Which mechanical keyboard should you choose for gaming? Everything worth checking before you buy

Two mechanical keyboards can look almost identical in photos: a similar case, backlighting and the same switch colour in the description. On your desk, however, they turn out to be very different tools: one leaves your mouse all the room it needs at low sensitivity, while the other takes up half the desktop with its number pad. Then there is connectivity: a cable, a 2.4 GHz receiver or Bluetooth.

The best mechanical keyboard for a gamer depends primarily on how you play, rather than looks or lighting. Start with your gaming style, then choose a size that fits your desk, decide on switches and connectivity, and only then consider extra features. If you are still unsure whether to choose a mechanical or membrane keyboard, take a look at our guide, “How does a mechanical keyboard differ from a membrane keyboard and which one is really worth choosing?”. Here, we focus on choosing a specific mechanical keyboard.

In this article, you will learn:

• How do you choose a keyboard size to suit your gaming style and desk space?
• What is the difference between linear, tactile and clicky switches?
• Is a TKL, 75%, 60% or full-size keyboard better for gaming?
• When should you choose a wired keyboard, and when is wireless a better option?
• Which gaming keyboard features really matter?
• What should you look for before buying a mechanical keyboard?

Which mechanical keyboard should a gamer choose? Start with how you play

There is no single blueprint for a mechanical gaming keyboard, because different genres demand different things. In FPS games, your left hand mainly uses a few keys around WASD, while your right makes wide mouse movements. At low sensitivity, every centimetre of desk space matters, so a narrower keyboard can simply give your mouse more room to move freely.

MMOs and strategy games are different. Abilities, unit groups and shortcuts can occupy most of the keyboard, and extra keys, including the number pad, become a convenient place for more bindings. If you also use the same keyboard for work, the number pad comes in handy outside games too, such as in spreadsheets.

Measure your desk before choosing a model, too. It is not just the keyboard's width that matters, but also room for your mouse pad. If you are putting together a setup from scratch, take a look at mouse pads sized to suit your desktop as well.

Which gaming keyboard size should you choose?

Size determines which groups of keys stay on the keyboard and which you give up. Some, such as the number pad on a TKL, disappear altogether. Others, like the F row on a 60% keyboard, remain available through a function layer, using combinations with the Fn key.

Full-size keyboard

A full-size mechanical keyboard has a number pad, F row, arrow keys and navigation cluster (Insert, Home, Page Up and related keys). It is a convenient choice if you work with numbers or assign actions to number pad keys, for example in simulators. It is also the widest option, moving the mouse further away from the centre of your body.

TKL

A TKL keyboard (tenkeyless) removes only the number pad. Function keys, arrows and the navigation cluster remain, while your mouse gains a few centimetres of space. It is a balanced format that does not require you to learn a new layout.

75%

A 75% keyboard keeps the F row and arrows, but brings the keys closer together and usually reduces the navigation cluster. This layout is narrower than TKL and still handles most everyday tasks without reaching for Fn, making it a popular choice for people who game and work on the same device.

60–65%

A 60% keyboard removes the F row, arrows and navigation cluster, with all these functions available through the Fn layer. The 65% format, meanwhile, adds the arrows and a few navigation keys back in. These layouts give your mouse the most space but take some getting used to. Before choosing such a small format, check whether your games assign important functions to the F keys, such as quick save, the map or screenshots.

Remember that none of these sizes is universal for every user. The best one is the format whose missing keys you genuinely do not need.

Which mechanical switches should you choose for gaming?

Mechanical switches determine how a key feels under your finger and how it sounds. Manufacturers often identify them by colour: red is associated with linear, brown with tactile and blue with clicky. This is only a convention, however, rather than a standard, so always check a switch's specifications for its actual characteristics.

Linear

Linear mechanical switches move smoothly throughout their travel, with no tactile bump along the way. This makes rapid, repeated presses easier, which is why they are popular in fast-paced games. Bear in mind, though, that a light spring makes accidental key presses easier too.

Tactile

Tactile switches have a noticeable bump around the actuation point. Your finger gets a signal that the press has registered, which many people appreciate when typing and in games requiring precise, individual presses.

Clicky

Clicky switches combine a tactile bump with a distinct click. They provide the clearest feedback but are also the loudest. In a shared room, during late-night gaming or when talking over a microphone, this is unfortunately a significant drawback.

Specifications worth knowing

Actuation force is the pressure needed to register a key press, usually given in grams: the lower it is, the lighter the key feels. Travel is the total distance the key moves, while the actuation point is the point along that path where the keyboard registers a press. An actuation point closer to the start of the travel can shorten the distance needed to register a press, but also reduces the margin for accidental touches.

If you are unsure what to choose, consider a hot-swap keyboard. It lets you replace switches without soldering: just check which sockets the keyboard uses before buying. Both 3-pin and 5-pin switches work in 5-pin sockets, while 3-pin sockets accept only 3-pin switches or 5-pin switches with their side stabilising pins clipped off.

Wireless or wired keyboard for gaming?

A wired keyboard is the simplest solution: a stable USB connection, with no charging or battery to think about. For a permanent setup, it remains the default choice.

A wireless keyboard with mechanical switches may use 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth or both. Many models also have a USB port, but its role varies: on some, the cable provides a fully functional wired mode; on others, it is only for charging. Check the specifications before buying, especially if you plan to play over a cable when the battery is flat.

Bluetooth is convenient for work and for use with a laptop or tablet. If the keyboard lets you pair several devices at once, as most models do, switching between them is quick. In fast-paced gaming, however, Bluetooth usually trails 2.4 GHz mode. If you want a keyboard for both gaming and working across several devices, a multi-mode model combining a cable, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth offers the most flexibility. Just remember that bright RGB lighting reduces battery life in wireless mode.

Which gaming keyboard features really matter?

Anti-ghosting and N-key rollover (NKRO). Anti-ghosting prevents incorrect key registration when several keys are pressed at once, while NKRO goes further and registers every pressed key, regardless of how many there are. In practice, it is about making sure running, jumping and reloading all reach the game when pressed at the same time.

Polling rate. This is how often the keyboard sends information to the computer, measured in hertz: at 1000 Hz, it happens every 1 ms. Higher values mainly matter in competitive games, but polling rate is only one part of the chain. Switches, keyboard firmware, the computer, the game itself and the monitor also affect when a key press appears on screen.

Macros and programmable keys. These let you assign a sequence or a different function to a selected key. They are useful in MMOs, strategy games and shortcut-heavy applications.

Profile memory. A keyboard with onboard memory retains its settings even when connected to another computer, without installing an application.

Software. Configuration software also matters on keyboards with extensive gaming features. You should be able to set up macros, profiles and lighting without digging through menus.

RGB lighting. It makes it easier to find your way in the dark and match your hardware to your setup, but tells you nothing about switch or case quality. Treat it as an extra rather than a deciding factor.

Keycaps and build quality: ABS or PBT?

ABS keycaps are usually smooth to the touch and can be produced in a wide range of colours, but may develop a shine over time on the most-used areas. PBT is a harder plastic that is more resistant to shining, and keycaps made from it often have a slightly matte texture.

The material alone does not determine keyboard quality. Keycap thickness and the way legends are applied also matter: with double-shot moulding, the legends are part of the plastic and do not wear off. On most mechanical keyboards, you can replace the keycaps later, for example with a set in a different colour or texture.

You can read more about the differences between these materials in our guide, “PBT or ABS keycaps? Three letters that change the entire keyboard”.

Comfort and ergonomics during long gaming sessions

Adjustable feet let you set the tilt angle, and on a taller case, a wrist rest can improve comfort by bringing your hands level with the keys.

The sound of the keyboard matters too, and its entire construction contributes to it. It is not only the switch type, but also the case material, the plate that holds the switches (top plate), the layers of sound-dampening foam inside, and even keycap material and thickness. Pay attention to the stabilisation of larger keys such as the space bar, Enter and Shift: properly adjusted stabilisers make a key move evenly, regardless of where you press it.

Mechanical keyboards for FPS, MMO and single-player games: what should you choose?

The comparison below is a starting point rather than a rigid rule. Your habits and desk often matter more than your favourite game genre.

ENDORFY keyboards: which model suits which scenario?

Among ENDORFY keyboards, the Thock V2 series covers the widest range of scenarios. The models have a case reinforced with an aluminium top, hot-swap sockets, ARGB lighting and support through ENDORFY software.

• A compact format for competitive gaming: ENDORFY Thock V2 75% or ENDORFY Thock V2 Compact. Both versions leave more room for mouse movement than a full-size format. The ENDORFY Thock V2 Compact Wireless has a 60% layout, making it the smallest format in the series.
• Gaming and work: ENDORFY Thock V2 TKL if you do not need a number pad, or the full-size ENDORFY Thock V2 if you work with numbers.
• Wireless connectivity: all wireless Thock V2 models connect via Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and a USB cable. They differ in format: the ENDORFY Thock V2 Wireless is a full-size keyboard, while the ENDORFY Thock V2 TKL Wireless offers the same layout without the number pad. Both models have a slider for switching connection modes. The ENDORFY Thock V2 75% Wireless combines a compact layout with the F row and arrow keys, while the ENDORFY Thock V2 Compact Wireless has a 60% layout without a separate F1–F12 row. Function keys are available through combinations with Fn.
• Linear switches you can replace: models in the series have linear switches: depending on the version, factory-lubricated ENDORFY Red or ENDORFY Yellow by Gateron with a dual-rail design. Hot-swap sockets let you change the keyboard's feel without buying a new one, for example by fitting compatible tactile or clicky switches. The set includes keycap and switch removal tools and two spare switches.

Common mistakes when choosing a mechanical keyboard

Choosing solely by switch colour. Colour is only a clue. The specifications tell you how a key behaves: switch type, actuation force and actuation point.

Choosing a very small format without checking which keys are missing. Before buying a 60% keyboard, review the controls in your games and the shortcuts you use for work.

Focusing only on RGB or looks. Eye-catching lighting will not make up for an uncomfortable size or switches that do not suit your style.

Overlooking connectivity and uses beyond gaming. A keyboard you also use with a laptop or tablet should have the right wireless mode from the outset, because you cannot add that feature later.

When buying a gaming keyboard, the three key decisions are keyboard size, switch type and connectivity. If you already know what you need, compare the available ENDORFY models and choose a layout that suits your desk and the way you play.