Guides
Switch types explained: linear, tactile, clicky and magnetic
How linear, tactile, clicky and magnetic (Hall-effect) switches differ, plus a quick look at Topre and optical switches.
Keyboard sizes from 40% to full-size
What 40%, 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, 96%, 1800-compact and full-size keyboards each keep and lose, plus Alice and split layouts.
What makes a keyboard sound thocky or clacky
How case material, mount, plate, foam, keycaps and switches each shape a keyboard's sound, and why our sound tags are editorial.
Hot-swap or soldered PCB
How hot-swap sockets and soldered switches differ, when each is the better buy, and what to check before you commit.
Your first custom keyboard, part by part
A part-by-part guide to building a custom keyboard: case, PCB, plate, stabilisers, switches, keycaps, foam and cable.
ANSI or ISO: a layout guide for UK buyers
The physical differences between ANSI and ISO keyboards, UK legends, OS layout settings, and why ISO parts cost more.
Keyboards under £100
Four wired mechanical keyboards under £100 in the UK, grouped by hot-swap versus soldered, and what you give up at this price.
Keycap profiles and materials: Cherry, OEM, SA and PBT or ABS
How keycap profiles differ in height and shape, what PBT and ABS mean in use, how legends are made, and how to check a set fits a UK board.
Buying a magnetic (Hall-effect) keyboard
What to check before buying a Hall-effect keyboard: who it helps, switch lock-in, software, polling rate, UK layouts and current prices.
How to lube switches and tune stabilisers
When lubing is worth the time, the tools and lube you need, how to do switches and stabilisers, and the mistakes that make things worse.
Wireless mechanical keyboards: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and battery life
Bluetooth or a 2.4 GHz dongle, what battery figures mean, latency for gaming, and which wireless boards in our catalogue suit which desk.
Quiet mechanical keyboards for offices and shared rooms
Where keyboard noise comes from, which silent switches and boards keep it down, and cheap fixes for a board you already own.
Mechanical keyboards for Mac
Using a mechanical keyboard with a Mac in the UK: Command and Option placement, British or British PC, keycaps with Mac legends, and boards that suit.