Keyboard and mouse shopping both have a headline spec that gets oversimplified in marketing — the real differences live one level deeper.
Mechanical switches aren't all the same
"Mechanical keyboard" covers a wide range of actual feel, since different switch types within that category vary significantly. Broadly: linear switches move smoothly with consistent resistance and no tactile bump, often preferred for fast, repeated presses like gaming. Tactile switches have a noticeable bump partway through the press, giving physical feedback that a keystroke registered, often preferred for typing. Clicky switches add an audible click on top of the tactile bump, giving the most feedback but also the most noise — a real consideration for shared spaces or video calls. "Mechanical" alone doesn't specify which of these a keyboard uses, and the difference in feel between switch types is often more noticeable than the difference between a mechanical and a quality membrane keyboard overall.
DPI controls cursor speed, not raw accuracy
A mouse's DPI (dots per inch) rating determines how far the cursor moves on screen relative to physical mouse movement — higher DPI means the cursor moves further for the same physical distance moved. This is a sensitivity setting, not a direct measure of tracking accuracy or quality; a very high DPI number doesn't inherently mean a more precise or higher-quality mouse, and many experienced users actually prefer a lower DPI with a larger mousepad for more controlled, accurate movement, particularly for precision tasks.
Ergonomic design is a real category, not just a shape gimmick
Split, curved, or vertically angled keyboards and mice are designed to reduce wrist and forearm strain by keeping the hands and wrists in a more neutral position than a standard flat layout — a genuine ergonomic consideration for anyone experiencing discomfort from extended use, not merely a novelty shape. There's a real adjustment period switching to an unfamiliar ergonomic layout, and typing or mousing speed often temporarily decreases during that transition before recovering or even improving with practice.
Wireless latency has mostly closed the gap with wired
Modern wireless keyboards and mice using dedicated low-latency USB receivers perform close to wired equivalents for most uses, including competitive gaming at a reasonably high level — a meaningful improvement over older wireless technology, which had a real, noticeable lag. Bluetooth connections generally introduce more latency than a dedicated USB receiver, which is worth knowing if minimizing input delay specifically matters, such as for fast-paced gaming.
The one thing people forget
Check actual key travel distance and total keyboard height, including any included wrist rest, against your existing desk and chair setup — a keyboard that's too tall relative to the desk and chair height can force an uncomfortable wrist angle regardless of how good the switches or ergonomic shape are individually.