The Different Mechanical Keyboard Switches & Their Features: Which is the best for you?

Samuel TanKeyboards and Mice 0

Each mechanical keyboard switch appeals to different types of users, from budget gamers to high-end typists and keyboard enthusiasts looking for that perfect, satisfying keystroke. The growing DIY keyboard community and artisan markets continue to expand the variety of switches available. Looking for the right switch to suit you is a mind field. We break it down for you here; list the different switches, their features and which is best for you.

Mechanical keyboards have surged in popularity over the last decade, captivating typists, gamers, and enthusiasts alike. At the heart of this obsession are mechanical switches—the components responsible for the distinct feel and sound of each keystroke. Unlike membrane keyboards, mechanical switches offer superior tactile feedback, longevity, and customization options, making them a preferred choice for many.

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Mechanical Keyboard Switch Profiles

There are various types of switches available today, each with its own unique features, feel, and sound profile. Whether you prefer a soft, quiet typing experience or a loud, clicky keystroke, there is a switch tailored to your preference. Before we jump into the different mechanical switches out there, let’s take a look at the different profiles.

You may have heard of the terms linear, bump, tactile, clicky, actuation force and travel distance used to explain a mechanical keyboard. Know what these mean before you consider the switches. You can find a quick list below, but if you need more explanations, see Different Mechanical Keyboard Switch Profiles Explained: Linear, Tactile, Clicky and more…

Linear: Smooth with no bump or sound, fast for gaming.
Tactile: Bump at actuation for feedback, but no loud click.
Clicky: Tactile bump with an audible click for maximum feedback.
Bump: Physical feedback on tactile and clicky switches for keypress confirmation.
Pre-Travel: This is the distance a switch is pressed before actuation point and the key is registered.
Total Travel Distance: the full distance a switch can be pressed down from top to bottom.

Below, we explore the most popular mechanical keyboard switches, their unique characteristics, and the brands that use them, along with a rating based on their popularity in the keyboard community.

Most Popular Mechanical Keyboard Switches

Here’s a list of popular mechanical keyboard switch types, their unique features, and an estimated rating by popularity along with the brands that commonly use them:

1. Cherry MX Switches

Cherry MX switches are the most widely recognized and used mechanical keyboard switches, known for their durability and reliability. Manufactured by Cherry, these switches come in various types, such as Cherry MX Red (linear), Cherry MX Brown (tactile), and Cherry MX Blue (clicky), each offering a different typing experience. A full list can be seen in the chart below. The switches are praised for their consistent actuation and long lifespan, typically rated for 50 million keypresses. Cherry MX switches are a favorite among both gamers and typists due to their variety of options tailored to different preferences.

Type: Linear, Tactile, Clicky Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Most Popular)

Unique Features:

The gold standard for mechanical switches.
Multiple variations (Red, Brown, Blue, Black, etc.), each with unique characteristics:
- Red: Linear, smooth keystroke, no tactile bump or click.
- Brown: Tactile, with a slight bump, no click.
- Blue: Clicky, tactile bump with an audible click.
- Black: Linear, heavier actuation force than Red.
Widely known for durability and consistency.

Brands: Corsair, Ducky, Filco, Cooler Master, HyperX

Cherry MX Switches Chart by Keychron.jpg

2. Gateron Switches

Gateron switches are a popular alternative to Cherry MX switches, known for their smooth keystrokes and affordability. They come in similar variants, such as Gateron Red (linear), Gateron Brown (tactile), and Gateron Blue (clicky), but are often praised for their smoother feel compared to Cherry MX, especially in their linear versions. While slightly less durable, Gateron switches are highly regarded in the mechanical keyboard community, particularly for their performance in budget-friendly keyboards and custom builds.

Type: Linear, Tactile, Clicky Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Popular Alternative)

Unique Features:

Smoother keystrokes than Cherry MX, often seen as more budget-friendly.
Variants (Red, Brown, Blue, etc.) similar to Cherry MX, with the same color-coding.
Considered better in terms of smoothness but slightly lower in build quality.

Brands: Keychron, Glorious, Drop, Royal Kludge

3. Kailh Switches

Kailh switches are mechanical switches known for their affordability and variety, often found in budget mechanical keyboards. Manufactured by Kaihua, they offer a range of options like Kailh Red (linear), Kailh Brown (tactile), and Kailh Box White (clicky), with the latter being highly praised for its dust and water resistance. Kailh is also recognized for its Box switches, which have a unique square stem design, making them more stable and durable. They are often seen as a great alternative to Cherry MX, providing both budget and enthusiast-friendly options

Type: Linear, Tactile, Clicky Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Common in Budget Boards)

Unique Features:

Known for their “Kailh Box” switches, which are designed to resist dust and water, with a box-shaped stem.
They have unique variants like Kailh Box White (clicky) and Kailh Box Red (linear), which are widely loved.
Often found in budget or niche mechanical keyboards.

Brands: Razer (before their proprietary switches), Anne Pro, Redragon, Tecware

4. Razer Switches

Razer switches are proprietary mechanical switches designed primarily for gaming, offering a fast and responsive typing experience. They come in three main variants: Razer Green (clicky), Razer Orange (tactile), and Razer Yellow (linear). Razer Green switches provide an audible and tactile click, while Razer Orange offers a quieter, tactile feel, and Razer Yellow delivers a smooth, silent keystroke ideal for fast-paced gaming. An addition, the Razer Opto-Mechanical Switch (clicky) offers a light and clicky typing experience. These switches are optimised for quick actuation, making them popular among gamers who value performance and speed

Type: Linear, Tactile, Clicky Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Among Gamers)Unique Features:

Green: Clicky with tactile feedback, similar to Cherry MX Blue.
Orange: Tactile with no click, similar to Cherry MX Brown.
Yellow: Linear and silent, designed for gaming.
Proprietary design tailored specifically for gaming keyboards with reduced actuation points.

Brands: Razer (exclusive)

5. Logitech Romer-G Switches

Logitech Romer-G switches are mechanical switches designed in partnership with Omron, offering fast actuation and durability tailored for gaming. They come in two main types: Romer-G Tactile, which provides a quiet, tactile bump, and Romer-G Linear, which delivers a smooth and silent keystroke. With an actuation point of 1.5mm, Romer-G switches are faster than many traditional mechanical switches, making them ideal for competitive gaming. They are also known for their long lifespan and quiet operation, making them a popular choice for gamers who need speed without excessive noise.

Type: Tactile, Linear, Quiet Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐ (Niche, Exclusive to Logitech)

Unique Features:

Designed for faster actuation in gaming.
Shorter travel distance and actuation point compared to traditional mechanical switches.
Developed in collaboration with Omron for durability and speed.

Brands: Logitech (exclusive)

6. Outemu Switches

Outemu switches are budget-friendly mechanical switches, commonly found in entry-level keyboards. They mimic the design of Cherry MX switches and come in similar variants such as Outemu Red (linear), Outemu Blue (clicky), and Outemu Brown (tactile). Outemu switches are praised for their affordability and decent performance but are considered less durable and consistent compared to higher-end switches like Cherry MX or Gateron. They are a popular choice for users looking for a mechanical keyboard experience without a high price tag.

Type: Linear, Tactile, Clicky Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐ (Budget Option)

Unique Features:

Similar in feel and color options to Cherry MX switches but much cheaper.
Common in very affordable mechanical keyboards.
Popular among entry-level enthusiasts who want a budget-friendly mechanical experience.

Brands: E-Element, Redragon, Aukey

7. Holy Panda Switches

Holy Panda switches are highly regarded in the mechanical keyboard community for their strong tactile bump and satisfying typing feel. They are a hybrid switch created by combining the housing of Halo switches with the stem of Invyr Panda switches. Known for their smooth actuation and pronounced tactility, Holy Pandas are popular among enthusiasts for both typing and gaming, offering a premium experience. Despite being more expensive than other switches, their unique feedback and performance have earned them a cult following

Type: Tactile Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Highly Sought After by Enthusiasts)

Unique Features:

Famous for their very strong tactile bump, making them a favorite among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
A combination of Halo and Panda switches, developed through community experimentation.
Known for their unique and highly satisfying typing feel.

Brands: Drop, Glorious, and custom builds

8. Topre Switches

Topre switches are unique electro-capacitive switches that combine elements of both mechanical and membrane keyboards, providing a smooth and quiet typing experience. Unlike traditional mechanical switches, Topre switches rely on electrical capacitance to register keypresses, which allows for a soft, cushioned feel without the tactile bump or click typical of other switches. Known for their premium build quality and durability, Topre switches are popular in high-end keyboards like Realforce and HHKB, making them a favorite for users who prioritize comfort and a unique typing experience.

Type: Electro-capacitive (a hybrid between membrane and mechanical) Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Cult Following)

Unique Features:

A blend of mechanical and membrane design.
Soft, quiet, and tactile.
Considered premium with a unique feel that isn’t easily replicated by traditional mechanical switches.

Brands: Topre (exclusive), Realforce, HHKB

9. Alpaca Switches

Alpaca switches are premium linear mechanical switches, highly praised for their smooth keystroke and relatively quiet operation. Known for their low actuation force and consistent feel, they are a favorite among custom keyboard enthusiasts. Alpacas have a factory-lubed option, which enhances their smoothness, making them ideal for users who want a buttery typing experience. These switches are especially popular in custom builds due to their refined performance and aesthetic appeal.

Type: Linear Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Popular Among Enthusiasts)

Unique Features:

Known for their ultra-smooth keystroke and light actuation force.
Considered premium linear switches, often used in custom keyboard builds.

Brands: Typically found in custom keyboards and enthusiast builds.

10. NovelKeys Cream Switches

NovelKeys Cream switches are highly regarded linear mechanical switches known for their smooth keystroke and durable POM plastic construction. These switches are unique in that they are entirely made from self-lubricating plastic, resulting in an increasingly smoother feel over time. Popular among custom keyboard enthusiasts, NovelKeys Cream switches are loved for their deep, thocky sound and consistent performance. Though they are factory unlubed, their material properties ensure a smooth typing experience after break-in.

Type: Linear Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Growing Among Enthusiasts)

Unique Features:

High-quality plastic material with self-lubricating properties, creating a buttery smooth keystroke.
Unique sound and feel, with a longer stem compared to other switches.

Brands: Custom builds, Drop, NovelKeys