Mechanical keyboardsare here to stay as some of the best keyboard options, whether you are strictly using them for gaming, work, or a bit of both. While there are literallythousands of mechanical switchesto choose from, most of them break down into three main categories: clicky, linear, or tactile. But with recent keyboards like theAkko MOD007B-PC, there is a new option: magnetic or Hall Effect switches.
Hall Effect or magnetic switches are nothing new; the concept has been around since the 1960s. Recently, however, there has been a swift uptick in keyboard manufacturers offering keyboards with these switches. But why? Are these switches worth your hard-earned cash, or are they just a premium fad that will only really benefit some gamers? Game Rant has done a deep dive to dispel some of the marketing hype around these switches and help determine if these types of switches are right for you.
Magnetic Switches For Gaming
Most of you probably recognize the term Hall Effect from high-end controllers that have a great reputation for avoiding stick drift. While stick drift is not a concern for mechanical keyboards, these switches give gamers an incredible amount of control over their keyboard. Because the actuation point of these switches can be adjusted on the fly with software, not only can you make each keypress as light or heavy as you want, but you can also assign multiple controls to one key depending on how hard you press the key.
It is probably not advisable to assign these to wildly different controls unless you are super precise with how hard you are pressing the key. However, it does work great for stuff you want analog control over, such as when a light press on “W” is used for walking, but a heavy press will make you sprint. For fans of racing games, these switches won’t give you as much control as a wheel, but compared to other keyboards, magnetic keyboards are unmatched for precise steering control.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (2023)
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (2023) is the upgraded model to the previous generation Apex Pro keyboards, and it brings improved OmniPoint 2.0 key switches that allow for adjustable actuation between 0.1 mm and 4 mm. There is a handy OLED display that shows useful information and allows adjusting several settings on the fly.
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless
The Apex Pro Mini Wireless is built to create more space on desks for game-winning swipes while retaining all the capabilities of a full-size keyboard with its side-printed secondary actions. SteelSeries claims the Apex Pro Mini is the world’s fastest and most advanced keyboard, and it performs effortlessly for all undertakings, whether gamers need the quickest keystrokes in gaming to destroy the competition, or deliberate presses for typing accuracy. Gamers can adjust the actuation point to the nearest 0.1mm for absolute customization.
Gamers looking for this kind of performance are going to love keyboards like the SteelSeries Apex ProTKL and Apex Pro Mini. These keyboards are some of the first mainstream mechanical keyboards to offer magnetic switches, and even though they are not the newest, they do provide incredible performance. The SteelSeries software makes these customization options very approachable because it can get pretty overwhelming after releasing how many ways you can customize these keyboards.
Magnetic Switches For Work
While the multiple controls depending on the travel distance might not be as useful for work, magnetic switches still have some advantages that can make them an excellent choice for a work keyboard as well. With traditional mechanical switches, you would need to switch out the entire set of switches to change the actuation point, but with magnetic switches, this can be done with a quick setting change in software.
Most people who type all day long prefer a slightly longer travel distance, which can help avoid accidental keypresses and typos. However, towards the end of the day, it can get pretty straining on your fingers. That’s where having a nice short distance can help, and with magnetic switches, you can make that change in a matter of seconds. A single click in the settings menu can make you feel like you are using a brand-new keyboard at the end of the day.
Akko MOD007B-PC Keyboard
The MOD 007B PC mechanical keyboard is dedicated to providing a comfortable stock/out-of-box typing experience without having to mod. Still, it is also easily moddable for anyone wanting to customize it further. Every key can detect a press between 0.1mm and 4mm using hall-effect switches. These excellent switches allow users to customize the actuation point of each keypress.
While the Akko MOD007B-PC doesn’t have an entirely professional design like some Logitech keyboards, it is hard to beat the performance this keyboard provides for both work and gaming. Every key on this keyboard can be adjusted between 0.1mm and 4mm of travel distance, and the Akko software makes it incredibly straightforward to make those changes. Most people will probably not work with the keys set to 0.1mm because a light touch will actuate them, but being able to dial in that sweet spot makes this keyboard fantastic to type on all day long. Not to mention, the switches are nicely dampened, so you shouldn’t bother any of your nearby neighbors.
Magnetic Switches versus Traditional Mechanical Switches
After sufficiently praising magnetic switches, how do they compare to traditional mechanical switches? While it is hard to make a blanket statement for either magnetic or traditional switches, they both have their merits. Traditional switches are typically a bit more affordable, and there are a ton of choices, while magnetic switches are still a bit too niche to have the same number of options. But magnetic switches are more durable because they don’t have to make physical contact with anything to actuate the keypress, unlike traditional mechanical switches.
What it comes down to is whether you would effectively use the adjustability and extra controls the magnetic switches provide. The way the keyboard industry is going, magnetic switches are certainly going to become a more prominent option than they already are, but it is hard to believe they will take the place of traditional mechanical switches, at least any time soon. A lot of people don’t want to fiddle around with their keyboard settings all the time; after setting up their keyboard, they are ready to go and probably will never even open the customization software unless they want to change the lighting settings.
But if you like to play with the settings and dial in the perfect custom keyboard experience, magnetic switches are an incredibly exciting development. Now, not only are the physical keyboard components customizable, but the way they interact with your computer is much more accessible.
FAQ
Q: Are magnetic keyboard switches better?
Regarding raw performance, it is hard to say that magnetic switches are better than traditional ones. However, they are more durable because no physical contact needs to be made for the keypress to actuate.
Q: Are magnetic keyboards good?
Whether gaming or working on a magnetic keyboard, magnetic switches are excellent options that provide a fast, responsive feel. Plus, the customization options they provide make magnetic switches incredibly versatile, no matter the use case.
