What's better when it glows? Advantages and Disadvantages of Backlit Keyboards

Types of Keyboard Lighting

There are two types of keyboard backlighting.

1. Illuminating the characters on the keycaps
2. Illuminating each key switch

Basically, both types light up from under the keycaps, but there are significant differences in how they are used.

Advantages of Backlighting Key Characters

The advantage of having backlighting on the key characters is that the characters are easy to see in any environment.

With backlighting, you can recognize the key characters even in the dark, and in slightly dim places like cafes, the backlight ensures that the key characters are clearly visible.

Recently, some keyboards are equipped with ambient light sensors, which automatically dim the lighting in bright places and brighten it in dark places.

At first, you might think, "I don't use the keyboard in dark places," but once you experience the convenience of being able to use it anywhere, you won't want to be without it.

Advantages of Backlighting Key Switches

This is common with gaming keyboards, where the key switches themselves are illuminated.

With this type, the characters on the keycaps also become brighter, but the main advantage is more of a gimmick: the lighting can synchronize with your typing.

With illuminated key switches, you can create various effects depending on the settings. The backlight can wave or flash according to the keys you type, making typing feel like a rhythm game, which is enjoyable and makes typing more fun.

Additionally, keyboards from gaming gear manufacturers like Razer have features that synchronize with in-game effects. This function makes the keyboard lighting react in preset colors to in-game actions such as attacks or taking damage, enhancing the sense of immersion in the game.

Disadvantages of Keyboards with Backlighting

High Price

Keyboards that simply have illuminated key characters are not very expensive, but backlit keyboards with illuminated key switches tend to have more features and therefore a higher price.

Despite this, many people find that the fun is only at the beginning, and once they get used to it, the backlight effects feel surprisingly unnecessary. Unless you are truly particular about gaming or similar uses, the backlight function might be considered just a "bonus."

Can Become "Light Harassment" and Annoy Others

When using a keyboard with backlit key switches, depending on the lighting settings, it can become "light harassment," where the flickering lights annoy those around you.

In most cases, you can avoid this by setting the backlight to a lower brightness, but if you hardly use the lighting, you might feel there is no point in choosing a keyboard with backlight effects in the first place.

While this is usually not a problem for gaming in your own room, in places with many people such as offices or cafes, it is better to use a regular keyboard.

Choosing a Non-Illuminated Mechanical Keyboard Is Also an Option

Most mechanical keyboards come with backlighting, but intentionally choosing a "non-illuminated" mechanical keyboard is also a good option.

Keyboards without backlighting have lower component costs, so the product price is also lower, and you do not have to worry about bothering anyone with the backlight.

When using a keyboard in a bright office, the keycap characters are sufficiently visible even without backlighting, and for those who can touch-type perfectly, there is no benefit to illuminated key characters in the first place.

For such people, a simple and chic "non-illuminated" mechanical keyboard is also a good choice.