When choosing your mechanical switches, you only want the best. The problem is that there are many kinds of switches, and there’s no easy way to learn and compare them. Luckily, we’ve done the research and created this guide for you!
For more information, please visit kacon.
After you’ve spent time reading this, you’ll have a deeper understanding of mechanical switches, and more importantly, you’ll be able to choose the ones that are best for you.
So let’s begin!
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to the question, “Which switch do I choose?”
It really depends on your preferences!
If you don’t know the answer to any of these questions, don’t worry! This guide is here to help!
Mechanical switches are the mechanisms underneath each key. They determine the activation of a keystroke.
Let’s take a deeper look at the components of a mechanical switch and learn their importance one by one.
If you want to learn more about how other kinds of switches work, check out this cool video!
There are three types of mechanical switches: linear, tactile, and clicky. They are defined by their keystroke behaviour.
Cherry MX Red linear switch mechanism.
Linear switches have the simplest operation.
They move straight up and down without any tactile feedback or clicking noise.
The smooth keystroke allows for more rapid actuation, making them the preferred switch for gamers.
Cherry MX Brown Tactile switch mechanism
Tactile switches provide tactile feedback.
They provide a noticeable bump in the middle of travel to let you know that your key press has been registered.
They are ideal for typing because you get a slight indication of a keypress without needing to bottom out your keys.
Cherry MX Blue Clicky switch mechanism.
Clicky switches work the same way as tactile ones. But they offer a distinct “click” sound when the key is activated.
They are great for those who want a distinct indication that of a keypress and for those who love the “clicky” sound.
Besides the keystroke feel, there are 5 technical characteristics of a switch. Depending on your typing technique and the general purpose of your keyboard, you would need certain values for each characteristic.
It's how hard you have to press the key. Operating force is measured in centinewton (cN) or gram-force (gf). 1 gf is equal to 0.98 cN, so they are almost equivalent. You can say that a switch with 0.50 cN has 0.50 gf.
It is the point where a keypress is recognized by the keyboard. This is measured in millimeters. It is also known as Actuation Point or Operating Position.
It’s the distance your keycap travels until it hits the upper housing of the switch. It’s basically the distance until you bottom out. This is also measured in millimeters.
Tactile position is where you feel the bump on tactile and clicky switches. On linear switches, there’s no tactile position.
Reset position is the distance at which the key is deactivated when released.
Now let’s put these 5 characteristics in a graph and compare two switches:
The red line in the graph represents the force and distance when you press a key, while the black line shows the force and distance when you release a key.
Kailh Speed Silver is a Linear switch from the Kailh Speed series.
The operating force of Kailh Speed switches is known to be on the lighter side at 40cN and increases to almost 80cN as you hit its total travel distance at 3.5mm.
At 1.1mm, the switch activates. As you release the key, it resets at 1mm.
Having the short activation point close to the reset point is a great advantage if you want to double-tap or triple-tap rapidly while gaming.
Cherry MX Blue is the most common Clicky switch out there.
Cherry MX Blue’s operating force is slightly heavier at 60cN. But once you surpass the tactile position, there is only a slight increase in pressure until you bottom out at 4mm.
The activation point is farther at 2.2mm, and resets at 1.6mm.
If you who don’t mind trading a bit of speed for auditory and tactile feedback, then you’ll enjoy these switches
Based on the pressure needed, we can classify Kailh Speed Silver as a light pressure switch while Cherry MX Blue as a medium pressure switch.
Speed switches
Whether they’re Clicky, Tactile or Linear, the Kailh Speed switches have the shortest activation point of 1.1mm-1.4mm. They’re ideal for fast typing and gaming.
See more examples of switches.
What about durability? Will these switches last long or would you need to restock every so often?
The answer is 50 to 80 million. That’s right, keyboard switch manufacturers guarantee that each switch has a key lifecycle of 50 to 80 million key presses! How have they ensured this? Well by creating testing machines that painstakingly press all the switches that amount of times.
These manufacturers mean business and their quality control tests are intense. Cherry MX switches for example can withstand extreme temperatures from -40ºC to 180ºC! The reason behind this is when switches are in sea freights, they need to endure temperatures inside the cargo. If containers are at the top directly under the sun, temperatures inside the enclosed metal can reach scorching degrees.
Check out what it’s like inside the Cherry MX factory!
A majority of mechanical keyboards have their switches soldered onto them. This means that once you buy your mechanical keyboard, you’re stuck with the switches it comes with. This can be a problem because what if you realize you want a different kind of mechanical switch? Or what if one switch breaks?
Sorry champ, you need to buy another board...NOT!
There’s a new trend happening in the keyboard world. Now, you can hot-swap your mechanical switches. This means that the switches aren’t soldered onto the board anymore. You can remove and replace them any time you want.
And this benefits you because:
The Dygma Raise keyboard is one example of this trend. All its switches are hot-swappable!
Where will you be using your keyboard? Will you be in an office surrounded by other people? Will you be alone in your room?
The first thing you should consider is your environment. Why? Auditory feedback can be a deciding factor of your popularity in an office. And Clicky switches generate a high-pitched and loud “click” sound. People will either love you or hate you.
When gaming or typing fast, that sound can be deadly annoying for people. Trust me, I know.
On the other hand, there are people who like hearing the clicky sound when typing as it gives them a clear indication that a key has been pressed. Also, Clicky switches bring a bit of nostalgia because it resembles the old 80’s IBM computer keyboard.
Watch this video of clicky switches through the years.
So when you decide on your switch, look at your surroundings and consider the people around you, if there are any. Ask them if they would be all right hearing the click-clack of your new keyboard. If they’re cool with it, awesome. If not, then get new friends. But if you’re not in the business of burning bridges, then Tactile and Linear switches are just as cool.
If you want to get an idea of how different switches sound, here’s a playlist of each switch keypress.
Pro tip: Use clicky switches if you work alone to not annoy others or if you’re a place that tolerates some click-clack
The second factor you should consider is the typing feeling. Do like feeling a slight bump in every keypress? Or would you prefer it smooth?
Tactile and Clicky switches are the ones that have a bump mid travel. Linears, as its name suggests, provide a linear keypress.
When typing, the tactile feedback from Tactile and Clicky switches gives more accuracy. You’d know if a key press has been registered without needing to bottom out your keys. Once you feel the bump, you can quickly move on to the next key
Bottoming out is when you press a key all the way down until the keycap hits the upper housing of the switch.
When gaming, speed matters. Linear switches have a consistent keypress, thus are the preferred choice for gamers.
Pro tip: Usually, tactile switches are better for typing and linear switches are better for gaming.
Yes, something as simple as your hand size fundamentally affects your switch selection. And you know what they say: big hands… big fingers.
People with big hands tend to have misclicks compared to people who have smaller hands. If this is your case, then it would be ideal for you to use switches with:
Combining these two properties would mean that it would take you slightly more effort to actually activate a key. And it would be enough to help avoid misclicks.
But what if you’re a gentle giant? You have big hands but you’re a light typist. You’re more advanced in typing and hardly ever misclick. In that case, go for switches with:
Now let’s move on to people who have small to medium sized hands who type lightly, but sometimes bottoms out. What you need are:
And last we have those people who love pounding their keyboard. We all have that one friend who types as if it’s the worst day of his or her life and taking it out on the keyboard is the only release. Well, if you’re that person, not only do you need love and affection but also switches that have:
When bottoming out your keys, even if it’s a Linear switch, it will always make a sound. But good news is that you can minimize this sound.
And if you’re the kind of person who is particular with noise, remember these other elements that can affect it:
If you want to hear how sound changes whenever keys are bottomed out, check out the playlist below.
The overall purpose of your keyboard will also help you decide the switches you need. Will it be for gaming? Typing? Or both?
If it’s solely for gaming, Linear switches are what you should get, specifically Speed switches. The smooth and consistent keypress helps with rapid movement.
If it’s for typing, then Tactile and Clicky switches are great because of the feedback they provide. But if you’re not a fan of the tactility and “click” sound, then Speed switches would be your best bet.
If it’s for both, then choose depending on your typing technique and environment. Buy a keyboard with hot-swappable switches so you can try multiple switches and see which one is the best.
But really, it’s all up to you. We are only here to give you recommendations but at the end of the day, you are the captain of your ship. So go on young skipper. You are now ready to dive into the world mechanical switches!
Below is a list of the most popular keyboard switches, along with their different characteristics.
They are grouped in types: linear, tactile, and clicky. Take a look at them and sort them however you want! This will help you decide which switches best fit your needs.
Below you will find a list of the most popular keyboard switch brands in the market, each with a short story of their history.
Cherry Corporation started out as an American company dedicated to electronic switches for automotives. In , they received a patent for a new keyboard switch that ultimately defined the Cherry name, the Cherry MX.
In , Cherry Corp merged with German company, ZF Electronics. This led to the refocus of the Cherry brand into soon becoming the leaders in the keyboard switch market.
Cherry MX switches are known for their unique cross-shaped stem often called the "Cherry MX mount". They have been regarded as being the best mechanical switches due to their quality and durability. But in their patent expired and their monopoly ended. Many manufacturers such as Kaihua, Gateron, and Outemu copied the design and produced their own line of switches.
Now Cherry is competing with more affordable switches – some are better, some aren't. Despite the competition, Cherry is still doing their best to be the best. Because of complaints from customers of the ‘scratchy’ switches, Cherry did a retooling of their switches to get the super smooth feeling that everyone wanted. Now that's taking customer feedback seriously.
We are lucky to witness this rapid expansion and innovation of mechanical switches, with Cherry on top. Pun intended.
Cherry's MX switches are widely considered to be the gold standard of PC-keyboard switches, and they come in several kinds (designated by “color”) with distinct pressure, texture, and audio-feedback characteristics.
-Computer Shopper, USA
You can learn more about Cherry on his website. Average price: $5.50 - 10 pack.
In , Kaihua Electronics started manufacturing Cherry MX’s current rival, Kailh switches.
In the beginning, Kailh switches were simply regarded as copycats of Cherry MX. To put it bluntly, they were crap.
They only got their big break when they, along with other switch manufacturing companies, partnered with Razer and created the Razer switches. After several years, they started improving and innovating and made a name for themselves.
Besides the Kailh Traditional switches, they now offer Kailh Speed switches, Kailh Box switches, Kailh Low Profiles, and many others. Kailh Speed switches are known for their shorter activation points and light pressure force. Kailh Box switches feature a boxed stem, designed to be dust and water resistant.
Although Kailh’s research in technology has won them a spot among the hearts of keyboard enthusiasts, they’ve also had their fair share of disreputability. Last year in , they were called out by Novelkeys for having a 1.32mm (+- .02mm tolerance) X axis on their Box switches, when most keycaps need the stems to be 1.3mm (+- .02mm tolerance). The .02 addition caused some irreplaceable damage to some keycaps and left some customers with unusable switches.
Nevertheless, Kailh switches are still well-known across the world and continuously exceed many expectations.
We were very fortunate to visit Kaihua Electronics in Dongguan, China. And we couldn’t have been more amazed. Who would’ve known this so-called “copycats” would have one of the most sophisticated factories that we’ve ever seen! The quality control facilities were first-class and their standards didn’t tolerate anything less than perfect. How they operated was mind-blowingly impressive. True enough, their regard for high quality is very much reflected in their products.
You can learn more about Kailh on his website. Average price: $3.50 - 10 pack.
Gateron switches are common among keyboard enthusiasts, especially in Europe. They are manufactured by Huizhou Gateron Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., which was established in .
Gateron switches also have the MX stem. Some people prefer them over the arguably “scratchy” Cherry MX switches. Because of Gateron's popularity in the community, they even produced another line of exceptional switches, Zealio, dedicated for Zeal PC.
Gateron was one of the switches that we were thinking of shipping with the Dygma Raise. But when we visited their factory during our trip to China, we weren’t that impressed. They lacked the high quality control that we saw in Kaihua. So it was after that trip that we decided to sell the Raise with Cherry MX and Kailh switches.
But you never know. We haven't closed our doors yet and if the time comes that we get a lot of people asking for Gateron switches, we will consider paying their factory a visit next time.
Gateron website. Average price: $3 - 10 pack.
Matias was founded in in Toronto. They’ve always been in the business of manufacturing keyboards both for Mac and PC. But it wasn’t until that their Tactile Pro 3 got recognized in Macworld as the “Best Old-School Keyboard”. The switches they used were Alps switches.
In the late 80’s and through the 90’s, Alps Electric Co. was regarded as how we see Cherry Corporation today. Most keyboards then used Alps switches. Now, Alps Electric no longer produces keyboard switches but the Alps name is still used to denote the stem type on the switch.
Today, Matias switches are globally recognized as a recreation of Alps. They are available in 3 types such as the Quiet Click, Click, and Quiet Linear.
Matias website. Average price: $5 - 10 pack.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit safety door switch.
Outemu switches are made by Dongguan Gaote Electronics Co. Their switches are the most identical to Cherry MX. They even have the same characteristics corresponding to the same color schemes as the MX ones. But like any other key switch manufacturer, Outemu also has its own line of switches such as Outemu Ice, which also has a transparent base like the Zealio switches.
Outemu website. Average price: $3 - 10 pack.
Razer Inc. is an American gaming hardware manufacturing company established in . It’s almost impossible to search for any gaming peripheral without bumping into Razer.
In , Razer teamed up with Kaihua, Greentech, and TTC to develop the Razer mechanical switches, which were then installed on the Razer BlackWidow series. Since then, Razer has also developed their own production lines of gaming switches and introduced hybrids such as the Razer Opto-Mechanical switches and Razer Mecha-Membrane.
Razer switches are only available in the Razer keyboards and cannot be bought off-the-shelf.
Logitech International is an established electronics company that provides computer and mobile peripherals. After seeing a lack of mechanical switches specifically designed for gaming, they decided to develop their signature switch, the Romer-G.
The Romer-G design is different than the common MX switches. It has the shortest total travel distance, 3.2mm, among all its competitors. It features dual contacts to register actuation and has a lifespan of 70 million keystrokes. Also, the stem of the key goes around the metal spring rather than inside it. This allows the entire top of the key to be brightly lit up.
Similarly to Razer, Romer-G switches cannot be bought off-the-shelf.
A keycap-switch puller is a small tool with looped tongs on one side to remove keycaps and another set of tongs on the other to remove switches.
O-rings dampen the sound your keycaps make when you bottom out.
They won’t absolutely silence your keyboard, but they will definitely reduce the sound. They are placed around the stem of the switch.
Three elements to consider when choosing O-rings:
The diameter of the O-ring.
The thickness (or depth) of the O-ring.
The hardness of the material.
The most common O-rings are Cherry MX compatible. They have a diameter of 5 mm. If you’re not sure about the diameter you need, search for your switch brand and check what other people are using.
The thickness of the O-rings can shorten the keycap travel distance. A common thickness is 0.4mm, which gives the equivalent travel reduction. But there are also O-rings 0.2mm thick. They barely reduce key travel distance.
When buying O-rings, you’ll see labels such as “50A” and “80A” in their description. The “A” refers to the “Shore A” hardness scale that measures the flexibility of rubber substances. The number refers to its hardness: 0 is incredibly soft and 100 is rock hard.
If you prefer a soft O-ring, you would want to look for a hardness of 30-40A on the soft side to 70-80A on the very firm size.
Pro tip: We recommend sticking with 40-50A, as once you get into the higher numbers, the ring is firm enough that it tends to lose its sound reducing abilities.
To install your O-rings, all you need is a keycap puller and a little patience.
With the keycaps removed, simply flip them over and place the O-rings onto the keycap stems.
Try to press it evenly and without twisting or distorting the ring. If you put it unevenly, you’ll find that the keycap travel is adversely affected. The keypress will feel weird.
Based on the image below, you would want the O-rings to look like the rightmost keycap. It should be pressed down against the end of the stem.
Activation Point (or Operating Position) is the key travel distance where the keypress is recognized by the keyboard.
Bottoming out is when you press a key all the way down until the keycap hits the upper housing of the switch.
Clicky switches make an audible 'click' when typing. Clicky switches are typically preferred by typists because of the clear indication of a keypress.
The lifespan of a key switch, or how many times a key switch can be activated before failing. Usually represented by 20 - 70 million keystrokes for mechanical keyboards.
Linear switches have a smooth and linear keystroke.
Operating force (Actuation Force) is the force required at this point. Put simply, it's how hard you have to press the key for it to be recognized. It is measured in centinewton (cN) or gram-force (gf, often referred to as g).
Plate mounted means that the switch is mounted to a metal plate with the PCB under the plate. PCB mounted means that the switch is mounted directly to the PCB.
Tactile switches have a bump mid travel a keypress. This bump typically represents the actuation point.
This refers to the total travel distance of the keys when pressed.
You'll be surprised at how easy it is to understand every fundamental bit of mechanical switches, whether they're linear or clicky. All you need is 10 minutes to read this article!
Imagine typing on a vintage typewriter; that's exactly how it feels to type on a mechanical keyboard. Mechanical switches contribute 90% to this feeling, as they are the core of mechanical keyboards and determine how the keyboard feels on your fingertips.
Unlike mass-produced rubbery membrane boards, every key on a mechanical keyboard is connected to an individual switch. The benefits are significant, including never registering wrong input, providing stronger feedback when typing, and allowing you to press the keys smoothly - something you won't get from a rubber membrane keyboard.
In the early days, Cherry MX was the only company producing high-quality mechanical switches. Nowadays, many brands have joined the competition, and there are a plethora of switches available on the market.
is the year of mechanical keyboard flourishing - at least that's what us keycap enthusiasts at The KapCo agree on!
Therefore, if you're planning to get yourself a mechanical keyboard right now, this guide will be super helpful - we guarantee it!
There are tons of mechanical switches made by big factories or indie workshops catering to the exploding needs for switches in the market, but they typically do the same job. So what's the actual difference? Let's dive into the background and contribution of these brands that you might have heard before, starting with the pioneer of mechanical switches.
CHERRY MX is the oldest switch brand in the world dating back its origins to . This Germany-based company revolutionized mechanical switches and introduced Cherry MX switch in , making their legacy stand for 40 years! They manufacture the most common type of switch in the current market, with more than 6 billion switches sold worldwide!
CHERRY MX STANDARD SWITCH
Cherry MX switches provide high levels of performance, durability and comfort, and deliver the ultimate gaming experience. The best thing about this switch is the compatibility with many types of profiles namely Cherry, XDA, MDA, MOA, KSA and many more. Easy as it sounds, as long as the profile has a '+', it can fit on Cherry MX switches or its equivalents.
Overall, Cherry MXs are a great choice if you're looking for a high-compatibility and long lasting switch. However, they can be a lacking when it comes to feel and sound, when compared to other richer-sounding switches. Furthermore, they are rather costly, so consider your budget before investing in this durable, comfortable switch.
Gateron is a technology manufacturing company, mainly known for their various types of switches and switch customization. Gateron has more than 15 years of experience in the mechanical switch scene, making it second to Cherry MX. Gateron switches are currently accepted as one of the successful mass-produced MX-clone switches in the market. The smooth feeling when you type is the primary selling-point of Gateron switches. The array of switches they provide caters for the high demand of smoother feel and custom switches.
GATERON G PRO YELLOW 2.0 by The Kapco
Most Gateron switches utilize MX-style stems, making them compatible with 90% of MX-style keycaps on the market. Because of this, Gateron has boosted the use of MX-style keycaps but is often chosen over Cherry MX due to its smoothness and affordability. To compare with Cherry MX, Gateron has exceptional smoothness at a great price, while still delivering similar levels of quality and compatibility.
Kailh switches are manufactured by Dongguan Kaihua Electronics established in . Kaihua is the first company to modify and improve the original Cherry MX switch, enhancing the typing sensation. Kailh unique switches come in different shapes and sizes, standing out from the regular switch provided by Cherry MX and Gateron. Some innovative switches include Box switch, Speed switch and Pro switch.
KAILH SWITCH TESTER
To briefly introduce the three main types of switch, box switches are regular switches turned water and dust resistant. Speed switches are, you guessed it, has 40-50% faster reaction than your ordinary switch. That makes it an awesome upper-hand for competitive gaming. Pro switches are a good mix of box and speed, just that its slightly slower but is dust and waterproof. Overall, when compared to Cherry and Gateron, Kailh provides a unique touch to your typing, enhancing some features such as waterproof, dustproof and stability. Not only do they look good, sound and feel good, they are also budget-friendly!
Razer is a worldwide famous brand of mechanical keyboards, delivering quality, performance and customization. Founded in , Razer is dual headquartered in California and Singapore. Their products range from gamer essentials to apparels. The mechanical switches they offer are the legendary three- linear (yellow), tactile (orange) and clicky (green).
Razer Green, Orange & Yellow Switches
Razer switches have better stability and longer life span as compared Cherry MX switches. However, there is a big downside to it. To experience any type of Razer mechanical switches, you have to buy an entire Razer keyboard! That is because they don't provide a hot-swappable keyboard, which means the switches are stuck to the keyboard for good. In other words, these switches are subpar, expensive, and are inconveniently hard to work with.
Outemu is a Chinese electronics company established in , aimed to give direct competition to Cherry MX. It has garnered popularity worldwide for quality switches at a good price. There is a wide range of switches offered by Outemu, covering linear, tactile and clicky sensations.
Outemu Panda by The Kapco
Some of the switches offered by Outemu include low-profile, dustf-proof, ice, silent and cream switches. All in all, Outemu is well-known for its affordability when compared to popular MX clones like Gateron. Its assortment of switches strikes an excellent balance between performance and cost. Venturing into Outemu switches is a perfect budget option, and a good introduction to mechanical keyboard beginners.
CIY or also known as Shenzhen Cheyyou Technology is a mechanical switch company established in , manufacturing high-end MX clone switches. You might not have heard of this brand but they are an uprising switch brand you ought to look out for!
CIY Primaris Naraka by The Kapco
Not only are their switches aesthetic, but also high quality with a great price! According to our experience, these CIY switches are nearly as smooth as Gateron. They offer linear, tactile and clicky to meet the needs of users around the world. If you'd like to add some personal touch to your switches and still have a similar feel with Gateron, you should try these CIY switches!
In a nutshell, these are some of the brands that deliver higher quality mechanical switches among others in the market. Some more pricier than others, but it all depends on your budget and function. Next, let's get into the nitty-gritty details of what's in a mechanical switch!
To understand how switches work, you must first know what they are made of. There are 4 main components in a mechanical switch - stem, spring, upper and lower housing parts, and Crosspoint contact.
The stem is the key element of a switch because it determines the type of switch it would be; whether linear, tactile or clicky. The shape of the stem affects the actuation and travel distance and creates the keystroke feel. The feet of the stem is the most important part of the stem as they trigger a keystroke when contacting the Crosspoint contact. Here's a breakdown of how the feet affects its feel.
The spring is the next important component which affects the typing feel. It dictates the pressing and release force of a switch and how hard it can be pressed. The spring provides some resistance and resets the key after the switch is activated. Other than that, some factors affecting the typing feel include:
To briefly introduce, there are two types of springs: linear and progressive. With linear springs, you need more force the more you press them until you reach the bottom. Whereas in progressive springs, you'll need even more force even if its for the same length of linear spring. A combination of the two springs are called two-stage springs. These types of springs changes from linear to progressive and are currently trending in the market!
The housing is a two-piece construction consisting of the upper and lower housing. It encompasses all the switch components in a compact, neat space. The material used to build it can affect vibration and sound, whereas the quality of its construction can influence the stability of your keys. The housing of the switch functions to hold the switch together. The upper housing secures all the working components tightly in the space while the lower housing holds the Crosspoint contact in place. The stem moves between the upper and lower housing to register the keystroke.
Upper Housing
The upper housing serves as a precision guiding mechanism for the stem to the crosspoint contact. This ensures the stem produces consistent keystrokes by moving in the same direction. When the key is pressed, the upper housing secures all the parts - the stem, spring and crosspoint contact. It is also the structure that contacts with the keycap when it is pressed.
Lower housing
The lower housing basically holds the mechanical switch together from the bottom. It contains the Crosspoint contact and has two pins to be inserted into the PCB. The two metal pins are in charge of communicating with the board. In the middle section, there is a hole for the stem to bypass as well as sliding guides on the sides. This is the part where the mechanical switch installation happens. In most cases, the switch needs to be soldered onto the board unless it is a hot-swap board.
The Crosspoint contact consists of the only metallic component of the switch. It is comprised of two metallic leaves that generates and delivers electric signals to the PCB. When the switch is pressed, the stem presses down into the leaf in the lower housing. The contact between the two leaves sends the signal of which key was pressed, and the symbol will appear on your screen. This is how a keystroke is registered.
Basically, here is the ascending order of how the signal is delivered.
You might have seen many repeating terms of 'linear', 'tactile' and 'clicky' throughout this article or when purchasing mechanical switches. To the point where you're questioning yourself- what are these words?! What's the difference between these switches? How do I choose what's best for me?
To answer these million-dollar questions, we must first find out what those terms mean and what they sound like. Let's begin immediately.
Linear Switches
(Releasing soon)
Feel: Smooth, No Bump
Sound Profile: Quiet
Actuation force: Do not require force
Function: Best for Gaming
Linear switches have a smooth and consistent feel when pressed. There is no tactile bump, click or resistance, just a smooth travel until the switch actuates. The lack of feedback allows for quick reactions and is preferred by gamers. However, this in turn can create accidental keypresses and typos.
Tactile Switches
CIY Primaris Asura
Feel: Tactile Bump
Sound Profile: Quiet
Actuation force: Require a bit of force
Function: Best for Typing
Tactile switches have quieter audible feedback with a pronounced tactile bump felt when a keystroke is registered. The bump acts as a resistance which improves accuracy when typing and reduces errors. This physical feedback are perfect for accurate keypresses and speed isn't an important factor. Typists generally enjoy tactile switches as words spelt correctly are more important than finishing a sentence full of errors in 10 seconds.
Clicky Switches
Outemu Blue
Feel: Tactile Bump
Sound Profile: Loud Click
Actuation force: Require a bit of force
Function: Best for Typing
Clicky switches are known for their loud "click" sounds when a key is pressed. Some enjoy the cacophony of sounds, while some refer to it as "noisy". It all depends on whether or not its clicks are music to your ears. There is a tactile bump that comes with a click sound and some pressing force is needed to register the keystroke. Clicky switches are preferred by typists who want to be able to hear each keystroke.
Additionally, you can check out this article for linear, tactile and clicky ASMR to hear how they sound like!
Now that you know the components of a mechanical switch and the types of mechanical switches, you can finally choose what to use on your mechanical keyboard. You can opt for a barebone kit to begin building your unique keyboard.
Yunzii AL71 Purple
A Barebone Kit is a keyboard without keycaps or switches. Barebone kits are often made of plastic or aluminum, depending on the model that you prefer. Barebone mechanical keyboards give users the power to build their own custom mechanical keyboard simply by installing their favorite switches and keycaps without any soldering!
Here are some of the essential tools needed for you to install your barebone kit:
To start, you need to purchase a barebone kit of your preferred keyboard size and layout. Common layouts are 60% , 65% , 75% , TKL and 100%. For smaller desk spaces, we recommend 60-65% layout with 66-75 keys. All the essential keys are on the keyboard. To understand better, take a read here.
However, if you have a bigger space, then opt for at least a 75% keyboard. A TKL (Tenkeyless) keyboard is a standard-sized keyboard that omits the numeric keypad on the side. You can read more about TKL boards in this article. Lastly, a 100% keyboard is a complete keyboard with the numeric pad. Read on the benefits of a full keyboard here.
Second step is that you need to purchase a sufficient number of switches to accommodate your keyboard layout. For instance, if you select a 65% keyboard, you need at least 75 switches, the more the better! You will need 88 keys for TKL and 108 keys for a 100% keyboard.
The next step is to select and purchase a keycap design that speaks to YOU. Never settle for dull looking keycaps. Get creative and choose from The Kapco collection! You'll definitely find something you like.
To put it all together, you need a switch puller to insert the switch into the PCB and a keycap puller to remove the switch if necessary. Lucky for you, we have a 2-in-1 keyswitch puller for easy installation. Shop it here!
Mechanical switches require little maintenance as they are durable to begin with. The switch will last for 80-100 million presses, stretching out to many years without wearing out. However, they do get dirty or dusty after some time, especially if you eat near your keyboard. Maintaining mechanical keyboards isn't rocket science. You just need a few tools to keep it spick and span!
Keeping your switches clean is important to maintain optimal performance, hygiene, and auditory and tactile feedback. Clean your switches once a year to prolong its lifespan and usage. Here are the basic cleaning equipment:
Remove the keycaps with the puller and soak them in water. Since you're cleaning your switches, you might as well wash your keycaps. Find out how with this keyboard cleaning guide! Using the dust blower, puff some air through the rows of switches to remove debris. Next, dab the cotton swab into the alcohol (make sure to not use too much!) and wipe through the length of the keyboard. Ensure the keyboard is unplugged and has no power supply. Leave it to dry for a few minutes and then reassemble. And...you're done!
In the mechanical keyboard world, there are various methods to modify your keyboard to enhance its function and performance. Mechanical switches can also be modded - lubing and replacement.
Applying lubricant to the stem can heighten the smoothness of the stem motion, making it slide down faster and increasing speed. Furthermore, replacing your spring can also optimize performance and smoothness.
Myth: Custom keyboards from unknown brands cannot last as long as famous brands.
It is often believed that uprising brands have lower quality compared to brands that have been in the mechanical keyboard scene for a long time. This is mainly due to price and quality difference. What if we told you that the longevity of the keyboards are actually similar, or even better at times. Brands such as Zuoya and Yunzii have extremely sturdy and quality build even at an affordable price. Not only do they offer high caliber goods, but also aesthetic keyboards catering to your style! Get more insights on why GMK67 is crowned our budget keyboard of the month here!
Myth: The sound quality of custom keyboards from unknown brands are not as rich as branded keyboards.
It's normal for people to expect cheap, crappy sounds coming from a $60 budget keyboard. That's why they are willing to invest in a $150 mechanical keyboard from a famous brand. But did you know you can get a rich, thocky sound without burning a hole in your wallet? The GMK67 from Zuoya is a $70 customizable keyboard with a knob. The sound it produces can arguably be music to your ears.
After going through our long and informative article, we hope you have gained some valuable insights. If you got lost halfway through, here's a TL:DR: