It’s all about mechanical keyboards now. They’re popular among gamers, programmers, and other computer users for their fast response time and tactile feedback.

But one question often comes up: why are mechanical keyboards so expensive? IBM first invented mechanical keyboards in the early 1980s for their buckling spring design.

This design uses a metal spring that Breaks under pressure, providing tactile and auditory feedback. The switches are also rated for a lifespan of over 50 million keystrokes, which is significantly higher than most membrane keyboards.

In this post, we’ll look at what makes mechanical keyboards so great and explore why they tend to cost more than traditional keyboards. We’ll also discuss a few budget-friendly options for those who want to get their hands on a mechanical keyboard without breaking the bank. Stay tuned!

What Exactly Is A Mechanical Keyboard?

A mechanical keyboard is a computer keyboard that uses individual mechanical switches for each key. These switches provide unique tactile and auditory feedback when pressed, which many users find more satisfying than the standard membrane keys found on most keyboards.

Furthermore, mechanical keyboards are more durable than their cheaper counterparts, making them popular for gamers and other heavy computer users.

While mechanical keyboards have been around for decades, they only started gaining popularity in the past few years.

Part of this can be attributed to eSports, as professional gamers began to demand keyboards that could give them a competitive edge. Mechanical keyboards also offer many users a more satisfying typing experience, leading to their growing popularity among non-gamers.

Why Are Mechanical Keyboards So Expensive As Compared To Other Keyboards?

Following are the differences between a mechanical keyboard and a normal keyboard:

Switches:

Mechanical keyboards use physical switches beneath each key to register a keypress. These switches come in various designs, but the most common are Cherry MX switches.

These switches come in different “flavors,” with each flavor providing a unique typing experience. For example, Cherry MX Reds are smooth and linear, while Cherry MX Browns are tactile and quiet.

In contrast, most membrane keyboards use a single piece of rubbery material to register keypresses. This material can wear down over time, leading to a less satisfying typing experience. That’s why they are more expensive than other keyboards.

Build Quality:

Mechanical keyboards are also built to higher standards than most membrane keyboards. It is evident in the materials used and the keyboard’s overall design and construction.

For example, many mechanical keyboards use a steel backplate to add rigidity and prevent the keys from wobbling. They also often use higher-quality plastics and metals for the case and keycaps. As a result, mechanical keyboards tend to be heavier and more durable than their membrane counterparts.

Customizability:

Mechanical keyboards are highly customizable. Users can swap out the keycaps, switches, and even the entire case to create a perfect keyboard for their needs. It is simply impossible to customize this detail level with membrane keyboards.

Tactile Feedback:

One of the main benefits of mechanical keyboards is their tactile feedback. When a key is pressed, the switch activates and provides resistance before bottoming out.

This resistance, along with the audible “click” of the button, lets the user know that their keypress has been registered. This feedback is absent on most membrane keyboards, which can make them feel less responsive.

Actuation Force:

The actuation force is the energy required to press a key and register a keypress. On mechanical keyboards, this force is determined by the switch type. For example, Cherry MX Reds have a low actuation force, while Cherry MX Blacks have a higher actuation force.

It allows users to customize their keyboards to their preferences. In contrast, membrane keyboards typically have a single actuation force that you can’t change.

Key Travel:

A key’s travel is how long it takes to press before registering a key press. Mechanical switches provide a specific key travel distance between 2 and 4 millimeters. It gives users a consistent typing experience from controller to switch. In contrast, membrane keys often have non.

Conclusion:

So, Why are mechanical keyboards so expensive? There are several reasons: the switches, build quality, customizability, tactile feedback, actuation force, and key travel. These factors make mechanical keyboards a better typing experience than membrane keyboards. However, they also add to the cost. Mechanical keyboards are definitely worth the expense when it comes to spending a bit extra for a top-quality keyboard. We intend through this article to help you fix the problem.