Searching for the right gaming keyboard can be overwhelming, there are a few key factors to consider when deciding on the right device for you. Firstly, Look for a gaming keyboard that is comfortable to use. Some come with detachable wrist rests and even adjustable stand-ins to give gamers of all shapes and sizes an ergonomic experience during game progression. Secondly, check out the key switches and whether they are mechanical or membrane keys. Both types come with advantages, with mechanical key switches offering great precision due to their low latency double switch but may be louder for those gaming in a quiet environment. Thirdly, consider the type of connection. Wired gaming keyboards generally offer a more secure connection with less risk of lag and input drop whereas, wireless keyboards offer more freedom of movement and convenience. Fourthly, RGB lighting effects can add to the overall gaming experiences, albeit with an added cost, just check to make sure that keyboards offer you the option of customisable lighting and adjustability.Fifthly, think about the types of gaming you are regularly likely to be doing, some keyboards on the market come with modules and dedicated macro buttons that enable customisable options while gaming. Sixthly, given that feedback is critical during multiplayer gaming experiences real time audio, haptic and display feedback provide a great advantage to gamers and can be generated through some gaming keyboards available on the market. Lastly, adjustability of the tilt and comfort of play is key; adjustable legs and an ergonomic design can help posture during extended gaming sessions.
Customisable Lighting Effects
Gaming keyboards available on the market now offer customisable RGB lighting effects for added fun and are often powered by multiple lighting zones. This can be used to create certain effects such as: rippling lighting, wave beams or even make the keyboard look like it’s breathing. You can customise the colour of the lighting to match your own look, be it a single colour or your choice of multiple colour combinations.
Aside from the colour customisations, users can also choose from several lighting modes and effects including: key shinning, reactive mode, fireball, snowfall, starlit night etc. Most of these RGB lighting effects run in sync with the game’s audio and create a whole new level of gaming experience.
Most gaming keyboards these days are made with a transparent panel on the keys’ surface, this enables the user to clearly see the RGB lighting effect no matter what angle the user views it from. All the while keeping your system’s gaming performance at optimal level.
Customisable lighting effects on gaming keyboards not only add to the fun of gaming, but also add a certain level of gaming beauty and sophistication. Not to mention the sense of pride of the user when they showcase their gaming keyboard to the world.
Just make sure to check if the model you are looking at provides customisable lighting effects, as well as the frequency at which these effects refresh on the keyboard’s notification panel.
Wireless Connectivity and Portability
Another important aspect of gaming keyboards should definitely be its wireless connectivity. A vast majority of gaming laptops these days offer a variety of wired and wireless connection options. Generally, wired connection provides the user with a secure and low latency connection. The connection is important to ensure that data is transferred securely and quickly enough for the performance of the keyboard.
Manufacturers also make sure that any wireless connection is secure: Some gaming keyboards feature special wireless transmission encryption and low latency wireless transmission to ensure that data is received from the keyboard to a gaming system as quickly and securely as possible.
Wireless gaming keyboards also offer the user a certain level of portability. With many users travelling around to gaming conventions, LAN events etc., the ability to carry a wireless gaming keyboard is invaluable. As most wireless gaming keyboards run on a Lithium-ion battery, gamers are given a lasting experience.
Wireless gaming keyboards also offer the user with more freedom to adjust their gaming setup without any restrictions. This can help gamers to find the most comfortable position to game in and move their gaming keyboard around as necessary.
Furthermore, it’s worth checking out other accessories that are included when purchasing a wireless gaming keyboard, many come with supplementary parts such as extra hand rests, knobs, stands and more. These can offer you the extra comfort when playing their favourite games.
Macro Keys and Programmable Functionality
For gamers and even casual users, macro keys and programmable functionality can prove invaluable when playing games and completing tasks. Macro keys are shortcuts or sequences of commands, these can be used for simple tasks such as quickly entering timestamps into documents or more complex commands such as stringing together certain actions or spells in an RPG game.
Most gaming keyboards allow for up to 26 macros to be recorded and accessed. These can be manipulated quickly and easily to complete certain tasks within a fraction of a second.
Macro keys also come with gaming software, which are used to help users customise key sequences and assign specific functions to particular sets of keys. This allows users to have gaming control at their fingertips by being able to customise their gaming experience without needing to memorise certain commands.
Programmable functionality on gaming keyboards offers further customisation to the user’s gaming experience. This allows users to assign specific functions to particular sets of keys and those commands can be manipulated quickly and easily to complete certain tasks within a fraction of a second.
Aside from the macro key function, gaming keyboards also come with dedicated backlighting systems, allowing users to be able to locate specific keys without having to look down at the keyboard and breaking their concentration.
Tactile and Audio Feedback
Tactile feedback is a great way for gamers to expect faster reactions when gaming. Tactile feedback is where a key produces a short haptic vibration or audible sound upon being pressed. This allows gamers to expect their next action through an auditory or physical response, allowing them to make faster reflex decisions in games.
Most gaming keyboards offer different tactile and audio feedback settings for gamers to choose from. This way, the users can adjust their feedback settings to suit the game being played. For example, online card gamers may prefer shorter and softer feedback, while a first-person shooter player may prefer sharper and longer feedback settings.
Audio feedback is also a great way to take advantage of any gaming keyboard. This ranges from sounding a quick beep every time a key is pressed to producing different feedback sounds for different gaming tasks.
Audio feedback can also be used to make game play more engaging and immersive. For example, in role-playing games, you may make the game sound a more complex sound effect when a player lands a strike on an enemy, or even make the sound light up when opening a chest in an adventure game.
Whilst these audio and tactile feedbacks may not be a major feature for every gamer, they certainly provide a new level of immersion when gaming.
Ergonomics and Adjustability
Finally, ergonomics and adjustability are key factors to consider when purchasing your gaming keyboard. Due to the long periods of time gamers spend gaming, comfort and ergonomics become more important than ever as users are likely to be using the keyboard for long gaming sessions.
Ergonomic gaming keyboards come with a number of adjustable features to make gaming more comfortable. Examples of these ergonomic features include the adjustable tilt, adjustable key caps and adjustable stands. Many of these features allow gamers to adjust the keyboard to most fits their gaming position.
For added comfort, many gaming keyboards come with a detachable wrist rest. This can provide the users with ultimate comfort during long gaming sessions. The wrist rest is also great for users with wrist or arm pain as this can help reduce the strain on their hands.
Adjustable gaming keyboards also provide users with better posture, as they can easily adjust their keyboard to suit their needs. This can help promote better body posture which could have long-term health benefits.
When looking for a gaming keyboard, make sure to check out the ergonomics and adjustability of the keyboard. This could be the difference between a pleasant and an unpleasant gaming session.
