Wired Keyboards

Enjoy lag-free performance and don’t worry about batteries with a wired keyboard.

Wireless PC peripherals like mice and keyboards have become increasingly popular. That’s understandable given their primary benefit of losing the cables that can make for a messy desktop. However, don’t discount wired keyboards altogether—they can still offer some real advantages.

Do wired keyboards perform better than wireless keyboards?

Wired keyboards have an advantage over their wireless counterparts because of their physical connection to your PC or laptop. That means the input signal from the keyboard gets there faster than it would with most wireless models. The difference isn’t enough for you to notice when typing, but when gaming, every fraction of a second makes a difference. Input lag is a real concern. That’s why so many gaming keyboards are still wired.

The other performance issue that can impact wireless keyboards is signal interference. Whether they use Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz transceiver, signal interference from other devices in the home can impact performance. Using a wired keyboard eliminates any potential interference issues.

What are the advantages of wired keyboards?

Wired keyboards offer faster input than most wireless keyboards, and they are not subject to wireless interference. However, there are other reasons to consider staying with the wires.

One of the biggest is batteries, or more accurately the lack of batteries. A wired keyboard doesn’t use batteries. Wireless keyboards do. That means a wired keyboard never runs into low battery issues and never has to be charged—it’s always ready. This is especially noticeable with RGB backlighting, which can quickly drain battery life on a wireless keyboard. With a wired keyboard, you can enjoy all the RGB effects without having to worry about battery life taking a big hit.

Don’t forget about cost. The more technology you pack into a peripheral, the more expensive its price. With no wireless radio onboard and no battery, wired keyboards tend to be more affordable than their wireless counterparts.

Compatibility is also something you don’t need to worry about with a wired keyboard. They simply plug into a computer’s USB port. Not all PCs are equipped with Bluetooth, so going wireless can mean having to find a model that includes a 2.4GHz transceiver.

Use cable management to minimize the wires

Not a fan of the cable required with a wired keyboard? There are many effective and inexpensive cable management solutions that can be used to keep your desktop tidy and organized. Done right, you won’t even notice the cable is there.