Unpacking The Resurgence Behind Mechanical Keyboards

The lineage of mechanical keyboards can be traced back to the early days of computing. In the 1980s, mechanical keyboards were the norm because the people who designed and used them understood what typing could be and should be.

For much of the 21st century, mechanical keyboards have, in many ways, regressed due to factors like mass production and the trend towards slimmer and smaller hardware. Membrane keyboards became the standard due to their lower production costs, leading to the frustration of many keyboard enthusiasts, as keyboards started to become an obstacle to productivity rather than a tool for it.

However, the mechanical keyboard scene is changing. Over the past decade, the mechanical keyboard community has been experimenting with ways to innovate and improve every aspect of keyboards. Mechanical keyboards are now blooming in the PC Market and is poised to grow from USD 2.02 billion in 2023 to USD 8.80 billion by 2031.

The custom PC building scene continues to grow and mechanical keyboards are quickly becoming a feature for many people’s desktop setups. From purely a functional standpoint, a cheap membrane keyboard can still do most of what a mechanical keyboard can. Despite this, there’s a rapidly growing community of people investing in mechanical keyboards, even going as far as custom building them.

Some of the key drivers behind the growing community is the rise in digitization and remote work. With the growth of industries like tech, gaming and content creation, the demand for input devices has grown considerably. But what has really driven the market growth of mechanical keyboards is the growing desire for personalization. Consumers today are increasingly looking for products that reflect their personalities, values and lifestyles.

For mechanical keyboards, this trend aligns perfectly due to the countless ways of customization and tailoring. The whole reason why the custom mechanical keyboard space exists is customization. From finding the perfect spring weight for your finger strength to choosing the right materials and cut - offs on the plate for the ideal typing experience. However, the level of customization isn’t just about aesthetics. As individualism has grown in society, mechanical keyboards have become another avenue of self expression for working professionals, gamers and students. For enthusiasts, mechanical keyboards aren't just keyboards anymore but an extension of one's personal identity.

When the pandemic hit, the mechanical keyboard community suddenly exploded, and no one was ready for it. Before this, most enthusiasts gathered on two main sites: Geekhack and Reddit. These platforms were great for checking in occasionally, but as people started spending more time online, the slow pace of conversations on there just didn’t cut it for those looking for quick help and advice.

The community soon made its way over to Discord, where large servers like MechKeys started growing. But these big servers didn’t stay that way for long; they quickly broke down into smaller, more tight-knit groups of like-minded keyboard fans. This wasn't just a change in platforms—it highlighted the inclusive nature of the mechanical keyboard community. Still, as you dive into this world, you might also notice an increase in gatekeeping, a topic humorously explored by keyboard influencer Glarses in his video, Gaming Keyboard (and the enthusiasts). The community's most common form of gatekeeping is the dispute between budget-conscious enthusiasts and those who prefer bespoke keyboards. Budget-minded enthusiasts focus on affordability, while bespoke enthusiasts value exclusivity, creating a divide over what defines a "true" mechanical keyboard experience. You might think, "It's just a keyboard, so who really cares?" But once someone steps into the world of mechanical keyboards, they quickly realize that, yes, it's still a keyboard—but for some reason, people genuinely care.

Since mechanical keyboards were such a niche hobby and still are, the pricing of these keyboards has generally been high. However, since more companies are noticing the influx of enthusiasts, mainly among teens and young adults, more affordable mechanical keyboards are now available on the market. This shift has not only made mechanical keyboards more accessible but has also sparked a wave of growth and course correction in the community. Early in the hobby, it would not have been easy to purchase a mechanical keyboard with custom switches and keycaps for less than $200, but today, there are competitive mechanical keyboards for $100 or less. Lower prices have undoubtedly fueled the market growth for mechanical keyboards and breathed new life into communities like the r/MechanicalKeyboards subreddit, which now boasts 1.3 million members.

Beyond community and personalisation, one of the most compelling reasons for the market growth of mechanical keyboards is its sensory appeal. Interaction with technology today often feels sterile but the act of typing on a mechanical keyboard brings a tactile and auditory experience that is hard to match.

The clicky sound of a mechanical keyboard, often compared to the soothing sounds of rain, has become a form of auditory comfort for many enthusiasts. It’s no surprise that mechanical keyboard ASMR has become a popular trend amongst people in the mechanical keyboard community, finding joy in simply listening to different switch sounds. To truly understand the appeal, you’ll have to watch a sound test video on YouTube to understand why people find these videos enjoyable. Beyond sound, there’s the appeal of touch. For many enthusiasts the act of pressing a key and feeling that tactile response is a moment of sensory delight.

The combination of sound and touch is more than just a personal preference but a source of emotional satisfaction that transforms the mundane task of typing into a rewarding one. The joy of typing an experience that can’t exactly be explained through words but it’s something that must be felt and heard.

The resurgence of mechanical keyboards isn't just about bringing back an old piece of tech but opening an avenue where people can connect with their tools personally. People's love for sound, feel, and customization is undeniable, and mechanical keyboards offer everything a keyboard enthusiast desires. It's not just about typing anymore but making each keystroke truly yours. So, what does your ideal typing experience sound like? Are you ready to turn an everyday task into something much more personal?