The Popularity of Mechanical Keyboards: A Build vs Buy Dilemma

As a self-proclaimed enthusiast gaming keyboard aficionado, I have always been curious about the age-old debate surrounding mechanical keyboards - should you buy a pre-built one or build it yourself? In this episode of "Buy vs Build", Keyboard Edition, we will explore the pros and cons of each option.

I have built numerous gaming PCs over the years, but my experience with half-built mechanical keyboards has left me in need of help. Luckily, I can rely on the AI to do my research for me. Bing informed me that I would need a keyboard case, PCB, switch mounting plate, mechanical switches, stabilizers, key caps, USB cable, and a screwdriver.

I decided to start by looking up a pre-built keyboard case, which led me to the Epomaker. However, I was disappointed to find out that it was not in stock - another victim of pre-ordering. Then, I came across Drop (formerly known as Massdrop), a well-known brand for mechanical keyboards. Their DIY kits caught my attention, and after some convincing, I decided to go with them.

I conceptually knew what I was doing, but when it comes to actually knowing what I'm doing, that's a different story. I wanted tactile switches, so Bing told me about the Holy Panda switch. While they may be good, the price tag of $230 for 35 units was a bit steep. I decided to look into cheaper alternatives and found Speeds Switches, which came in at around $105.

Next, I needed key caps, which, as it turned out, were quite expensive. I considered visiting Etsy for some affordable options, but then I stumbled upon Squirtle-themed key caps. While they weren't terrible, the white color didn't match my desired black keyboard aesthetic. After adding a blue Squirtle to my order, the total came out to be $294.

Unfortunately, this was not the end of my expenses. Adding another $35 for an extra Squirtle key cap brought the grand total to $329. It seems that building a mechanical keyboard can be quite costly.

As I delved deeper into my research, I also found myself interested in some high-end audio products from Focal. Specifically, they caught my attention with their Bathys headphones, which were currently on sale for 20% off at Headphones.com. The Bathys features impressive audiophile-grade speaker drivers, active noise cancellation, and a sleek design.

While the Bathys may not be directly related to keyboard building, it's worth mentioning how the brand's attention to detail and commitment to quality could inspire my own keyboard project. With the sale ending soon, I made sure to check out the link in the description for more information.

Moving on from keyboards, I stumbled upon the Razer Huntsman V2, which was currently available on Amazon for $200. While it may seem like a lot of money compared to some other pre-built keyboards, its high-quality construction and easily swappable key caps made it an attractive option. However, in my opinion, building a keyboard allows you to truly customize every aspect of your creation.

For those considering building their own mechanical keyboard, I must warn them that it's not an easy process. As someone who has only built one keyboard before, I still have much to learn about the subject. Nevertheless, with enthusiasm and dedication, anyone can create a custom keyboard that perfectly suits their needs.

In conclusion, building a mechanical keyboard may seem daunting, but for those willing to put in the effort, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you opt for pre-built or DIY, there's no denying the potential of these magnificent machines to enhance your gaming and typing experiences.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- This is one of the most popularenthusiast gaming keyboards on Amazon.But today, I have a simple question.Is it better to buy the pre built,or is it better to build it yourself?Welcome to episode 1 of Buyvs Build, Keyboard Edition.I have 30 minutes, starting now.Now, I've built a lot ofgaming PC's over the years,and usually that is a smart move,but as someone who's builthalf a mechanical keyboard in my life,I'm gonna need a lot of help.So, I'm gonna use the AIto do my research for me.Alright so, Bing is tellingme I need a keyboard case,PCB, switch mountingplate, mechanical switches,stabilizers, key caps, USBcable, and a screwdriver.I could just go with this now.Alright so, lemme just lookup the first one, here.So, can I get the Epomaker?Bing found it in literally one click.Oh wait, is it in stock?Oh, it's a pre-order!No!Okay, so this is what I was afraid of.You don't just go and order what you need.You will pre-order something,and it may take a month,it may take 6 months, it may take 9 monthsor 12 months beforeyour components come in.Now, Drop, previously known as Massdrop,they're a little bit more I would say,of a mainstream brand.Mechanical keyboards.Oh, DIY kits.Okay, yes.Yes, yes, yes.So, here's the thing.I conceptually know what I'm doing,which is a little differentthan actually knowingwhat I'm doing.So, I want tactile switches.Okay, so, Bing was tellingthat I would like the Holy Pandas.Good Lord.I'm over, like, $230just by throwing enough key switches in.Wow.This is so much morecomplicated than I thought.$105 just for my switches?Maybe I don't need Holy Pandas.Maybe I need crappy pandas.Could I get cheap switches please?What are cheap switches?Yes, Speeds.There we go.How many is this?35 unit.Okay, Imma do this one instead.I don't even know if these are good.I'm just gonna do these instead.Okay, I'm up to $175 dollars. (cries)All right, all right, all right.What do I still need?So, I need key caps.(screams)Why are they so expensive?Should I go to Etsy?Okay, I'm gonna go to Etsy.Oh, my god.They've got Squirtle in a key cap.Okay, one extra key cap is fine, right?These are actually not terrible.Oh, these are kinda nice, actually.The only thing is they're white.So, my keyboard is just gonna be blackwith white key caps and a blue Squirtle.(screams and cries)All for $300.Wait, I'm at $294 plus another...How much for my Squirtle key cap?Another $35.Wow, this is so expensive.This video is sponsored by Headphones.com.A few months ago, we took alook at these, the Focal Bathys.Holy (beep).(laughs)These are high-end audiophile headphonesthat also rock active noise cancellation.And, look, there are a ton of specsbut, ultimately, they sound incredible.Focal are famous for theiraudiophile grade speaker drivers,which deliver impressive clarity,without sacrificing punchiness,even when over Bluetooth.But what makes theBathys even more specialis the USB DAC mode,which takes soundquality to another level.Even beyond the 3.5mm jackwhich is, of course, on board.Just plug into your devicevia USB C, and you get crispy,high-res audio with minimal latency,something that's reallyhelpful for me when I use theseto edit video, like thevideo I'm editing right now.The Bathys also has a slickdesign that takes inspirationfrom Focal's Passive closed-back linebut with the addition ofthe logo that lights up.The headband and yoke structure are madeout of light-weight, but sturdy,materials like magnesium.Not to mention the incredible quality,thanks to them being built inthe Focal factory in France.If you're ready for a seriousaudio upgrade, you're in luckbecause the Bathys arecurrently on sale for 20% offtheir regular price at Headphones.com.I would act quick though.The sale only runs throughthis Sunday, June 18th.Definitely be sure to check them outat the link in the description.And, of course, huge thankyou to Headphones.comfor sponsoring this video.(elevator music)So this is the Razer Huntsman V2,which is currently availableon Amazon for $200,which is a lot of money for a keyboard.But when you come to thehigh-end of this stuff,$200 is a drop in the bucketcompared to what you can spendif you were really motivated.So, there are a few thingsgoing for the Razer Huntsman V2.So, you do have access toeasily swap out your key caps.So, if all you're lookingfor is to buy a nice,pre-built keyboard, andmaybe you wanna tweak itwith a couple of additional key caps,you can do that very easily.But the real advantage, in my opinion,with building a keyboard isto fully make it your own.The build quality, thefit and finish, the sound.You can do so much to, notonly change the switchesin the actual board,but also every minute detail along the wayto make sure it'sexactly the way you want.Now, I'm not gonna lie to youand say that this is an easy process.And, again, I've only really built, like,one keyboard in the pastbut I also am very enthusiasticabout using keyboards.I love it and it's somethingthat I want to learn more aboutso, for this video, youcan almost kind of treat meas like the average enthusiastwho wants to get into thiswho's just trying to decide,"Should I go out and buy the pre-built,which is well-reviewed,is very solid,that I'll be very happy with,or should I strike out on my own?Walk into the wild, dark abyssof not knowing how to do it yourselfand come out the otherside a changed man?"Only one way to find out.- This is where I getto judge your tastes.- I'm not gonna be judged byanyone who is wearing that hat.So, I'm just saying, ifyou're wearing that hat,I am not gonna accept your judgment.My base is, the tried and true, Drop CTRL.I acknowledge that this is, maybe,not the world's mostimpressive base but hear me out.It was the only thing thatI could actually get in stockthat was not months backordered.Let's take a look at the keyboardthat I have to work with.Starting out with my Drop CTRL.So, this is the base of my keyboard.Now, importantly, this isexactly what I was looking forwhen it comes to the TKL layout,which is my preferred way of typing.You'll see it's really, very, very basic.So, it is all metal.Sounds a little hollow.- That's my biggestcomplaint with it.- So these are my Kailh Copper switches.So, these are specificallythe Speed copper.Now, I ordered thesebecause, as a budding keyboard enthusiast,I relied on my good buddy, Bing,to tell me what would be goodand Bing said these are great.(Ken laughing)- Wait, hold on.Hold on, hold on.So, you, Austin Evans.- Yep.- Tech YouTuber.- Yes, that's me.- Who has a lot of friends.- Lots of friends.- You know, in the creator space.- I didn't call any of them.- Yes, that they've definitely builta lot of keyboards before.Did you not think to...- No,because, Ken, I'm trying tomake this an informative videoand not everyone canjust call up randomfrankpand ask for his opinion.- But they can watch him.- I'm not gonna watch videos.You think I've been doingdo research for this?I used the power of AI toguide me to the promised land.So, these are my switches.- Oh, those actually sound pretty nice.- It's pretty good, right?- So, Speed switches?- Speed.- Yeah, yeah, Speed.- I am Speed.- Uh, actu-- I'm Lightning McQueen.I'm Speed.- The actuation is higher upso the press happens way higher.Are you lubing any of these switches?- Oh.- Are you lubing switches?- How funny you mentionedthat that is actually going to happen.So I've got myself some Krytox 22,I read it upside-down, 205.The very famous lubricantthat Bing told me was popularand that I've heard of beforeso I know it must be good.And I got an entire randomkit of tools off of Amazon.- I'm surprisedyou're not using Vaseline.- I...That's the scuffed version of this video.This is not building akeyboard on hard mode.If I was doing that, I would be solderingbut soldering is scarybecause hot and it smokes a little bitand I don't like solderingbecause I'm not very good at it.But instead, if I wanted to,say, install this switch,it'd be very straight forward.All I would need to do is line it upand then I just go.(switch pops)Boom.And then, if I had a keycap, which I don't have here,I just do this.I've got my keyboard deck,I have wide variety of Speed switches,I also have my lubricant,but what I'm missing isall the other accoutrementto complete this set up.Which is where the key caps come in.These are black and white,super high-quality key caps.Well, I would say, not amassive fan of the font.It looked a little different online.So, it's a very, sort of, complex shapewhen you look at it from the top.So, it's kind of scooped upand then it's very much, sortof, like, a scoopy little boywhere, you know, you...It captures your fingertipand it's just like.So, I've got all of my key caps here,but wait.Oh, wait.Oh, I'm stupid.Oh, I don't have all my keycaps 'cause there's one more.The piece de resistance, my friend.- The piss?- That's whatI heard too. (laughs)- The piece...(Ken and Joanna laughing)The piece.Piece de resistance.Behold, my friends, the one key capthat is going to pull thisentire build together.Oh, okay.- Is this how you proposed to Karen?- Yes, with a little Squirtle key cap.Look how cute that is.Look how cute that is.Now, is the most expensivesingle item in this video?Oh, I think it was.And did this take weeks andweeks to show up from Etsy?It sure did.But, this is such a cool thing.So, you can see, if you get really close,it is a full 3D little Squirtleon, what looks to be, like, I don't know,like, the ocean floor or something.So, I believe it's allacrylic and oh my god.- Okay, so, howmuch did that cost you?- Don't worry about it.Let's try this guy out.Let's try this guy out.And now.Oh, look at that.I'm basically done.But, one thing I'm missing,and as everyone knows,if your keyboard is not ondesk mat, you're not a gamerand you're gonna be asked to leave,which is why I have purchased this.It is a Bitwit.Bitwit.Noted friend of the channel,Kyle Bitwit.(indistinct)His name is Mr. Bitwit.Fun fact, last time I hung out with Kylehe had to give me a ridebecause I got my car towed.So, I paid him back bybuying one of his desk mats,which are available at thelink in the descriptionat Bitwit.tech.He didn't give me a discount though.I paid the full price for this.In all seriousness though, ifyou're gonna go as in-depthas building your own keyboard,you should try to put iton some kind of slightly softer surface.Ooh, that's nice.Look at that.Now, my friends, it'stime to cue the musicand begin the keyboard building montage.(intense music)Let me show you how toproperly lube a switch.Take it from a guy who learnthow to do this 10 minutes ago.So, I have this little jig,little form, little templateto pop my switch out.So, I'm just gonna line it upand then just push itand it comes loose.So, there are a few piecesinside of the switch.So, there's the outer plastic piece,there's the little stemmy guy,there's a spring andthen there is the base.This is the actual where the metal touchesto form the actual connection.So, gonna do this is I'mgonna get a little bit of lubeon my tiny brush.So, I'm gonna just lube aroundthat little center post.Now, I'm going to lube the spring'cause, obviously, Iwant it to be springy.Got my spring, and next,I'm gonna do my little stem.My stab, my, I don't, not surewhat I'm supposed to call it.Gonna reassemble this,making sure that I don't do it backwards'cause I did that the first timeand accidentally got my keystuck and it wouldn't open.And then, the whole thingsgoes together like this.And now I will go ahead andinsert it into my keyboard.I am doing the less important keys firstso in case I learn that I wantway more lube or something,I can still tweak it and tune the onesthat are actually important.But if I line this up, there we go.Oh, that's not bad.I've got six down and 81 to go.Think what that means is I'll see tomorrowwhen I'm done lubing all my switches.(standby noise)Behold, my friends.The ultimate keyboard experiencefor ultimate aural bliss.Let's plug this inand see it come to lifefor the first time.Woo-hoo.All right, let's get started.Okay, ready, and.Woo.I will say, man, that space bar sounds bad.Ugh, okay.I'm happy with how this wentbut, if I were to do it again,or if I had some more timeand, maybe, a few extra bucks,there's some changes I would make.But I'm not gonna tell Ken any of that.Oh, hello there.Hi, friend.Have you come to see what the futureof keyboard gaming is like?So, I'm still preparing butif you'd like to take a look,I can give you a tour right now.- Okay.- So, here's the one-size-fits-all option.It's a Razer thing.You can try it, not important.Or, you could experience theworld's most unique keyboard,specifically designed by a true artistknown as Austin Cornelius Evans.- That's not my name.- That's your middle-(indistinct)- I just made that up but it sounded funnyand I'm just gonna confidently continueto talk directly into the camera.- I haven't looked at theHuntsman in a long time,and I certainly haven't tried the V2but oh, that does sound pretty good.- Yeah, if you're a plebwho just wants to use a regular keyboard.- That space bar is a littlebetter than it was before too.- You know what?No, I don't think that's...I think you just need morecharacter in your space bar,which is why I haveengineered my space barto be full of character and-- Okay, okay, okay.- Yeah, go ahead.- We're gonna go down.- Okay.(keyboard clicking)- Oh, yeah.It's creamy, I like it.- It's the first time I've heard that.- Very creamy.(keyboard clicking)(space bar clicking loudly)- That's my character.So, see, I'm, personally, a fanof when I hit the space bar,I want you to know it.I want everyone in the room to know it.- You didn't work on the stabs.- Go ahead, go ahead.- When you try and compare these-- I've got the Typings.gg up.Feel free to type away andexperience some aural bliss.- I need a wrist rest.(keyboard clicking)No, no.Okay.The rattling reverberates so muchthat it messes- Character.- with my head a little bit.Like, I think you did good with everythingthat didn't have stab in it.I'll give you that.- Yeah, I didn't know what stabs were.- I could tell.But luckily enough, ifyou really did wanna goand improve this to use it daily,you actually can just go on Amazon.Here, like, these are ones that I bought.The Durock V2 because they were availablefor next day shipping.Literally, I mounted thisto my board, which I,to be fair, I don't know whatkind of stabs are in here,specifically because it's been a whilebut I think you can actuallyput these in the controlor, at least, some kindof alternative stab.- Yeah, you've experienced aural bliss.Why don't you try the Razerand give your thoughts on that?- So, here's the thing.There is some pinging butit's not as bad as yours.While this might not be thebest purchase for 200 bucks,if this is cheaper thanthe board that you built,I'd still get this one.- Well, it's cheaper anyway (indistinct)- Hold on, hold on.Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.We have some added value.You just doubled thevalue of that keyboard.- With that super cool Squirtle switch.If we were to have this conversation five,maybe even three, years ago,I think pre-built keyboards were decentbut the thing is, they'vegotten so much better.So speaking of-- Like this one.- Oh, dude.- So, this is the Nuphy Halo 75.I almost forgot the nameof it 'cause I haven't-- There's a lot of Nuphy keyboards.- There are a lot of Nuphy keyboardsbut this guy is absolutely nuts.So, we spent about 150, 160 bucks on this.It's pre-built.This thing sounds amazing andit's all done in the factory.Lubing, like, all of thestabs are perfect, like.- Even the print quality of the key capsof, like, the letteringand stuff looks so nice.- Nuphy is on a whole othergame with their keyboards.Look, here, here.Listen to this, right.(keyboard clicking)- It's so good.So what's your opinion then?Do you think it's betterto buy or to build?- If you're willing to commit to researchand really finding what your preference isand, maybe, a littlebit of trial and error.- And thousands of dollarson buying random things- Not necessarily.- On Kickstarterthat may or may ever show up.- Not necessarily.I think that you can builta pretty decent keyboardfor less than 200 bucksbut you have to make somecompromises along the wayand you also need to do some research.- Less than how much?200 bucks?- 200 bucks.Is this more than 200 bucks?300 bucks?