Most of us spend a lot of time on our computers. In fact, in the United States, nearly two-thirds of all adults use a computer for work, school, or both. In recent years, keyboard manufacturers have been trying to make their products more ergonomic, so that we can spend less time hunched over our computers and more time doing the things that we love. One of the ways that keyboard manufacturers are trying to make their products more ergonomic is by creating “hot swap” keyboards. A hot swap keyboard allows you to easily swap out different keys or even whole sections of the keyboard, depending on what you need. This article provides you with a brief overview of hot swap keyboards and some of the benefits that they can provide.
1. How to choose the best hot swap keyboard for you
When buying a hot swap keyboard, you need to consider a few factors. These include:
Keyboard Layout: A hot swap keyboard should have a layout that suits your needs. It should have all the keys you use the most. You may like to have more than one key on the same row.
Switch Type: You can buy a hot swap keyboard with mechanical switches or membrane switches. Mechanical switches offer better performance, while membrane switches have a long lifespan. Membrane switches have their drawbacks, however.
The number of keys: You will want to buy a hot swap keyboard with a large number of keys. Many keyboards today have around 104 keys, which is more than enough.
2. Benefits of a hot swap keyboard
Hot swap keyboards have the following benefits:
- One of the great benefits is you don’t have to waste time or money buying expensive hardware. You can simply buy different switches without having to worry about soldering anything yourself. Also, you don’t have to worry about soldering one switch and then replacing it with another one. Hot swap keyboards allow you to simply replace a switch. You won’t need to solder anything at all. Hot swap keyboards make using various switches easy.
- – Hot swap keyboards are reasonably priced as well.
- To switch from a black razer theme to pink will not cost you a fortune.
3. Types of Hot Swap Keyboards
The known types of hot swap keyboards are:
There are four basic kinds of keyboards: mechanical, membrane, electromagnetic, and laser-based. All four have their advantages and disadvantages. Mechanical keyboards offer the best typing experience. The mechanical keyboard uses a rubber dome under each key instead of a plastic one. The main reason for using this kind of keyboard is that it offers a faster response time. However, it requires a lot of maintenance. Because of this, you must make sure that you use a keyboard lubricant that doesn’t damage your components. Membrane keyboards are the least expensive of the four. The main advantage of this kind of keyboard is that it offers a very fast response time. Laser-based keyboards are usually very expensive.
These are general types and you can find them in hot swappable format as well.
4. Choosing the Right Hot Swap Keyboard for You
The first thing that you need to know is that the keyboard’s compatibility with the system will be the most important factor. It is also the most important thing that you need to consider when choosing a hot swap keyboard. The key is the number of keys and the layout. A keyboard is compatible with the computer if it has the same layout as the original keyboard. You cannot replace a standard keyboard with a special keyboard. Hot swap keyboards are usually compatible with multiple operating systems and hardware configurations. They also have different numbers of keys depending on what you need. If you just need a basic, standard keyboard, you can get one for about $25. Hot swap keyboards come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
5. The Best Hot Swap Keyboards
Some of the best hot swap keyboards are:
a)- Best Hot Swap keyboard of Small Size (KeMove Shadow 60% Mechanical Keyboard):
The Shadow 60% is a mechanical keyboard known for its small size and exclusive design. It is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, iOS, MacOSX, and Linux. It has 61 buttons and it has RGB backlit, customizable LED lighting. It has anti-ghosting, 100% anti-steal, and 100% anti-ghost. It has 1.8mm of travel distance, low-profile keycaps, ergonomic palm rest, and an anti-skid wrist rest. It has top-quality components. It is compatible with USB and USB C. The battery is made up of Lithium polymer.
b)- Best Hot Swap Keyboard of Full Size (Mountain Everest Max):
This hot swappable keyboard is one of the best full-size hot swap keyboards. It is a bit on the pricier side but delivers the promise.
The keyboard is ergonomic and it is great to type on. It has a nice backlight and the keycaps are all anti-skid. The USB cable is long enough to reach your laptop. It also has a Numpad that has four customizable buttons. The Numpad is removable from the keyboard. The keyboard itself is portable and can be connected with a docking station. The keyboard and the docking station can be connected to a computer using USB and USB C connectors. You can also set up your own personalized shortcuts using the hotkeys on the keyboard. This keyboard is perfect for all types of users, but it is especially great for gamers.
c)- Best Hot Swap EPOMAKER Keyboard SKYLOONG SK61:
This keyboard is perfect for all types of users. If you are a gamer, this keyboard can provide you with the features that you want. The keyboard comes with the standard Windows and Mac drivers. There is a nice backlight on the keyboard. The keyboard has the same layout as a normal keyboard. The Numpad is detachable and can be placed where you like. There are 61 keys on this keyboard. The keycaps are anti-skid. If you press one of the keys, it will produce a sound. These keyboards are made by the company EPOMAKER. They are known for making quality gaming accessories. The keyboard is available for a reasonable price.
d)- Best Hot Swap Mechanical Keyboard (HK Gaming GK61):
The keyboard comes with RGB backlights with 16.8 million possible color combinations. Brightness levels and lightning effects are customizable. No drivers are required to use this keyboard. The extremely fast response of the Gateron switches makes them best for gaming. Anti-ghosting gives a full MMO, MOBA, and FPS experience.
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, hot swap keyboards are becoming more and more popular. They can save a lot of money when it comes to buying keyboards. However, there are still a few things that you should keep in mind before making a purchase. In this article, we tried to explain to you all of the details about hot swap keyboards. Hope it will help. Have a nice day!
Do not forget to check Best Budget Hot Swappable Keyboard Guide Here.
