Mechanical Keyboard
Keyboards with individual physical switches under each key.
What Is a Mechanical Keyboard?
A mechanical keyboard uses individual mechanical switches beneath each keycap, rather than the rubber dome membranes found in most office keyboards and laptop keyboards. Each switch has a spring and mechanism that provides distinct tactile and/or auditory feedback when the key is pressed.
Types of Switches
| Switch type | Feel | Sound | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear (e.g. Cherry MX Red) | Smooth, no bump | Quiet | Gaming, fast typing |
| Tactile (e.g. Cherry MX Brown) | Bump at actuation point | Moderate | Office typing, mixed use |
| Clicky (e.g. Cherry MX Blue) | Bump + click | Loud | Heavy typers who prefer feedback |
Do Mechanical Keyboards Improve Typing Speed?
The evidence is mixed. Some typists report higher WPM on mechanical keyboards due to the tactile feedback and consistent actuation force. Others see no difference. What mechanical keyboards clearly do offer is:
- More consistent key feel across all keys
- Better durability (rated for 50–100 million keystrokes vs ~10 million for membrane)
- Reduced bottoming-out force requirements, which may reduce fatigue over long sessions
Should You Buy One for Typing Practice?
A mechanical keyboard is not necessary for improving your WPM — you can reach 100+ WPM on any keyboard. That said, if you type for many hours daily and your current keyboard feels inconsistent or mushy, a tactile or linear mechanical keyboard may improve comfort and reduce error rate. Don't upgrade the keyboard before improving technique.
Test your current keyboard speed with the 1-minute typing test.