Why are Mechanical Keyboards So Expensive

Varmilo sword 287

Why are mechanical keyboards so expensive? is a question you might have asked yourself many times. For someone new to this hobby, the prices on these mechanical keyboards could get a bit high, like the HHKB Professional Hybrid or Varmilo Sword 287. One must wonder, what makes these mechanical keyboards so special than regular membrane keyboards? The answer is the higher overall build quality of mechanical keyboards. Also the fact that they use mechanical switches rather than membranes.

Now, what are these mechanical switches? First of all, these are the leading causes of the high prices of mechanical keyboards. These mechanical switches are what, I’d like to say, bring life to a mechanical keyboard.

As this article is about why mechanical keyboards are so expensive, I’ll be brief here. But you can always learn more about them from our article on mechanical switches here. Depending on what type of switch you go for, your mechanical keyboard could make a whole other difference to typing. Or just in playing games in general.

for someone who wants the gist of it, mechanical keyboards are expensive due to high quality mechanical switches, high quality build materials, niche and enthusiast market, durability, and the customization it offers.

5 reasons why mechanical keyboards are so expensive

Here are the reasons why mechanical keyboards are an expensive hobby to get into and why they are so expensive in the first place.

1. High-Quality Mechanical Switches

One of the main reasons mechanical keyboards are so expensive is the mechanical switches. They come in various types, such as linear, clicky, and tactile. Unlike membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards use individual mechanical switches for each key. This makes them more responsive, giving better durability and different feedback while typing.

Though the types I’ve stated above are the most commonly used, others include optical switches or the Hall effect (magnetic switches). These types are a bit more expensive than regular mechanical switches, and depending on what brand you go for, like Cherry MX, Gateron, or Kailh, the prices could go up even further.

Optical switches in the budget range are slightly more expensive than the regular ones. But the Hall effect magnetic switches are what I consider high-end, and they are darn expensive.

2. Better build Materials

Mechanical keyboards generally have a higher and better build quality. Unlike membrane or regular keyboards, Mechanical keyboards can come in different build types. Most of these use high-quality aluminum frames, PBT keycaps, and PCBS, which increases their longevity.

They are like other nuances as well. Some budget-friendly mechanical keyboards are made with plastic (ABS/Polycarbonate), while some of the most expensive and higher-end mechanical keyboards use steel. Wood, Acrylic, or CNC-machined cases are also used by people looking to make a custom keyboard for aesthetics and unique acoustics.

Then there are materials like plate materials, PCBs (printed circuit boards), Stabilizers for large keys, keycap material and a bunch of other stuff you could get into. and depending on their quality, could make a mechanical keyboard more expensive.

3. Customization & Features

Unlike membrane keyboards, which just exist to type, customization features are available when you buy a mechanical keyboard. Most mechanical keyboards come with hot-swappable switches, meaning you can change your switches to whatever different switch you might want to put into it. Other than that, mechanical keyboards come with RGB lighting, programmable keys, and custom firmware support, adding to the cost.

Then there are ways you can even customize your keycaps as well. These come in 2 types: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), which is cheaper, and the other which are PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) which is costly but more durable. You can even design your mechanical keyboard according to different anime and gaming themes. If that is something you are into as well.

4. Niche & Enthusiast Market

The market for mechanical keyboards is relatively niche compared to your average regular membrane keyboards. Many enthusiasts are already deep into this hobby, and the subreddit for mechanical keyboards is one good example. When people are willing to pay extra for premium parts, the mechanical keyboard industry becomes relatively specialized and costly.

Another fact is that most high-end mechanical keyboards, especially custom or enthusiast ones, are produced in small batches, ultimately driving up production costs.

5. Longevity & Durability

We are well aware of how long a regular mechanical keyboard lasts, especially if you bring in losing a League game. Most mechanical keyboards tend to last much longer, each mechanical switch coming with (50-100 million keystrokes per switch vs. ~5 million for membrane).

This fact ensures that they have some investment value rather than mechanical keyboards being disposable products. And could always be sold at a later date. This means the money they spend buying a mechanical keyboard will be worth every penny in the long run.

Is it worth buying an expensive mechanical keyboard?

The answer could vary depending on what type of user you are. If you have a smaller budget, you can try out cheaper ones. If you have a budget, buying expensive ones could be a decision. Ultimately, mechanical keyboards are durable and have higher longevity, making them a long-term investment.

Some Frequently asked questions

Q.1 Why are gaming keyboards so expensive?

Gaming keyboards or mechanical keyboards, in general, are expensive because of their build quality and the intricacies of the manufacturing process. You also have to factor in the costs of mechanical switches, keyboard cases, and even keycaps.

Q.2 How much should I pay for a good gaming keyboard?

A good quality gaming keyboard usually falls under the 100-dollar category. In this category, you will find mechanical keyboards with decent switches and build quality. Some are between $100 and $150, which we consider to be in the medium range. The more expensive ones from these price ranges are not worth buying.

Though no one is stopping you from buying them if you are a collector, you can easily get a good mechanical keyboard for under $100.

Q.3 Are expensive keyboards worth it?

Strictly speaking, expensive keyboards could be worth it for some, while others won’t even feel a difference. There are some costly switches like hall effect switches, which, in theory, help in improving gameplay. Looking at it practically, there is only a slight change.

A mechanical keyboard in a decent price range can do its job well. But if you see that your keyboard is lacking in efficiency, you can very well upgrade to better switches, as most mechanical keyboards are hot swappable.