In 2017, the United States asserted its dominance in the market, claiming the largest share at 60.7%, equivalent to a market value of USD 167.6 million. Forecasts indicate that the U.S. market is poised for the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.3% during the forecast period. Meanwhile, Canada secured its position as the second-largest market in 2017, with a valuation of USD 74.2 million, and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.8%.
The United States stands out as a frontrunner in the North American region, contributing significantly to the market share. The growth in this region can be attributed to factors such as increasing urbanization, technological advancements, and higher disposable income. Key drivers include the rising number of professional gamers, heightened awareness of mechanical keyboards, and a growing demand for a more luxurious gaming and typing experience. These factors collectively propel the adoption of mechanical keyboards, surpassing the appeal of general keyboards.
Within the mechanical keyboard market, the tactile switches segment led with the largest market share of 43.7% in 2017, amounting to USD 73.2 million. Forecasts indicate that this segment is poised for the highest CAGR of 14.7% during the forecast period. Following closely, the linear switches segment claimed the second-largest market share in 2017, reaching a valuation of USD 53.9 million, with a projected CAGR of 10.8%.
In terms of wired and wireless configurations, the wired mechanical keyboard segment dominated with a larger market share of 75.8% in 2017, translating to a market value of USD 127.1 million. Forecasts suggest that this segment is expected to register a higher CAGR of 13.9% during the forecast period. In contrast, the wireless mechanical keyboard segment, valued at USD 40.5 million in 2017, is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 11.6%.
Examining the user segments, professional gamers took the lead with the largest market share of 40.7% in 2017, amounting to a market value of USD 68.2 million. Forecasts indicate that this segment is set to register a CAGR of 13.0% during the forecast period. The commercial segment emerged as the second-largest market in 2017, with a value of USD 58.9 million, and is projected to record the highest CAGR of 14.8%.
In summary, the United States spearheads the North American market for mechanical keyboards, showcasing a robust market share and promising growth projections. Factors such as urbanization, technological advancements, and a rising affinity for a premium gaming experience contribute to the region's market dominance. The segmentation analysis further reveals the dominance of certain switch types, configurations, and user segments, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the mechanical keyboard market in North America.