Mechanical Keyboard Switches: The Definitive Guide (2023)

Switches form the basis of mechanical keyboards, creating the ‘mechanical’ component that characterizes these devices. Without them, these keyboards wouldn’t be the same. Despite being largely concealed, these components are just as distinctive as keycaps and cases, making it vital to recognize how they operate to fully grasp how keyboards work.

Complete List of All Mechanical Keyboard Switches

Switch Name	Switch Type	Mounting Type	Actuation Force	Factory Lubed?	Low Profile?	Housing Material	Stem Material	Spring Type	Cost	Buy
AEBoards Blaeck	Linear	5-pin	63.5g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM		$0.45	Cannon Keys
AEBoards Naevy R1.5	Tactile	3-pin	58g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	MPE		$0.65	Cannon Keys
AEBoards Naevy R2	Tactile	5-pin	63.5g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM		$0.45	Cannon Keys
AEBoards Raed	Linear	3-pin	58g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	MPE		$0.65	Cannon Keys
AEBoards Raed R2	Linear	3-pin	58g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	MPE		$0.45	Cannon Keys
Cherry MX Black	Linear	5-pin	60g	FALSE	FALSE	Nylon	Proprietary Thermoplastic		$0.60	Cannon Keys
Cherry Black Vintage	Linear	5-pin	60g	FALSE	FALSE	Nylon	POM		$2
Cherry MX Clear	Tactile	5-pin	65g	FALSE	FALSE	Nylon	Proprietary Thermoplastic		$0.60	Cannon Keys
Cherry MX Red	Linear	5-pin	45g	FALSE	FALSE	Nylon	Proprietary Thermoplastic		$0.60	Cannon Keys
Durock Anubis	Tactile	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM	Gold Plated	$0.65	Cannon Keys
Durock Blue Macaw	Silent Tactile	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM		$0.75	Cannon Keys
Durock Cerulean	Tactile	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM	Gold Plated	$0.65	Cannon Keys
Durock Cherry Blossom	Linear	5-pin	65g	FALSE	FALSE	POM	-P3		$0.70	Cannon Keys
Durock Coral	Silent Linear	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM		$0.75	Cannon Keys
Durock Dark Amber T1	Tactile	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM	Gold Plated	$0.65	Cannon Keys
Durock Korbs by Tiny	Linear	5-pin	62g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM		$0.65	Cannon Keys
Durock Lavender	Linear	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM	Gold Plated	$0.65	Cannon Keys
Durock Lilac	Tactile	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon/PC, Nylon	POM		$0.55	Cannon Keys
Durock Makanisk Ultramarine V2	Linear	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon, Polyamide	P3		$0.66	Cannon Keys
Durock Piano POM	Linear	5-pin	48g	FALSE	FALSE	POM	Mystery	Gold-Plated Spring	$0.66
EQUALZ C3 Banana Split	Linear	5-pin	62g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon, Polyamide	POM	Gold Plated	$0.7	Cannon Keys
EQUALZ C3 Tangerine	Linear	5-pin	62g/67g	TRUE	FALSE	UHMWPE	POM	Gold Plated	$0.7	Cannon Keys
Gateron Azure Dragon	Tactile	5-pin	63g	TRUE	FALSE	Top PC, Bottom PA66	POM		$0.5
Gateron Black	Linear	5-pin	60g	FALSE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.23	Cannon Keys
Gateron Black Ink	Linear	5-pin	60g	FALSE	FALSE	Proprietary Ink	POM		$0.75	Cannon Keys
Gateron Brown	Tactile	5-pin	45g	FALSE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.23	Cannon Keys
Gateron Brown	Tactile	3-pin	55g		TRUE	PC, Nylon PA66	POM		$0.33	Keychron
Gateron Cap Golden Yellow V2	Linear	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Yellow	POM		$0.48	Cannon Keys
Gateron Cap Milky Yellow V2	Linear	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.30	Cannon Keys
Gateron CJ	Linear	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	Ink, POM	POM		$0.65	Cannon Keys
Gateron Full Nylon Yellow	Linear	5-pin	63.5g	FALSE	FALSE	Nylon	POM		$0.23	Cannon Keys
Gateron Milky Yellow	Linear	5-pin	50g	FALSE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.23	Cannon Keys
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro	Linear	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.3	Cannon Keys
Gateron Mizu Mink	Linear	5-pin	50g	FALSE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky, Proprietary Ink	POM		$0.77	Cannon Keys
Gateron Oil King	Linear	5-pin	55g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon, Proprietary Ink	POM		$0.65	Cannon Keys
Gateron Pro North Pole	Linear	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	PC	Ink v2	Gold Plated	$0.68	Cannon Keys
Gateron Pure Berry x Swagkeys	Linear	5-pin	62g	TRUE	FALSE	PC & Nylon Mix	POM	Long Spring	$0.4	Cannon Keys
Gateron Red	Linear	5-pin	45g	FALSE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.23	Cannon Keys
Gateron Vermilion Bird	Linear	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	Top PC, Bottom PA66	POM	Two-Stage 18mm	$0.5
Gateron X	Linear	5-pin	50g	FALSE	FALSE	Nylon-blend, Nylon	POM		$0.49	Cannon Keys
Glorious Panda (Lubed)	Tactile	3-pin	67g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon PA66	POM		$0.69	Glorious
Glorious Panda (Unlubed)	Tactile	3-pin	67g	FALSE	FALSE	PC, Nylon PA66	POM		$0.69	Glorious
Gopolar Azure Dragon	Tactile	5-pin	63g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM	Two Stage	$0.70	Kono
Drop x Invyr Holy Panda	Tactile	5-pin	67g	FALSE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	Halo switch	Two Stage	$1.5	Drop
Drop x Gateron Holy Panda X	Tactile	5-pin	60g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM	Two Stage	$1.5	Drop
Jelly Strawberry V2	Linear	3-pin	52g	FALSE	FALSE	Top PC, Bottom Nylon	POM	Long Spring	$0.3	Drop
Jelly Strawberry V3	Linear	5-pin	52g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM	Long Spring	$0.3
JWK JWICK Black	Linear	5-pin	58.5g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM		$0.24	Cannon Keys
JWK JWICK Yellow	Linear	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM		$0.24	Cannon Keys
JWK Mauve	Linear	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon/PC, Nylon	POM		$0.55	Cannon Keys
JWK Seal	Linear	5-pin	78g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM	Gold Plated	$0.60	Cannon Keys
JWK Taro Ball	Tactile	5-pin	65g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM	Gold Plated	$0.60	Cannon Keys
JWK Wuque Onion	Linear	5-pin	63.5g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM		$0.70	Cannon Keys
JWK Wuque Original Aspiration	Linear	5-pin	67g	FALSE	FALSE	PC, UHMWPE	POM		$0.65	Cannon Keys
Kailh BOX Crystal Pink	Clicky	5-pin	62g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Clear	MX		$0.45	Cannon Keys
Kailh BOX Jade	Clicky	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Clear	MX		$0.45	Cannon Keys
Kailh BOX Jellyfish V2	Linear	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	PC	PA		$0.72	Kinetic Labs
Kailh BOX Jellyfish V2	Clicky	5-pin	50g	TRUE	FALSE	PC	PA		$0.72	Kinetic Labs
Kailh FLCMMK Ice Mint	Linear	5-pin	40g	TRUE	FALSE	POM	POM		$0.65	Cannon Keys
Kailh NovelKeys Box Royal	Tactile	3-pin	45g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon PA66	POM		$0.50	NovelKeys
KTT Grapefruit	Linear	3-pin	45g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM		$0.27	Kinetic Labs
KTT Kang White	Linear	3-pin	60g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM	Progressive Spring	$0.15
KTT Mint	Linear	3 pin	45g	FALSE	FALSE	Top PC, Bottom Nylon	POM	15mm	$0.2
KTT Matcha	Tactile	3 pin	40g	FALSE	FALSE	PC	POM		$0.4
KTT Rose	Linear	3-pin	43g	FALSE	FALSE	Top PC, Bottom Nylon	POM	Progressive	$0.2
KTT Peach	Linear	3-pin	45g	FALSE	FALSE	Top PC, Bottom Nylon	POM	Progressive	$0.2
KTT Strawberry	Linear	3/5-pin	43g	TRUE	FALSE	PC	POM	Progressive	$0.4
Momoka Frog	Linear	3-pin	54g	TRUE	FALSE	PC, Nylon	POM		$0.50	Cannon Keys
Novelkeys x Kailh Cream	Linear	3-pin	55g	TRUE	FALSE	POM	POM		$0.50	Novelkeys
Novelkeys x Kailh Cream Chocolate	Linear	3-pin	55g	TRUE	FALSE	POM	POM		$0.50	Novelkeys
Outemu Gazzew Boba U4	Silent Tactile	5-pin	62g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.65	Ringer Keys
Outemu Gazzew Boba U4T	Tactile	5-pin	62g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.65	Ringer Keys
Outemu Gazzew Boba U4T	Tactile	5-pin	68g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.65	Ringer Keys
Outemu Gazzew Boba U5	Silent Tactile	5-pin	68g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Milky	POM		$0.65	Ringer Keys
SP-Star Sacramento	Linear	5-pin	62g	FALSE	FALSE	Nylon	POM		$0.58	Cannon Keys
SP-Star Meteor White	Linear	5-pin	57g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM		$0.58	Cannon Keys
Tecsee Coffee Chip Cream	Tactile	5-pin	68g	FALSE	FALSE	PME	POM		$0.47	Cannon Keys
Tecsee Neopolitan Ice Cream	Tactile	5-pin	63.5g	TRUE	FALSE	PC	POM	Two Stage	$0.70	Cannon Keys
Tecsee Purple Panda	Tactile	5-pin	55g	TRUE	FALSE	PME	POM		$0.50	Keebsforall
TTC Bluish White	Tactile	3-pin	42g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Clear, Proprietary Blue	Proprietary Blue		$0.48	Cannon Keys
TTC Gold Pink	Linear	3-pin	37g	TRUE	FALSE	Proprietary Clear, Proprietary Gold	Proprietary Pink		$0.48	Cannon Keys
TTC Wild	Linear	5-pin	55g/42g	FALSE	FALSE	Top PC, Bottom PA66	POM	TTC gold spring	$1	Cannon Keys
TTC Matrix-01	Linear	5-pin	45g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM	Double stage gold spring	$1	Cannon Keys
TTC Matrix Tactile	Tactile	5-pin	63.5g	TRUE	FALSE	Nylon	POM	Double stage gold spring	$1	Cannon Keys

What is the keyboard switches?

Every keyboard needs switches to make it function, and nowhere is this more true than on a mechanical keyboard. These little components, which sit underneath the keycaps, are the connection between the keyboard PCB and the keypressed.

While you may not see them, the manner in which they feel, sound, and look have great bearing on how your keyboard feels when you type.

Most of the available switches on the market right now is Cherry MX style switch, so from now on in this article, if we don’t mention anything specific, “switch” will stand for “Cherry MX style switch”.

Switch Types

Switches are typically divided into three distinct varieties, which are based on their design: Tactile, Linear, and Clicky.

Linear switches are the simplest type of switch. They are consistent, with no tactile feedback or noise when pressing the actuation point, usually located in the middle. This means that most key presses will typically bottom out.
Tactile switches, however, offer a bump at the actuation point, providing feedback that the key press has been registered.
Clicky switches provide a click sound at the actuation point; this type of switch benefits users by allowing them to release the key quickly after feedback has been received.

Switches currently used are based off a design from German company Cherry. This patent has since expired, meaning other companies have been able to create their own versions of the design. Cherry MX is the term given to the switches still produced by Cherry, such as the MX Brown and MX Red.

MX-compatible refers to being compatible with the Cherry MX-style switch, characterized by its ‘+’ shaped stem; an example of this is Boba 4U switches:

Keycaps are also typically available in this style. However, they are not suitable for other switches such as Topre, which feature a different stem.

All Switch Parts

Switch Housing

The two components of the housing are the base and top housing. The base housing is fitted with two pins which slot into the printed circuit board (PCB) and usually require soldering, unless it is a ‘hotswap’ keyboard where no soldering is required. Switches can either be plate-mount or PCB-mount, with the latter having two plastic legs which secure it to the PCB.

Stem

The stem is housed in the switch case, rested atop a spring and ‘+’ extrusion which locks into the base of the keycap. The two legs of the switch mediate the level of tactile feedback when the metal leaf makes contact with them.

Spiring

The underlying base on which the stem sits is held in place by a spring. Spring weights vary, with stronger springs needing more power for a keypress.

Metal Leaf

When a key is pressed, the switch stem presses against the metal contact embedded in the lower housing. This action triggers the circuit board to register the keypress, resulting in its associated symbol appearing on the computer screen.

How to mod switches

Let’s now explore the different ways to modify switches to better fit your individual preferences. After getting up to speed on the key distinctions and components that make up any given switch, you should be able to tweak it to match your desired characteristics.

Lube switches

One of the first steps that modders tend to take, even for their first build, is lubricating the switch components. This can have a dramatic impact on how the switch feels, sounds, and even its weight, depending on the lube used.

Mod springs

You should at least bag-lube your switch springs before using your non-lubed switches to significantly improve your typing experience. If you want to be a bit more advanced, swapping out the stock spring in a switch is an effortless way to alter its response.

There are various springs available in different materials, weights, and in progressive options.

Film Switches

A thin film, known as a switch film, is applied to the base of a switch and positioned between the base and the top housing. This allows for a tighter fit between the two parts, which in turn helps lower any wobble and gives off a better feel and sound.

Other Switch Mods

Frakenswitches: Putting together different switch parts, known as transplanting, is often required to create a switch with desired qualities. The result can be quite unique, like the Holy Panda Frankenswitch, created by combining a Halo Clear or True stem with a YOK Panda housing.
Custom your own color way: Occasionally, designers and vendors will offer alternative colors for existing switches. YOK Polar Pandas, for example, take the standard gray housing and give it a vibrant blue look. This is done to provide visual variety, as well as to coordinate with a particular keyset. Additionally, the spring weight may vary from the original.

Other Less-Popular Switch Types

Low-profile Switches

Low-profile switches are ideal for creating thinner mechanical keyboards due to their flat shape. Compared to standard switches, these switches offer shorter actuation distances, making them perfect for tight spaces.

Cherry MX Low-profile

Since 2018, Cherry has added MX Low Profile Red linear switches to their selection. Ideal for both typing and gaming, these switches have an actuation distance of 1.2 mm.

For those seeking even faster response times, the MX Low Profile Speed linear switch has an actuation distance of just 1 mm, making them the perfect choice for gaming.

Logitech GL

Many Logitech keyboards are outfitted with Logitech’s low-profile GL switches.

These switches feature a height that’s around half that of a traditional switch, and come in three distinct varieties – GL Clicky, GL Tactile and GL Linear – each of which provides its own unique feedback. The actuation point for all three is 1.5mm.

Optical Switches

Optical or opto-mechanical switches are a relatively new development with potential to revolutionize keyboards. Unlike traditional mechanical switches that rely on making metal-to-metal contact to actuate, optical switches are triggered using light signals.

This leads to less physical contact and makes them more durable and less prone to degradation due to usage.

razer optical switch — How Razer Optical Switch works

Razer is one example of a brand that has started producing optical switches. Their versions have been around since June 2018 when they debuted in Razer Huntsman and Razer Huntsman Elite.

The Razer Clicky Optical Switch is a tactile and audible feedback technology with a royal purple hue. Its name alone tells you all you need to know about this exciting new switch!
Razer’s Linear Optical Switch features a shallow actuation point, needing less pressure to activate than a Cherry MX Red. Although this short travel time is beneficial, it does take some time getting accustomed to. So make sure to give yourself a few days to get used to it.
Razer Analog Optical Switch technology brings users a heightened level of control when gaming. Not only does it detect if a key is pressed, but it measures how far it is pressed; the switch can be configured to trigger different actions at various points of a single key stroke. This is similar to a joystick and provides more accurate movement within a game. The first keyboard to use this technology is the Huntsman V2 Analog, released in February 2021. With the Razer Analog Optical Switch, gamers are able to access a more precise gameplay experience.

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