Choosing between wired and wireless peripherals can be daunting. Each option comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, and making an informed decision requires understanding these tradeoffs. Fortunately, there are some clear guidelines that can help you make the right choice.
While accessories come in both wired and wireless variants, not every device can be wireless yet (like a full-sized monitor). As the saying goes, “I am limited by the technology of my time”. Let’s focus on the options that are currently available.
We’ll primarily discuss keyboards and mice, with a bonus section at the end. Our analysis will focus on three key factors:
- Latency
- Aesthetics
- Portability
Let’s examine each of these in detail.
1. Latency
Latency is particularly crucial for gamers, though extremely poor response times can affect regular typing as well. Fortunately, severely delayed input is rare and usually indicates a faulty device.
With wireless accessories, input delay is an inevitable consideration. For FPS games, even microseconds of delay can mean the difference between victory and defeat. While traditional wisdom suggests gamers should stick to wired peripherals, modern wireless gaming keyboards and mice can deliver exceptional response times - albeit at a premium price point. If budget isn’t a constraint, high-end wireless gaming peripherals are viable options. However, if you’re cost-conscious, standard wired gaming gear remains the most practical choice.
2. Aesthetics
Many users opt for wireless peripherals purely for aesthetic reasons, and rightfully so. Your desk setup, where you might spend anywhere from 1-2 to 12-14 hours daily, should reflect your personal style. A desk setup often reveals much about its owner’s personality - I can often tell a lot about someone just by looking at their workspace.
Wireless peripherals particularly complement floating desk layouts and minimalist designs. That’s not to say you can’t achieve clean aesthetics with wired peripherals - it just requires more thoughtful cable management. The absence of cables in wireless setups naturally simplifies this process.
As a bonus, wireless peripherals offer freedom of movement. No more wishing you could use your keyboard or mouse from your bed, only to be held back by cable length!
3. Portability
Portability is perhaps the most nuanced aspect, deserving careful consideration. While we typically associate portability with laptops versus desktops, peripheral mobility matters too.
Consider this scenario: you have separate work and personal laptops, sharing the same keyboard and mouse while working from home. When you need to go to the office, you might want to bring your preferred peripherals along. After all, once you’ve grown accustomed to a particular keyboard, adapting to a different one can significantly impact your typing efficiency.
While wired peripherals are technically portable, the reality is more complex. If you’ve invested time in careful cable management, frequently disconnecting devices can disrupt your setup. While this might suggest wireless peripherals are the clear choice, there’s another solution: wired peripherals with detachable cables. For instance, my keyboard uses a detachable USB-A to USB-C connector, allowing me to maintain clean cable management at home while easily transporting it elsewhere using any compatible cable. While such wired options are less common, they offer an elegant solution for those who prefer wired peripherals.
Bonus
One area where I strongly advocate for wired connections is internet connectivity. Though I relied on Wi-Fi for years, I’ve come to prefer wired connections, particularly for reducing in-game latency. This comes with its own challenges - frequently connecting and disconnecting ethernet cables can be cumbersome, especially with laptops. However, there’s an elegant solution: if your laptop has a Thunderbolt port with charging capabilities, you can use a dock to consolidate all your connections - peripherals, ethernet, and power - into a single cable. This way, you only need to disconnect one cable when you’re on the move. Problem solved!
Choosing the right gear isn’t simple, but understanding these considerations helps make an informed decision. I hope this guide helps you select the perfect peripherals for your setup.