What is a Hot-Swappable Keyboard?
The great thing about mechanical keyboards is how customizable and modular they are. However, some users are afraid to dive into the world of custom keyboards due to the need for various skills, including soldering. However, with technological advances, users no longer have to go through tedious processes to enjoy their mechanical keyboard.
Hot-swappable mechanical keyboards allow users to instantly swap out mechanical switches without desoldering, making building mechanical keyboards much easier. Hop-Swapping also gives users future proofing on their current keyboards as they can try out newer switches in the future.
In this article, we will delve into hot swappable keyboards. We will discuss all the essential features that users should be aware of before purchasing a hot swap PCB or keyboard kit.
Quick introduction to hot swappable keyboards
The selling point of hot-swappable keyboards is their ability to allow users to replace their mechanical switches without desoldering the ones that are currently installed. Their PCBs (printed circuit boards) contain hot-swappable plugs (usually from companies like Kailh and Gateron). Older pre-built keyboards and solder-only PCBs don't have these hot-swappable plugs.
Hot-swappable keyboards help save time and money, since no special tools are required to remove the switches. Remove them with a switch puller and fit a new switch. They can also help newer enthusiasts find their desired switch rather than being locked into a certain switch.
Also, users no longer need to buy new keyboards if they are tired of their current change. This can help them save tons of money, since switches are generally less expensive than full keyboards.
Previously, the concept of hot-swappable keyboards was exclusive to custom keyboards. However, brands are now slowly adapting and implementing the hot-swap layout on their keyboards. Some notable examples include Logitech G and Glorious.
Are all mechanical keyboards hot swappable?
The hot-swappable keyboard technology is very remarkable. However, not all keyboards have adopted this feature. There are still plenty of mechanical keyboards that use a solder-only PCB, and this is for a number of reasons.
Gaming brands tend to have proprietary switches and don't offer much choice to consumers and just want to market their switches. Some companies may also see that giving users hot-swappable keyboards can hurt sales of different variants of their keyboards.
It's not just with pre-made keyboards though. Many custom keyboards also come with solder-only PCBs, and the reason for this is that solder-only PCBs can support different layouts.
With solder-only PCB, users can select different layouts such as split kickback, question mark layout and many more. With hot-swappable keyboards, this is currently not possible.
For those who are not sure if their keyboards are hot-swappable or not, we highly recommend looking up the model number or visiting the manufacturer's official website. If the keyboard is an OEM or the user cannot identify the model or brand of the keyboard, we recommend that you seek help from experts in various online communities. Don't just take out the switches as you can damage the plugs and switches on the keyboards by soldering only.
Are all hot swappable keyboards compatible with all switches?
Potential hot-swappable keyboard users and buyers should be aware that not all hot-swappable keyboards are created equal. Some are only compatible with certain brands of mechanical switches, while others are only compatible with certain types of switches.
Also, some hot-swappable keyboards, like Drop CTRL, only support 3-pin switches. 5-pin switches are still technically compatible; however, irreversible modifications must be made to fit these keyboards.
Most hot swap mechanical keyboard and mechanical keyboard kits in the mid to high-end price range are usually compatible with all types of switches. However, if you are unsure which mechanical switches are compatible with your hot-swappable keyboard, we recommend asking on forums and visiting your keyboard manufacturer's official website before purchasing any switches.
Can solder only keyboards be converted to hot swappable keyboards?
As we mentioned above, there are still many mechanical keyboards and mechanical keyboard kits that come with solder-only PCBs. The good news is that these keyboard kits can still be made hot-swappable using mill-max sockets.
These mill-max sockets are soldered directly onto the PCB and are generally considered to be as reliable as the hot-swappable sockets found on hot-swappable keyboards.
The only drawback here is that mill-max sockets are quite difficult to install and are only recommended for those who have a lot of experience with soldering. However, most keyboard manufacturers will be able to install hot-swappable plugs on most PCBs.
About Us
Dustsilver is a leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories for young people, including keyboards and gaming accessories. We are a company specializing in the production of mechanical keyboards. We customize cool mechanical keyboards for interesting young people. It is changing the rules of the game.
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