The Best Hot-Swappable Keyboards To Upgrade Your Setup With
If you are a gamer and have been gaming for a while now, you probably know that gamers like to have things customized to their preference. You also may like your gaming peripherals to suit your play style and comfort. Maybe you like to use a larger mouse because of your palm grip. Or maybe you prefer that you play video games on a 27-inch display instead of a 24-inch one.
There are tons of customizable gaming equipment that you can get, and you probably know about most of them. However, not a lot of gamers know about a hot-swappable keyboard. Here is our take on everything there is to know about hot swappable keyboards and our picks for the best ones out there.
What Is A Hot-Swappable Keyboard
First of all, what exactly is a hot-swappable keyboard. It is not that common amongst gamers, and there are not a lot of big brands that manufacture hot-swappable keyboards. A hot-swappable keyboard is a keyboard with removable key switches that can easily be removed with a key switch puller.
You can literally pull out the key switches directly from a hot-swappable keyboard with a key switch puller. Once you have removed a key switch you can easily add a new one in the socket you pulled the key out from. You don't need any complicated equipment or techniques to do this. All you need is a key switch puller.
Hot-Swappable Keyboard Vs Regular Keyboards
You might be thinking that you already have a hot-swappable keyboard because you can easily remove a keycap from your keyboard. However, this is a common misconception. What you have is actually a regular mechanical or gaming keyboard. What you are removing from the keyboard are actually just the keycaps, while the actual key switch stays on the keyboard.
The sockets for a hot-swappable keyboard are designed to hold a swappable key switch with a mechanical clamping mechanism like a snap-fit cover of a TV remote. This mechanism can release the key switch with the help of a key switch puller. On the other hand, in a regular gaming keyboard, the key switches are soldered onto the PCB of the keyboard. The only way that you can remove the key switches is by de-soldering them. To add new key switches you will have to solder them back onto the PCB.
Our Picks For The Best Hot-Swappable Keyboards
Now you probably know a lot more about hot swappable keyboards and maybe thinking of buying one. However, with the tons of options out there, deciding on which one to buy might be a daunting task for some people. To help you with this decision, here are our top picks for the best hot-swappable keyboards.
The Best Budget Hot-Swappable Keyboards
Not everyone wants to spend tons of cash on a keyboard. Besides that, if your gaming PC has an older GPU or an older processor, there is no point in spending tons of money on a keyboard over a GPU or processor. For these reasons, it is smart to go for the budget options. Here are our picks for the best budget hot swappable keyboard.
HK Gaming GK61
The HK Gaming GK61 is a great option for someone looking for a hot-swappable keyboard on a budget. The build quality is not premium, but it is far from bad. The HK Gaming GK61 comes with a detachable USB-C cable, ABS keycaps, and IP64 resistance. Along with that, it also has full RGB backlighting.
Sadly it is only available in two colors, black and white. Not to worry as the black model will fit into almost any gaming setup because of the RGB backlighting. The main drawback of this keyboard is that it is not compatible with Cherry MX switches. You will need to get the Gateron optical switches if you want to hot-swap.
Tecware Phantom
As you may have already noticed, the keyboard we have mentioned above is actually a 60% keyboard. In other words, the GK61 does not have the Numpad, the arrow keys, or the navigation (page up, page down, etc.) keys. So if you want those keys, the GK61 is not for you.
If you are looking for a full-sized hot-swappable keyboard, you should check out the Tecware Phantom. The Tecware Phantom comes with ABS keycaps and RGB lighting. This means that it has a relatively solid build for the price and will fit in a gaming setup with any kind of theme. However, it does not has a detachable cable, and it does not fit regular-sized mechanical switches. Because of its low price tag of just 39.99 USD, it is a great budget option.
The Best Wireless Hot-Swappable Keyboards
Some people prefer the minimalist look of a wireless gaming setup. There are not a lot of benefits in terms of in-game performance or customizability with a wireless hot-swappable keyboard over a wired one. It all just boils down to personal preference. However, you will need to spend a bit more if you decide to go the wireless route. Regardless, here are our top picks for the best wireless hot-swappable keyboards.
Keychron K6
When it comes to wireless options, you can't go wrong with the Keychron K6. In fact, it might just be the best one out there. The build quality is up to the mark, with the materials feeling quite premium as the main body of the Keychron K6 consists of an aluminum frame. The Keychron K6 also comes with a 4000mAh battery. It won't require a recharge for up to 9 days of usage, but this is without the backlighting.
Along with all that, the Keychron K6 comes with keycaps that are specific for both Mac and Windows. The wireless connectivity is also solid, but there is room for improvement. There is a slight input lag as well when it comes to the response time, so hard-core gamers would be better off getting the wired version of the K6. All in all, it is a great option for anyone looking for a wireless hot-swappable keyboard.
RK Royal Kludge 87G
Let's face it, the Keychron K6 isn't that cheap. With a price tag of around 80 to 100 USD, not everyone would be happy spending this much cash on a keyboard. For a more budget-friendly wireless option, we have the RK Royal Kludge 87G. Coming in at around 50 USD, it competes with some of the wired models as well.
The RK Royal Kludge 87G is not the best keyboard when it comes to the overall build quality, but it is also not bad. It is more than satisfactory for the price point. The fact that it comes with RGB makes it a bit of a no-brainer when it comes to deciding whether to buy it or not. Not only that, but it also comes with a detachable USB cable. So you can connect it with both the cable and the dongle that is provided with it. The RK Royal Kludge 87G comes with tactile brown switches and ABS plastic keycaps. While the battery isn't large, as compared to other keyboards, it is a great budget-friendly wireless option.
The Best Bang For Buck Hot-Swappable Keyboard
It is not smart to spend loads of cash on a keyboard even if you have a lot of it. After a certain price point, you will start to get diminishing returns. There is always a sweet spot for gaming peripherals which gives you the most bang for your buck. Here is our pick for the best bang for buck hot swappable keyboard.
Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard
The Glorious brand is known for making gaming peripherals for hard-core gamers. The Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard certainly lives up to this reputation. Coming in at around 100 USD, it is one of the best "bang for buck" options out there. While some gamers might consider it to be a bit on the expensive side, it is worth every penny.
The Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard is one of the few full-sized options when it comes to hot-swappable keyboards. It also comes in three different sizes, so there is an option for almost everyone. The Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard has an excellent premium-feeling build and RGB backlighting. Along with that, it is also compatible with any Cherry MX, Gateron, and Kailh switches. However, if you decide on getting one, it will come equipped with brown mechanical switches. All in all, the Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard is certainly worth considering.
Final Words
If you are the kind of gamer that prefers customizability over all other things and you also prefer your gaming peripherals to be catered to your needs, then you should definitely take a look at hot-swappable keyboards. Take a look at our picks for the best ones to decide on the one that fits your requirements.
