If you are a long-time keyboard player, you will surely know the term Hot-swap, an extremely important feature that any keyboard player is extremely interested in when choosing to buy a mechanical keyboard. However, if you are a new keyboard player and do not have much experience, the following article will help you know what Hot-swap is and the great advantages when choosing a keyboard with the Hot-swap feature.
First we need to find out what Hot-swap is?
Hot swap (also known as swappable, hot-swappable) is a feature that helps you easily replace switches on a mechanical keyboard without having to solder the PCB. Hot swap is introduced by Kono Store and Input Club.
Switch replacement process without Hot-swap feature
If you previously bought a regular mechanical keyboard without the Hot-swap function, if one of your switches is broken and you want to replace it or you simply want to customize the switch for the keyboard to bring a better typing feeling, you have to go through the complicated PCB soldering process on the circuit board, and not everyone can do this.
Example of the de-soldering process to replace switches on a conventional mechanical keyboard:
- First you need to remove the entire keyboard.
- Use a soldering tool to pry the switches apart. There are two pins that need to be removed for each switch.
- Solder the switches you want.
- Reassemble the entire keyboard.
Without the Hot-swap feature, it takes at least 4 or 5 times, sometimes even more, to change switches on a mechanical keyboard.
And the Hot-swap feature was born to solve those problems:
Hot-swap is a great solution for keyboards. By upgrading the PCB by adding a set of hot-swap sockets to the PCB (Hot-swap). Hot-swap allows direct swapping of mechanical switches and immediate use without the need for traditional soldering.
The hot-swap switch kit is built-in with original parts that are not easily oxidized and can easily replace the mechanical switch without replacing it. It can also withstand multiple replacements. Hot-swap is the most stable and convenient hot-swap solution on the market today, but the cost is also high, so many major brands do not equip this feature.
In addition to reducing switch replacement time, the Hot-swap feature also significantly reduces the cost of customizing switches, a very useful feature for keyboard customization.
Benefits of using a mechanical keyboard with Hot-swap feature
Hot swapping gives mechanical keyboard players a wide range of switch options, instead of just using red, blue, or brown switches on a keyboard. By being able to swap out switches, you can play half red, half blue, or any other style you want. You can even mix Cherry MX and Gateron switches on your keyboard if you like.
Looking for a Hot-swap mechanical keyboard for beginners and amateurs?
With the benefits that the Hot-swap feature brings, it is easy to see that this is an extremely important and necessary feature that any keyboard player needs to have on their mechanical keyboard. The following are mechanical keyboards suitable for beginners with extremely affordable prices:
1. Royal Kludge G68
- Size: Layout 65% 68 Keys
- Connectivity: Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0 and wireless 2.4G
- Keycap: ABS Doubleshot
- Switch: RK/Gateron/Cherry
- Price: From 750,000 VND for single Led version and 1,280,000 VND for RGB version (Depending on where you buy it)
2. E-Dra EK368W (Bluetooth)
- Size: Layout 65% 68 Keys
- Connection: Type-C and uses Bluetooth 5.0
- Keycap: PBT Dyesub - XDA Profile
- Switch: Kailh Box (White, Brown, Red)
- Price: From 1,280,000 VND (Depending on where you buy)
AKKO 3084 v2 ASA – Los Angeles
- Size: Layout 65% 68 Keys
- Connection: Type-C
- Keycap: PBT Double-Shot, ASA profile
- Switch: Akko CS switch (Ocean Blue / Rose Red / Matcha Green)
- Price: From 1,499,000 VND (Depending on where you buy)
Keychron K6 RGB Hot Swap - Aluminum Case
- Size: Layout 65% 68 Keys
- Connection: Type-C and uses Bluetooth 5.0
- Keycap: ABS Doubleshot
- Switch: Gateron switch
- Selling price: 2,190,000 VND
- Keychron K3v2 RGB Hot-swap Low-profile
- Size: Layout 75% 78 Keys
- Connection: Type-C and uses Bluetooth 5.1
- Keycap: ABS Doubleshot
- Switch: Keychron Optical Switch
- Selling price: 1,890,000 VND for single Led version and 2,190,000 VND for RGB Led version
SiliconZ has introduced you to some cheap and mid-range mechanical keyboard models with integrated Hot-swap function. In addition, if you want to own a quality Keychron keyboard, you can refer to SiliconZ's official website right here: Keychron Keyboard (siliconz.vn)
