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Once you delve into the world of keyboards, it quickly becomes apparent that not all keyboards are made equal. Each one has a different feel, sound profile, and ideal use case. So, you might wonder, can I use one of those fancy gaming keyboards, like the Razer BlackWidow, for work? Is there any downside to using a more expensive keyboard for less intensive tasks? Let’s examine this question in-depth.

What’s the Difference Between a Gaming Keyboard and a Regular One?

There is functionally no difference between a keyboard marketed for gaming and one marketed for office tasks. Different companies will market different types of keyboards as “gaming-oriented” with no regard for the inner machinations of the device. Thus, you’ll find all kinds of keyboards marketed toward gamers, even though the device itself may not be functionally different from a standard Amazon Basics keyboard.

The real difference is in the keyboard’s internal mechanics. Is it a membrane keyboard or a mechanical one? Mechanical-feeling? Rubber dome? There are tons of different types of keyboard mechanisms on the market and you’ll learn more about the keyboard itself when looking at those specifications than you will when looking at which ones are marketed for gamers.

For more information about the difference between membrane and mechanical keyboards, check out my deep-dive into the functional differences between these two keyboard mechanisms.

Can You Use a Gaming Keyboard for Work?

Nothing is stopping you from using a keyboard for whatever tasks you want to do with it. The police are not going to come and arrest you for using a gaming keyboard for work. It can even be helpful for your health if you suffer from a mobility disorder of the hands like Carpal Tunnel. The only downside for using a gaming keyboard for work is that keyboards marketed to gamers are typically significantly more expensive. Even when comparing “mechanical for work” to “mechanical for gaming,” there’s a price increase when the device is “designed” for gaming.

If you want a mechanical keyboard for work, I recommend looking for one that isn’t marketed to gamers. There’s not that much difference between a mechanical keyboard marketed to typists and one marketed toward gamers. So, saving a few bucks by buying one “for” typists instead of gamers isn’t going to result in you losing functionality.