Maybe a lot of people are now using a mechanical keyboard. From the price of tens to hundreds of dollars, there are many kinds of mechanical keyboard switch types.
But many also do not know about mechanical keyboard switch types. Therefore, we will discuss in detail what types of switches are and what a mechanical keyboard is.
What is Mechanical Keyboard?
If explained in a simple sense, so if a normal keyboard has a button inside, there must be a rubber that acts as a liaison with the place that processes the button when it is pressed and displayed on the computer.
And if the mechanical keyboard inside is not rubber, it’s a switch. And for this switch, the type is very different depending on the manufacturer of the keyboard itself. We can distinguish the switches according to their color.
Mechanical Keyboard Switch Types
Switch is a concept mechanism used by Mechanical keyboards and the types of switches are available in a wide variety. You need to know, there are so many types of switches, so I will only discuss the most popular ones.
- Tactile: Tactile is if a switch gives Feedback when the button is pressed, it can be a Click or Bump sound.
- Clicky: If the switch makes a clicking sound when pressed.
- Linear: Linear is if a switch does not give Feedback when pressed
- Actuation Force: How much force / pressure is needed to activate a switch (measured in Grams).
- Key Travel: How far does it take a switch to activate.
- Actuate: If a key is successfully registered and its character/function appears/functions on the monitor.
- Bottom: It is necessary to know that the Switch can be actuated without having to press to the bottom but the switch can also be pressed until it is stuck, this is called Bottom.
1. Brown Switch
- Required force: 45g
- Feeling given: Tactile, non-clicky
- Sound: almost inaudible unless the owner of a sensitive ear, only makes a sound when bottoming-out
- Pros: Light weight (some people like light keys), not noisy
- Disadvantages: Light (for those who have super heavy fingers, there can be buttons being pressed accidentally — very rare case), and boring, because there is no feel (especially those who like sounds) whatsoever
2. Green Switch
- Required force : 80 G
- The feeling that is given: Medium TACTILE, the sound that is given (like pressing a pen).
- Sound : Quite loud High.
- Advantages: Weight (minimizes, greatly, accidental button presses), we know when the button we press is actually registered, the sound given (some people are happy with the sound), and the clicky feel
- Disadvantages: Heavy, the sound given is louder than the blue switch
3. Red Switch
- Required force: 45 — Feeling given: non-tactile, non-clicky
- Sound: not audible unless the owner of a sensitive ear, only makes a sound when bottoming-out
- Pros: Light weight (some people like light keys), not noisy
- Disadvantages: Light (for those who have super heavy fingers, there can be buttons being pressed accidentally — very rare case), and boring, because there is no feel
- (especially those who like sounds) whatever is given.
4. Black Switch
- Required force: 60g
- Feeling given : Medium stiff, linear, non-tactile, non-clicky (like when we press the pen, before the tip of the pen comes out, there is a spring that holds our pressure, right? That’s how it feels)
- Votes: non-existent except for the spring sound and the sound when bottoming out
- Advantages : Heavy (minimizes, greatly, accidental button presses), quiet, unique feel
- Disadvantages: Heavy (some people don’t like typing using the black switch)
5. Clear Switch
- Required force: 65G
- Feeling: Medium stiff, tactile, non-clicky (like the brown switch but heavier)
- Sound: almost inaudible unless the owner of a sensitive ear, only makes a sound when bottoming-out
- Advantages: Not too heavy, not noisy
- Disadvantages: Boring, because there is no feel (especially those who like the sound) whatsoever is given.
What is the Best Mechanical Keyboard Switch Types ?
The best for the categories below are the results of a detailed Foxietech analysis. If a keyboard you want isn’t on the first list, don’t be offended. Because everyone has their own switch preferences.
So let’s go straight to the topic of discussion.
1. Cherry MX
This time foxietech will propose Cherry MX as the best. That’s because of the quality of the material and the comfort when using it.
Cherry MX is very liked by many people. Therefore, Cherry MX is very popular among keyboard lovers today.
2. Topre Switch
Unlike other Switch Mechanical keyboards, Topre uses a mechanical mechanism and a rubber dome. So that makes this switch feel like a semi-mechanical,
But don’t get me wrong, this Topre is actually the most expensive, the price is different from other semi mechanic keyboards.
Topre switch feels like a linear but tactile and topre not as noisy as other mechanical switches.
Topre also feels smoother when pressed, therefore Topre is much liked by keyboard enthusiasts.
3. Gateron Switch
Maybe this gateron is slightly above Outemu/Kailh. Because the quality offered is also very good. The price is not more expensive than cherry mx.
For quality maybe a little below Cherry MX. This Gateron is suitable for you keyboard switch lovers at a price that is not very expensive.
4. Kailh and Outemu
Kailh and Outemu are mechanical switches made in China or keyboard lovers call them Cherry MX Clone/MX Knockoff.
That’s true because they stole the Design from Cherry MX itself, But why is it cheaper? Because they don’t need to patent their products and don’t need to spend money for Research and Development (R&D) purposes.
Even though it is called MX CLONE, the quality of Kailh and Outemu switches is not as good and durable as the original Cherry MX.
Kailh and Outemu are also available in a variety of switches, namely RED, BLACK, BLUE, BROWN, and CLEAR.
5. Romer G Switch
Romer G is an exclusive switch made by Omron for Logitech keyboards.
The purpose of making this switch is to compete with Cherry MX. The characteristics of this switch are similar to the MX BROWN, which is 45g tactile non-clickly but with a shorter key travel of 1.5mm.
6. Optical Switch
Optical switches have recently been released, in contrast to other switches that use Metal Contact Optical using infrared rays and detectors.
Its have the fastest key response compared to other switches, which is 0.2-0.5 ms and their lifespan is also more than 50 million-200 million presses/pressure.
And like other switches, Optical is also available in a variety of types from linear and tactile.
Conclusion
Now you already know the types of switches used by mechanical keyboards. But remember, before buying, you should try the keyboard first.
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Because the level of comfort depends on how the user feels it. Maybe the review above will help you in choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch types.
