Pros and Cons of Every Mechanical Keyboard Size

Keyboards might seem one of the simplest things that you should mind when building your work setup. However, you should pay attention to your keyboard size as it can definitely affect the dynamics of your setup as well as your efficiency.

Here are some pros and cons to review before buying your mechanical keyboard:

Full-Size Mechanical Keyboards

Full-sized keyboards have it all from the standard keys, the function row, the number pad, and a navigation cluster. This is a good starting keyboard for people who are not used to using keyboard shortcuts as everything is already laid out. It is suitable for accomplishing various tasks both for professional work and gaming.

On the other hand, it takes up a lot of space so you have to be prepared for your keyboard to take up so much space on your desk. It is also less portable since it can be a hassle carrying it from one place to another. Likewise, if you are the type of person that works from one place to another then the full-size keyboard might not be the best option for you.

Tenkeyless (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

Compared to the full-size, TKLs do not have a number pad. Hence, it offers a more compact layout and gives more free space on your desk. You can also bring it anywhere as it comes in a smaller size. Most importantly, if you are one of those people who type for a living, TKL is an ergonomic choice. The decreased distance between the keyboard and the mouse is more comfortable for long periods of working.

Meanwhile, it could be a pain for people who frequently work with numbers. Having the numbers situated at the top horizontally makes it more inconvenient than useful. If you bought a TKL and are in need of a number pad then you can buy a detachable numpad which costs extra for you.

75 Percent Mechanical Keyboards

The 75 percent keyboards offer a smaller layout than TKLs. Regardless, it still includes essential keys that are needed. If you work on a limited space area then you should consider this size as it is designed to occupy a minimum space only. Likewise, it is easy to carry around so you can bring it even to cafes as an alternative to your laptop's keyboard.

However, since it has a smaller layout than the previous ones it could be difficult to navigate for some people, especially for those who are not familiar with function key shortcuts. Each keyboard brand might have a different assigned task for each function key shortcut so you also have to familiarize yourself with it.

60 Percent Mechanical Keyboards

The 60 percent keyboards are the most minimalistic layout among all of the sizes. It only features the most essential keys needed for typing while all the non-essential keys are omitted from the layout. This is also the go-to size of keyboard enthusiasts who love customizing their keyboards from switches to keycaps.

Likewise, the lack of function keys requires complex key shortcuts and can take a lot of time to memorize. Also, this is not recommended for people who rely heavily on the number pad.

Custom Layout and Split Keyboards

As mentioned, keyboard customization is a hobby for some people. These people are often seen using a custom layout that is tailored to their needs both aesthetically and efficiency-wise. For instance, the split keyboards promote better posture and hand placement which is more comfortable for various typing positions.

On the other hand, it is an acquired taste to use a custom layout. It takes a lot of familiarization to the layout which is not suitable for most. Also, it can be difficult to use as sometimes it could have a limited compatibility which only adds a challenge.