Are you tired of the pain in your fingers after long hours of typing on a regular keyboard? Have you heard about mechanical keyboards and wondered if they could be the solution to your discomfort?
Mechanical keyboards have become increasingly popular among gamers, programmers, and writers due to their unique features.
But are mechanical keyboards good or bad for your fingers?
Yes, mechanical keyboards are good for your fingers as they are more comfortable and have an ergonomic design which helps in reducing causes of pain.
Normal keyboard users feel pain in their fingers while using a mechanical keyboard because they apply more pressure while pressing the keys.
Regular keyboards have a rubber cushion which reduces the impact. A simple solution is to lighten up your keystrokes and stop pressing the keys too hard.
A mechanical keyboard is just like a typewriter. They have physical switches underneath the keys. Due to that, even a soft touch will trigger the mechanism, and your keystroke will register.
Those who have used a typewriter or a mechanical keyboard from the beginning have built muscle memory to press the keys lighter.
Related: Top 8 Best Mechanical Keyboards!
Are Mechanical Keyboards Bad for Typing?
Yes, mechanical keyboards are known to be the best typing keyboards because their quality is far better than a regular (membrane-type keyboard). Plus, a mechanical keyboard can be customized according to the needs. This provides a user with more freedom in design, key height, and type of switches.
Using a membrane keyboard for a long time can cause pain in your fingers, wrist, and shoulders. That is because regular keyboards don’t support or promote ergonomic designs.
Typing on a mechanical keyboard feels superior because you can feel the keystrokes which helps in more precise and accurate typing.
Psst! you might want to check my article on Which Mechanical Keyboard Is Good For Typing Practice?
Are Mechanical Keyboards More Ergonomic?
Let's 1st understand what Ergonomic means in this case. An ergonomic product refers to a product that is designed to provide maximum efficiency and comfort while using it.
Now the answer to the above question is. Yes, mechanical keyboards are more ergonomic, as you can find a perfect design that suits your posture.
They are designed to give you an improved natural wrist position, with well-spaced keys and full keypads. This reduces finger travel, and you can write or play games longer without any pain or fatigue.
They are also available in curved keypad designs, which help increase natural arm and wrist movements.
The blood flow will also be improved with the comfortable positioning of your arms, wrist, and fingers. Another option is to customize your keyboard according to your needs.
These are the options that are only available with mechanical keyboards:
- High or low profile mechanical keyboard
- Built-in or extension write rest option
- Keycaps with different shapes, curves, and heights
Pros and Cons of a Mechanical Keyboard
Pros of a Mechanical Keyboard
- Longer Lifespan/durability
Mechanical keyboards are highly durable and offer a longer lifespan. Their keys are tested from 30 million to 70 million key presses, some of these are even tested with 100 million or more key presses. Which is way more than a regular membrane keyboard with 5 million key presses. - Less Wear and Tear
The mechanical switches are durable and last longer, and due to that, you can hardly feel any decrement in their quality. Even after using them for several years, they will work and feel like you have just bought them. Unlike the membrane keys, which get stuck and start clattering with time. - Easy to Maintain
Mechanical keyboards are easy to maintain as each key is a separate switch, and it can be replaced easily, unlike a normal keyboard, where if a key's rubber dome is damaged, you have to replace the whole keyboard. - Highly responsive
The best feature of a mechanical keyboard is the highly responsive mechanical switches. Which provides a high level of accuracy and responsiveness to user inputs. These are designed to register and give responses to faster keystrokes. You can find switches that come with additional features for optimized gaming and optimized typing. - Highly stable and robust
Due to the heavy weight of the mechanical keyboard and having physical switches for each key, they are highly stable, and the keys won’t shift so easily.
Cons of Mechanical Keyboard
- High Cost
The high cost is one of the major drawbacks of mechanical keyboards. They are far more expensive than membrane keyboards. Depending on the quality, size, feature, and brand, they can go from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. - Noise
The switches in a mechanical keyboard are louder than any of the other keyboard options on the market. They feel more like a typewriter than a keyboard. It can be a problem in shared spaces like offices or educational places. There are options like o-Rings which can decrease the noise. However, they will add more cost. - Size/Weight
The size and the weight of a mechanical keyboard are also an aspect that is considered a problem. It makes it inconvenient for mobile users, as they can’t frequently carry it around. In cases where you have limited desk space, it is hard to adjust the mechanical keyboard for proper use. - Compatibility
There are compatibility issues between some of the mechanical keyboards and operating systems. These issues can limit the use of complex features of the keyboard, like programmable keys and customizable backlighting. It's better to research compatibility issues before purchasing.
Which Type of Keyboard is Best for Touch Typing?
The best keyboards For Touch Typing is Mechanical keyboards as they provide a seamless, comfortable experience for typing. As you can feel pressing each key on a mechanical keyboard because the switches are separate from each other.
On a regular keyboard, this feeling is lost to the rubber cushion, and the user feels a bit mushy.
The response rate and unreliable key rollover.
The accuracy and the response rate of a mechanical keyboard let you write faster and more precisely. Where a regular keyboard is slower is the response to the higher writing speed.
Could Mechanical Keys Actually Cause You More Pain?
By default, the mechanical keyboard is more like a normal keyboard, and longer use can cause pain. However, the ability to customize and have ergonomic designs help the users in having a better experience.
A major reason for users to feel more pain while using a mechanical keyboard is when a user shifts from a normal keyboard to a mechanical keyboard. Due to slower response or bad keys of a normal keyboard user becomes habitual of applying more pressure on the keys.
When these users shift towards a mechanical keyboard that has a higher response and smoother key pressing, their habit can cause them to feel strain in their fingers.
Wrong customization of a mechanical keyboard can also be a cause of pain.
There are people who only look at the aesthetics of a keyboard. They need to pay more attention to usability which causes them to customize a keyboard that is good for their posture.
This ultimately leads to pain in fingers, wrists, and shoulders, which the user thinks the pain is caused by the use of the keyboard.
Is the Mechanical Keyboard Clicky?
Yes! They are very clicky. Mechanical keyboards are known for their clicky sounds, which makes them hard to use in a work environment or a shared space.
These clicks make you feel like you are using an old-school typewriter which draws a lot of attention with its loud keystrokes.
Options that can help you reduce the clicky sounds of a mechanical keyboard:
- Use a Desk mat
Placing a desk mat under your keyboard will reduce the echo sound it generates from your desk with each click. Trust me, this will help a lot, as the mat will work as a cushion for the vibration, and it will reduce extra noise. - Install O-Rings
O-Rings are the best solution for reducing the clicky sound, as they will work as a cushion when a key hits the switch on keystrokes. They are easy to install. You just have to remove the keycaps and slide them onto the switch. They are also safe to use as they will not interfere with the RGB lighting or the performance of the switches. - Lube Your Switches
Switches are prone to get dust which will increase the friction in switches and they will produce a bit more clicky sound than usual. You should do timely maintenance of your switches and lubricate each switch. It is a time taking process, but it will help increase the life of the switches and also reduce the clicky sound. - Replace Switches
You can replace your switches with a quieter replacement. There are 3 types of linear switches that are smooth and have less clicky sounds. Tactical switches produce a moderately acceptable noise, and last is the clicky switches. The silent switches are good for reducing noise, but they have a rubbery and mushy feel to them.
Are Mechanical Keyboards Good For Gaming?
Yes, mechanical keyboards are great for gaming. They're extremely durable, they have fast key response times, and they offer a great deal of customization options. Plus, they just look really cool!
They may be more expensive than your average membrane keyboard, but they're worth every penny. Trust me, you don't want to be stuck in the middle of a heated match with a keyboard that starts acting up on you. That's just not fun.
are mechanical keyboards better for your hands?
Yes, mechanical keyboards are better for your hands. The reason for this is that mechanical keyboards provide more support and stability for your fingers as you type. This can help to reduce strain and fatigue, especially if you type for long hours at a time.
Additionally, the keystrokes on a mechanical keyboard are usually shorter and require less effort, which also helps to reduce hand strain.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to mechanical keyboards. Some can be quite loud, so they may not be ideal if you work in an office setting where silent typing is important.
How do you Relieve Finger Pain from Typing?
If you are typing for a longer time, you will face pain in your fingers, wrist, and shoulders. This is mostly because of the poor posture and ergonomics of your devices.
Here are some ways that can help you to Relieve Finger Pain From Typing:
- Taking frequent breaks
Taking breaks during typing is recommended by ergonomics. They suggest that you should take 4 breaks while typing. 3 of them should be for 30 seconds each, and 1 should be for 3 minutes. These breaks will help you relieve your fingers from the constant strain. - Structure your work
If you structure your work around phone calls and other stuff, it will provide you with enough time to relax your mind and body. Instead of constantly typing, you will be working efficiently where your finger strain is minimum. - Keep your fingernails short
Long fingernails will cause you to adjust your fingers to press the keys properly. By doing so, you will be placing your hands in a bad posture. This uncomfortable position will cause strain on your fingers and wrists. - Use adjustable keyboard
There are keyboard options that come with in-build wrist support or an option to add customizable wrist support. Finding an ergonomic design is also preferable. As it will produce you with better support. - Type lightly
Typing harshly may sound like one is working hard, but that is not the case. People are trying to hit keys hard while they are trying to type faster. This causes unnecessary strain on your fingertips.
How To Prevent Carpal Tunnel When Typing?
Carpal tunnel is a condition that can be caused by repetitive motions of the hands and wrists, such as those often performed when typing on a keyboard. The condition is characterized by pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected hand or wrist.
Carpal tunnel can be prevented by taking breaks during extended periods of typing, using an ergonomic keyboard , and maintaining good posture.
This means keeping your wrists in a neutral position, neither bent up nor down, and your elbows close to your body.
If you are already experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, there are a number of treatments that can help.
These include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, wrist splints or braces, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
If you think you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, it is important to see a doctor so that they can properly diagnose and treat the condition.
Conclusion
Mechanical keyboards are actually better for your fingers and hands. In fact, they are better suited for tasks like gaming and typing. The strain and pain in your fingers can be due to continuous typing or hard key stroking.
Choosing a well-designed keyboard according to your needs is also necessary, as it can help improve your posture.
Taking breaks from typing is also recommended, as typing longer can also cause pain, and taking a break will relieve that pain.