Why You Should Build Your Next Gaming Keyboard, Not Buy One

I’m sick of mainstream gaming keyboards. They are just too expensive for what you get. My frustration at finding something I really liked led me to finally bite the bullet and build my own. It’s a niche hobby and prohibitively expensive, but it’s not. You can build a keyboard for the same price as buying a keyboard from a mainstream brand, and you’ll get a much better result.

Keyboards are complex beasts, despite their simple appearance. Once you open Pandora’s box of custom mechanical keyboards, you’ll quickly become an expert on the minor differences between keys, switches, and everything in between. If you want a keyboard that can put even the best mechanical keyboards to shame, you need to build your own.

Building your own keyboard is not that expensive

There’s a reason most people stick with traditional keyboards: Building your own is too expensive, or at least that’s how the story goes. While it’s hard to build a keyboard for the same price as something like the HyperX Alloy Origins Core, it’s not much more than buying a high-end gaming keyboard.

My personal keyboard (above) cost me around $250. That’s a lot, but not much more than the wired Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate, and exactly the same price as Logitech’s popular G915 TKL. And you get a lot more for your money. If a mainstream brand like Corsair, Logitech, or Asus came out with a keyboard that could go along with one you built yourself, it would be $400 or $500. Easy.

But in this way, building a keyboard is not like building a PC. It’s not about making something cheap and messy. Building your own keyboard is all about putting together something unlike anything you can find in the keyboard world – from the incredible customization offered to the premium build quality.

There are now more options than ever to create your keyboard. For years, we limited ourselves to Cherry MX switches and their derivatives, and kits that would cost several hundred dollars on their own. An influx of newer brands like Akko are selling parts for much less, significantly lowering the barrier to entry. There has never been a better time to dive.

Choose your base

Building your keyboard starts with a base. If this is your first time, I highly recommend getting started with a DIY kit so you can get your keyboard up and running right away. These kits come with all the basic components you need, and they almost always allow you to modify the kit with your own parts after the fact.

Here are some kits I recommend:

• Glorious GMMK Pro – The must-have DIY kit to build your own keyboard with great features and build quality. That’s what I use.
• Akko ACR Pro 75 – An excellent DIT kit with an acrylic frame, and significantly less than the GMMK Pro.
• Drop CTRL – Very well built and will last for years, but more expensive than it should be.
• Glorious GMMK – A basic version of the GMMK Pro with fewer features but the same excellent build quality.

From $50 to nearly $200, DIY kits run the gamut. And for good reason. Before purchasing your DIY kit, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

The first is how the plate is mounted to the frame. Most cheaper kits and almost all traditional mechanical keyboards use plate support, i.e. the keyboard plate is attached directly to the frame. Higher end kits like the Akko ACR Pro 75 and GMMK Pro use a gasket holder instead, which places a small gasket between the switch plate and the frame. I prefer a joint holder as it provides a slightly smoother typing experience. You may come across a few other mounting types, but most are variations of a standard plate mounting.

Otherwise, consider what form factor you want. I don’t like full-size keyboards, so I gravitate towards 60% or 70% options, but it all comes down to personal preference. You have a lot more options when creating your own keyboard, so take the time to find a form factor you like.

Finally, look at the material the keyboard uses for the plate. You can usually swap out the plate later, so don’t worry too much about getting it right immediately. You can find aluminum, copper, and even acrylic plates, and they all offer a slightly different sound and typing experience.

Once you have your kit, it’s time to turn your keyboard into, well, a keyboard with a few switches.

Switches make the difference

The key switches you use are extremely important when building your own keyboard, so it’s important to research the switches that are right for you. Look up typing examples on YouTube, read reviews, and try not to get too involved with specs. You can also order testers for a few dollars to try out the switches before buying them.

Broadly, switches break down into two types: linear and tactile. You’ll need a linear switch for gaming and a tactile switch for typing, though you can certainly switch between gaming and typing with either. It comes down to preference, as it usually is.

Here are some switches I recommend for gaming:

• Akko Wine Red linear switches — A perfect alternative to Cherry MX Red switches.
• Glorious Lynx Linear Switches (Lubricated) — A super lightweight linear switch that is hand lubricated.
• Gateron Oil King Linear Switches – A much heavier switch, ideal for heavy-handed gamers and typists.

And for typing fanatics:

• Glorious Panda Tactile Switches (Lubricated) — Hand-lubricated tactile switches that have an extremely satisfying effect thunk when typing.
• Drop Halo Clear Tactile Switches – Heavier switches that have a clear bump at the start of the press. Definitely for heavy-handed typists.
• Kailh Speed ​​Bronze Click Switches— A very noisy click switch. Great if you like clicky keyboards, but bad for the desktop.

Hand-lubricated switches are the way to go if you can get them. Factory lubrication is super inconsistent, so you’ll want to look for switches that have been hand lubricated if you can. You can also buy a kit to do it yourself, or you can ditch the lubrication altogether. Some people prefer the typing experience with non-lubricated switches anyway.

The main thing to pay attention to is the pin count of the switch. You will usually find 3 and 5 pin switches, but they are basically the same. 5-pin switches add a few plastic posts to stabilize the switch, but you can cut those bits off if your keyboard only accommodates a 3-pin switch.

make it your own

Now for the fun part: making the keyboard yours. Style points are important when building your own keyboard, so take the time to find the keys you like, a cable that matches your theme, and lighting that brings it all together.

Keycaps are a personal business, and many sets are limited-edition drops that you only have a short time to buy. Instead of recommending specific sets, here are a few places I recommend buying your keycaps:

• Drop – Expensive but fantastic switches with lots of personality and unique shapes. If you have the money, this is where you want to shop.
• Osume — Minimalist keycaps that are only available in limited editions. They look and feel fantastic, but are a bit pricey.
• Akko – Akko keycaps are inexpensive and not as nice as the two best options, but you’ll find several unique designs that you won’t see anywhere else.
• Amazon – Amazon is a great place to buy cheap keycaps, but you may have to deal with quality issues like blurry legends or durability depending on the set you choose.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your keycaps. First, try to opt for PBT keycaps if you can. ABS keys have better color, but they wear out over time. PBT keycaps will last longer, but feel free to use ABS if you want something with a bit more sparkle. Try aiming for thicker keys if you can find those as well.

Outside of the material, consider how the key legends are attached. You want dye-sublimation or dual-shot legends, if possible, as they provide the best protection for the legends over a long period of heavy use. Laser-etched keycaps are also an option if you want the RGB lighting to shine through, although they wear out much faster.

Finally, look at the keys you will need for your keyboard. Many kits have different form factors for function keys such as CTRL and Alt, so you may need to purchase a separate set if yours doesn’t come with the correct sizes.

Apart from the keys, your cable brings the look of your keyboard. There’s nothing special to note here aside from picking up the right cable for your keyboard. Glorious and Drop both have multiple coiled cables with different color options, although they are a bit pricey. If you’re trying to save, you can always use any old cable.

A journey, not a destination

I’ve only scratched the surface of the world of building your own keyboard. Just like building a PC, you can keep upgrading, swapping, and customizing your keyboard over time. That’s the idea. Build something now based on your budget and needs, but know that you can always make changes later.

Nothing you do is set in stone, which adds so much value to your initial purchase. Again, you’re not buying just one product, it’s a platform you can build on in the future.

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