keyboards are gaining popularity, particularly among tech enthusiasts. Whether being used for gaming or work, there are many types of mechanical keyboards available to suit any typist’s mood or personality.

With so many options available, the hardest part may be picking the right one. Do you go with smooth and silent? Do you prefer to make your presence known with the satisfying clack of each keypress? Or is cutting the cord more important than the type of keyboard switch you use? Here, we’ve rounded up some different types of mechanical keyboards to help you make a more informed purchasing decision, as well as a few reasons why mechanical keyboards have such a dedicated community of die-hard fans.

Types of mechanical keyboards

Loud mechanical keyboards

While some enthusiasts like their keyboards quiet, perhaps just as many want a bit more volume out of their board. For these people, the constant clatter generated by keypresses is music to their ears, creating a sense of satisfaction and peace.

While Happy Hacking Keyboards (HHKB) have earned a reputation for quality and innovation, they’ve also won many hearts over for the unique sound their Topre key switches make: The “Thock.” The HHKB Professional Classic sounds smooth and assured when in action — the ideal combination many keyboard sound enthusiasts look for.

The Durgod Taurus K320 is another option that won’t empty your wallet. Its Cherry Brown MX switches deliver a great one-two combo: Each key press generates a subtle but substantial audio punch and satisfying tactile feedback.

Hunt down the loudest mechanical keyboard, and you’ll be set for a clicky, clacky typing experience. But the beauty of mechanical keyboards is their customizability — if you find a frame you like that features hot-swappable switches, you can grab that and kit it out with a mix of your favorite switch types to fill your ears with a symphony of keypresses.

Quiet mechanical keyboards

Mechanical keyboards are comfortable and durable, but they’re often loud. Membrane keyboards don’t make much noise, but they don’t have satisfying tactile feedback while you’re typing. They also tend to break more easily than their mechanical counterparts.

A quiet mechanical keyboard gives you the best of both worlds. These keyboards use short actuation distances and specialized dampening materials to keep the noise down to a minimum. The switches themselves are still mechanical, though, which means you can expect a first-rate typing experience and a long lifespan.

With its unique Silent Topre switches, the HHKB Professional HYBRID Type-S is one of the quietest stock keyboards available today. Its smooth and precise keystroke mechanics ensure this keyboard achieves a high degree of noise reduction without sacrificing an ounce of accuracy. In addition to its quietness, the keyboard’s compact size, layout, and comfort-driven ergonomic design make extended typing sessions much easier on the body. These characteristics also make the HHKB Professional HYBRID Type-S an ideal portable keyboard — quietly at home in everything from libraries to coffee shops.

Just be aware that if you’re looking for a completely silent mechanical keyboard, it doesn’t exist. While quiet switches have come a long way, membrane models still usually produce less noise overall since they have fewer moving parts. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether the tradeoffs are worthwhile.

Wireless mechanical keyboards

If you’re hunting for a wireless mechanical keyboard, you may think you’ll only have a handful of options to consider — it’s a niche of a niche, right?

Not exactly. The subcategory has exploded in recent years. As more people discover the efficiency and satisfaction of mechanical keyboards combined with the convenience of wireless setups, manufacturers have rushed to meet ever-growing demand with an impressive array of products.

Most wireless keyboards use Bluetooth technology — a highly versatile and widely available wireless standard — to connect to your device of choice. Simply pair the keyboard to the computer and it’ll handle the rest, no additional driver download or install required. If you’d prefer not to use Bluetooth, some keyboards include a USB dongle that creates a proprietary 2.4 GHz band for a dedicated, stable, low-latency signal to connect to.

For the ultimate in wireless convenience, consider the HHKB Studio. Its Bluetooth connectivity works with up to four separate devices for easy task switching, and its all-in-one design combines a fully customizable keyboard layout, gesture pads, and integrated mouse functions. Adjust the volume with a simple swipe and navigate your favorite programs with ease, all in a sleek, compact footprint.

Top 5 mechanical keyboard benefits

Hands-on customization

If you only know one thing about the best mechanical keyboards, it’s likely that they’re ripe for customization. Whether you like bright colors, pastels, minimalism, clicky keys, or some heretofore unseen combination of aesthetics, mechanical keyboards’ interchangeable keycaps, customizable bodies, and common RGB-lighting support make it easy to customize to your heart’s content.

The options don’t stop at aesthetics, either. Mechanical keyboard users can customize the functional elements, such as key height, keymaps, and more. Even beginner keyboard enthusiasts can change the feel and sound of their keyboards almost as easily as their board’s looks, as many mechanical keyboards are built with hot-swappable PCBs. That means no soldering or heavy construction required — just pop the old switches out and snap the new ones in.

Of course, your level of commitment to customization is totally up to you. Depending on the brand, you can order a pre-assembled keyboard with the switches and caps of your choice, then swap them out later if your heart desires. Or you can grab a DIY kit and start from scratch, if you’re feeling especially handy. Plus, if you’re not sure where to start, there’s no shortage of videos from mechanical keyboard experts detailing their own builds, so you’ll have plenty of inspiration.

Tactile feedback

Aesthetics aside, another benefit of mechanical keyboards is how satisfying they are to use. Unlike membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards may use a range of key switches to provide different types of tactile feedback and actuation noise. This makes for a springy, responsive typing experience that increases speed and accuracy, which is one of the reasons mechanical keyboards are popular among heavy typers.

If you want audio feedback as well, you can install clicky key switches for a delightful typewriter-esque sound with every push of the key. That clackety-clack sound can be immensely gratifying, given it doesn’t bother your office mates or pets (for the work-from-home crowd).

Ergonomics

Many of us spend eight hours a day at the computer, and that heavy keyboard usage can lead to health issues like swollen tendons, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. When it comes to keyboards, ergonomics aren’t just a luxury — they’re a necessity. Generally, mechanical keyboards have several ergonomic benefits, with the responsive keys making for a more comfortable typing experience than that of membrane keyboards.

Some mechanical keyboards take ergonomics even further, with split designs, palm and wrist rests, and other features that put user comfort at the forefront. If you’re prone to achy wrists and fingers after hours of typing, the ergonomic benefits of mechanical keyboards alone may make them worth the price of admission.

Longevity

Mechanical keyboards often come at higher prices than standard keyboards, but given how long they last, the cost is more of an investment. Even with heavy use, mechanical keyboards can last well over a decade, more than twice as long as other models. High-quality parts and durable materials extend their longevity, and hot-swappable switches make it easy to fix damaged parts without tossing out the whole device.

So while you might pay more money upfront, the quality of mechanical keyboards justifies the higher price. Plus, if you find yourself craving visual variety, you can just get a new set of keycaps rather than having to buy an entirely new keyboard kit.

Community

If you decide to make the jump to mechanical keyboards, you’ll never be alone. From forums to YouTube channels to subreddits, there’s no shortage of enthusiasts who are more than happy to offer advice, share their latest builds, and even organize meetups for mechanical keyboard fans. HHKB attends many such events, so we may even see you there!

Looking for the best kit for beginners? Trying to sort out the differences between types of switches? Need inspiration for your own builds? There is a wealth of content already out there, and if you can’t find the answers to your questions, the community will be happy to help.

Finding the best mechanical keyboard for you

Tactile feedback, customization, ergonomics, and other features we’ve listed above are just a handful of the many mechanical keyboard benefits over a traditional membrane keyboard, with plenty more to discover. Give the mechanical keyboard experience a chance, and it just might transform the way you view keyboards, evolving your typing from a routine activity into a full blown hobby.

Getting started can be overwhelming, but HHKB can help! Our premium mechanical keyboards are thoughtfully designed to merge comfort, minimalist style, and satisfying tactile feedback. Whether you’re choosing your first mechanical keyboard or just looking for your newest project piece, our selection is ideal for starters and enthusiasts alike. Take a look!

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