Whether you like it or not, RGB keyboards are here to stay. In fact, most keyboards geared toward the gaming market come with RGB lighting, and minimalists might have a hard time looking for one that doesn’t.
If we put aside the market competitiveness of these colorful keyboards, we can turn to a more open-ended question. Does RGB lighting in keyboards serve a functional purpose? Or is it just a light show to attract consumers like a kid to a shiny new toy?
In this article, we take an in-depth look at the omnipresent device that is the RGB keyboard in an attempt to identify their aesthetic and possibly functional aspects.
Quick Facts
| Quick Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| RGB Acronym | Red, Green, Blue |
| RGB Keyboards | Keyboards with customizable backlighting in any color, created by combining red, green, and blue lights in various ratios |
| Customizability | RGB keyboards offer unmatched customization options, allowing users to choose from a wide range of colors and lighting effects |
| Audio Visualizer | Some RGB keyboard software allows binding lighting to specific events, like a music visualizer that changes lighting brightness to match song beats |
| Theming Compatibility | RGB keyboards enable users to match the colors on their keyboard to the rest of their gaming setup, creating a cohesive and visually appealing color scheme |
| Aesthetics vs. Functionality | RGB keyboards primarily serve an aesthetic purpose rather than offering practical functionality. Some users claim that assigning specific colors to certain keys helps locate them faster during gaming, but this is a subjective benefit and not a universal advantage of RGB keyboards. |
| Pricing Consideration | RGB keyboards generally cost more than their non-RGB counterparts, so if pricing is a concern, a similar non-RGB mechanical keyboard could be a better choice if available at a lower price point |
| Controlling RGB Lighting | To control RGB lighting on a keyboard, use the software provided by the keyboard manufacturer, which allows customization of colors, effects, and lighting patterns. Some keyboards also offer built-in controls or hotkeys for basic lighting adjustments. |
Why Is It Called An RGB Keyboard?
When you hear the words ‘RGB keyboard’, your mind probably goes on to show you a keyboard with lights. And that is, for the most part, what an RGB keyboard is. Mind blown, right?
However, it is important to note that the word RGB is an acronym for red, green, and blue. Together, these three colors are said to make up the entire colorspace. So, you can get any color you want just by combining these colors in different ratios.
Therefore, an RGB keyboard is one that does not just light up, but lights up to any color you want. This also means that your simple white backlight, often found on laptops and cheap keyboards, does not count as an RGB keyboard.
RGB Keyboard Features
RGB keyboards do not just bring a higher price point for the same keyboards to the table. They actually come with a lot of features that their non-flashy counterparts simply cannot offer.
Customizability
Since these keyboards support a whole range of the colour spectrum, the customization offered by RGB keyboards is simply unmatched. Even the biggest haters of RGB peripherals cannot deny this point.
Most of these keyboards also have zone-divided, per-key options, which means you can set different parts of the keyboard to light up in different colors. You can also choose from different lighting effects like varying levels of brightness over time to really set your light show apart from the rest.
If that is not enough, most RGB peripheral software allows you to bind lighting to specific events on your PC. As an example, you could have a music visualizer right on your keyboard with the lighting brightness varying to match those song beats!
Theming Compatibility
Mechanical keyboards, most of which now include RGB lighting, are a billion-dollar industry. According to research, most of this market capital also happens to be sourced by gamers. You can take a look at this research here.
Everyone knows that most gamers treat their gaming PC setups better than their own bodies (one could argue that this isn’t really a good benchmark, given the state of their physical health). As such, they are ready to buy expensive PC parts just to make their setups look good.
RGB keyboards offer amazing theming compatibility. By matching the colors on your keyboard lights to those on the rest of your setup (yes, RGB is everywhere!), you can easily achieve a decent level of cohesion to a pretty color scheme on your hardware.
Gaming communities online are full of pictures of such color-coordinated setups (and they definitely look amazing). Pair a PC like this with good lighting in the room, and even a gym freak can be made to spend considerable time around your PC build.
So, Aesthetics or Functionality?
As you can infer from the discussion on their features above, RGB lighting can not really be claimed to offer higher practicality as compared to lightless, serious-looking mechanical keyboards.
The features offered by RGB keyboards are literally centered around aesthetics, and deriving additional functionality from extra lights and colors is a bit hard. However, this has not stopped RGB fanatics from claiming to be part of a superior RGB master race.
Some users claim that binding certain keys to certain colors helps them locate them faster in the middle of a game. Certain gaming keyboards, especially on laptops, also cater to this by having different colored keys for WASD.
However, it is probably fair to say that RGB keyboards have very little going for them in terms of functionality. You could find a very specific use case in which the lighting options might help you, but generally, RGB is mostly like a good party trick.
Final Thoughts
RGB keyboards can help you make your dream PC visually appealing, but there is hardly any other gain to make by shelling out extra bucks for a good RGB keyboard. However, you might be able to fix something specific up for yourself from the wide range of customization options.
When deciding between RGB and non-RGB keyboards just consider the pricing. Since RGB keyboards cost more, it is definitely a good idea to buy a similar non-RGB mechanical keyboard if you can find it at a much lower price point than the RGB one.
What are your thoughts on the RGB debate? Do you find yourself appreciating your RGB keyboard on a daily basis? Let us know in the comments below.
RGB Keyboard FAQS
Are RGB keyboards good for gaming?
An RGB keyboard can be suitable for gaming, but its main purpose is aesthetics and customization rather than enhancing gaming performance. It can make your gaming setup visually appealing, but it doesn’t necessarily offer functional advantages over non-RGB keyboards.
What are the RGB lights for in keyboards?
RGB lights in keyboards serve primarily aesthetic purposes, allowing users to customize their keyboard’s lighting with various colors and effects. Some users claim that assigning specific colors to certain keys can help them locate those keys faster during gaming, but this is a subjective benefit.
What is the benefit of RGB keyboards?
The main benefit of an RGB keyboard is its customizability and theming compatibility. It allows users to create unique lighting setups and match the colors with the rest of their gaming gear for a cohesive look. However, in terms of functionality, there is no significant advantage over non-RGB keyboards.
How do I control the RGB light on my keyboard?
To control the RGB lights on your keyboard, you’ll typically need to use the software provided by the keyboard manufacturer. This software will allow you to customize the colors, effects, and lighting patterns for individual keys or zones on the keyboard. Some keyboards also offer built-in controls or hotkeys for basic lighting adjustments without the need for additional software. Always consult your keyboard’s user manual or manufacturer’s website for specific instructions on controlling the RGB lighting.
