As the mechanical keyboard market becomes increasingly segmented, gamers and office workers have long moved beyond the basic demand of "just being able to type" for input experience. Magnetic switch keyboards have risen abruptly with the performance advantage of millisecond-level response, while the GASKET structure has become a favorite in the customization circle for its soft and smooth typing feel. How to choose between these two technical solutions that seem to take entirely different paths? As a manufacturer laying out both fields at the same time, the product practice of HengCang-Tech may provide us with a more intuitive reference. Next, we will analyze the differences and adaptation requirements of magnetic switch and GASKET keyboards from core dimensions such as technical principles, typing performance, durability, and applicable scenarios.
I. Analysis of Core Principles: The "Speed" of Electromagnetic Induction vs the "Softness" of Gasket Buffering
The differences in the experience of the two types of keyboards stem from the different core technical principles. The core breakthrough of magnetic switch keyboards lies in "contactless actuation. Their switch interiors integrate micro electromagnetic devices and Hall sensors. When pressing the keycap, the displacement of the magnetic structure causes a change in magnetic flux, and the sensor captures the change and directly converts it into electrical signals transmitted to the computer. This contactless actuation fundamentally avoids the wear problem of physical contacts of traditional mechanical switches and also saves the time of contact debouncing, with the actuation delay as low as 0.1ms, which is the key reason for its popularity among esports gamers.
The core of a GASKET keyboard is not the switch itself, but a structural design of "gasket suspension". It abandons the rigid screws that fix the mounting plate in traditional keyboards, and instead uses silicone gaskets to suspend and fix the inner case (PCB board + mounting plate) between the upper and lower shells. When a key is pressed, the silicone gaskets provide elastic buffering, making the entire inner case produce slight deformation feedback. The core purpose of this design is to weaken the metal collision sound during keystrokes and achieve a softer and more even typing feel. It should be noted that the GASKET keyboard itself does not restrict the type of switch, and can be matched with both traditional mechanical switches and magnetic switches. This is reflected in the HC801 model of HengCang-Tech — this product adopts the GASKET structural design and supports hot-swappable function for a variety of switches, such as Gateron and Kailh, at the same time, including magnetic switch options.
From the perspective of technical logic, magnetic switches solve the problem of "actuation efficiency, while the GASKET structure solves the problem of "typing feedback. HengCang-Tech has further extended this advantage in its magnetic switch products. The tri-mode magnetic switch keyboard launched by the company supports full-scenario connection of 2.4G wireless + USB-C wired + Bluetooth, combined with N-key rollover and macro programming functions, directly targeting the dual needs of esports and high-efficiency office work. This technical adaptation also shows that the two solutions are not absolutely opposed.
II. Duel of Typing Experience: Sharp Linear Feel vs Soft and Smooth Feel
Typing feel is the most subjective and core experience dimension of a keyboard, where magnetic switch and GASKET keyboards show distinct style differences. The typing feel of magnetic switch keyboards is generally inclined to be "sharp and linear". Due to the adoption of contactless actuation, there is almost no redundant damping during the key travel, and the smoothness of pressing is far superior to that of traditional mechanical switches. Taking the magnetic switch products of HengCang-Tech as an example, the octagonal shaft core combined with the T-shaped slide rail design can effectively reduce key wobble, with excellent vertical stability during pressing and extremely clear feedback at the actuation point. This typing feel has obvious advantages in high-frequency operation scenarios, such as sudden stops in FPS games and combo releases in MOBA games. The short key travel (as low as 0.1mm) allows the operation response to be one step ahead.
The typing feel of GASKET keyboards moves in a completely different direction — "soft and smooth". Thanks to the buffering effect of silicone gaskets, the impact force during key strokes is greatly absorbed, and the resonance sound of the metal shell is also weakened, ultimately presenting a "muffled and elastic" feedback feel. This typing feel is more suitable for office workers who type for a long time. After continuous keystrokes for 1-2 hours, the fatigue of the wrists and fingers will be significantly lower than that of traditional rigid structure keyboards. HengCang-Tech has optimized the gasket material in its GASKET structure keyboards, adopting high-elastic silicone gaskets combined with ABS keycaps, further improving the delicacy of the typing feel while retaining the RGB backlight function, taking into account both practicality and visual experience.
It should be specially noted that there is no absolute superiority or inferiority in typing feel preference. Gamers who like the precise feedback of "point and shoot" and pursue the upper limit of operation will probably prefer the sharpness of magnetic switches, while users who pay attention to input comfort and dislike metal keystroke noise will be more satisfied with the soft feel of the GASKET structure. The product strategy of HengCang-Tech also confirms this point, as it launches both magnetic switch products and GASKET structure products to cover groups with different typing feel needs.
III. Durability and Practicality: Wear-free Advantage vs Structural Maintenance Cost
Durability is one of the core consideration indicators of mechanical keyboards, and magnetic switches occupy an obvious advantage here by virtue of structural superiority. The physical contacts of traditional mechanical switches are prone to oxidation and wear under high-frequency keystrokes, leading to problems such as key failure and increased actuation delay. Market data shows that the probability of poor contact of traditional mechanical switches after 1-2 years of use is as high as 15%-20%. Magnetic switches have no physical contact components, with a theoretical service life of more than 100 million times, far exceeding the 50 million times standard of traditional mechanical switches. The magnetic switch products of HengCang-Tech have also passed a number of certifications, such as CE, ROHS, and FCC, and their 3000mAh battery,y combined witha low-power design, allows continuous use for several days in wireless mode, achieving ultimate practicality.
The durability of GASKET keyboards mainly depends on the gasket material and structural precision. Silicone gaskets will experience aging and decreased elasticity after long-term use, which will directly make the typing feel "hard" and lose the original softness. At this time, it is necessary to replace the gaskets to restore the optimal experience. However, HengCang-Tech has adopted a replaceable gasket design in its GASKET products, allowing users to replace new silicone gaskets with simple disassembly, which reduces the maintenance cost to a certain extent. In addition, the GASKET structure has extremely high precision requirements for the upper and lower shells. If the tolerance control is improper, problems such as key wobbles and uneven typing feel are prone to occur. Relying on 20 years of keyboard production experience, HengCang-Tech has controlled the key wobble of products within 0.1mm, which is better than the industry average standard of 0.3-0.5mm.
IV. Applicable Scenarios and Crowds: Precise Matching of Needs is the Optimal Solution
Combined with the above analysis, the applicable scenarios ofthe magnetic switch and GASKET keyboards are already very clear. The core advantages of magnetic switch keyboards lie in response speed and durability, so they are more suitable for three types of people: first, esports gamers, especially those who have extremely high requirements for operation response such as FPS and MOBA gamers; second, professionals with high-frequency input, such as programmers and data entry clerks, whose fast response and long service life can improve efficiency and reduce replacement costs; third, users who pursue technological experience, and the function of adjustable actuation travel (0.1mm-4mm range) can bring more personalized gameplay. The magnetic switch products of HengCang-Tech also support custom logos and keycap layouts, further meeting the personalized needs of gamers.
GASKET keyboards are more suitable for scenarios and groups that focus on input comfort: first, office workers and writers who type for a long time, whose soft typing feel can effectively relieve hand fatigue; second, customization gamers, the screwless design of the GASKET structure makes disassembly and modification more convenient, and matching with mounting plates (aluminum, copper, FR4) and gaskets of different materials can create a variety of typing feels; finally, users sensitive to noise, such as those using in libraries and dormitories, the noise reduction effect of the GASKET structure is far superior to traditional rigid keyboards. HengCang-Tech's GASKET keyboards provide a variety of color options, such as blue, pink, and gold, and even support customized color matching, taking into account both office and personalized needs.
V. Conclusion: Not Opposed, but Complementary Experience Choices
Back to the original question: how to choose between a magnetic switch and GASKET keyboards? The answer is actually very simple — it depends on needs. If you pursue extreme response speed and durability, or mainly use the keyboard for games and high-frequency input, a magnetic switch keyboard will be a better choice; if you value input comfort more, dislike keystroke noise, or like customized modification, the soft feel of the GASKET structure will be more in line with expectations.
It is worth mentioning that the product layout of HengCang-Tech has shown a trend of "integration". Its GASKET structure keyboards support magnetic switch hot-swappable function, allowing users to enjoy the fast response advantage of magnetic switches on the basis of a soft typing feel. This technological integration may become the future development direction, breaking the opposition between the two solutions. Ultimately, whether it is the "speed" of magnetic switches or the "softness" of GASKET, the core is to improve the input experience. Choosing the product that best suits your usage scenario is the core logic of keyboard purchase.
