With the development of keyboard, key board enthusiasts are always striving for more efficient, smoother, and more stylish key boards. Besides regular mechanical keyboard, there are types of keyboards can be found in the market now. For example, membrane Keyboard, Magnetic/Hall Effect, optical keyboard, electro-capacitive keyboard and so on.
In this article, we mainly talk about the magnetic switch keyboard, and magnetic vs mechanical keyboard. If you are a starter to mechanical key board, hope this article help you to know more about different types of keyboard. We can know why we need a magnetic keyboard even though we are using a regular mechanical keyboard. If you are a experienced keyboard enthusiast, welcome to share your opinion about magnetic keyboard in the comment.
What is magnetic switch keyboard
It is also called hall effect magnetic keyboard. The core principle of magnetic switches keyboard is Hall Effect. Taking advantage of Hall Effect the key is pressed there happens variation in Magnetic Flux, which achieve keystroke. Due to its features such as the ability to dynamically adjust the trigger key travel distance and zero physical delay, it has become a trend in the field of gaming keyboards.
What are magnetic keyboard switches
Mechanical keyboard switches
In the former article<How to choose between 4 Main Keyboard Switch Types>, we explained the components of a mechanical keyboard switch, and how it works. A mechanical switch is mainly composed by 5 parts, top housing, stem, spring, metal leafs, and bottom housing.
1、When pressing the keycaps, the stem of mechanical switch moves down together to press spring inside forward.
2、The movement of stem makes leafs inside the switch contact. Then the stem keeps pressing to hit the bottom.
3、After getting the keystroke, finger will leave keycap. With the help of spring, the stem will bounce to its original place at the same time. During the process, the contact part of leaf will be apart.
The regular mechanical keyboard is achieved by the contact of metal leaf inside.
Magnetic keyboard switch
Top Housing
Same as the mechanical keyboard switches, on the top housing, there is a hollowed part to let stem move vertically up and down. It can prevent shaking and rotation, at the same time, helping reduce dust or liquid entering inside.
Stem
Normally, the stem is not as long as the one in the regular switches. On the top part, it is also designed with ‘+’ shape column, what we called “MX”. While on the other side, there is a small magnet within the stem.
Spring
The spring stands between stem and bottom case. Its main function is to support the stem’s vertical movement. When we release our finger on the keycap, the spring will bounce the stem to the original place.
Bottom Housing
Since no metal leaf inside the keyboard magnetic switch. There is no existence of metal pin of switches. Only 2 plastics pins are there to fix the switch with PC board.
How do magnetic keyboard switches work
Simply, pressing the keycap→ The magnet approaches the hall sensor → The magnetic flux changes → Output signal → Triggering the key
There is a small magnet inside the magnetic keyboard switches. When pressing down the switch, the magnet moves down together. The hall sensor under the switch perceives the magnetic flux differences, producing the signal to make key trigger. During the process, there is no physical friction, no bounce delay, no oxidation of switch pins.
Magnetic vs mechanical keyboard
After knowing the basic information of magnetic keyboards and the difference of keyboard magnetic switches and regular switches, let’s dive deeper into the features of magnetic keyboard.
For a regular keyboard switch, the operating travel and total travel is fixed. For example, the operating travel of Kzzi taro linear switch is 2.0mm, the total travel is 3.6mm. It means when the key is pressed and keystroke appears on the screen. The downward pressing depth is 2.0mm. Press the key all the way down. The distance of the switch stem from the top to the bottom is 3.6mm. The operating travel mainly influence the keystroke speed, the shorter distance the quicker key trigger. and the total travel affects the typing feeling, shorter typing or longer typing feeling.
While for magnetic switch keyboards, the operating travel is not fixed anymore. It can be customized according to our preference, this is what we call adjustable actuation distance. Each key can be set from 0.1mm to 4.0mm separately. If we want the kzzi G68 magnetic switch keybaord have ultra-sensitive keys for quick reactions when gaming, or deeper presses to avoid accidental inputs, it is easy to adjust the actuation point in the kzzi software.
More features of magnet keyboard
1、RT-Rapid Trigger
Rapid trigger is an ideal function for rhythm game, fighting game or shooting game. G68 magnetic gaming keyboard allows dynamically to reset the actuation point, the moment a key starts returning to its original position. The low actuation(0.1mm-1mm) can get rapid keystroke, more steps with the same time in the game. Normally, medium actuation (1.1mm - 2.5mm) is balanced for casual gaming and typing. Higher actuation (2.6mm - 4.0mm) stops mistyping, perfect for precision tasks.
2、DKS-Dynamic Keystroke
Kzzi G68 magnetic mechanical keyboard also supports dynamic keystroke, which is kinds of liek Macro function on the regular mechanical keyboard. The function can assign multi action to one key, normally up to 4 actions, no matter it is individual key or combination key. With the help of DKS, the gamer can reduce keystrokes with more efficiency.
3、MT-MOD Tap
The Mop tap function allows one key to get 2 different action, which is different with DKS. DKS means assign some actions into one key. When press the key, all the actions happen. While MT is achieved on how it is pressed. For example, when press the key number 1 on G68 magnetic hall keyboard, if we press it quickly, we can get letter A, if we hold the key number 1, we will get letter B. The function helps smaller size keyboard, like magnet 65 keyboard users can maximize each key, and reduce the movement when gaming.
4、TGL-Toggle Key
The toggle key function enable a single keystroke get 2 states. We can get the different frequency of the keystroke when press the key, keep pressing or just press the key once. For example, to achieve an emergency stop in FPS gaming, quickly press A (to move left) → release → press D (to move right) alternately. However, with the help of TGL, press A once can get continuously movement to the left. Press it again to stop. The efficiency is increased by 300%, reducing the complexity of finger operations.
The Pros and Cons of Magnetic Keyboard
Advantages:
1、Better Durability
No metal pins inside the switches, which prevent the rust and wear. The life span of switch would be longer.
2、More Customization
Magnetic switch keyboard can change the function of the key based on different actuation points. Faster or lower is adjustable.
3、Smoother Typing
Hall Effect switches are usually linear style. No contact inside the switch, the key stroke is made by the hall sensor. The typing could be more consistent.
Disadvantages:
1、Higher Price
Generally speaking, the keyboard with magnetic switches are more expensive than the regular mechanical keyboard. Want to try a best magnetic keyboard? Check this budget-friendly Kzzi G68 best magnetic keyboard for gaming.
2、Adaptation Time
It needs to take some time to get used to the actuation point setting. And the features mentioned above, from RT to TGL. There is a dead zone for actuation point, we do not recommend to set it at the extreme point.
Do magnetic switches work on any keyboard
Some keyboards do support both magnetic switches and regular mechanical switch. But magnetic switches do not work on any keyboard. Before placing the order, make sure choose the suitable one.
Are there Kzzi best magnetic switch keyboard?
Kzzi owns 4 series of keyboard now. They are K series, Z series, I series and G series. G series is designed for gaming. In kzzi official store, we can find 2 gaming keyboards with magnetic switches.
Kzzi G68se cheapest magnetic switch keyboard
A 65% layout magnetic hall effect keyboard, comes with Gateron Hall Effect double-rail magnetic switches. The compact layout can save more space for other gaming devices. This wired magnetic key keyboard supports 8k Hz rolling rate. Combining with the adjustable actuation point makes sure the fast movement in the gaming. If Wooting keyboard is beyond the budget, G68se is an alternative budget to try.
Kzzi G68 magnetic keyboard for gaming
Adopts the CNC aluminum case with Tray mount structure, this Kzzi G68 hall effect magnetic switch keyboard upgrades the gaming experience. The customizable RGB effect enhances the gaming atmosphere. PBT double shot keycaps will remain the fresh state even gaming for a long time. Welcome to try G68 or G68se as your preference.
In 2025, there will be magnetic keyboard 75/98 layout to be released. Follow our ins or join the discord to get the latest news!