If you're looking for more control over how your keys feel and sound, you'll want𒐪 to turn to one of the best hot-swappable keyboards. These decks allow you to easily remove and replace the switches under your keycaps, so whether you prefer a lighter, clickier feel or something with a bit more depth you're free to install your own components. Not only that, but these keyboards also often come with more luxurious build components, like gasket mount designs and easily moddable cases.
At the moment, the best hot-swappable keyboard I've tested is the Glorious GMMK 3 - it's easily the most customizable way to build your own custom keyboard witho🐭ut diving into the expensive parts world and provides a fan🔯tastic typing and gaming experience. I've put plenty more top names to the test to find the best models, though, based on performance, build quality, and feature sets.
I'm balancing price with features and build quality to highlight the cream of the crop across a range of budgets and needs. Whether you're after one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards𓆏 with a customizable twist, or a comfortable set of keys to use on Windows, Mac, or iPad, there's something for everyo♌ne here.
Redragon abandons more premium build features in order to provide a stripped back swiജtch-swapping experience without breaking the bank. This is for first-time tinkerers.
While initially too difficult to get ahold of, the Lemokey P1 Pro is n𓂃ow available at Amazon and therefore offers the best value among hot-swappable keyboards today.
I've spent a good few paychecks building, modding, and breaking custom keyboards, and it all started with hot-swappable decks. With♍ more switches and stabilizers lining my cupboards than I can count, I've been experimenting with different configurations since I was a teenager, and officially reviewing them for GamesRadar+ for the last four years. I currently swap between using the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro with Glorious Lynx HE switches and the Asus ROG Azoth with Epomaker Blue Bird switches.
Recent updates
May 29 - Following a dro😼p in availability, the Endgame Gear KB65HE has been replaced by the Keychron Q2 in the 65% category. The Keychron's mechanical design m𝓰akes it far more versatile, though you don't get any magnetic switch features in here.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious GMMK 3 is everything I would have wanted back when I first started getting into♊ custom keyboards. You can pick up a fully hot-swappable prebuilt deck for a decent price off the shelves, or dive into the brand's , a full design studio allowing you to customize everything from keycaps to switch plates in one go. Thr🍸ow in a healthy long-term modular upgrade system and fantastic typing feel and you've got the best hot-swappable keyboard on the market right now.
Buy it if:
✅ You want room to grow: The beauty of the GMMK 3 is that it could end up looking completely different a few years down the line. This is about more than swapping switches, you can grab extra cases, switch plates, and eve♍n gasket mounts to mix it up.
✅ You need dedicated media controls: Fewer h🃏ot-swappable keyboards offer the same kind of extra controls as full gaming keyboards but th💖at rotary dial has you covered here.
✅ You keep your keyboard at home: This thing is heavy, but that's fantastic for those working solely from one desk. There's no mo🍎ving it once it's placed and no concerns about accide𝔉ntal brushes.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need to travel with your keyboard: That weight does mean tho🌳se who need to pack everything into a bag every no🔯w and then should be looking at a lighter alternative.
Design: It's incre🌺dibly difficult to talk about the GMMK 3's design - because (if you go through the Boards🐻mith tool) your keyboard could look and even feel completely different to mine. However, the prebuilt options available at retailers like Best Buy in the US and Currys in the UK still feature a strong and sturdy build quality with a wedge shaped form factor. The base model (GMMK 3) ships with a lighter plastic chassis, but the Pro swaps that out for a more durable CNC aluminum case. Of course, all of those parts are fully modular, so you can grab a pre-built and change out its parts over time as well.
I opted for a white metal top plate💫 with an arcic blue metal bottom case, finishing it off with a set of Ocean gradient keycaps and some silver accents. With bright, vibrant RGBs set across the main deck and on both sides (I've now worked out that these also blink when caps lock is on), there's plenty of aesthetic personalization on a software level as well.
Features: There is one 🍬thing you'll need to consider before heading to checkout; are you going to want hall effect switches somewhere down the line. The GMMK 3 and GMMK 3 HE models offer HE boards that can take both MX-style and hall effect clickers and are well worth the punt if you're a particularly keen gamer. I threw a set of Glorious Lynx HE switches in mine, and loved the soft feel but snappy response. These hall effect switches offer variable actuation points, rapid trigger, and the ability to map up to four different inputs to the same keystroke. It's overkill if you're just looking for a typing deck (in which case I'd recommend sticking with an MX board) but a fantastic feather in the GMMK 3 HE's cap.
Elsewhere, you'll also find full programmability within Glorious's Core software, and a dedicated media dial in the top corner as well. That latter feature isnဣ't to be taken for granted in hot-swappable keyboards.
Performance: Being able to tailor your typing feel is the whole reason we all love hot-swappable keyboards in the first place, but being able to customize that feel down to the switch plate is fantastic. It means you'll be able to fine-tune the bounce and sound of your keys to your exact preferences. I've always loved the sensitive but still energetic feel of the Asus ROG Azoth below, but a♔lways wanted to pair it with a slightly softer keypress and a less clacky switch. I could have swapped the switches on that board, but being able to combine a harder switch plate with an almost𒀰 marshmallowy switch gave me the exact feel I've been looking for.
Verdict: The best hot-swꦇappable keyboards run with their main strength; customization. Glorious is doing a cross-country sprint. This is an incredibly personalized experience that doesn't start out at a high𒀰 price point (though things can creep up there if you go mad in Boardsmith). Its excellent typing feel, wide range of switch options, and modular design make it the go-to right now.
The Redragon K530 is a compac🌌t 60% hot-swappable keyboard, but there's plenty of valu♔e packed into that tiny shell.
Buy it if:
✅ You don't want to break the bank: Hot-swappab🀅le keyboards are coming down in price now, but it's 🐷still rare to find devices at these kinds of prices.
✅ You already have switches handy: Redragon doesn't ship with Cherry switches str🌳aight away, so if you're looking for a more name-brand experience, you💧'll need to have some handy from day one.
✅ You don't need competitive gaming speeds: There's no point in paying for extra features if you're purely t♎yping, or you play slower strategy games, and don't need the competitive speeds of dedicated gaming keybo♑ards.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want arrow keys: 60% keyboards like this drop the arrow keys, instead incorpor🌞ating them in🐽to additional functions elsewhere. That can be a headache for both productivity and gaming.
❌ Luxury typing feel is a priority: Without a good deal of 😼buffering in the main chassis the Redragon isn't going to offer up the same kind of feel as a more expensive machine.
Design: The K530 looks a lot like any other hot-swappable keyboard you'll find on the market - things are fairly subtle here with eit🀅her a stock black or white aesthetic to choose from. This is a super minimalist 60% design, which means you're dropping the functionality of extra keys to maintain a super portable fo💮rm factor and plenty more space for larger mouse swipes.
Features: You're picking up one of the cheaper options on this list here, but there's stillꦦ a Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connection (with the ability to switch between three devices) baked in, as well as an impressive 3,000mAh battery. You can pay far more for far less juice right now, so that battery power is well worth taking note of.
If you're using your Redragon for gaming, it's worth noting the full rollover and the smart double function placements. Because this 60% form factor does away with dedicated arrow keys, the K530 offers dual-function WASD keys. Usually, I find these arrow buttons mapped to the other side of the deck, but doubling up your driver keys does make far more sense in certain games. Not only that, but you're♍ also getting an additional function programming setting, opening up more mapping options.
Performance: This is a basic typing experience (you've only got Redragon's switches to choose from straight out of the box). However, the chassis plays nicely with faster Cherry options for a nice degree of flexibility and everything holds up well. Cheaper hot-swappable keyboards like this of🌳ten run the risk of dead ports and finnicky inputs, but I haven't found any concerns in🐻 my own research.
Verdict: You don't find wireless hot-swappable keyboards for under $60 every day, and while the Drac🦄onic does drop a few quality of life features to get you there for less this is exc🌌ellent value.
I first reviewed the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Lemokey P1 Pro back in July of last year, but it wasn'ღt immediately available on enough sites to truly recommend. These days, you'll find the excellent value deck onꦑ the shelves far more often - and its excellent feature set at this price makes it a must-see for those on the hunt for sheer value.
Buy it if:
✅ You want the custom aesthetic - Keyboards have looked like t𝐆his for years, but the two-tone keycaps and deep builds have only previously🍬 been available at the top of the price spectrum.
✅ You play casual games - The spee𒈔ds on offer here aren't going to see you top the leaderboards, but if you're after a hot-swappa🌳ble deck to see you through single player adventures it feels great under the hands.
✅ You prefer a soft feel - The gasket mount in here makes for a comfortable bott🍷om-out, even if it's not as thick as more premium options.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need to travel with your keyboard - Like many Keychron decks, this is a chunky device and it's heavy enoug🌊h to tඣake it out of the picture entirely for anyone looking for a portable device.
❌ You want competition-level speed - If you're planning on playing games at a tournament-level, you'll want to inv♒est in something with a longer spec sheet.
Design: This is a Lemokey branded device, but the minds at Keychron were behind it. That means it comes with a hot-swappable keyboard design pedigree, and one that shines through beautifully even in this cheaper form factor. You're getting a full gasket-mount structure, rare to see in either hot-swappable or gaming keyboards at this price point with strong, sturdy materials running through. I tested the navy blue (with yellow highlights) model, a colorful design that offered rich depth to its paint jobs - more so than I've seen across the rest of the market (including the super vibrant 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Ducky One 3).
A smaller 75% form factor doesn't get in the way of important controls; you've still got access to a selection of navigat🅰ion keys, arrow buttons, and a volume dial in the top right corner as well. The only downside to this design is its weight - this is a particularly hefty device and it's not going to suit a backpack well.
Features: This is where the Lemokey P1 Pro really punches above its price tag. Finding a wireless hot-swappable keyboard with a 1,000Hz polling rate (so easily suitable for gaming) at $129.99 is a difficult feat - especially when it's built this well. The P1 Pro packs all the usual customization options you ca♌n think of, all done through a handy web tool that keeps your CPU and hard drive free. On top of that, you're free to swap between 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections (another rarity at this price point).
Performance: The Lemokey P1 Pro feels far better than its price tag would sugget. From a super energetic typing feel to satisfying sound dampening qualities, every tap and hold across this deck feels like it's coming from a deck at double the price. Everyꦅthing is nice and snappyᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ for responsive typing and gaming, though the lack of some speed-focused features keeps this deck out of truly competitive arenas.
Verdict: I was surprised by the Lemokey P1 Pro after going by price tag alone. If you're after a versatile set🧸 of hot-swappable 𝐆switches that deliver in build, sound design, and additional features there's no better value for money on the market right now.
✅ You're investing long-term: This is a premium piece of k🍌it, but it's built to last. Not only are those switches, obviously, swappable, but the extra features are well worth the price.
✅ You like a snappy feel: The ROG NX switches in our test keyboard feel incredibly bouncy with a snap that will satisfy those looking for a satisfying experience wit꧙hout the volume of a tactile switch.
✅ Speed is a priority: It's difficult to find a hot-swappable keyboard with the connection speed required to perform in more compe🌱titive gaming scenarios. The 💜Azoth is a rare gem in this arena.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want more keybinding options: The 75% form factor may be l𝓀imiting i⛎f you want the full keybinding experience of a larger deck.
❌ You can sacrifice typing feel: If you don't mind dropping down on that luxury typing feel, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K65 Plus Wireless is a pretty solid Azoth imitation.
Design: The Asus ROG Azoth blew me away in my testing, offering a gasket mounted design with three layers of foam under the hood for a particularly soft landing and great sound. Aesthetically, the Azoth follows the same two-tone design of many custom decks, with light and gray luxury PBT keycaps across the 75% form factor. Everything under those caps is incredibly well built, feeling stocky and sturdy without any movement across the desk. It's not as solid as Keychron's unit, but it's still a reliable weight and feels more premium than the vastly more expensive 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.
Features: The NX switches that come stock in the box (and with pre-lubed stabilizers), offer up a snappy press and speedy debounce, with a super satisfying clack overall. You'll also receive a full switch lubing kit in the box to keep everything in top condition as well. On top of an extraordinary typing experience, you'll find plenty of gaming features that just don't make their way to the vast majority of typists' decks. Each key is programmable via the Armoury Crate software, and you'll also be able to assign presets with space for up to six profiles꧙ on the deck itself. A surprisingly detailed OLED display is the cherry on top here, offering system specs and plenty more via a bright screen in the top right corner.
This is a slightly older deck by modern gaming standards, though, so if you're after a top of the range set of Hall effect optical clickers, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 could be an al🅰ternative. It's important to note that its ho🧸t-swappability is restricted to only the alphanumeric keys, which means a switch-swap will leave you with different feeling clackers.
Performance: The Azoth boasts incredible performance in both everyday typing and gameplay. Those super slick swit𓂃ches feel particularly light and soft under the hands - a speedier feel that won't be for everyone but certainly translates in to long-term comfort and in-game precision. Not only that, but the battery life holds out well to boot.
Verdict: The Asus ROG Azoth is a powerful piece of kit. A luxury typing feel, super speedy internals, and plenty of extra features make thi🐷s a must-see for anyone looking to invest in a high end hot-swappable keyboard for both work and play.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Mountain Everest Max is a turbo-charged gaming keyboard. Not only is it fully hotswappable, but the TKL base uni🃏t can also be expanded with a modular number pad and separate display dial. That makes it an incredibly versatile unit, with the gaming chops to match.
Buy it if:
✅ Space isn't an issue: If you've got a fu꧃ll-sized setup, you'll want to take advantage of it. This is a larger deck, especially with all the a🀅ccessories attached.
✅ You want plenty of controls: There's a number pad with four display-pad buttons available straight out the box, as well as a multi-function digital display dial. You can also attach other macro-p💫ad and display-pad pieces in here for a full cockpit-style control panel.
✅ You play single player: I didn💫't have any issues with the speed of the Everest Max when testing in single player adventures, but it doesn't quite have the respon🔯se times to keep up with more competitive endeavors.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You don't need extra gadgets: A lot of this price is baked into that modular design - if you don't need all those extra controls, there are much better models out ﷽there for you.
❌ You play competitive games: While faster than other hot-swappable keyboards when it comes to gaming, the Mountain Everest Max st🍃ill can't keep up with more competitive decks.
Design: An aluminium base plate, magnetic USB-C connections, and comprehensive so♉ftware makes this an extremely luxurious package under the hand - as one would expect for that $299.99 price point. A minor gripe that I did come across in my testing was those cheaper ABS keycaps though, which felt out of place considering the high MSRP on the tag. That's easily fixed with a replacement set, though.
Features: The Mountain Everest Max feels like it leans more into its gaming audience than other hot-swappable keyboards do. You're getting a nice response time (though not as fast as more competitive, purpose-built machines), and four dedicated macro buttons (with LED displays) to boot. However, the biggest indication that this kit is designed for a gamer to invest in is that digit🍸al display dial. From offering up stats on PC performance and APM to controlling RGB lighting, volume, and setting different profiles, this notched dial is a joy to use and completes the whole experience.
Performance: The Mountain Everest Max is faster than the Keychron Q2 and, overall, held up better for gaming performance. It's not going to hold up to twitch reflex gameplay, but response times and repeat keypresses ꦇgene🌸rally held up well for solo play across a range of genres.
With all the customizations they go through, the best hot-swappable keyboards need to be tough enough to take a beating. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Keychron Q2 isn't just tough, it's an absolute unit.
Buy it if:
✅ You're building a home setup: The Q2 wants to sit on your desk and stay there. T🔴he weight and chunkier build mean you won't be transporting this deck too far.
✅ You want a solid feel: This is a deck made to feel sturdy, and it does just so. The CNC aluminum chassis and incredible heft mea💛ns this won't be flying across your desk.
✅ You don't need super fast speeds: Typists are going to be best served with the Q2, and while it's more than usefuᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚl for everyday play more competitive players will notice those slower speeds.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You travel regularly with your kit: 🌠Being this heavy, the Q2𒁃 isn't best suited to those who need a portable hot-swappable keyboard.
❌ You play competitively: The speed of this ♛connection just isn't high enough to play competitively.
Design: This is easily one of - if not the - heaviest keyboards to grace my testing desk. Weighing in at an incredible 3.6lbs while only measuring 327 x 121 x 33.8mm. That's a seriously stocky board which certainly won't fare well in a backpack, but will stand strong on your table♚ top.
There's a reason the Q2 is so reassuringly dense; it's built with solid CNC aluminum, stuffed full of Poron foam, an🎐d double gasket mounted to keep everything whisper quiet. I was impressed by just how well the Q2 absorbed any unwanted switch sounds during our testing; it was like typing into a vacuum. Of course, you're still getting that satisfying thud of a heavier linear switch, and the clack of a debounce can still ring out.
The keycaps this hot-swappable keyboard ships with may split opinion. The Keychron-specific 'OSA' design sees a heavy curve to each of these keys🅠. I did 🤪find some of the legends to be printed in strange ways, but the color scheme and luxury PBT feel made it a joy to work across this board.
Features: With the ability to open up every nook and cranny, and some premium enthusiast features built into the case, this is certainly one for the tinkerers out there. You're still gettin💎g a fully programmable suite of keys, as well as an optional programmable dial for dedicated media controls as well.
Performance: I wouldn't recommend diving into this board for gameplay; the speed under the hood can't hold up to dedicated🃏 devices. However, the sound and feel underneath everyday typing is fantastic. That double gasket mount design works hard to make sure that no matter how hard you slam the keys you're getting a soft landing every time. There's a lighter profile to these keypresses, with a deeper thock on larger 𒈔keys.
Verdict: The Keychron Q2 is a dense, solid bull♊dog of a keyboard. Heavy, stocky, and built for tactile stability, t♕his is a hot-swappable keyboard for those after something chunky.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Mountain Everest 60 is t🐻he second modular hot-swappable keyboard from the premium brand, following up from the Max model featured further up this guide.
Buy it if:
✅ You still need arrow buttons: Th🗹e majority of 60% keyboards🍨 omit those arrow buttons, but you're still getting them packed in here.
✅ You want the option to expand: If you don't know whether you'll still be on that compact hype in a year's time, the extra accessories availab🧜le can help put your mind at ease.
✅ You want luxury typing: This is a deck built on luxury typing feel, perfect foꦗr those after more of a typing investment than a gaming one.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want more dedicated controls: If you're after more of a macro array, you'd be better served by a larger deck like ไthe M🧔ax.
Design: The Mountain Everest 60 manages t🦂o squeeze plenty of extra features intꦓo a smaller footprint. That means you're benefitting from the shrunken design while also keeping that extra space for wider mouse sweeps. Elsewhere, you'll find a similar brushed black design to the Max model, with bright RGB lighting and a sturdy build quality.
Features: While you're dropping some of the modular options of the premium version, this is one of the best hot-swappable keyboard for productivity that I've tested. One look at those arrow keys can confirm that. It's the overall form factor that makes the Mountain Everest 60 so well suited to productivity purposes. You're picking up a smaller 60% keyboard here, so leaving plenty of space on your desk, but there's ve🏅ry little sacrifice in the way of functions - compared to more speed focused models. The optional number pad does add a little extra to your setup, but if you're a spreadsheet wizard it's a must-have feature unique to the Everest lineup.
Performance: I found the stock Mountain Linear 45 switches to be supremely comfortable in particular - offering a soft landing but in n🍃o way dropping that classic mechanical snap. It was a dream to type on this particular deck, though ripping all those switches out was just as easy as well.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% | Launching at a whopping $299.99, this is one of the most expensive hot🔯-swappable gaming keyboards I've tested so far. Like the cheaper V4 75% model, this comes outfitted with a particularly nice typing feel, but the wireless connection and additional display don't do enough to justify the extra cost compared to the rest of the competition.
NZXT Function Elite Mini TKL | Like the SteelSeries below, the NZXT Function Elite is a Hall effect keyboard, so while it🍰 may be technically hot-swappable it's limited to a small number of magnetic switches. This isn't one for those regularly changing their typing feel.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 | The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is actually hot-swappable, but the funct🍒ion ꦚrow and navigation keys are hard soldered. That leaves only the alphanumeric deck to switch swap, though it's still a solid option for gamers looking for a high-end Hall effect deck.
Drop CTRL V2 | The CTRL V2 is more of an iterative update on the original fan-favorite. The 2024 remaster doesn't exactly keep up with the rest of the competition𝄹, though, instead plugging holes that were starting to become intolerable on the original.
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless | At $159.99 / £149.99, the K65🃏 Plus Wireless looks and feels like a cheaper alternative to the🍨 Asus ROG Azoth. With sale prices on the latter dropping it to around $20 more than this MSRP, though, it's not worth dropping down to this lower build quality and typing feel.
Razer BlacKWidow V4 75% | The Raz๊er BlackWidow V4 75% was one of the first hot-swappable keyboards to come direct from gaming brands (after Asus). That, plus the inevitable Razer tax, means its $189.99 / £189.99 MSRP means it doesn't hold up as well against the rest of the competition today as it did at launch. This is still a super satisfying deck, with a particularly strong typing feel - it just doesn't do enough to just🐟ify that price point compared to the Asus ROG Azoth.
Kemove K68 | With a $59.99 MSRP, the Kemove K68 is just knocking on the budget pricing door, and it's a solid proposition overall. However, the shape of the keycaps (while super velvety under the hands) do detract from overall accuracy. The full-sized Redragon K530 Pro offeღrs far more versatility in this budget price range.
Corsair K70 Pro Mini | The K70 Pro Mini is a serious contender for the position as best gaming hot-swappable keyboard, but its 60% form factor also sees it competing with the Mountain Everest 60. While ♊the 50 onboard profiles, slick design, and vivid RGBs are all points in its favor, a scratchy typing feel and immediate stabilizer rattle means it misses either top spot.
Ducky One 3 | The Ducky One 3 is a seriously good looking keyboard with an impressively high build quality and a fantastic typing feel. Compared to other options on this list, though, the lac🍌k of dedicated software is a sting in that price tag.
I test hot-swappable keyboards using all the same checks I would place on dedicated gaming keyboards, running through out of the box switch performa🙈nce, any macro or media controls, speed and response times, and typing feel. When testing a new keyboard, I'll live with that deck for a considerable period of time (a minimum of two weeks), bringing it into my everyday work and gameplay to ensure it holds up beyond just a few hours of use. After that, though, I'll tear these things apart, completely swapping the whole switch set to make sure there's no dead PCB, and to check the ease of 𝓡pulling and plugging.
A hot-swappable keyboard still needs to fit the same design expectations I hold regular gaming decks to. That means I examine build quality and materials to ensure all joins and hinges are secure and smooth. Keycaps are tested for their grip, precision, and overall comfort, with ergonomi♓cs tested across all elevation levels and both with and without any supplied wrist rests.
Aesthetics are largely subjective, but I exp๊lore whether a color scheme will fit in both office and gaming environments for full usability. Hot-swappable keyboards do have another round of design tests to pas𝐆s, which may not be present in general gaming devices. This relates to the internal sound dampening of the device. I'm constantly listening to the auditory feedback present when typing at various strengths, and feeling the results of different switch plates and mounting materials. I also make sure to note the number of keys on offer, in case they sit outside of the usual size parameters (and may therefore require multiple switch kit purchases).
(Image credit: Future)
All hot-swappable keyboards are tested for their speed, additional programming functions, connectivity options, and onboard controls. I use🔥 faster paced games like CS:2 and Apex Legends to put polling rates, variable actuation points, and overall switch speed to the test, while also exploring any additional macro or functional programming options through other PC titles. I use each keyboard across all of its available connection offerings, using only the supplied cables and wireless receivers. Where applicable, I test battery life by charging to 100% as soon as I open the box and running the device for as long as possible (at 50% RGB) until charge is depleted. I run this test for both 2.4GHz and any Bluetooth connections available, and keep a close eye out for any response degradation as that battery level lowers.
I first test these decks with the switche🙈s they are shipped with, usually a stock linear option. This allows me to examine an out-of-the-box expeꦍrience, testing the comfort, sound, feel, and response of the switch's travel distance, actuation force, actuation speed, debounce, while noting any degradation over time. Hot-swappable keyboards are then stripped down as much as possible and re-fitted with a set of Cherry MX Reds or Gateron Blues. This allows me to test the switch removal process for smoothness and compatibility with both three and five pin switches, while I also check the PCB itself for any manufacturing defects or rough edges.
Once my review is completed, every hot-swappable keyboard is assigned scores out of five across six c༒ategories; speed, customization, typing feel, portability, comfort, and controls.
The rabbit hole of custom keyboards can lead you towards plenty of strange new jar✤gon, so if you're picking up your first hot-swappable keyboard it can be handy to go in armed with some key language. You'll find s𒀰ome of the more commonly spouted terms defined just below.
60%
The sma꧙llest keyboard type in common circulation (though you will find smaller), 60% keyboards drop most extra keys navigational or functional keys for a more compact form factor.
65%
A 65% keyboard is only slightly larger than a 60%🥀 model, and may keep a few navigational keys and arrow buttons.
75%
A 75% keyboard keeps more navigational buttons as well as arrow keys while also spacing the deck a little more. Y🧸ou're alsoඣ more likely to find dedicated media controls on these builds.
Actuation force
The forc🧸e on the key required to 'actuไate' or trigger the switch underneath.
Actuation point
The point at which a mechanical switch registers an input when being pu🐟shed.
Bottom-out
The process of fully pushing a ꦯkey down to the bottom of the switch's position.
Clicky
A type of mechanica🙈l switch that pairs a🀅 tactile actuation bump with a loud, 'clicky' sound.
Linear
A✅ type of mechanical switch that doesn't have a bump in iꦰts actuation, making the process of pushing all the way down smooth the entire way.
Lubrication
The process of lubricating stabilizers to r𒅌educe wobble and dampen any rattling noise.
PCB
𝕴The plate underneath the main top of your keyboard where you can plug your swඣitches in. The PCB is a circuit board that controls your keyboard.
Pin
The small prongs at the bottom of a switch which plug into the PCB on a hot-swappable keyboard. Switches may have three or five pins but many keyboards accept either models the🐻se days.
RGB
Colorful, often customizable lighting placed underne⛦ath the keycaps on a keyboard.
Stabilizer
A guide bar that secures larger key caps to the main deck in order t𝄹o prevent w꧑obbling and rattling during typing.
Switch
A mechanical but♛ton underneath the🎃 keycap that actuates with every key press.
Tactile
A switch design with an inbuilt⛄ bump that can be felt w🥂hen pressing the key.
TKL
A keyboard design that maintains everything from a fulℱl deck without the number pad. That means you'll get a full selection of navigation keys, as opposed to ju𓃲st a few featured in a 75% model.
Travel
The movement 🌞of a switch when being pushed down to actuate (pre-travel indicates the distance it takes before a switch will hit its actuation point, and total travel indicates the distance it takes before a switch fully bottoms out).
Hot-swappable keyboard brand breakdown
(Image credit: Future)
Now that hot-swappable keyboards are becoming more mainstream, you'll find a range of different options from more trღaditional gaming brands. However, there are still a few names you should be keeping an ear out for.
Keychron
Keychron is a custom mechanical giant in this space, and offers up s🐷ome of the most impressive hot-swappable decks on the market. This brand knows exactly how to make and fill their chassis with sound and feel dampening tech, and then finish it all off with high-end out-the-box switches and slick keycaps.
This brand releases new models frequently, and they're generally ava🎀ilable in a wide range of sizes and layouts, with both pre-built ♎and barebones kits available.
Ducky
Ducky is another veteraꦕn in this space, but has more of a gaming angle t🤡han Keychron. Again, there's a range of lines to choose from here, but the most popular is the One series. These are available across all keyboard sizes.
Setting this brand apart is its out-the-box theming. This is a loud anꦫd proud brand, with a constantly rotating selection of new colorways and desi🅠gns to check in on.
Akko
Akko hot-swappable keyboards are known for their vivid looks, with super colorful designs hitting the s𒁃helves all the timꦆe. The brand uses its own switches and doesn't break the bank, but they don't always come with VIA compatibility.
Epomaker
Towards the lower end of the budget spectrum sits Epomaker.🍃 This is a brand you might know better from its switches, but it also produces its own decks to slot them into. Mostly spanning the 60-65% market, these are pretty subtle decks, but can come with a pop of color every now and then.
Redragon
You've likely spotted Redrag൩on at Amazon before, this is a budget-minded hot-swappable keyboard brand, but don't get🎃 caught out - some of its models are hard-soldered. This is where most switch-swappers start out, before diving into $80+ models.
Drop
Drop sat at the height of fame a few years ago, but has faded slightly in popularity, likely due to its lower freq▨uency releases. These are some sturdy chassis with plenty of support for additional hardwar💝e and firmware modding but they don't offer the same value for money as others and not all feature gasket-mounted designs.
Which switches are right for you?
The best part of picking up a hot-swappable keyboard is experimenting with the massive range of switches on the market to find the best feeling clickers for your fingers. Thankfully, it's a lot easier to narrow your choices considering there are only three main switch types up for grabs; linear, tactile🍨, and clicky.
Linear switches will move straight down when pressed, without any bumps or sound on the way down. That makes them typically faster for gaming or programming. Th𝓡ey are typically denoted by either a red, silver, or black color, with each offering a slightly different typing feel based on its actuation force (measured in cN, higher is heavier).
Red and silver switches are typically the lighter modꦯels, w🀅ith black options packing a heavier feel better suited to those who don't want to worry about accidental presses. Linear switch typically keep to a 2mm actuation point with 4mm of total travel.
Tactile switches
(Image credit: Gateron)
Tactile switches remove the smoothness of a linear, adding a tactile bump to the press which𓃲 can make them faster to actuate once you get a feel for the travel distance. These are more geared towards heavier typists who want to move across a deck as quickly as possible, but it does take some time to get to that point. This is the best way to get the tactile 'bump' without the excessive noise of a clicky switch.
There are fewer tactile switches on the market, with the vast majority of players opting for a brown model. These swi♚tches range from 1.1mm to 2mm in actuation points, with 3.5mm to 4mm of total travel.
Clicky switches
(Image credit: Cherry)
Cl𝓀icky switches, meanwhile, offer an emphasized tactile bump but with a much louder clack noise for extra feedback. That makes it a l🌠ot easier to actuate the switch without fully bottoming out - a much faster typing process overall. It can be hard to pull off repeat presses quickly with this feel, though.
Clicky switches tend to come in a lighter blue color or a♛ heavie﷽r green option.
A hot-swappable keyboard is simply a mechanical (or sometimes optical) keyboard that does solder its switches to the PCB plate und🦂erneath the case. This means you can easily pop the switches t🎃hemselves in and out, customizing the sound and feel of your keyboard.
Are gaming keyboards hot-swappable?
The vast majority of gaming keyboards produced by brands like Razer, Corsair, HyperX, and others are no🧔t hot-swappable. You'll often have to delve further into the customizable keyboard space to find a model that w๊ill let you swap the switches, whereas gaming brands will typically stick to cheaper soldered PCB boards.
There are, however, a few g✤aming-oriented hot-swappable keyboards, like the Asus ROG Azoth, Corsair K70 Pro Mini, and Razer BlackWidow V4 75%.
How to tell if a keyboard is hot-swappable
The most reliable way to find out if a keyboar﷽d is hot-swappable is to check the product page on the brand's w😼ebsite. Many keyboards allow you to remove the key cap to see the switch underneath, but pulling at this switch to try and remove it can seriously damage your board if it's not hot-swappable itself.
Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide༺, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect pr𝐆ojector.
