How To Pick The Best Mice and Keyboards

Your keyboard and mouse are two of the most important components that you will purchase for your new PC setup. They are what allow you to interact with your PC and control your computer from your desktop.

With so many mice and keyboards on the market, it can be difficult to decide which to purchase. In this article, you will learn about some of the key features you should look for when choosing both a mouse and a keyboard.

Comfort

The first feature that you’ll want to consider when picking out your new computer mouse is how comfortable it is. Since you will be using your mouse all day, it’s important that it is comfortable for your hand and doesn’t cause unnecessary stress to your hands and wrists.

Picking the correct style of mouse can be crucial for maintaining comfort throughout the day. There are two main styles of mouse that you can pick from, standard and ergonomic.

Standard

Standard mice are likely the style that you think of when you picture a computer mouse. Your hand rests flat over the top of them and the buttons are located on the top of the mouse.

While this type of mouse works perfectly fine, it is not the best choice for someone who is constantly working on their computer. Since the mouse is relatively flat, it can be the hands and wrists at an angle that can cause additional stress and strain over time. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and eventually an injury.

Standard keyboards are similar, they are flat to the surface and do not have any extra features to help increase comfort.

These styles are the cheapest that you can buy and are typically available online and in every electronics store.

Ergonomic

Ergonomic computer mice and keyboards are a better choice for anyone that uses their computer for several hours every day. 

They come in many different shapes and sizes however the goal with all of them is to reduce wrist and hand strain. They do this by positioning the hand and wrist at an angle that does not reduce stress. 

By choosing an ergonomic mouse and keyboard you will be able to work longer each day without developing wrist pain.

The downside to choosing an ergonomic style is that they are rarely available in-store. This means you will likely need to order one online without testing it out first.

Keyboard Switches

An important feature that is specific to keyboards is keyboard switches. Keyboard switches are small devices that go under every key and allow you to actually type on your keyboard.

There are three types of keyboard switches that you can purchase, silicone domes, scissor, and mechanical switches.

Silicone dome switches are the least expensive type of switch. They are also the slowest and require the most pressure to be activated. They are typically the switches that are automatically installed in commercially produced keyboards.

Scissor switches are one step up from silicone dome switches. They are slightly more expensive but are more responsive and quieter than silicone dome switches. They are a great middle of the ground option for most keyboard users. 

Mechanical switches are the most expensive type of keyboard switch that you can purchase. These are almost exclusively used by gamers and high-volume typists. They are made out of metal, offer an incredibly fast response time, and need very little pressure to be activated. 

Movement Sensors

Movement sensors are an important part of every mouse. They are what allow the mouse to detect when the user is moving it. There are two types of sensors that you’ll find, LED sensors and Laser sensors.

LED sensors are the cheaper of the two options. They use an LED light along with a small photoimaging device to take thousands of pictures of the surface the mouse is on. When the device detects a difference in the images it knows that the mouse has moved.

Laser sensors work the same way, except they use a high-tech laser instead of an LED light. This allows the mouse to have more precision and a faster response time. However, they are significantly more expensive than a standard LED sensor.

Key Takeaways

When you are purchasing a new mouse and keyboard, there are several factors that you should consider before making a decision.

These factors are:

• The comfort
• Keyboard switches
• Movement sensors (Mice)

Understanding how each of these factors will affect the functionality of your device will allow you to pick the best mouse and keyboard for your unique needs.