Having a hot swappable keyboard can be incredibly helpful because you are able to change out a broken or defective key on the fly while the keyboard is still powered and plugged in without having to touch any tools or other devices. However, many people are not really familiar with hot swappable keyboards and don’t know which one to buy.
If you’re one of those people, then you’re in luck! We’ve put together this list of some of the best hot swappable keyboards on the market to make your next purchase an informed one. Read on to learn more about the top hot swappable keyboard options available.
Hot Swappable Keyboard Buyer’s Guide
There are a few things to consider before you go out and buy just any old hot swappable keyboard. Here are a few of the factors to consider before buying a keyboard.
Your Space
This is the first thing you need to consider when purchasing a keyboard. If you’re planning to use this keyboard in an office, then auditory feedback in that environment can be the determining factor of your popularity among your coworkers. Clicky switches also create a loud “clicking” sound, which will make people either love you or hate you very quickly.
If you plan to use a hot swappable keyboard in your room for gaming purposes, then you shouldn’t have any problems with annoying your relatives. If you’re living in shared accommodations, though, you’ll have to check with your roommate.
Tactile Preference
This is the second factor that you need to consider, and it involves the way the keyboard feels under your fingers. Are you content with feeling a small bump every time you press the keys, or are you looking for a smoother typing experience?
Clicky switches and tactiles are the keyboards that have a small bump when you press the keys, while liners provide a smoother, more linear typing experience. The tactile feedback from the former keyboard provides more accuracy, since you’ll be able to know if you fully pressed the key down without the need to press it all the way down.
Hand Strength, Size, and Style of Typing
It may come as a surprise, but something as simple as the size of your hand can drastically alter your keyboard choice. You may notice that you mistype often if you have bigger hands in comparison to people with smaller hands. If this is the case, then you should consider using switches with high activation points of 2mm and above, as well as a medium/heavy operating force of 55cN and higher.
If you have smaller hands, then you will want to use speed switches. These are keyboards that will give you an edge when it comes to your gaming speed. Not only are they great for gamers, but they are also excellent for general typing purposes, as long as you are being gentle and aren’t smashing the keys with every keypress.
The shorter the activation point, the faster the registration of the keypress, which makes it great for accurate, fast typing.
Comparison Chart
Best Hot Swappable Keyboards Reviews
KEMOVE DK61 Shadow 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
KEYMOVE claims that they are committed to creating the world’s first-class mechanical keyboards. These products are always of great quality, and they also don’t come with an inflated price tag. Their keycaps and switches are universally compatible, which allows you to build your own customized keyboard.
Review
If you’re looking to create your very own customized mechanical gaming keyboard, then look no further than the Shadow Mechanical from KEYMOVE. It comes with a USB-wired mode that allows you to connect the Type-C cable to your PC, which will automatically convert the keyboard into “wired mode”.
Switching back to wireless mode is extremely simple and just requires the press of a few buttons. The battery capacity of this keyboard is extremely impressive, with 3000mAh of power providing up to 15 hours of continuous wireless usage.
One of the most important things to consider when buying any sort of gaming equipment is ergonomics since most gamers are sitting down for hours on end. The Shadow is ergonomically designed to improve both your comfort and performance, and it comes with two sturdy feet underneath the front so that you can tilt it when necessary.
The high-quality Garteron has a lifespan of more than 50 million keystrokes. It comes with a double-layer construction base, and the gap between the keycaps and the frame is a mere 0.8mm.
The N-Key Rollover is one of the most important features of this keyboard and will help you win more games, especially FPS games with a lot of action. All of its keys are anti-ghosting optimized in wired mode, which ensures that you are able to use the keys smoothly and experience a full range of responsiveness and keystrokes.
The only downside is that the N-Key Rollover is not supported in wired mode when connected to an MC system.
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Keychron K6 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
This is one of the more subtle and understated keyboards on this list. It is suited for use both in the office and in front of your gaming setup. When the RGB backlights are turned off, you could probably mistake this for any other old keyboard that you might find in an office.
Review
The Keychron K6 is an innovative 68-key compact mechanical keyboard that has a frame made from aluminum. Like the previous keyboard, it is Bluetooth compatible, so you can use it while some distance away from your PC if you desired.
The great thing about this Keychron keyboard is that it features the unique MAC keyboard layout while also being fully compatible with Windows systems. You don’t often see mechanical keyboards that are geared towards MAC users, so this is a refreshing change of pace.
Every switch on the keyboard can be changed in just five seconds without the need to reach for a solder - just place them in and you’re finished. This hot swappable keyboard is compatible with essentially all MX style SMD-LED mechanical switches out there. It also supports 5pin and 3pin mechanical switches.
The Keychron K6 can connect to up to three devices using Bluetooth, and it can switch between them with ease. The reliable and broad range of Bluetooth compatibility makes this a great keyboard for use in almost any space, from a home office to your work to gaming.
If you’d prefer a wired connection to your device, you can make use of the USB Type-C connection capability. The battery measures in at an impressive 4,000mAh, which allows it to last for up to 72 hours, or 3 days, of regular use.
It features an ergonomic design to keep your hands comfortable during long gaming or typing sessions.
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Drop CTRL Mechanical Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard
If you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard that will make your friends jealous, then look no further than the Drop CTRL mechanical keyboard. It boasts a classy, silver-gray finish that makes it stand out amongst the hundreds of black keyboards on the market. The two-tone keys give it a unique and interesting aesthetic appeal.
Review
The CTRL mechanical keyboard really does it all. It is made with a solid, aluminum frame, and it has a built-in switch plate, which makes it both fortified and stable. The hot-swap switch sockets also allow you to change your switches whenever you want without the need for soldering.
With QMK, you can program this keyboard completely, meaning you can assign your own macros or keyboards to every key. The CTRL is also just as impressive visually, thanks to its fully customizable underlighting and backlighting, which lets you put on a vibrant show.
For a more subtle and calm look, you can set the lights to be monochromatic and static. The PBT keycaps, which are shine-through, further enhance the performance of this keyboard, and it also comes with your choice of switches so that you can create the exact feel you want.
This keyboard’s switches come with light pipes that were specially created to provide as much light as possible via the keycaps. Regardless of the tone you’re looking for, you can choose from millions of colors for every individual key.
You can program the lights to cycle through the entire spectrum, or you can set it to two tones to match the overall theme and look of the keyboard. It also comes with an LED diffuser that minimizes hotspots which can be found in most other mechanical RGB keyboards on the market.
The great thing about this keyboard is that it’s heavy enough to stay put when you’re typing emails at lightspeed or playing an intense FPS while maintaining a low profile.
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EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 Mechanical Keyboard
If you’re looking for a cute, compact mechanical gaming keyboard to complete your gaming setup or add a unique touch to your office, then this is the keyboard for you. The Epomaker SK61 comes in various different colors, and its hot swappable nature makes it easily customizable.
Review
With the Epomaker SK61, you are able to reprogram any of its keys to add your own custom macros or layers for extended functionality. If you’re looking to personalize your typing experience even further, you can add up to three additional FN function keys. Your layout and macro setup will change the way you interact with your video games and computer software forever.
This keyboard stands out amongst the others on the market because of its IPX6 waterproof and dustproof mainboard design. It is both practical and unique, which means that you won’t have to worry about ruining your keyboard if you end up spilling any liquid on it.
Epomaker chose to use the highest-grade PBT thermal sublimation keycaps. What does this mean, though? PBT keycaps are usually considered the best possible choice for keycap materials, even in comparison to ABS keycaps, since they are far more oil-resistant, durable, and can stay true to color for longer.
The keycaps on the Epomaker SK61 are also waterproof, resistant to abrasions, and dustproof so that the keyboard lasts longer, even when you use it constantly. It is fully compatible with all operating systems, from MAC to Android to Windows. With the flip of the switch, you are able to switch between the operating system modes of this keyboard.
If you’re worried about ergonomics, don’t be. The SK61 is tilted at an upward angle to make typing easier and more comfortable on both your hands and wrists.
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Glorious Modular Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The Glorious Modular mechanical gaming keyboard appeals to those who believe that PC gaming is the superior form of gaming. This keyboard is marketed as being the last one that PC gamers will ever need to buy. Does it live up to its promises, though?
Review
This is the gaming keyboard that you have seen most of your favorite YouTubers, Twitch streamers, and E-Sport players use. With its sandblasted aluminum faceplate, RGB LED backlighting with several modes, 100% anti-ghosting technology, double-shot injection keycaps, modular switches, and minimalistic design, this keyboard is revolutionizing the market for mechanical keyboards.
If you’re worried about the lengthy process of changing your keyboard’s switches, don’t be. With the Glorious Modular keyboard, changing switches takes a maximum of 5 seconds, and all you need to do is pick up a new switch pack, take out the old ones, and put the new ones in. Don’t be shy to use any combination of switches your heart desires.
Are you a fan of pretty colors? The Glorious Modular has you covered, thanks to its 16.8 million color RGB backlight. You can change the key of the GMMK to any color that you want, and it also comes with a number of interesting light effects to keep things fresh at your gaming desk setup. The settings can easily be changed directly from your keyboard or by using Glorious Modular’s software.
If minimalism is your preference, then you’ll love the design of this keyboard. It features a floating keycap design that has no visible branding, which makes it one of the most minimalist keyboards out there. Glorious Modular also offers a standard keycap layout so that you can make use of any aftermarket keycap set.
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Redragon K530 Draconic 60% Mechanical Keyboard
The Redragon K530 is another 60% mechanical keyboard that can suit both an office environment as well as the most intense gaming setup, thanks to its minimalistic design and subtle aesthetic. Also, thanks to the compact 60% design of the K530, it’s able to fit in just about any space.
Review
Like a few of the other keyboards that we’ve mentioned on this list, the Redragon K530 Draconic compact mechanical keyboard is capable of connecting to your PC via a wired connection or using Bluetooth. This allows for some versatility, as you can use this keyboard like normal or at a distance from your device.
When using Bluetooth connectivity, you can connect the K530 to up to three devices and you can switch between them easily using a few buttons. Speaking of buttons, the letters are printed not only on the top of the keycaps but on the side that faces the user, as well.
Most gaming keyboards are RGB backlit, and this one from Redragon is no different. You can choose to have the colors move and swirl around when idle, flow outward from your keys as you press them down, or simply remain static if you find that the motion is too distracting.
The side-printed letters are concise and easy to read, and they meet all of your needs when it comes to compact, multi-functional use. The brown, tactile, hot swappable switches provide a soft bump as you press them down, but there is no click, so you can use this keyboard in areas where silence is required.
The Redragon switches are made to last and will provide you with a lifespan of more than 50 million keystrokes.
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FINAL VERDICT
There you have it, a few of what we consider to be the best hot swappable keyboards on the market. Whether you’re an office professional or an avid gamer, there’s bound to be a keyboard on this list that suits your needs. Happy typing!
