The keyboard is an important part of any laptop. It allows you to interact with the device and input information. Without a keyboard, you would not be able to use your laptop. Therefore, you always need to protect your keyboard from damage.
Think about it. You’re working on your laptop, and you accidentally spill coffee all over the keyboard. Not only is your keyboard now wet, but the coffee has also seeped into all of the cracks and crevices. This can cause your keyboard to short out and stop working.
Or maybe you have a young child who likes to put their sticky fingers all over your laptop keyboard. Again, the keyboard is now dirty, but there is also a risk of the child damaging the keys.
Many people who are familiar with these kinds of situations choose to use keyboard covers to protect their laptop keyboards. But are keyboard covers worth it?
In this article, I am going to discuss all the pros and cons of keyboard covers, and by the end of this article, you should know if keyboard covers are worth it or not. So, keep reading the article to the end.
Keyboard covers are a thin layer of material that is placed over the keyboard of a laptop or computer. Keyboard covers are made from a variety of materials, including silicone, neoprene, and vinyl. They are available in a range of colors and can even be personalized with images or text.
Keyboard covers are an inexpensive way to protect your keyboard and can help prolong your keyboard’s life. There are also keyboard covers specifically designed for gaming, which can help to improve your performance by providing a better grip and more cushioning for your wrists.
Most people use keyboard covers because it is an easy way to keep keyboard keys looking and feeling new.
Advantages of keyboard covers
Below are a few advantages of keyboard covers:
1. Protect your keyboard from minor spills and dust
This is one of the main reasons people use keyboard covers. They act as a barrier between your keyboard and the outside world and can help to prevent spills and dust from damaging your keyboard.
For example, if you accidentally spill a few drops of coffee or a splash of water on your keyboard, the keyboard cover will prevent it from getting into the keyboard key-holes and protect your keyboard from getting wet. Also, if you eat at your desk or are prone to spilling, keyboard covers can help.
However, you should know that Using a keyboard cover won’t help you avoid major spills or liquid damage.
2. They help keep your keyboard clean
Another advantage of keyboard covers is that they can help to keep your keyboard clean. This is because keyboard covers prevent dust and dirt from entering the cracks and crevices of your keyboard.
Read: How to keep mechanical keyboard clean?
If you live in a dusty area or have pets, keyboard covers can help to keep your keyboard clean and free from dirt and debris. Also, if you eat at your desk often, keyboard covers can help to keep crumbs and other food particles from falling into your keyboard and causing problems.
3. Keep your keyboard oil-free
If you use your laptop for long periods, you may notice that the keys start to get shiny from the natural oils in your skin. If you look at an older keyboard, you’ll see these kinds of wear patterns on the key surfaces. This can cause your keyboard keys to becoming sticky or hard to press.
Keyboard covers can help to prevent this by acting as a barrier between your skin and the keyboard. This will help to keep your keyboard keys looking and feeling new.
4. Keyboard covers give your keyboard a stylish look
If you are tired of the boring look of your laptop, you can use a keyboard cover to change things up. There are keyboard covers available in a variety of colors, patterns, and materials.
Read: 7 Best gaming keyboards for small hands
You can even find keyboard covers that are personalized with images or text. If you want to give your laptop keyboard a makeover, a keyboard cover is an easy and inexpensive way to do it. However, you should know that some keyboard covers can be difficult to remove, so you may want to consider this before you make your purchase.
5. Reduce keyboard noise
If you are someone who types loudly, you may want to consider using a keyboard cover. This is because keyboard covers can help muffle your typing sound.
This can be beneficial if you live in an apartment or work in a shared office space. It can also be helpful if you are trying to type quietly so as not to disturb others around you. There are some keyboard covers that are specifically designed to reduce the amount of noise that your keyboard makes.
6. Protect your keyboard from fading
If you use your laptop in direct sunlight, you may notice that the keys start to fade over time. This is because the sunlight can cause the keys to fade.
If you live in a sunny area or use your laptop outdoors often, you may want to consider using a keyboard cover. This is because keyboard covers can help to protect your keyboard from the sun’s harmful rays.
Also, keyboard covers protect keyboards from wearing. They help to keep the keyboard looking new for a longer period of time.
Disadvantages of keyboard covers
However, there are also some disadvantages of using keyboard covers. These includes:
1. Keyboard covers may damage your screen
One of the noticeable disadvantages of using keyboard covers is they leave scratch marks on the screen and may even damage it. This is because keyboard covers are made of hard materials like plastic, silicone, or neoprene, which is capable of scratching the surface of your screen.
In some cases, the keyboard protector sits high on the keyboard, reaching the screen when the laptop lid is closed. This causes the keyboard cover to rub against the screen and leave scratches.
2. They are not durable and may tear easily
Another disadvantage of keyboard covers is they are not very durable and may tear easily. This is especially true if you use your laptop on a daily basis or you have children or pets who like to play with your laptop, then there is a chance that the keyboard cover may tear.
3. Affect typing accuracy and speed
One of the major disadvantages of keyboard covers is that it hampers your typing speed and accuracy. The keyboard covers are usually made of silicone or neoprene, making the keys slippery and difficult to press.
In addition, keyboard covers also make the keys feel stiffer, making it difficult to type quickly and accurately.
4. They are not a foolproof solution
Although keyboard covers can protect your keyboard from minor spills and dust, major spills will likely penetrate through. Also, over time the keyboard cover will become dirty and stained. The keyboard cover may also start to peel off or tear.
In simpler words, using keyboard covers is not a foolproof solution. It would be best if you still took appropriate measures to prevent damage to your keyboard.
Are keyboard covers worth it?
Using a keyboard cover or not completely depends on your preferences. As a matter of fact, if you ask me whether keyboard covers are worth it or not, I would respond, “yes.”.
Modern laptops like MacBooks do not come cheap. If you own an expensive laptop, then you should take the necessary precautions to keep it safe. And, according to me, keyboard covers are not that annoying.
Using a keyboard cover is definitely more beneficial than harmful. Keyboard covers can keep your keyboard clean and free of dirt, dust, and other debris. They can also prevent keys from wearing down over time, prolonging the keyboard’s life. Plus, they can help to protect against spills and accidental damage.
Read: 10 Desktop keyboards that feel like laptop keyboards
So, while keyboard covers are not absolutely necessary, they can be worth the investment for those who want to keep their keyboard safe. But, since keyboard covers can leave scratches on your laptop’s screen, take the keyboard cover off when you’re not using the laptop.
Ending words
If you look at the list above, you can see that there’s quite a bit to take into consideration when it comes to keyboard cover. If you want an extra layer of protection for your keyboard, then using a keyboard cover can be ideal. Keyboard covers can help to protect your keyboard from liquids and debris, and they can also make it easier to clean the keyboard.
However, there will always be a downside to every good thing, and keyboard covers are no exception. If you haven’t used any keyboard cover yet, then it can affect your typing, making it feel more like you’re hitting a wall than pressing a key.
I’m turning it over to you now. Weigh these positives and negatives, and answer for yourself: Are Keyboard Covers Worth It?
We hope that you liked the article. Make sure you read our other articles and share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Thanks for being with us 🙂
Also Read: Are Keyboard Trays Good for Gaming?
