IMO Keyboards aren't a good form factor for analog switches and sticks. I think controllers work well with them because you are gripping the controller securely which gives you much more precise control over the exact position of the analog switch. Plus the games that make good use of analog features like driving or flight sims already have specialized controllers built to the correct shape for the type of sim game, so making more expensive keyboards or mice with analog controls would be an extremely niche product when better form factors for those controllers already exist. Answer from Ferro_Giconi on reddit.com
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Mechanical Keyboards
mechanicalkeyboards.com › collections › analog-keyboards
Analog Keyboards
While traditional mechanical switches operate like a light switch with 2 positions (on or off), analog switches detect movement along the whole switch, allowing for more input precision and special features like adjustable actuation point and ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/pcmasterrace › it's almost 2024. why aren't analog keyboard switches more popular?
r/pcmasterrace on Reddit: It's almost 2024. Why aren't analog keyboard switches more popular?
November 17, 2023 -

How is it that we have 540Hz, 4k, and OLED displays, mice with 20k DPI and sub 2ms latency times, graphics cards capable of 100 TFLOPS, console controller compatibility, VR, etc. etc... and we're still basically using the same binary, on/off keyboard input scheme?

The mechanical keyboard space has exploded recently. People over in r/MechanicalKeyboards are paying $300 for high-end keyboards that look amazing, sound cool, and feel great, but which have 2005 technological limitations such as one connection method. Full disclosure, I happen to own a couple of said keyboards and I love them, so not knocking it. Meanwhile, in the GAMERZ XXXXTREME segment of the market, Razer is busy innovating by cramming more LEDs and malware into their keebs, and little else.

Wooting, as far as I know, has been the only game in Analog Town for years now. Their selection is limited and they're struggling to keep up with orders. Why haven't bigger players gotten into this yet? Is it a lack of demand? Wooting's waitlist seems to dispute that.

The Lekker switches they use not only allow for variable input, but also allow adjustment of actuation points. So you can literally decide how sensitive each key will be to pressure without having to swap switches, which would seem solve not one but two shortcomings of traditional keyboards when gaming.

I realize that many gamers who'd want pressure-sensitive input are solving that problem with console controllers, but there are still many games which are commonly played with kb+m that would benefit, such as any RPG that allows you to operate a vehicle. Certain strategy games like Factorio that use WSAD to drive cars and tanks are especially annoying with only on/off key presses. It would also be great for menu navigation instead of the now-ubiquitous long-press.

I realize that we'd also need buy-in from game developers, but the PC gaming community has been able to effect changes with the right amount of interest.

So, in your opinion, is this a stupid concern? Are analog keyboard switches a niche novelty that wouldn't benefit your play style?

Discussions

I just discovered analog keyboard switches. What are your thoughts about it?
realistically it probably makes no difference for OSU cuz everyone bottoms out anyway More on reddit.com
🌐 r/osugame
27
18
May 28, 2022
Analog keyboards with hall effect sensor switches (i.e. Wooting, Apex Pro) are gamechangers and I'm a convert.
So I finally got my Wooting Two HE after a couple months on the wait list and holy shit is this thing incredible to use in FPS gaming. I ordered on a lark thinking the analog tech would be an interesting gimmick but it goes so much further than that. No more deciding actuation distance when you... More on resetera.com
🌐 resetera.com
17
March 2, 2023
Analog keyboard switches?
even if they were a thing you could buy standalone, you most likely couldn't use them anyway since a normal mechanical keyboard PCB isn't made to take analog inputs, only detect whether a switch is pressed or not and letting the signal through. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MechanicalKeyboards
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1
January 25, 2022
There are so many analog keyboards, but people only talk about wooting?
🌐 r/MouseReview
11
4
December 13, 2022
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Razer
razer.com › technology › razer-analog-optical-switch
Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 for Keyboards | Razer United States
With the ability to measure the exact amount of light that goes through the switch stem, Razer™ Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 can detect how far a key is pressed instead of being restricted to a traditional binary input. ... Rapid Trigger Mode allows you to release and repeatedly press keys at a much faster rate than is physically possible on standard keyboards.
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ProSettings.net
prosettings.net › home › blog › analog switches in keyboards explained
Analog Switches in Keyboards Explained - ProSettings.net
October 29, 2025 - A traditional mechanical switch is either 1 (active) or 0 (inactive) with nothing in between. This is okay for some gaming genres, but things like racing games (for example) are rather annoying to play with a keyboard due to this. When racing with a mech keyboard, you’re either full throttle (1) or your ingame foot isn’t even on the gas at all (0). It’s the same for steering: you’re either fully going left (1) or you’re not going left at all (0). Using analog inputs quite simply allows you to have a greater degree of control.
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Wooting
wooting.io › wooting-two-he
Wooting Two HE - Fullsize analog keyboard | Wooting
The two HE will update every analog key position in less than 1ms, every 1ms*. ‍ Engineered without compromises ‍Traditional keyboards adhere to cost saving matrix scanning and hide the negative impact on input speed using dissuasive marketing. The Wooting two HE reads the individual keys and parallel scans them for the lowest possible latency. The Wooting Two HE detects full switch motion with 0.1mm accuracy from start to end.
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Amazon
amazon.com › Razer-Huntsman-Analog-Gaming-Keyboard › dp › B08QTXDBJ8
Amazon.com: Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard: Adjustable Actuation via Analog Optical Switches - Rapid Trigger Mode - Chroma RGB Lighting - Magnetic Wrist Rest - Dedicated Media Keys & Dial - Black : Electronics
Enter a higher dimension of control with the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog—our first analog optical gaming keyboard. Armed with every feature you’d expect from a top-of-the-line design, you’ll want for nothing in your pursuit of victory. With the ability to measure the exact amount of light that goes through the switch stem, Razer Analog Optical Switches can detect how far a key is pressed instead of being restricted to a traditional binary input
Find elsewhere
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epomaker
epomaker.com › collections › analog-keyboards
Analog Keyboards – epomaker
Ultralight Actuation & Lightning-Fast Response The GK61 HE features Hall Effect magnetic switches with fully... ... 8K Polling Rate, Wireless and Wired Dominate the competition with our HE65 Gaming Keyboard featuring... ... Fast Trigger & Zero Dead Zone Achieve unmatched fluidity and precision with the G84 HE... ... Stylish Analog Gaming Keyboard Introducing Magcore65 Lite Analog keyboard that combines the advantage of hall...
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GravaStar
gravastar.com › home › learn › learn
Analog Switches Keyboard | Benefits of Analog Keyboards
October 5, 2025 - An analog switches keyboard redefines input precision by detecting the full depth of every keystroke rather than treating each press as a simple on-or-off signal. This technology transforms traditional typing into fluid, pressure-sensitive control that adapts to how you play, work, or create.
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GeekHack
geekhack.org › index.php
Analog switches
January 4, 2021 - Analog switches · « previous next » · Print · Pages: [1] Go Down · 0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic. Print · Pages: [1] Go Up · « previous next » · geekhack » · geekhack Projects » · Making Stuff Together! (Moderator: Soarer) » ·
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Logitech
logitechg.com › logitech g › products - logitech › products › pro x tkl rapid
PRO X TKL RAPID Gaming Keyboard | Logitech G
Shop PRO X TKL RAPID Keyboard. Features magnetic-analog linear switches, multi point action, customizable actuation, rapid trigger, RGB lighting, and a durable design
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Amazon
amazon.com › analog-keyboard › s
Amazon.com: Analog Keyboard
Keychron K2 HE Rapid Trigger Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard with Hall Effect Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switch, QMK 2.4 GHz Bluetooth 5.2 RGB Compatible with Mac Windows Linux (Aluminum + Wood) · YUNZII RT75 Rapid Trigger Wired Gaming Keyboard,Hall Effect Magnetic Switch,Adjustable ...
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Wooting
wooting.io › post › the-best-keyboard-switches-for-gaming
The best keyboard switches for gaming | Wooting
December 20, 2021 - ... Analog switches give the greatest flexibility in actuation point, but the availability is limited to a few brands, without the option to install the switches on any (hot-swappable) keyboard you like.
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XDA Developers
xda-developers.com › home › how analog optical switches differ from mechanical switches
How analog optical switches differ from mechanical switches
February 5, 2024 - Mechanical switches have long been ... to wear over time. Enter analog optical switches, which use light to signal a keypress, reducing wear and enhancing responsiveness....
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Asus
rog.asus.com › rog keyboard switches
ROG Keyboard Switches | Switch to a Game Changer
75% split analog gaming keyboard with ROG HFX V2 · Magnetic Switches · 65% analog gaming keyboard with ROG HFX · Magnetic Switches · ROG switches are meticulously designed from the ground up, from actuation force to click ratio, so every keystroke feels unmistakably ROG.
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ProSettings.net
prosettings.net › home › guides › best analog keyboards for competitive gaming in 2025
Best Analog Keyboards for Competitive Gaming in 2025 - ProSettings.net
October 10, 2025 - If you’re looking for the best gaming keyboard you can get right now, the Wooting 80HE should be among the first boards you look at. ... The question then becomes: does the 80HE do enough to set itself apart from that competition? My answer is ‘yes’. When you look at the complete package (switch feeling, implementation of the switches, customization, …) there isn’t any board out there that is objectively better than the Wooting 80HE. ... The 60HE is the board that put analog keyboards on the map.
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Deskthority
deskthority.net › viewtopic.php
DIY analog keyboard - deskthority
I'd be nicer just to add a joystick endpoint to the controller and mimic a controller (XBox360 for kicks). Also, unless you mod them, all known hall effect keyboard switches are threshold based rather than analog, so you'd have to replace the mini-pcb in each one.
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Overclockers UK
overclockers.co.uk › home › blog › gaming › hall effect vs mechanical vs analog keyboard showdown
Hall Effect vs Mechanical vs Analog Keyboard Showdown | Overclockers UK
February 27, 2025 - Featuring pressure-sensitive switches, analog keyboards allow for gradual input control, much like a game controller trigger, making them ideal for racing games and precise movement in shooters.
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ResetEra
resetera.com › discussion › gaming forum
Analog keyboards with hall effect sensor switches (i.e. Wooting, Apex Pro) are gamechangers and I'm a convert. | ResetEra
March 2, 2023 - So I finally got my Wooting Two HE after a couple months on the wait list and holy shit is this thing incredible to use in FPS gaming. I ordered on a lark thinking the analog tech would be an interesting gimmick but it goes so much further than that. No more deciding actuation distance when you...