A Quick Guide to Choosing a Gaming Keyboard

Keyboards have come a long way in their technological evolution. They always serve a dual purpose, but finding the right keyboard for gaming, while still delivering what you need at the office can be a little tricky. We’ll focus on looking at gaming as the primary factor in selecting the right gaming keyboard. Hexgears makes a wide range of Mechanical Gaming Keyboards that cater to both gaming and the office.

Gaming keyboards are designed to significantly enhance the player’s experience and gaming performance. Unlike traditional membrane keyboards, mechanical gaming keyboards are specifically designed to cater to the needs of gamers offering faster response times, customizable backlighting, durable mechanical switches, and advanced features like re-mapping keys. Investing in a quality keyboard for your gaming needs can make a huge difference. Maximize your investment with online coupons.

Image of the CloudStrike Y3 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Mechanical vs. Membrane: Basic differences and why gamers and most typists prefer mechanical.

This is a no-brainer. You could still play games with a membrane keyboard however, for better, immersive, and over-all greater performance we recommend you opt for a mechanical keyboard. With membrane keyboards, the keys get worn out easily, the lifespan of the keyboard’s performance lessens far quicker, and you’ll experience a less-than-ideal performance in gaming, such as terrible accuracy, precision, and speed – basically, you’ll become king of Respawing constantly with membrane keyboards.

This is due to the keyboard’s design, and keycap design and materials. Not to mention mechanical switches are far superior to membrane. Membrane keyboards are keyboards with a flexible thin membrane layer made of thin silicone or rubber underneath the keys to register keypresses; these layers are more compressed, and lack separate moving parts for each key. Providing far less speed, accuracy, and precision than mechanical keyboard.

Below is a spec comparison to some of the gaming mechanical keyboards that we recommend for gaming, while still delivering what you need for work.

At a glance spec comparison of Hexgears gaming keyboards
Keyboard	Form factor (Size)	Switch selection	Connectivity	Macro	Backlight
PowerBlade X1 Pro	65% (68-Keys)	Upgrade Kailh BOX switches	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless, & Wired	Yes	Multicolor
CloudStrike Y3	TKL (Tenkeyless, 87-Keys)	Hexgears custom mechanical MX Pro BOX switches	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless, & Wired	Yes	RGB
Immersion A3	TKL (Tenkeyless, 87-Keys)	Kailh Low-Profile Cone Switches	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless, & Wired	Yes	RGB
CloudStrike Y5	Full-size (108-Keys)	Hexgears custom mechanical MX Pro BOX switches	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless, & Wired	Yes	RGB

 

Features to look out for when choosing a gaming keyboard:

Switch Types

Switches are the most important component to consider when selecting a gaming keyboard. They directly affect the feel and performance of gaming with each keypress. Favored by gamers, mechanical switches are available in various types, as detailed below:

Linear Switches:

• Feel: Smooth and consistent from top to bottom with no tactile bump.
• Sound: Generally quieter, with no audible click.
• Usage: Preferred by gamers for fast, uninterrupted keystrokes, as they allow for quick, repetitive key presses.

Tactile Switches:

• Feel: Have a noticeable bump in the middle of the keypress, providing feedback that the key has been actuated.
• Sound: Quieter than Clicky switches, but still produce a soft sound when the bump is encountered.
• Usage: Ideal for typists who want to feel each keypress but don’t require the loud click, providing a balance between gaming and typing.

Clicky Switches:

• Feel: Similar to Tactile switches with a pronounced bump, but also include an audible click sound.
• Sound: Loud and distinct click when the bump is passed, signaling that the keypress has been registered.
• Usage: Popular among typists & gamers who enjoy audible and tactile feedback, though the noise level might be distracting in shared or quiet environments.

The main thing to consider when choosing switches specifically for FPS games such as Valorant and Counter Strike, is reaction time. Less intensive-keyboard games such as Minecraft do not require lightning-fast reaction times, and you’ll game just as great using tactile and even clicky switches.

Most of Hexgears gaming keyboards come with options to select the switch that best suits your preference. Hexgears mechanical gaming keyboards comes with Kailh® switches, or Hexgears Customs MX pro switches (such the CloudStrike Y Series), and most of the keyboards are compatible with 5-pin switches, giving each user the benefit of customizing Hexgears keyboards to meet their specific needs. Allowing for switch customization with 3rd party switches such as Cherry Switches.

Keycaps: From ABS to PBT and what is DOUBLESHOT? And did you say Pudding?

Keycaps are as vital as the switches they’re attached to. They come in a variety of shapes, designs, and keycap material. Often overlooked but they play a key role in your gaming performance. The material, shape and profiles, such as sculpted or uniform can influence comfort and gaming performance during long gaming sessions. High-quality keycaps can enhance a gamer’s experience by providing a satisfying feel and helping to maintain consistent performance.

Keycaps are crafted from either ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) plastics, perfect for gamers looking for performance and durability. For the ultimate in style and longevity, Double-Shot keycaps are a game-changer, crafted with a dual-injection molding process that makes them far more durable than standard ABS caps.

Pudding Keycaps

Pudding keycaps are a design feature in some ABS and PBT keys that are translucent at the bottom, allowing for more RGB light through. The top part of the keys is usually opaque to keep the keys visible and clear. This provides a cool design and helps you see the keys clearer in the dark.

Pudding Keycaps on the Soda Green Mechanical Keyboard (Part of the Hexgears Soda Series). You can see the transparent design, which allows superb illumination through the keycap walls. 

Image of the Soda Green Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

ABS Keycaps

ABS keycaps are smooth and can come in bright colors, making them good for RGB lighting. However, they wear down faster and can get shiny with use.

• Crisper legends
• Smoother feel
• More color variety
• More leveled profiles
• Available in double-shot

Image of ABS Keycaps

PBT Keycaps

PBT keycaps are durable and have a slightly rough texture. They don't wear out or get shiny easily, making them great for long-term use and a consistent feel.

• More durable than ABS
• Texture for enhanced grip
• Deeper sound profile
• Can be customized
• Available in double-shot
• Resistant to key shine & fade

Image of PBT Keycaps

What is Doubleshot?

Doubleshot is a method where two pieces of plastic are used to create the keycap and its legend together. This method is known as dual-injection molding. This makes the legends last longer since they won't wear off.

Image of Doubleshot Keycaps

Pudding keycaps

Notice the transparent walls of the keys. Pudding keycaps enhances the ambiance of mechanical gaming keyboards by allowing more RGB backlight to shine through, and between the keycap walls.

Image of Pudding Keycaps

Other important features to look out for when deciding on a gaming keyboard:

• Backlighting: RGB and customization; enhancing gaming aesthetics, and setting specific colors to individual keys.
• Anti-Ghosting and N-Key Rollover: Essential features for gaming accuracy; ensuring no matter how many keys you press, each key gets registered, which is essential for key combos in games.
• Build Quality: Durability and materials used. A sturdy gasket, aluminum, and robust polycarbonate ensure keyboard stability, zero flex and vibrations, extremely useful for intense gaming sessions, where a keyboard can shift slightly causing incorrect key press.
• Form Factor: Full-size, TKL (Tenkeyless), or compact keyboards. This is down to preference, each keyboard can be used for gaming, but full-sized keyboards can eat up desk space.
• Programmable macro: A must have feature for a gaming edge; allowing for binding multiple keys into one specific key for complex key commands.