The inspection methods and testing standards for mice and keyboards

September 11, 2025

Keyboards and mice are the most important input devices for computers, and their quality directly affects user experience and work efficiency. For purchasers, brand owners, and quality inspection professionals, establishing a comprehensive supply chain quality management system is of utmost importance. This article will systematically elaborate on the inspection and testing standards, quality control (QC) processes, and inspection methods for keyboards and mice.
I. Source Control: Key Points for Factory Audit of Keyboard and Mouse Manufacturers
Before mass production, conducting a comprehensive supplier audit of the manufacturer is the foundation for ensuring product quality consistency.
Quality Management System Certification:
Has the factory established and implemented the ISO9001 quality management system?
Do we have a complete incoming material inspection (IQC), production line process inspection (IPQC), and final product inspection (FQC) procedure?
Does it have a complete quality traceability system to enable full-process traceability from raw materials to finished products?
Production equipment and technical capabilities:
Evaluate the equipment condition and process level of SMT (Surface Mount Technology) assembly, plating, and other processes.
Check whether professional equipment such as key life tester, laser engraving machine, RF tester, etc. is equipped.
Verify the validity of the equipment maintenance records and calibration certificates
Laboratory testing capabilities:
The factory laboratory should be capable of conducting key press life tests, RF performance tests, and environmental reliability tests.
Confirm that the laboratory complies with the requirements of relevant international standards.
Check the calibration status and validity period of the detection equipment
Supply Chain Management:
Verify the qualification of suppliers for key components such as microswitches, sensors, and main control chips.
Verify whether the raw materials meet the environmental protection requirements (such as RoHS, REACH)
Check the storage conditions and management standards
II. Finished Product Inspection: AQL Sampling Inspection Standard Process for Keyboards and Mice
The inspection of keyboards and mice should follow the AQL sampling standard (usually LEVEL II) and conduct random sampling, covering multiple aspects such as packaging, appearance, functionality, and performance.
1. Packaging and Labeling Inspection
Packaging materials: Check the materials and thickness of the outer box and color box, and ensure that the marking information is correct and clear.
Product identification: Verify that the model, specifications, certification marks, etc. are all accurate and error-free.
Barcode scanning: By using the scanner, the barcode information can be checked and it should be readable and consistent with the order.
Completeness of accessories: Verify that all necessary accessories such as batteries, receivers, data cables, etc. are complete and of the correct model.
2. Appearance Quality Inspection (Visual Inspection)
Shell quality: Check for any injection molding defects such as scratches, shrinkage, or burrs.
Surface treatment: Check the quality of spraying and screen printing, ensuring no peeling or blurring occurs.
Assembly quality: Check whether all components are properly assembled without any looseness or uneven gaps.
Flatness test: Place on the glass surface to check the flatness of the base.
3. Functional Testing - Core Inspection Item
Key Press Test:
Use professional testing software to check that the function of each key is normal.
Test the consistency of the button feel, with no stuck keys or any response issues.
Check that the multimedia shortcut keys are functioning properly.
Connection performance test:
Wired products: Testing the lifespan of USB interface insertion and removal as well as the connection stability.
Wireless products: Testing the matching function, connection distance and anti-interference capability
The sleep and wake-up function has been tested and is functioning properly.
Optical and electrical performance test:
Mouse sensor test: Testing positioning accuracy on different surfaces
DPI switching test: The switching functions of each DPI level are tested and found to be normal.
Return rate test: Test the functions of each frequency range (125/250/500/1000Hz)
LED indicator light test:
Check that the power indicator light, battery level indicator light, Num Lock light, and other functions are all functioning properly.
Test for brightness uniformity, with no dark areas or flickering现象.
4. Performance Testing
Power Consumption Test:
Work current test: Record the current value during normal operation
Standby current test: Record the current value in the sleep state
Wireless product battery life test: Testing actual usage time
RF Performance Test (Wireless Products):
Work frequency test: Record the actual work frequency
Transmission distance test: Testing the maximum effective working distance
Interference resistance test: The test evaluates the interference resistance capability in the 2.4GHz frequency band.
Compatibility testing:
Operating System Compatibility: Testing compatibility with Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.
Hardware compatibility: Testing the compatibility of different brand computers
5. Reliability Testing
Life Testing: Conduct sampling tests on key press lifespan (typically requiring more than 5 million times)
Durability test: Testing the durability of components such as rollers and interfaces
Environmental testing: Conducting tests for adaptability to high and low temperatures, as well as humidity and heat conditions.
Drop test: Conduct packaging drop test in accordance with ISTA standards
III. Common Defect Classification
Critical (Severe Defect): Complete failure of the button, inability to connect, malfunction of the sensor, absence of important functions.
Major defect: Some buttons malfunction, connection is unstable, pointer jumps, and LEDs do not light up.
Minor defect: Minor flaws in appearance, slight damage to packaging, and errors in the instruction manual.
IV. Inspection Rules and Criteria
Sampling Plan: Based on the batch size, the sampling quantity is determined according to the AQL standard.
Defect determination:
If just one Critical defect is found, the entire batch can be judged as不合格 (unqualified).
The number of major defects exceeded the AQL acceptance limit, so it was determined to be unqualified.
The performance parameters exceed the tolerance range specified in the specification document. Therefore, it is determined to be unqualified.
Report Output: The detailed inspection report should include the sample size, test data, defect description (with attached pictures), and test results.
Conclusion
The quality inspection of keyboards and mice requires professional knowledge and strict testing procedures. Factory inspection is conducted to ensure that the manufacturers have reliable production capabilities. Then, final inspection before shipment is carried out to conduct comprehensive performance verification of the finished products, forming a complete quality assurance system. Purchasers and brand owners should particularly pay attention to key tests such as key lifespan, connection performance and compatibility, to ensure that the products meet quality requirements and provide users with reliable peripheral products.