Finding the perfect keyboard can be hard. Going with a mechanical keyboard is a great option and after hours of research we have found the best mechanical keyboard for school.
The best mechanical keyboard for school is the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT. Mechanical keyboards offer a superior build quality and reliability when compared against a regular keyboard. Having strong reliability and options to change switches and keycaps makes them a perfect fit for use at school, college and home.
In this article, I explore up a solid contender when it comes to buying a spring-loaded Cherry MX mechanical keyboard with PBT keycaps that is perfect for school.
After hours of detailed research and comparisons of the most popular mechanical keyboards available, there was one clear winner when it comes to the best mechanical keyboard for school, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT.
Editor’s Choice – The Best Mechanical Keyboard For School
Editor’s Choice
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT
- Weighs 1310g
- Cherry MX Blue, Brown or Speed Silver switches
- Double-shot PBT keycaps
- Rollover NKRO
- 2 USB ports
- Number pad
- Palm rest
Why you’ll love it. Available with your choice of MX Cherry switches, durable PBT keycaps, multiple USB ports, and removable palm rest, it ticks all the right boxes. And let’s not ignore how cool it looks with RGB! With all these features it’s the clear winner as the best mechanical keyboard for school, college and home. It’s usually unavailable new, but the renewed options are many.
Alternative Mechanical Keyboard Recommendations
Best Entry Level:
Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Best Mid Level:
Logitech G PRO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Best for Gaming:
Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard
Are Mechanical Keyboards Really Better?
Quite simply put yes, mechanical keyboards are really better. The feel of a mechanical keyboard is way better. They are built to last offering a superior build quality and reliability whilst allowing you to customize the look, the feel and even inject a little personality through RGB lighting.
To answer this question fully, we need to understand the difference between a mechanical keyboard and a regular keyboard.
The fundamental difference between the two keyboards is unlike a regular keyboard a mechanical keyboard activates a spring-loaded switch when any key is pressed where a regular keyboard uses a rubber dome for activation.
Let’s break it down a little further. When using a mechanical keyboard there is a distinctive click when the keys are pressed, unlike their rubber membrane counterparts.
There are three types of switches tactile, clicky, and linear:
- Tactile: as the name suggests it offers tactile feedback
- Clicky: this switch type offers the user both tactile and audible feedback
- Linear: is neither tactile nor clicky
For comparison, typically tactile is preferred amongst gamers as the key only needs to be pressed part of the way down before its activated. With linear, the key must be pressed all the way down before its activated.
A few additional points to note, the construction of a mechanical keyboard is typically of a higher quality resulting in a longer product life span, mechanical keyboard parts also tend to be serviceable and easy to clean – more wins for mechanical keyboards!
Now let’s round up some of the pros and cons of mechanical keyboards.
Mechanical Keyboard Pros:
- Greater keystroke precision
- Better build quality
- Parts are replaceable
- Keycaps are customizable
- Longer life span
- More reliable
Mechanical Keyboard Cons:
- More expensive
- Louder keystroke click
7 Things You Should Consider When Looking For A Mechanical Keyboard
1. Switches:
Switches are probably the most important characteristic of a mechanical keyboard. Understanding the tasks you intend to perform will help narrow down the choice.
The most popular switches on the market today are Cherry MX. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer from Cherry MX.
- MX Red: Linear switching, smooth and direct
- MX Speed Silver: Linear switching, fast and direct
- MX Black: Linear switching, powerful and direct
- MX Brown: Tactile switching, focused and noticeable
- MX Blue: Tactile switching, clicky and noticeable
- MX Silent Red: Linear switching, smooth and silent
- MX Silent Black: Linear switching, powerful and silent
- MX Green: Tactile and audible switching, clicky, robust and noticeable
- MX Clear: Tactile switching, focused, powerful and noticeable
- MX Grey: Tactile switching, focused, robust and noticeable
2. Clicky Noise Level:
2. Clicky Noise Level:Now that you have some insights into what switch you might want in terms of tactile, clicky, and linear. It’s a good idea to consider just how audible clicky is.
If noise level is a concern they we’d suggest picking a switch that is less clicky. You can check out the Cherry MX switch website to get a feel for what that clicky sound is like.
3. Key Rollover:
Key rollover relates to how many keys and can be pressed and will register on the computer at any one time.
N-key rollover referred to as NKRO suggest there is no limit to the number of keys that can be pressed simultaneously. NKRO is typically considered a premium feature on mechanical keyboards.
4. Keyboard Size:
When it comes to keyboard size, there are various sizes to consider. Below is a brief outline of what’s on offer.
- Full-size: 100% size keyboard typically containing 104 keys
- TKL: tenkeyless 80% size keyboard typically containing 87 keys (has no number key pad)
- 75%: 75% size keyboard typically containing 80/84 keys (has no number key pad)
- Mini: 60% size keyboard typically containing 61 keys (has no number key pad)
5. Connectivity Options:
There are two options here it’s either wired or wireless – and that’s it!
Wired will typically be a USB or USB-C type connection from the keyboard to the computer. Wireless will typically be via Bluetooth. One note to consider here is how long the battery will last if you opt for the wireless option.
6. Back Lighting:
Lighting comes down to a personal choice. Having some form of lighting may be particularly useful if working in a dark space.
Today most keyboard lighting options are geared towards offering RGB. RGB allows you to add a little personality to your otherwise run-of-the-mill keyboard.
7. PBT Keycaps:
When it comes to keycaps there is no right or wrong answer it all comes down to personal choice. Just like RGB backlighting, keycaps can add personality and allow you to design a keyboard that matches your style.
There are many mechanical keycap replacements or upgrades available on the market, PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) being the most popular choice amongst mechanical keyboard users due to their durability.
Frequently Asked Mechanical Keyboard Questions
Hopefully, I have answered all your questions on, the best mechanical keyboard for school. Below I answer a few additional mechanical keyboard frequently asked questions.
Are mechanical keyboards loud?
Are mechanical keyboards waterproof?
- Mechanical keyboards are not waterproof.
Which Cherry MX mechanical keyboard switch is the quietest?
- Cherry MX Brown is the quietest switch.
Which Cherry MX mechanical keyboard switch is the loudest?
- Cherry MX Blue is the loudest and considered the most clicky.
Is it worth buying a mechanical keyboard?
Final Thoughts On The Best Mechanical Keyboard For School
So in conclusion, mechanical keyboards do offer a superior build quality, no question. They are built to last and allow you to customize the look, the feel and even inject a little personality through RGB backlighting – so what’s not to love.
Having this reliability and options to change and customize makes mechanical keyboards a perfect fit for use at school, college, home, for gaming, coding and general computing.
So what you waiting for? Go ahead and get rid of that old spongy membrane keyboard and get yourself a new mechanical keyboard today!