Best Hot Swappable Keyboards Review

Want to customize the switches of your mechanical keyboard without having to deal with the whole soldering process? Well, in that case, it’s time to upgrade your standard keyboard to a hot-swappable one.

If you are new to keyboard modding, then finding a good one can be quite difficult. And so, to make it easy for you to find a perfect one for your computer, below is a list of 5 Hot-swappable keyboards that we believe are among the best ones out there. But before moving to that, let’s see what is meant by hot swappable keyboard.

What does hot-swappable keyboard mean?

Hot-swappable keyboards are mechanical keyboards that do not have their switches soldered into the main body. And so you can easily take them out and replace them with different ones. These types of keyboards are usually preferred by those who like to personalize their computers and their gaming equipment.

Best Hot Swappable Keyboards Overview

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
Best Overall Best Overall Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard
  • Connectivity Technology : USB, USB-C
  • Weight: 2.12 lbs.
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Highly Recommended Highly Recommended Redragon K552 Best Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Connectivity Technology : Wired
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs.
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Premium Pick Premium Pick EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 61 Keys Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard
  • Connectivity Technology : USB
  • Weight: 1.32 lbs.
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Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Glorious GMMK Modular Mechanical Keyboard
  • Connectivity Technology : USB-C
  • Weight: 2.5 lbs.
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Best Seller Best Seller Womier K66 Mechanical Keyboard
  • Connectivity Technology : USB-C
  • Weight: 1.61 lbs.
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5 Best Hot-Swappable Keyboards Review

Best Hot Swappable Keyboards

1.Drop CTRL Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard

Hot Swappable Keyboards

★★★★★

Features

  • Connectivity Technology: USB, USB-C
  • Item Dimension: 14.5 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
  • Weight:2.12 lbs.

When talking about great hot-swappable keyboards, the Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard is among the best options out there. One of the main reasons for this is the extent to which this keyboard can be customized.

First of all, it is fully programmable through the Drop QMK firmware configurator. With the help of this, you are able to program the functions of various keys and customize them according to your preference for gaming, working, or just daily use.

Furthermore, as it is a hot-swappable keyboard, you are able to replace the pre-existing switches with the ones that you prefer. And as the keycaps are also switchable, you can remove them and replace them with different ones that suit your aesthetic better. The keyboard also features high-quality RGB LED backlighting, which too can be customized. And so, you can set whatever color combinations, patterns, or designs that you want to shine from behind your key and make using your computer more exciting.

The keyboard itself is well designed with high-quality anodized aluminum, which makes it quite sturdy and gives it a sleek finish. It is also heavy, which makes it more stable and less prone to moving when you use it. The keyboard also stands at a 6-degree angle for your comfort. Furthermore, it has two USB Type-C ports on either side. Due to this, you are able to charge devices like your phone through your keyboard so that you don’t clutter your desk too much.

What We Like?

  •  Customizable RGB backlighting
  • 6-degree incline
  • Solid build
  • Programmable
  • USB connectors on both sides
  • Switch removal tool

What We Didn’t Like?

  • Expensive
  • Only blue switch option available

Final Thoughts

And so, the Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard is among the best hot-swappable keyboards out there as it is highly customizable and lets you replace its switches and keycaps quite easily. Also, it is completely programmable, and you can set the functions of the keys according to your needs. It is also quite durable and has a solid ionized aluminum build. And with its customizable RGB LEDs, it is no surprise why we have placed this keyboard on our list.


2. Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Hot Swappable Keyboards

★★★★★

Features

  • Connectivity Technology: Wired
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs.

If you are looking for a great hot-swappable keyboard on a budget, then one of the best options out there is the Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. The first thing that stands out about this keyboard is its stylish yet minimal design.

If you are looking for a great hot-swappable keyboard on a budget, then one of the best options out there is the Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. The first thing that stands out about this keyboard is its stylish yet minimal design.

Unlike standard black gaming keyboards, this one is white, which gives it a fresh and new look. The keycaps of this keyboard are also white and are specifically designed for RGB lighting, But if they are not your style, then you can easily remove them and replace ones that are more suited to your taste.

Furthermore, the keyboard also features Outemu blue switches, but if you are not a blue switch person, then you can easily take them out and replace them with ones that you like, as this keyboard is a hot-swappable one.

Although you have to make sure that the replacement switches are also Outemu ones as others might be too big to fit into the keyboard. This keyboard also has bright RGB LEDs that show up even if you replace the keycaps with ones that are not designed for RGB.

And while the RGB lights are not customizable, they have 18 different modes, providing you with a wide variety of designs and patterns to choose from. The keyboard itself has a solid, durable build as it is made out of strong metal alloy and has an adjustable keyboard incline for your comfort. Furthermore, it is also quite compact and therefore lets you have more free space on your desk.

What We Like?

  •  Affordable
  • Bright LEDs
  • Stylish
  • Durable build
  • Adjustable keyboard incline
  • Compact

What We Didn’t Like?

  • Outemu specific switches
  • Non-customizable RGB

Final Thoughts

And so, if you are a beginner at keyboard modding and want to start off with a simple and budget-friendly, yet well-functioning keyboard, then the Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is the one for you. With its easy to swap switches and keycaps, simple yet high-quality RGB features, great quality builds, and low price, it is no surprise that we have placed this keyboard on our list for the 5 best hot-swappable keyboards.


3. EPOMAKER Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard

EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 61 Keys Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard

★★★★★

Features

  • Connectivity Technology: USB
  • Weight: 1.32 lbs.

The last hot-swappable keyboard on our list that is well functioning with great features is the EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 61 Keys Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard.

The last hot-swappable keyboard on our list that is well functioning with great features is the EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 61 Keys Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard. First of all, this keyboard comes in five different switch options, due to which you can pick your preferred type. But even if you still want to replace the switches or want to customize your keyboard further, then you can easily do so due to its hot-swap feature.

This keyboard is also quite small and compact, therefore great for helping you save a lot of desk space. But while its small size limits the number of keys on it, as this keyboard is fully programmable, it does not serve as any sort of hindrance for you. And so, you can reprogram the function of various keys and create your own macros or layers for your keyboard. Due to this, the keyboard is able to be more versatile than its size shows to be.

The design of the keyboard is well thought-out as it is water-resistant and dustproof. It also has PBT keycaps which are not only durable but oil resistant and so prevent the letters from fading away after prolonged use. The RGB feature of this keyboard is also exceptional, with 1.68 million lights and hundreds of different downloadable lighting effects, which further help you customize this keyboard to suit your taste.

What We Like?

  •  Water-resistant and dustproof
  • Lots of RGB lighting effects
  • Oil-proof keycaps
  • 5 Gateron Optical switch options
  • Programmable FN key combinations
  • Durable

What We Didn’t Like?

  • Gateron specific switches
  • Short cable

Final Thoughts

The EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 61 Keys Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard is highly customizable as along with being a swappable switch keyboard; it is also completely programmable. The downloadable RGB lighting designs lets you customize this keyboard further. It also has a great design which helps increase its durability by making it water-resistant, dustproof, and oil proof. And along with all of these qualities, it is also not expensive. This is why this keyboard makes our list of the 5 best hot-swappable keyboards.


4. Glorious GMMK Modular Mechanical Keyboard

Glorious GMMK Modular Mechanical Keyboard

★★★★★

Features

  • Connectivity Technology: USB-C
  • Weight: 2.5 lbs.

The first hot-swappable mechanical keyboard on our list that you are sure to love is the Glorious GMMK Modular Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.

The first hot-swappable mechanical keyboard on our list that you are sure to love is the Glorious GMMK Modular Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. One of the best features of this keyboard is its highly customizable RGB LED backlighting that you can set to various cool lighting patterns to suit your aesthetic. Furthermore, you can design your own patterns for the RGB through software that you can download from its website.

When it comes to the hot-swap feature, the keyboard itself features brown switches, but you can easily replace them with your preferred ones using the switch puller tool. The keyboard also comes with a keycap puller too, so that if you wish to customize the keycaps, too, you can easily do that. And as this keyboard has a minimalist design, it provides you with a clean slate for any sort of customization that you might want to do.

This keyboard also comes in 3 different size options, that are, tenkeyless, compact, and full size. And so you are able to pick one that is the most suitable option for you. It is also quite lightweight and therefore travel-friendly. And as it has a floating keycap design, it is also quite easy to clean. It also has a removable USB cable, which, due to its braided design, is quite strong.

What We Like?

  •  Customizable RGB LED backlighting
  • Minimalist design
  • Easy to clean
  • Different size options available
  • Keycap and switch puller tools
  • Lightweight

What We Didn’t Like?

  • Only brown switch option available
  • Cable can unplug easily

Final Thoughts

And so we have placed the Glorious GMMK Modular Mechanical Gaming Keyboard on our list for the 5 best hot-swappable keyboards due to the customizable RGB feature and the easy to replace switches. Furthermore, it is quite lightweight and easy to clean. And its minimalist design makes your customizations stand out even more.


5. Womier K66 Mechanical Keyboard

Womier K66 Mechanical Keyboard

★★★★★

Features

  • Connectivity Technology: USB-C
  • Weight: 1.61 lbs.

Another great hot-swappable mechanical keyboard on our list is the Womier K66 Mechanical Keyboard. While you have an option to pick between blue, brown, or red switches upon your purchase, you can easily replace the switches with other types if you wish to customize them more.

Another great hot-swappable mechanical keyboard on our list is the Womier K66 Mechanical Keyboard. While you have an option to pick between blue, brown, or red switches upon your purchase, you can easily replace the switches with other types if you wish to customize them more.

Also, this keyboard is extremely stylish, featuring a translucent acrylic body filled with RGB LEDs that make it look brilliant when turned on. The keycaps of this keyboard are white, which makes the colors pop, and the integrated RGB lighting, further lets the lights make this keyboard look more magical.

Furthermore, the RGB lights have 18 different lighting effects, and so you have a variety of options through which you can pick one that suits your style the most. Another great quality of this keyboard is that it has flash memory storage that saves the RGB setting that you had on it before turning it off and displays it when you plug your keyboard back in. And so, you don’t have to go through all of the RGB lighting options to set your favorite one back up the next time you use it.

Despite having an acrylic body, this keyboard is quite sturdy with a nice weight to it, making it stable during intense gaming sessions. And as it has a compact design, it lets you save a lot of desk space. Furthermore, its size, combined with the detachable cable feature, makes this keyboard easy to store and carry around.

What We Like?

  •  Great RGB backlighting
  • Stylish
  • Compact
  • Flash storage memory
  • 3 switch options available

What We Didn’t Like?

  • No customizable RGB
  • Not a lot of incline

Final Thoughts

And so, due to its easy-to-use hot-swap feature, great RGB lighting, and stylish build, the Womier K66 Mechanical Keyboard makes it to our list for the 5 hot-swappable keyboards that are well-performing and of great quality. The flash storage memory feature of this keyboard is also quite convenient, and its solid build makes it great for gaming.


Are all keyboards hot-swappable?

No, all keyboards are not hot-swappable. This is because most of them have their switches soldered in the keyboard and so you cannot simply pull them out and pop different ones in their place if you wish to replace them. You would need to first remove the solder connecting the switch to the circuit for it to be released. And then, you need to solder the replacement switch into place using a soldering iron.

Wrapping Up Hot-Swappable Keyboards Review

When it comes to choosing a great hot-swappable keyboard so to further customize your gaming setup, the process can be difficult if you are new to this domain. This is because, along with being a swappable switch keyboard, your keyboard also needs to have great customizable RGB features, a sturdy build, and an ergonomic design. And so, the list above features 5 high-quality hot-swappable RGB keyboards so that you can pick one that fits your needs. And from this list, our top three picks are:

And so, when it comes to hot-swappable keyboards that are highly customizable, have great RGB lighting, are programmable, and durable, these options are among the best you can find.

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