If you've ever watched a professional video editor, music producer or colourist at work, you'll notice one thing almost immediately. They're barely touching the mouse. Instead, their hands spend most of the day flying across the keyboard. Trimming clips, adding markers, switching tools, zooming into timelines, playing footage backwards, setting in and out points, nudging audio and performing dozens of other actions without ever opening a menu.
That's because keyboard shortcuts are one of the biggest time-saving tools in any editing application. Whether you use Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, Logic Pro, Pro Tools or Cubase, learning shortcuts is often the difference between editing at a hobbyist level and working efficiently on professional projects. As editors become more reliant on their keyboards, it's no surprise that more people are upgrading to backlit keyboards. While they certainly look smart on a desk, that's rarely the reason professionals buy them. The real advantage is that they're simply easier to work with, especially during long editing sessions or in studios where the lights are kept low.
So, are backlit keyboards worth it? For anyone who spends hours editing every day, there's a strong case that they are.
Why Editors Often Work in Dimly Lit Rooms
People sometimes assume editors work in dark rooms because it looks cinematic, but there's actually a practical reason behind it.
Bright overhead lights and sunlight reflecting off a monitor can make it harder to judge colour, contrast and exposure accurately. That's why many editing suites use controlled, softer lighting rather than bright office lighting. Colourists, in particular, often work in carefully lit environments so that what they see on screen is as accurate as possible.
Music producers tend to do something similar. Walk into almost any recording studio and you'll probably find warm lamps, LED lighting or subdued lighting rather than harsh fluorescent bulbs. It creates a more comfortable atmosphere and helps people stay focused during long sessions.
The downside is that keyboards can become surprisingly difficult to see. Even if you know your shortcuts well, everyone occasionally glances down to check a key. If the keyboard isn't clearly visible, those little pauses soon start to add up.
That's where a backlit keyboard starts to prove its worth.
What Is a Backlit Keyboard?
A backlit keyboard has LEDs underneath the keys that illuminate the characters and symbols, making them much easier to see in darker environments.
Most modern backlit keyboards allow you to adjust the brightness, so you can choose how much illumination you need. Some people prefer a subtle glow that's just enough to distinguish each key, while others increase the brightness when working in particularly low light. Unlike a desk lamp, which lights the whole workspace, a backlit keyboard only lights the area you actually need. The result is a cleaner workspace without introducing unnecessary glare onto your monitor.
It might seem like a small feature, but if you spend eight or ten hours a day editing, it's one of those little improvements that you quickly get used to.
Are Backlit Keyboards Worth It?
It's one of the most common questions people ask before buying a new keyboard.
If you only use your computer for emails, browsing the web or occasional office work, you might never really need one. But editing is different!
Professional editors rely on their keyboards constantly. They aren't just typing—they're controlling their software. Every shortcut you use instead of reaching for a menu saves a little bit of time, and every time you can find the right key instantly without breaking your concentration helps keep your workflow moving. A backlit keyboard makes that easier.
You don't have to guess where a key is or rely on the room lighting being bright enough. The keyboard is always visible, whether you're editing during the day, working late into the evening or sitting in a darkened studio.
It isn't a feature you'll consciously think about after a few days. Instead, it becomes something you simply appreciate every time you sit down to work.
Can a Backlit Keyboard Help Reduce Eye Strain?
One common question is whether backlit keyboards are better for your eyes. It's important to be realistic here. A backlit keyboard isn't a cure for digital eye strain, as most eye fatigue comes from spending long periods looking at a computer monitor. However, good workstation lighting does make a difference!
The UK's Health and Safety Executive recommends that display screen equipment should be set up with appropriate lighting to avoid unnecessary visual discomfort, while the American Optometric Association lists poor lighting and glare as factors that can contribute to digital eye strain.
A backlit keyboard helps by making the keys easier to distinguish without needing to flood your workspace with bright light. Rather than squinting or leaning forward to check a shortcut, you can identify the key more quickly and return your attention to the screen.
It's a small improvement, but during a full day's editing those small improvements can make your workspace feel noticeably more comfortable.
Every Glance Counts
Even experienced editors don't know every shortcut by heart, there are simply too many!
Adobe Premiere Pro alone includes hundreds of keyboard shortcuts. DaVinci Resolve, Avid Media Composer and Logic Pro are no different. Some shortcuts become second nature, while others are only used occasionally.
Without thinking about it, most editors glance down at their keyboard countless times throughout the day. If those keys are clearly illuminated, finding the one you need becomes almost effortless.
It isn't about saving several minutes every hour. It's about avoiding hundreds of tiny interruptions that slowly chip away at your concentration. Anyone who's been deep into an editing project knows how valuable it is to stay focused. Once you've found a rhythm, the last thing you want is to stop and hunt around for a particular key.
Why Backlit Shortcut Keyboards Make Even More Sense
Now imagine combining backlighting with a keyboard that already has your editing shortcuts printed directly onto the keys. That's where shortcut editing keyboards really come into their own.
Instead of looking at a keyboard with only letters and numbers, you're looking at a keyboard that reminds you exactly what each key does inside your editing software.
- Need the Razor Tool?
- Want to Ripple Delete?
- Adding a Marker?
- Zooming into the timeline?
- Switching editing modes?
The shortcuts are already there in front of you.
When those shortcut labels are illuminated as well, they're even easier to spot in lower-light environments. For anyone learning a new editing application, it's like having a built-in reference guide that's always sitting beneath your fingertips.
Learning Shortcuts Becomes Much Easier
One of the biggest barriers for new editors is remembering keyboard shortcuts.
There are cheat sheets you can download, PDF guides you can print and countless YouTube tutorials explaining them, but the fastest way to learn is simply by using them every day. A shortcut keyboard reinforces that learning naturally.
Every time you look down, you're reminded which key performs which command. Before long, you stop looking altogether because your hands remember where everything is. It's the same principle as learning to touch type. Repetition builds muscle memory.
Many editors are surprised by how quickly they begin remembering shortcuts simply because they're printed on the keyboard in front of them.
Perfect for Video Editors
Video editing software has evolved enormously over the past decade, but one thing hasn't changed: the fastest editors still rely on keyboard shortcuts.
Opening menus, clicking through toolbars and searching for commands all take time. Using shortcuts keeps your hands on the keyboard and your attention on the timeline.
Whether you're editing weddings, YouTube videos, documentaries, television programmes or feature films, a shortcut keyboard helps streamline repetitive tasks that you perform hundreds of times every day.
When those shortcuts are backlit, they're just as easy to find during an evening editing session as they are in broad daylight.
Just as Useful for Music Producers
The same benefits apply in music production.
Recording, editing and mixing all involve a surprising amount of keyboard use. Whether you're splitting regions in Logic Pro, quantising MIDI in Cubase, navigating tracks in Pro Tools or triggering commands in Ableton Live, keyboard shortcuts quickly become part of your workflow.
Studios also tend to favour softer lighting than conventional offices, making backlit keyboards particularly useful for producers who spend long evenings recording or mixing. Rather than reaching for a light or leaning closer to the keyboard, everything is clearly visible whenever you need it.
Why So Many Professionals Choose Editors Keys
Editors Keys has been designing keyboards specifically for creative professionals for years, and there's a good reason they've become such a familiar sight in editing studios around the world.
Unlike a standard keyboard, each Editors Keys model is designed around the software you actually use. Important shortcuts are printed directly onto the keys using clear colour-coded layouts, helping you work faster while naturally learning the commands over time. The addition of adjustable backlighting makes those shortcuts even easier to see, particularly if you're working in a darker editing suite, studio or home office.
Editors Keys' AB10 Air Wireless Backlit Shortcut Editing Keyboards can connect to multiple devices using Bluetooth, making it easy to switch between a desktop, laptop or tablet without constantly reconnecting cables. They're available for many of the industry's most popular editing and music production applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Logic Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools and more.
For editors who spend several hours a day at their keyboard, these aren't gimmicks—they're features designed to make everyday editing smoother and more efficient.
A Better Workspace Makes a Better Workflow
Editors often spend thousands of pounds on cameras, computers and monitors, yet continue using the same basic keyboard that came with their machine.
It's easy to overlook because a keyboard seems like such a simple piece of equipment. In reality, it's probably the tool you touch more than any other. If something can make that experience faster, more comfortable and less frustrating every single day, it's worth paying attention to.
A backlit keyboard won't suddenly turn someone into a better editor. Neither will a shortcut keyboard on its own. What they do is remove little obstacles from your workflow. They make it easier to find keys, easier to remember shortcuts and easier to stay focused on the job in front of you.
Those little improvements don't sound dramatic, but over weeks, months and years of editing, they make a genuine difference.
Final Thoughts
Backlit keyboards have become popular with editors for one simple reason: they make everyday editing more comfortable.
Being able to clearly see your keys in a darker workspace, quickly find shortcuts and keep your attention on the timeline rather than searching for commands all helps create a smoother editing experience. When you combine backlighting with a professionally designed shortcut keyboard, the benefits become even greater. You're not only improving visibility, you're also learning your software faster and reducing the time spent hunting through menus.
If editing is something you do every day—whether professionally or as a serious hobby—a quality backlit shortcut keyboard is one of those upgrades you'll wonder how you managed without.
For editors, videographers, filmmakers and music producers looking to work faster, Editors Keys backlit shortcut keyboards have become a trusted choice across the creative industry. With software-specific shortcut layouts, adjustable backlighting and professional-quality construction, they're designed to help you spend less time searching for commands and more time doing what matters most: creating great work.
