Tech
Why I refuse to buy a wireless keyboard with a built-in battery
All of my most recent wireless keyboards have built-in lithium batteries. At first, this seemed like a step-up, but it turns out that when we’re talking about peripherals, there are plenty of reasons to prefer good old removable AA batteries.
Why built-in lithium batteries feel riskier than they should
Let me be upfront and say that modern lithium battery implementations are very safe. However, at the same time, we have to be real and acknowledge that lithium batteries are also the most volatile battery chemistry in the gadgets we buy. I’ve personally experienced lithium battery flame outs in the RC helicopter hobby, which is why I charge my LiPos in a special flame bag. All those phones and hoverboards flaming out over the years are also a real thing that happened.
Not to mention, I’ve had the pleasure of having a laptop battery swell up so much that it popped my wife’s Dell gaming laptop touchpad out of the chassis.
So I think it’s not exactly paranoid to worry about the lithium battery inside the metal frame of my mechanical keyboard, even though for a good quality product the odds are admittedly quite small. In fact, some keyboard makers like Nuphy have addressed these concerns directly, outlining how its keyboards have additional protection against issues like swelling and other malfunctions.
7/10
- Form factor
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ANSI 60%
- Backlight
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RGB-LED
- Keycaps
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Double-shot PBT
- Supported operating systems
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macOS/Windows/Linux/Android/iOS
AA-powered keyboards have proven long-term reliability
Whether you think AA (or AAA) battery keyboards are a bit old school or not, there’s no arguing that these keyboards have legs. All of my Logitech keyboards that use AA or AAA batteries are still trucking after many years. Obviously, the keyboard itself needs to be good quality, but a device is only as good as the weakest component that can’t be replaced.
Batteries wear out, at least when it comes to current battery technology. I think it’s especially important when we’re talking about mechanical keyboards, where a major selling point is that you can maintain them indefinitely by replacing worn keycaps and switches. While the battery removal process for my Keychron K8 Pro doesn’t seem too daunting, it’s miles away from simply popping open a cover and sliding in a few new batteries.
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With alkaline or even NiMH batteries, you don’t have to worry about swollen cells or volatile chemistry. Even the old issue of AA batteries leaking has essentially been solved with modern battery design. It’s been more than a decade since I’ve seen an AA or AAA battery leak.
Not every keyboard with a built-in lithium battery will let you replace it. It might not be accessible or removable without risk of damage to it or the keyboard. In many cases it won’t be a battery that you can buy, since it might be a custom shape or size. Either way, it would be a shame to throw away an otherwise functional keyboard—one you presumably like—just because the battery is done for.
AAs offer practical advantages for everyday wireless use
I’ve made similar arguments about the use of AA batteries in game controllers like those made for the Xbox consoles, but it’s always faster to simply switch to a fresh set of batteries than recharging an internal one. Ironically, it’s because keyboards have to be charged so infrequently that a low battery always seems to take me by surprise.
The thing is, the shelf life of AA batteries is so long these days that you can do what I do and just keep a box of them in a drawer somewhere. If you have concerns about how eco-friendly alkaline batteries are (they aren’t), then you have the option of using rechargeable AA batteries. This gives you the best of both worlds. You don’t have to worry about a built-in battery failing, and you still get all the perks of charging the same set of batteries over and over again. As long as you charge your alternate set up, you’ll never be caught out.
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Keyboard makers should bring back or offer AA options
The Apple Magic Keyboard is one of my favorite keyboards of all time, and I can totally understand how the latest models with that thin wedge design don’t have room for removable batteries. But, I also loved my old Magic Keyboard that used them, and it’s not as if that keyboard was thick by any standard! In fact, I quite enjoyed that round “scroll” shape to make room for those batteries and it lifted the keyboard to a nice angle.
When it comes to modern mechanical keyboards, I don’t care if it’s a 75% or tenkeyless model, you have room to implement removable AA batteries. It doesn’t have to be a lithium cell. Giving us the option to use removable batteries means I can still use rechargeable lithiums if I want, or I can swap for something else on a whim.
I understand that it feels like I want keyboard makers to go backwards, but in this one case, I genuinely believe we had it better before. It was more convenient, more flexible, and much less likely to end in tears.
