Buying guide for best macbook keyboard covers
A MacBook is a sizable, quality investment. That’s why keeping yours in pristine condition is a priority, which means taking precautions and preventive measures to keep it looking and working like new. The added protection of a keyboard cover keeps spills, crumbs, dust, and hair from settling in the spaces between keys. As a budget-friendly line of defense, it’s worth considering.
Made of flexible silicone, MacBook keyboard covers are available in a wide variety of colors and designs. They have specially designed indentations to fit precisely across the keyboard. Its thinness allows for a snug, shift-free fit while you’re typing. A MacBook keyboard cover is also an ideal way to keep your colleagues happy. If you’re a proficient typist, the fast clicking could be a nuisance to others. The cover adds a layer that softens the blow of fast keystrokes for an overall reduction in noise.
Key considerations
Why use a MacBook keyboard cover?
MacBook keyboard covers are best known for their quality protection, and they serve a few other purposes as well.
Noise reduction: Speedy typists have a reputation for loud, fast key touches that can be bothersome to colleagues. When you use a cover, the silicone acts as a sound absorber and somewhat muffles the volume. While it won’t eliminate the tapping sound altogether, there is a noticeable reduction, which will be appreciated by those around you.
- Visibility: The cover also increases visibility, especially a colored or themed cover. Some people benefit from the stark contrast between the background and lettering colors. Instead of staring at a hard-to-see keyboard, the color pop can reduce the amount of time you spend looking down and away from the screen. For new Mac users, there’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to shortcuts. There are some cover styles that are labeled to help you find the right command more quickly.
Compatibility
For the most part, manufacturers will share a model compatibility table for easy reference to help you select your MacBook keyboard cover. You’ll need to know your Apple model number, the year it was produced, and the size. This information is typically found through the System Information app or on the original MacBook box. There are several numbers and codes associated with your Mac, so to find the Apple model number, look for the letter A followed by four numbers. Another thing to keep in mind for compatibility is whether you have the US or EU keyboard layout. Because there are minor differences in key shapes and location, you’ll need a region-specific cover.
Maintenance
MacBook keyboard covers are made of silicone, which means they’re easy to clean and maintain. For light cleaning, shake off crumbs or wipe the cover clean with a damp cloth. For a thorough cleaning, which is recommended periodically to combat buildup, use soap and water. It’s easy to wash it with your hands alone, although you could use the corner of a soft sponge if you’d like to target the key depressions individually.
For your safety
To reduce the chance of spills, stick to using heavyweight mugs and glasses, particularly ones with heavy bases. These take more effort and force to knock over and are likelier to stay put on your desk.
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Features
Materials and construction
MacBook keyboard covers are made of flexible silicone engineered to perfectly fit your keyboard layout. The quality of the fit depends on the thinness of the cover, which on average is 0.3 millimeter. Some lower-quality covers are slightly thicker, which means it’s harder to achieve an accurate fit between keys, and a poorly fitting cover can dislodge and slide around. If you’re a speedy typist, the ultra-thin covers are worth considering.
Some covers are made of food-grade and nontoxic silicone to make them safer. Considering the amount of contact you have with your MacBook keyboard on a regular basis, it’s worth considering a model with these qualities. While they might cost a little more, MacBook keyboard covers are generally affordable, so that means the cost difference is only a few dollars.
Color
While transparent MacBook keyboard covers are well liked, covers in various colors are wildly popular as well. You have a choice of dozens of solid colors and, on average, each model comes in at least six colors. There’s also the ombré style in which the rows of keys have graduated colors for easy, attractive key visibility. If you’re ambitious, you could opt for a design that spans the entire cover with a colorful picture. Some replicate popular artwork like Van Gogh’s Starry Night or Monet’s Water Lilies. These are ideal for MacBook users who have a firm grasp on key location, because the design could be distracting to some. For new MacBook users, there are covers that are marked with shortcuts for quick reference.
Cover sets
If you’re looking to get the most functionality out of a MacBook keyboard cover, there are some sets that include other protective accessories. They may include an exterior cover for your screen, which could be a thin, self-stick cover or a rubberized, hard-shell cover that snaps onto the edges. There are also sets that come with a Touch Bar cover. It’s not usually attached to the keyboard cover itself. Instead, it’s a self-contained panel that affixes directly to the Touch Bar or is part of a set of self-stick panels that protect the bar and the wrist area of the MacBook.
Prices
MacBook keyboard covers are some of the most affordable MacBook accessories on the market with a price range between $6 and $25.
Inexpensive: At the low end, between $6 and $10, you’ll find a broad range of colors and designs.
Mid-range: These covers, which cost between $10 and $15, are slightly better quality. They’re often thinner and made with a stronger silicone that is less susceptible to shifting while you’re typing. If you’re looking for a clear, professional cover, you’ll probably find it in this range as well.
Expensive: At the high end, between $15 and $25, you’ll find silicone covers that are packaged with extras, such as a matching hard shell for the screen or a Touch Bar cover.
Tips
Cap your pens. Permanent ink can’t be removed from silicone. If you’re taking notes, cap your pens to avoid accidental marks on the cover.
Cover your kid’s keyboard. If your child uses a MacBook in school, pick up a cover so you can clean the surface often to keep germs at bay.
Store the cover in a dust-free area. When you’re not using your MacBook keyboard cover, store it in a desk drawer or other suitable place to keep it from getting dusty.
Check upgrade compatibility. When you upgrade your MacBook to a newer model, you might need to get a different cover that accommodates the new layout, if there is one.
Give a cover as a gift. A keyboard cover is a useful and affordable gift for a MacBook user.
- Cover your keyboard if you have pets. A MacBook keyboard cover is an important investment for pet owners to keep hair and dander from settling between the keys.
FAQ
Q. What’s the best way to travel with my MacBook keyboard cover?
A. You can simply keep it in your laptop while it’s in your bag, though consumers are pretty split about doing this. If you’re on the fence about it, too, simply roll up the cover and store it upright in your bag. It doesn’t take up much space, so you could tuck it into an internal pocket or store it in one of the corners.
Q. Will my silicone MacBook keyboard cover melt if I spill hot coffee or tea on it?
A. If you have a food-grade silicone cover, it’s unlikely. With that said, it also depends on the temperature of the coffee or tea. For the most part, even hot beverages aren’t boiling anyway, so by the time they’re on your desk, it’s unlikely they’re still hot enough to melt or warp the cover.
Q. I’d like to get a MacBook keyboard cover that makes the keys easy to see. Which colors are best?
A. It’s based on preference, though if you’re looking for overall improved visibility, opt for a cover that provides a stark contrast between the color of the letters and the background color. For some people, primary colors and white lettering are easiest to see; for others, ombré styles are helpful for defining the rows of keys. While patterns and designs are attractive in covers, they could make it somewhat difficult to differentiate between keys.
