Wired, Wireless Keyboard and Connection Type
Like standard keyboards, mechanical keyboards can be either wired-only or wireless. Most wired keyboards feature a USB-C connection, allowing you to use a cable of your preferred length and design. Only very budget-friendly models come with permanently attached cables. Wired keyboards are typically the natural choice for gamers, who need every millisecond of advantage over their opponents and often avoid wireless devices due to the slight latency that may occur between a keypress and the corresponding action. It’s worth noting that most wireless keyboards can also connect to a computer via cable as needed.
Wireless keyboards can support Bluetooth (make sure your computer is compatible) or a 2.4GHz wireless connection, which uses a dedicated dongle included in the package. Some keyboards support both connection types. Speaking of dongles, certain keyboards include a built-in compartment for storing the dongle when not in use — a helpful feature since these small devices have an annoying tendency to get lost.
Internal wiring
When building a custom keyboard, you’ll eventually need to connect the PCB to the Daughterboard (the part containing the keyboard’s USB-C port), and in wireless keyboards, also to the battery or battery pack inside the keyboard. This connection is typically made using JST cables or thin ribbon cables — and let me tell you, it’s not exactly fun to plug these in while ensuring you don’t accidentally pull them out when assembling the keyboard.
Some of the newer keyboards now feature magnetic connections on the PCB and the bottom case, eliminating the need for internal wiring. You simply place the PCB on the case, and the magnetic contacts establish an instant connection. If you plan to frequently change your keyboard’s configuration to experiment with sound or feel using different components, consider opting for a keyboard with such a magnetic internal connection.
Gaming Compatibly
If you’re a gamer or a high-speed typist, you might want to consider an HE (Hall Effect) keyboard, which we covered in the Switches chapter. If you prefer classic switches, make sure the keyboard supports NKRO (N-Key Rollover). This means the keyboard can register input from each key independently, so even if you press all the keys simultaneously, every press will be registered without conflicts. If there’s a limit to the number of simultaneous keypresses the keyboard can handle, it will be specified as a number instead of “N.” For example, 6KRO means the keyboard can register up to six keys at the same time.
Another spec you’ll often find in gaming-focused keyboards is the Polling Rate, which measures how many times per second the keyboard communicates with the computer’s operating system. This is measured in hertz (Hz), so a rate of 1000Hz means the keyboard updates the computer 1000 times per second, theoretically giving you a slight advantage in response time.
That said, don’t put too much emphasis on polling rate, as almost all standard keyboards are fast enough for any task, including gaming.
RGB and Underglow Lighting
RGB lighting is, of course, the hallmark of gaming keyboards, but it’s also found in many standard mechanical keyboards. Most keyboards support per-key lighting, while some also feature underglow lighting around the edges or on the bottom of the keyboard, projecting light onto your desk.
I’ve already mentioned the importance of PCB orientation for key lighting, but it’s also worth noting that keyboards differ in the number of colors supported, lighting effects, and especially brightness. If lighting is important to you, it’s a good idea to research these features before purchasing your keyboard.
As discussed in the keycaps chapter, to maximize lighting effects, you can opt for Pudding keycaps or Shine-Through keycaps, which allow more light to pass through for a more vibrant display.
Software And Settings
Most mechanical keyboards allow you to adjust lighting, remap keys, and set macro commands using compatible software. Typically, this software is provided by the manufacturer, but it’s often not very advanced or easy to use.
The gold standard in the industry is VIAL/VIA and QMK software, widely regarded as the best for their ease of use and flexibility. These web-based interfaces offer advanced customization options, including macros, key remapping, command assignments, lighting control, and more, and they don’t require any app installed on your computer. Keyboards that support these programs usually highlight it prominently in their product descriptions.
