The best mechanical keyboard setup for bloggers is probably something like mine. It didn’t cost me a fortune, was easy to get set up and running, and all without having to spend countless hours lubing keyboard switches and stabilizers and having to do all these goofy ‘mods.’
I’m a recent convert to mechanical keyboards after years typing on Apple’s tiny little “magic” keyboard. No joke, I’m talking years banging my fingers on this unnecessarily small, flat metal plate that came stock with all Apple iMacs of the past ten years or so, probably longer. I have no idea what today’s iMacs come with, but it might very well be the same keyboard.
Well, believe it or not, that little keyboard served its purpose and did an admirable job for years with no malfunctions whatsoever and no complaints from me. I wasn’t even considering upgrading my keyboard until I wrote a recent post on 5G radiation because It was that post that got me thinking about how to reduce exposure to WIFI radiation by using a wired USB-connected keyboard, as opposed to a wireless Bluetooth-enabled one.
At first, I was about to just buy a cheap wired keyboard from Amazon and call it a day. That was until I saw that there were better, much more interesting options available i.e. mechanical keyboards.
Imagine a keyboard you could customize to your liking to be pretty much whatever you wanted it to be. I’m talking about everything from its size, to the feel of the keystrokes, to the sound the keys make when typing, to the color of the keycaps etc.
That would be pretty cool, eh?
What is a mechanical keyboard?
In a few words, a mechanical keyboard is a keyboard for typing that utilizes mechanical switches under each keycap, instead of the more common “rubber dome,” or what’s sometimes called a “rubber membrane.” These mechanical switches contain springs that control how each key sounds and feels when you press it. There are three main categories of mechanical switches; there’s linear (red), tactile (brown), and clicky (blue).
Linear switches are quiet and have no tactile feeling to them, tactile switches have a tactile bump when you press them down and are relatively quiet, and clicky switches have even more of a tactile bump, but are louder and more “clicky” than the others.
In my limited experience with clicky switches, I can tell you that they sound like you’re typing on a computer mouse, which for me is a no-go. But clicky (blue) switches are a category of switches that contain many different flavors or variants and some sound better than others. Of all the clicky switches I’ve heard, the ones that sounded the least grating on my ears were Novelkeys Sherbet switches, but even those sound too high-pitched for my tastes.
Here, take a listen. The sound test is toward the end of the video.
Which mechanical switch is best for bloggers?
Most people who use mechanical keyboards for writing (not gaming) will tell you that they prefer tactile (brown) switches because they have a satisfying tactile bump when you press them down, which reduces typos, and because they have a deeper, more pleasing sound to them. I tend to agree, which is why, after hours of research on the topic, I opted for tactile switches over linear or clicky.
What I discovered, however, is that any old brown switches are not going to sound or feel as good as if you were to buy a set of custom switches to replace the ones that come stock with your keyboard.
Cherry MX Brown switches are the best stock tactile switches out there, if you’re lucky enough to buy a keyboard that has those pre-installed, but even then, a lot of people in the mechanical keyboard community recommend taking apart your switches, lubing them with Krytox 205g0, taking out the stabilizers under the spacebar, shift key, return key, backspace key etc. and lubing and modding those in order to optimize the sound and feel. This is a process that people say takes four hours or more. My response to that is, “Hell, no! There’s no way I’m spending 4+ hours lubing keyboard switches!”
So, what I’m going to recommend to you, especially if you’re a beginner, or even just someone who values their time, is to use pre-lubed mechanical switches. Akko makes a pre-lubed tactile switch called ‘Lavender Purple,’ which is the one I use, that’s relatively cheap and easy to obtain on Amazon. A lot of people who are really into mechanical keyboards wait months and months for certain switches to come back in stock, so it’s nice to be able to bypass all that and still get a high-quality switch.
Best mechanical keyboard setup for bloggers—quick start guide—(contains Amazon affiliate links)
Although this setup isn’t exactly cheap, mine would still probably be considered a budget setup by the keyboard purists out there, but it works well for me and I didn’t have to drop a ton of cash on it, so who cares what they think?
I use a Royal Kludge RK68 hot-swappable mechanical keyboard. This is what’s called a 65% keyboard because it’s smaller than a standard keyboard by about 65% I find that this size is great for a blogger like me because it doesn’t have the F row and ditches the numerical keypad. It’s basically everything you need if your goal is strictly writing. It’s also easy to fit in your laptop bag if you plan on taking it outside the house.
The one I got has a blueish backlight, with LED lights underneath the keycaps that shine through so you can see the legends even in a pitch-black room, but you can also get it with RGB backlights, if you want to go for the more colorful option. I didn’t because I find all the extra colors distracting and I turn my backlight off most of the time anyway.
I also use pre-lubed Akko Lavender Purple switches, which are a God-sent because they save you hours having to lube your own switches. You might think, “Oh, I’ll just use the stock switches dry and it’ll be fine,” but as someone who thought the exact same thing, I can tell you that the difference in feel and sound is very noticeable and at some point, you’ll end up paying the extra forty bucks for custom switches anyway, so why not just get them now and be done with it? They’re also really easy to install. The keyboard comes with a keycap and switch puller, so all you have to do is latch on and pull straight up to replace all the switches. It took me about 15 minutes to replace all my switches.
The other thing I replaced right off the bat were the keycaps. The RK68 comes with these thinner, cheap-feeling ABS plastic keycaps in OEM profile, which means the keycaps are taller to reach with your fingers, so what I did was throw on some thicker, double-shot PBT keycaps in a lower, easier to reach, more ergonomic profile. The ones I got are KDA profile, which is basically the same height as a cherry profile keycap, except mine are for Mac layouts (they come with the command keys and whatnot). They really do make the keyboard look sharp and like I paid a lot more for it. Also, my keycaps are not ‘shine-through’ so if that’s a feature you want, I would search for ‘shine-through’ keycaps, or ‘pudding’ keycaps. Mine don’t shine through, but you can still see the backlight emanating from between the keys.
Also, as far as sound goes, I find that the PBT keycaps sound more premium than the stock ABS keycaps that come with the board. The PBT keycaps have a more crisp, clear sound to them than the ABS, at least on this particular keyboard.
The last, most critical thing you need for this setup is a good wrist-rest because if you type on the RK68 without one, you’ll likely end up with carpal tunnel syndrome. Not because the keyboard is extremely high, but because it’s at an awkward angle for your wrist. But, the good news is, there’s a really good wrist-rest that fits the length of the board perfectly, that’s made of wood, and that makes the whole typing experience supremely comfortable and pleasant. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to typing without a wrist-rest again. I got the compact version of the Glorious Gaming wrist-rest that comes in both black and golden oak. It’s like my wrists are smiling when I use it.
This next thing is completely optional and just for looks. It’s the Royal Kludge coiled cable for mechanical keyboards. The keyboard already comes with a plain old USB cord, so you don’t need a coiled cable at all, really, but in my opinion, it kind of completes the look of the mechanical keyboard nicely. If you’re going to have a mechanical keyboard, why not go all out, right? Especially if you’re someone who types a lot, or does a lot of blogging.
Easy mods I recommend for your RK68 that aren’t too time-consuming
Once you dip your big toe into the world of mechanical keyboards, what you’ll discover is that the customizability of these keyboards leads to endless tinkering.
Lots of mechanical keyboard owners will make ‘mods,’ or modifications, to their keyboards that involve cutting tiny pieces of fabric band-aid to put in their stabilizers, or to stick onto the PCB itself, or taking apart and frankenstein-ing switches, or filling their keyboard cases with silicone, car deadener etc. in order to engineer a certain sound when they’re typing.
A lot of these mods seem like a real pain in the ass that take up way too much time, in my opinion, but there are a few mods that are really easy and not time-consuming that allow you to get the best sound out of your mechanical keyboard without killing yourself.
Most people are trying to make their keyboard ‘thock’ when they type, so what I’m going to share with you are the mods that worked for me to achieve this deeper kind of sound.
Before you attempt any of these, though, I would watch this video by Keybored, who really does a phenomenal job explaining the foundational concept of how foam and other aspects of the keyboard affect the sound that comes out.
1. Painter’s tape mod
This mod works really well and takes minimal time. All you have to do is take some painter’s tape and stick three layers of it to the back of your PCB (just make sure not to cover up the holes where the screws go). Then, flip your PCB over again, screw it down, put your keycaps back on and you’re done.
I took this mod a step further by taping the bottom of the case too. The RK68 comes with a layer of foam in the case, but I removed this. I found that using painter’s tape instead created a deeper, thockier sound.
2. Mounting tape mod
This is a lesser-known mod, but it works really well. All you do is stick two layers of double-sided mounting tape underneath your spacebar and underneath your backspace key. You have to cut thin strips to fit in between where the switches sit, so as not to interfere with the action of the switch. This mod takes that hollow sound out and makes your spacebar and backspace key much deeper without having to take out or lube your stabilizers.
3. Microfiber towel mod
For this one, all you do is cut a microfiber towel into a small rectangle to fit underneath your keyboard and wrist-rest. This easy mod will change the sound of your keyboard faster than any other mod you could possibly do.
These three mods, in combination with the upgraded keycaps and switches I used made my keyboard sound very pleasing to the ear (or to my ear, at least).
Final thoughts on Royal Kludge RK68 mechanical keyboard for bloggers
I’m really happy with this keyboard. I can’t imagine spending upwards of $200 on a big name mechanical keyboard, like some people do, and then have to spend even more on custom switches, keycaps, a new plate, a wrist-rest etc. in order to get the best experience. That just seems kind of ridiculous to me.
Are there flashy, more expensive options out there? Absolutely, but I don’t see them being ‘better’ necessarily than what you’re getting here. If they are ‘better’ I would guess only marginally so, but I can’t tell you that for sure because I’ve never used them and probably never will.
I honestly think the Royal Kludge RK68 is the best hot-swappable mechanical keyboard for people who want to get into mechanical keyboards at a reasonable price. $140 bucks (includes the coiled cable) is not bad for the complete setup when other higher-end mechanical keyboards will cost you that much alone.
The tactile feeling I get when typing is great, the keyboard sounds are great, I’m typing faster, and I’m more productive than ever. Sitting down to write a new blog post is now a highly pleasurable undertaking. It’s hard to describe, but typing becomes a more sensual experience that somehow even aids in creativity. But, all that said, the thing I like most is how it helps you to type way faster than before. This keyboard setup is worth every penny for that reason alone.
Best budget mechanical keyboard setup that saves you an extra $25 bucks
The RK68 is my personal choice for blogging, but if the $50 price tag is out of your budget, my next recommendation would be the E-Yooso K620. The E-Yooso is a hot-swappable mechanical keyboard that accepts Akko switches, so you can still change out the switches on it to get that premium feel and experience.
Keybored did a great video on how to mod this board to make it sound really nice and thocky (keep in mind, this keyboard was $25 last I checked, so its price has gone up). If you listen to his sound test at the end of the video, my keyboard setup sounds similar to his end result, but maybe a little deeper-sounding.
If you’re someone who writes a lot of blog posts, or who otherwise sits behind a computer screen and types a lot, then I couldn’t think of a better investment than a good mechanical keyboard that helps you to be much more productive and that elevates the whole typing experience so that you actually look forward to sitting at your desk to get work done. Needless to say, I highly recommend it.
Happy New Year!
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