Gaming Keyboard Myths: What’s Fact and What’s Fiction?

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Today I woke up and thought, I’m going to play Madden while listening to the news of the day on a podcast in the morning, and while listening, I heard the second sentence: “Those who play on a keyboard aren’t gamers?” or don’t even like video games, and then I thought, “There’s a good topic for the website.”

As someone who has typed on everything from those clunky early-2000s keyboards to today’s RGB-packed mechanical beasts, I’ve seen it all. And guess what?

A lot of what people say about gaming keyboards is just plain wrong. My goal today is to break down the biggest myths out there so you don’t get fooled.

Trust me, if you’re into gaming or even just typing a lot, this is one article you can’t afford to skip.

By the way, if you’re reading this and using a keyboard right now — what kind is it? Drop a comment below and let me know! 😄

Before this article, here’s a related post that might interest you: The Psychology of Typing: Why We Prefer Certain Keyboards

Myth #1: Mechanical Keyboards Are Always Better for Gaming

Let’s start with the myth that everyone seems to repeat like it’s gospel: mechanical keyboards are the best for gaming.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I personally love a good mechanical keyboard, especially ones with clicky Blue switches. But that doesn’t mean they’re the best for everyone.

There are gamers who prefer membrane keyboards because they’re softer on the fingers, especially for marathon sessions. Others go for optical switches for faster actuation speeds.

Mechanical boards might offer better tactile feedback, but if you’re just playing casual games, will you really notice the difference?

Here’s the deal: “better” is subjective. What works for me might not work for you. So instead of believing the hype, test out different switches and see what feels right.

If you’re curious about the difference between mechanical and optical keyboards, check out this deep dive I wrote: Mechanical vs Optical Keyboards: Which One Is the Future?

Also, Wikipedia has a good explanation of mechanical keyboard switches.

Myth #2: RGB Lights Make You a Better Gamer

Oh man, I laugh every time I see this one online. There’s a belief out there that RGB lighting will somehow boost your gameplay. Like, what?! Last time I checked, lighting up your keys in rainbow colors didn’t make your reflexes any faster. 😅

Sure, RGB lighting is fun. I’ll admit, I enjoy setting my keyboard to a color that matches my setup. It looks cool, especially in a dark room. But does it make me better at Call of Duty or Fortnite? Absolutely not.

That said, some RGB setups can be practical. If you’re playing a game that uses a lot of keyboard shortcuts, you can assign colors to certain keys for quick reference. But let’s be real: that’s a feature, not a performance booster.

Want to see some actually useful gaming keyboard features? Check this article I wrote about Why Some Keyboards Have Extra Keys.

Myth #3: High Polling Rate = Better Performance

Here’s another tricky one: higher polling rates mean better gaming. While it’s true that a 1000Hz polling rate sends data to your computer more frequently than, say, 125Hz, the actual difference is barely noticeable for most gamers.

I used to believe that the higher the number, the better the keyboard. But honestly, unless you’re a competitive esports pro, you probably won’t feel the difference between 500Hz and 1000Hz.

Instead of chasing numbers, focus on overall build quality, switch type, and comfort. Those will actually affect your gameplay far more than polling rate.

For a deeper breakdown of what actually matters in competitive settings, you might want to check: The Role of Keyboards in Competitive Esports.

Also, here’s an informative external article from Rtings.com about keyboard latency.

Myth #4: More Expensive Means Better

Here’s where I got burned when I started: I thought the more I paid, the better the keyboard had to be. Wrong. Some expensive keyboards are all show and no go. You’re paying for the brand, the RGB, the premium casing — not always for better performance.

I’ve tested $200 keyboards that didn’t feel nearly as good as some budget-friendly $50 mechanical boards. It all comes down to features, design, and how it feels to YOU. Don’t get caught up in the price tag.

Check out my ranking article that exposes some overrated keyboards: The Most Overrated Keyboards of 2025

If you’re really into this myth, you might also like: Do Expensive Keyboards Really Make a Difference?

Myth #5: Gaming Keyboards Are Only for Gamers

This one’s a personal favorite. People always assume that if you’re using a gaming keyboard, you must be a hardcore gamer. But let me tell you something — I use my gaming keyboard more for writing than for gaming. And I love it.

The truth is, gaming keyboards are often just really well-made keyboards. They’re durable, responsive, and customizable. That makes them great for writers, coders, designers, and even musicians.

Don’t believe me? Check this one out: The Best Keyboards for Different Professions

Quick List: Most Common Gaming Keyboard Myths

Here are more myths I’ve heard (and debunked):

You must use linear switches to be good at FPS games ❌
Wireless gaming keyboards are always slower ❌
You can’t mod gaming keyboards ❌
Only PC gamers should use mechanical boards ❌
You need a wrist rest for every keyboard ❌
Custom keyboards can’t be good for gaming ❌
Backlighting kills battery life instantly ❌
Gaming keyboards are louder than office keyboards ❌
Anti-ghosting means no input errors ever ❌
Mechanical switches wear out in a year ❌

Want more myth-busting? Here’s another full article I wrote: The Biggest Keyboard Myths Debunked

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Final Thoughts: Think Before You Buy

I’m all about making smart choices when it comes to tech. There’s so much misinformation out there, and it’s easy to fall for it. I’ve been there. I’ve spent more than I should have. I’ve bought the “coolest looking” keyboard instead of the one that fit my needs.

But that’s why I write articles like this — so you don’t have to make the same mistakes. It’s okay to want a keyboard that looks great, but make sure it feels great too. Do your research. Read reviews. And always question the hype.

I find it funny that some people make mistakes when they say things that aren’t true. In reality, I think that people who play with keyboards are perhaps more of a “gamer” than those who buy a controller, which isn’t wrong. Anyway, these are things that people who play games have to deal with.

👉 If you liked this article, don’t forget to share it, leave a comment below telling me your current keyboard setup, and check out more posts at Keyboards Technology!

Looking for more fun and informative reads?

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And here’s a great external read from Tom’s Hardware on keyboard features.