I'll Never Buy a Keyboard Without Media Controls Again

Dedicated media keys on your keyboard aren't a luxury; for avid music listeners, they're essential. The shift from a keyboard with media controls to one without highlighted their importance.

The Convenience of Dedicated Media Keys

The ease of use is clear: play, pause, skip tracks, mute, and adjust volume—all directly from your keyboard.

Without them, you're reliant on the Fn layer (e.g., Fn F7 for play/pause), which is cumbersome. Remembering key combinations, or constantly checking keycap legends, disrupts workflow, especially with custom keycaps.

Dedicated media controls offer intuitive placement (usually top-right), minimizing the search for shortcuts. Manage playlists without leaving your music app. Hands stay on the keyboard, maintaining focus and control.

In meetings, they're invaluable for managing videos or presentations, as most browsers support these keys. Smooth media control projects professionalism. They're also configurable in video editing or music production software.

The volume knob/mute button quickly silences your PC. While my Ajazz AK820 Pro has a mute function via the volume knob, I miss the dedicated track controls of my Corsair K70—ideal for quickly muting music without disrupting video focus.

##### Corsair K70 PRO

The Corsair K70 PRO offers a durable aluminum frame, excellent switches, and a wrist rest.

$180 at Amazon Custom Key Bindings: An Imperfect Solution

If your keyboard lacks media keys, the Fn layer might offer a substitute. However, these Fn F-key combinations are spread out, requiring muscle memory and often visual confirmation.

My workaround: custom key bindings. I use Page Up and Page Down for Play/Pause and Next Track. This eliminates the need to remember Fn combinations.

But this sacrifices PgUp and PgDn functionality. It also requires compatible keyboard software, which isn't always reliable. Third-party key mapping tools are an alternative.

Another downside: lack of feedback. Windows 10 provided visual confirmation with media key presses, but Windows 11 removed this, placing controls in the Action Center. This makes it hard to know if key presses registered, especially during system freezes.

A Stream Deck: A Costly Alternative

Media keys don't need to be on the keyboard. An Elgato Stream Deck (MK.2) allows mapping media controls and other functions. However, it's as expensive as a good keyboard with built-in media keys. The Elgato Stream Deck Neo or Mini are more budget-friendly options.

##### Elgato Stream Deck MK.2

$130 $150 Save $20 A fully-customizable 15-button desktop controller.

$130 at AmazonSee at Best Buy Cheaper alternatives include generic macro pads or phone/tablet apps (like Deckboard), but these may be less reliable.

Related ##### Elgato Stream Deck Review: Potential to Dial in Productivity

Elgato's Stream Deck adds dials, but their impact varies.

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While workarounds exist, a keyboard with dedicated media keys is ultimately more convenient. While you can mod or swap switches (easier on hot-swappable models), adding functionality isn't always possible. Many keyboards offer media keys to suit various preferences.

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