Mechanical Keyboard Holiday Buying Guide 2022

‘Tis the season and giving the gift of keyboards is the best thing, whatever your budget or what you’re looking for. Whether it’s for yourself or a dear one, you have come to the right place.

This post will give you ideas according to your budget. Ideas for fun things, useful things, adventurous things—all the keyboard things! In the world of mechanical keyboards, buying keyboards, switches, keycaps, desk mats is often a pre-order-then-wait-a-few-months type of shopping, but not at Kinetic Labs. In the Kinetic Labs shop, you will only find in-stock items: if it’s listed, it’s available now.

Don’t worry, this post will be helpful even if you’ve never touched a mechanical keyboard before and you have no idea where to start. It’ll help as well if you are an enthusiast shopping for yourself or a beginner. I’ll add some of my favorite things too.

Under $25

Whether you are looking for stocking stuffers or a well thought gift that doesn’t cripple the budget, these suggestions should be well received:

• I love desk mats, I might have a tiny issue with collecting them—to be fair, I’m definitely not the only one! You cannot go wrong with a desk mat. Choose a design whether graphic, minimalist, cute, and a color that will fit the space and style of the person you’re buying for. All Kinetic Labs desk mats are 900 x 400 x 4mm and come rolled in a storing bag. It’s a sizable gift that doesn’t break the bank but is really nice to receive.
• A lubing kit—if you are into mechanical keyboards, you can never have enough lubricant like Krytox 205G0 or Krytox 105 oil, brushes, or films. If you grab one of each, you will make a happy keyboard enthusiast and it will certainly get used.
• Storage—nobody really thinks of buying storage for themselves, but then we all end up with switches and keycaps in sandwich baggies…An assortment of switch containers and keycap containers is a sure value.

Under $50

Some will tell you that keyboards are expensive and fifty dollars won’t get you far in the world of mechanical keyboards—I beg to differ. You can make happy typists with these fifty dollars!

• Switches—a batch of 90x Husky linear switches for people who love linear switches, or a batch of 90x Salmon tactile switches for the tactile switches lovers (those have a bump) is a great gift. These switches are factory pre-lubed which means they are ready to use as is. They come in the cutest packaging designed after their name and a batch of 90 switches is enough to build any keyboard that does not have a numpad. You can also look at the switches selection at Kinetic Labs for all sorts of brands and styles—linear, tactile, clicky, silent, unlubricated, etc.
• Tools—switch puller, keycap puller, stem holder, brushes, or my favorites: the Gateron Switch Opener—we call it the ‘Nutcracker’, the Kelowna Lube Station, the lube palettes, and the precision screwdriver set.
• Modifications—modifying switches is another way to customize mechanical keyboards. We use lubricants and films, but also springs. Spring weight (in grams) is very much a preference, and it’s hard to know what we like and don’t like until we try. A selection of springs along a batch of switches is a thoughtful way to add a layer of fun for your keyboard enthusiast.

Under $100

The great thing about mechanical keyboards is how versatile they are. There are so many things to do to customize them, experiment, play around with sound, aesthetics, feel, etc. Giving a keyboard enthusiast options to have fun with their keyboard is a great way to make us happy.

• Keycaps—perfect to switch things round, we love to have them. In-stock keycaps are rare, it’s usually an item that we all have to buy and wait a long time to enjoy. The keycaps collection at Kinetic Labs is fun, classic yet with a good amount of personality. Every set has the best packaging design, outstanding unboxing experience guaranteed.
• Stabilizers—I would not hesitate to add a set of Durock V2 stabilizers in your shopping cart. It’s nice to have a spare set or a set for a future build.

Under $200

If you have more budget, then you have the opportunity to set your mechanical keyboard enthusiast for their next keyboard build. This is especially true if you know a bit more about their taste and the aesthetics of their space.

• A set of keycaps
• A batch of x90 to x110 switches
• A set of Durock V2 Stabilizers

And these accessories:

• A cable—comes in a variety of colors, will work with any keyboard. A coiled aviator cable is that one touch that completes a set-up.
• A desk mat
• An assortment of lubricants
• Tools
• Switch Films

Over $200

If your budget is large and you are shopping for the ultimate gift of mechanical keyboards, then Kinetic Labs has the perfect gift for your keyboard enthusiast!

• A keyboard kit—the TG67 V2 Hot-swap Mechanical Keyboard Kit is an aluminum metal keyboard in the 65% layout that comes with a choice of five color ways, a polycarbonate plate, and a hot-swappable PCB. It’s classy, versatile and easy to build.

Shopping mechanical keyboards can feel a bit intimidating, but you don’t have to speak mechanical keyboards to find gifts that will make your keyboard enthusiast happy.

Even if you can’t ask them what they’d like to have, this guide has you covered. You can’t go wrong with any of these gifts. Whether you have a small or large budget, have a look around, choose the one gift or combine several.

Oh and don’t hesitate to reach out if you are a bit lost or if you have questions. You can email, live chat from your desktop web browser, or join Kinetic Labs Discord server.

Merry Gift Giving!