Complete Your Keyboard Setup
Got a barebones board or a hot-swap kit? Here's what makes it actually nice: switches that suit how you type, decent keycaps, lube, stabs, a desk mat that holds it down.
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Frequently asked questions
The questions people ask most about getting started with mechanical keyboard.
What accessories do I need for a mechanical keyboard?
If your board is hot-swappable, the upgrade path is: switches, keycaps, switch lubricant + brush, a switch puller and keycap puller, and a desk mat. Coiled cables and stabilizers are common upgrades for builds. If your board isn't hot-swappable, accessories are limited to keycaps, cables, and desk mats unless you're willing to desolder.
Are mechanical keyboards actually worth the price?
If you type 4+ hours a day, yes — a $150 keyboard you use for 5 years works out to about $0.08 per day, and the typing experience is genuinely better. For light use or pure gaming, a $40 prebuilt with cherry-style switches gets you 80% of the experience. The hobby gets expensive once you start customizing — full builds easily reach $400+.
Linear, tactile, or clicky switches — what's the difference?
Linear: smooth all the way down, no bump or click (Cherry Red, Gateron Yellow). Best for gaming, divisive for typing. Tactile: a noticeable bump partway through the press (Cherry Brown, Holy Panda). The most popular choice for typing-heavy use. Clicky: tactile bump plus an audible click (Cherry Blue, Kailh Box White). Loud — annoying in shared spaces.
Do I need a wrist rest?
If you type for extended sessions on a non-low-profile keyboard, yes. Mechanical keyboards are taller than membrane boards, which forces your wrists into extension if you don't support them. A foam, gel, or wood wrist rest matched to your keyboard's height makes a real ergonomic difference.
Why would I lubricate my switches?
Lubrication eliminates the scratchy feel many stock switches have, deepens the sound, and makes them feel smoother. It's the single biggest improvement you can make to a hot-swappable board. The downside: it takes 2–4 hours to lube a full keyboard. Krytox 205g0 is the standard for linear and tactile switches. Don't lube clicky switches — it kills the click.
What size keyboard should I buy?
Full-size (104 keys): if you use the numpad daily. Tenkeyless or TKL (87 keys): no numpad, otherwise full layout — most ergonomic for mouse users. 75% (~84 keys): TKL functionality, more compact. 65% (~68 keys): no function row, has dedicated arrows. 60% (~61 keys): smallest practical size, no arrows or function row. Most people land at TKL or 65%.
What's the difference between hot-swappable and soldered keyboards?
Hot-swap boards let you change switches by hand, no soldering required — pull the old switch with a puller, push the new one in. Soldered boards require desoldering each switch with an iron and pump if you want to change them, which is slow and risks damage. For a first board, always pick hot-swap unless you have a specific reason not to.