The beauty of mechanical keyboards is customizability. The most important choice you will make is the "switch" – the mechanism under each keycap. This guide explains the three main types.
The 3 Main Switch Types
Smooth
No bump, no click. Just a smooth travel from top to bottom.
- Best for Gaming
- Quietest
- Easy to make typos
Bump
A small bump you can feel when the key activates, but no loud click.
- Best Hybrid
- Great for typing
- Moderate noise
Loud
A bump plus a loud "click" sound. Very satisfying but noisy.
- Heavy Typists
- Audible feedback
- Bad for office/streaming
Switch Color Reference Guide
| Color | Type | Feel | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Linear | Smooth, Light | Quiet |
| Black | Linear | Smooth, Heavy | Quiet |
| Brown | Tactile | Light Bump | Moderate |
| Clear | Tactile | Heavy Bump | Moderate |
| Blue | Clicky | Clicky Bump | Loud |
| Green | Clicky | Heavy Click | Very Loud |
*Note: Colors are based on the Cherry MX standard, but most brands (Gateron, Kailh) follow this scheme.
Popular Switch Brands Compared
Not all switches are created equal. Here are the major players in the market.
| Brand | Reputation | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry MX | The Gold Standard | High | Durability & Consistency. The original mechanical switch. |
| Gateron | Smoother Clone | Medium | Enthusiasts who want a smoother feel than Cherry. Great value. |
| Kailh | Innovator | Medium | Unique distinctions like "Box" switches (dust/water resistant) and click bars. |
| Outemu | Budget King | Low | Entry-level mechanical keyboards. Decent feel but more key wobble. |
Beyond Standard: Specialty Switches
Optical Switches
Use light beams instead of metal contacts. Theoretically faster response times and double the lifespan (100M clicks). Popular in esports.
Low Profile
Shorter switches for slimmer keyboards. Shorter travel distance means faster actuation but a different, "laptop-like" typing feel.
Silent Switches
Internal dampeners reduce the "clack" sound on the downstroke and upstroke. Perfect for open offices (e.g., Cherry MX Silent Red).
Speed Switches
Actuate at 1.1mm-1.2mm (vs standard 2.0mm). Extremely sensitive. Great for gaming reflexes, annoying for typing (ghost presses).
Which Switch Should You Choose?
The Gamer
Recommendation: Linear (Red, Silver) or Optical.
You need speed and consistency. No bumps to distract rapid tapping.
The Writer
Recommendation: Clicky (Blue) or Tactile (Brown).
Rhythm matters. The physical feedback helps you know a key is pressed without bottoming out.
The Office Worker
Recommendation: Tactile (Brown) or Silent Red.
You want the mechanical feel without your coworkers plotting your demise due to the noise.
Sound Profiles: Thock vs. Clack
Enthusiasts often describe switch sounds with these terms:
- Thock: A deep, bass-heavy sound (like wood blocks hitting). Often achieved with lubed linear switches and thick keycaps.
- Clack: A higher-pitched, crisp sound. Typical of un-lubed switches or clicky switches.
- Ping: A metallic ringing noise from the spring. Bad. Get rid of it by lubing the springs!
Key Terms You Should Know
- Actuation Point
- The exact depth you need to press a key for the computer to register it. Speed switches have a high actuation point (1.2mm); standard is 2.0mm.
- Actuation Force
- How hard you have to press. Measured in grams (cN). Red is light (45g), Black is heavy (60g).
- Bottom Out
- Pressing the key all the way down until it hits the backplate. Mechanical switches don't need to be bottomed out to register.
- Travel Distance
- The total distance a key can move. Standard is 4.0mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
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