Mechanical Keyboard Switches: The Complete Guide to Types, Feel, and Brands

Quick Takeaways

  1. What is a mechanical switch?
    A tiny metal-and-spring mechanism under each keycap that registers presses more reliably and durably than rubber domes.
  2. Three feel categories:
    • Linear (smooth, no bump or click)
    • Tactile (you feel a little “bump” at actuation)
    • Clicky (bump plus an audible click)
  3. Top brands in 2025:
    Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, TTC, plus proprietary switches from Logitech, Razer, SteelSeries.
  4. Enthusiast favorites:
    Holy Panda, Zealios V2, Boba U4T, NovelKeys Cream, Akko Cream Yellow Pro.
  5. How to choose:
    • Gaming? Go linear (Red, Silver Speed).
    • Typing? Tactile (Brown, Zealios).
    • Love click? Blue, Box White.
    • Need quiet? Silent variants or low-travel.
    • Budget vs. premium? Gateron/Kailh/Outemu for value; Cherry and boutique switches for consistency.

Basic Terminology

Before we get into the different kinds of switches, it helps to understand a few basic terms you’ll see everywhere when shopping for a keyboard.

  • Switch
    This is the actual mechanism under each key that registers your press. It’s what gives a keyboard its feel and sound. Mechanical keyboards use—surprise—mechanical switches. Others, like cheap office keyboards, usually rely on rubber domes or scissor mechanisms.
  • Keycap
    The plastic piece you actually touch and see. Keycaps sit on top of switches and are what your fingers press down on. They have the letters and symbols printed on them, but they don’t do the actual work of sending input—just the interface between you and the switch.
  • Stem
    The part of the switch that moves when you press a key, sticking up into the keycap. Different stem shapes can affect keycap compatibility and feel.
  • Actuation Point
    The moment in the key press where the switch actually sends the signal to your computer. It usually happens before you bottom out (press the key all the way down).
  • Bottoming Out
    Pressing a key all the way until it hits the base. Some people bottom out every time, others prefer to float just enough to hit the actuation point.

1. What Makes a Switch “Mechanical”?

Underneath each keycap on a mechanical keyboard sits a small housing, a spring, and a pair of metal contacts. Pressing the key pushes the contacts together, sending a signal to your computer. Unlike rubber-dome keyboards—where a sponge-like pad collapses—mechanical switches offer:

  • Higher durability: Often rated 50–100 million keystrokes.
  • Clearer feedback: You feel (and sometimes hear) exactly when your key actuates.
  • Modularity: You can swap switches, lube them, even combine parts from different models.

2. The Three Feel Profiles

Linear

  • Feel: Completely smooth from top to bottom.
  • Noise: Quietest (no bump or click).
  • Actuation force: Commonly 35–50 grams.
  • Who it’s for: Fast-paced gaming, folks who like a consistent throw.
  • Examples: Cherry MX Red/Black, Gateron Yellow, Kailh Box Red, NovelKeys Cream.

Tactile

  • Feel: You encounter a small “bump” at the actuation point, then continue down quietly.
  • Noise: Soft, muted.
  • Actuation force: Often 45–65 grams.
  • Who it’s for: Writers, programmers—anyone who wants feedback without noise.
  • Examples: Cherry MX Brown, Gateron Brown, Zealios V2, Boba U4T.

Clicky

  • Feel + Sound: A tactile bump and a pronounced click.
  • Noise: Loudest type—can be disruptive in shared spaces.
  • Actuation force: Typically 50–65 grams.
  • Who it’s for: Nostalgic typists, office environments where sound is part of the fun.
  • Examples: Cherry MX Blue, Kailh Box White, Razer Green.

3. Major Switch Manufacturers

Cherry MX

  • Origin: Germany, the original industry standard.
  • Why people still love them: Uniform quality, easy to find, huge variety in feel and weight.
  • Variants to know: Red (linear 45 g), Black (linear 60 g), Brown (tactile 55 g), Blue (clicky 50 g), Silent Red/Brown.

Gateron

  • Claim to fame: Often smoother than early MX switches, at lower cost.
  • Popular in: Budget boards and mid-range customs.
  • Variants: Yellow (linear), Brown (tactile), Clear (very light linear), milky/clear housings for RGB.

Kailh (Kaihua)

  • Innovations:
    • Box switches (dust-resistant, crisp feel)
    • Speed switches (shorter travel for faster actuation)
    • Choc low-profile (ultra-thin for laptops/ultra-slim boards)
  • Why choose Kailh: Specialty options you won’t get elsewhere.

Outemu & TTC

  • Outemu: Entry-level boards under $50; switch replacement possible but feel varies.
  • TTC: OEM for brands like Razer; good balance of price/performance in linear and tactile.

Proprietary & Specialty

  • Logitech Romer-G (Omron): 45 g actuation, 1.5 mm travel, very even RGB.
  • Razer (TTC rebranded): Green (clicky), Yellow (silent linear), Orange (tactile).
  • SteelSeries QS1: 3 mm travel, linear, big LED well.
  • Topre: Electro-capacitive “hybrid” dome-spring, silky smooth and premium-only.
  • Hall effect: Magnetic sensing, zero debounce, ultra-long life, needs special PCB.

4. Enthusiast & Aftermarket Switches

In the custom scene you’ll find small brands pushing unique feels:

  • Holy Panda: Known for a pronounced, satisfying bump.
  • Zealios V2: Smooth tactile bump, premium materials.
  • Boba U4T / Everglide Aqua King: Short travel, firm tactile.
  • NovelKeys Cream / Akko Cream Yellow Pro: Self-lubricating POM housings, buttery linears.
  • Akko, Durock, JWK: Offer transparent housings for vibrant RGB and varied spring weights.

These switches can cost 2–3× more than generic MX-style but deliver finely tuned sensations.

5. How to Pick Your Perfect Switch

Decide your primary use:

  1. Esports/gaming: Linear, light actuation (e.g. Silver Speed, Yellow).
  2. Long typing sessions: Tactile with moderate force (e.g. Brown, Zealios V2).
  3. Sound experience: Clicky or silent—match your environment.

Consider actuation force:

  1. Light (35–45 g) for speed, less finger fatigue.
  2. Medium (50–60 g) for balance.
  3. Heavy (65 g+) to avoid accidental presses.

Sound profile:

  1. Want stealth? Look for “silent” variants with rubber dampeners.
  2. Love clack? Choose clean-tuned clicky switches (Box Whites, MX Blues).

Budget vs. investment:

  1. Under $30 keyboard: Expect Outemu or basic Gateron.
  2. $30–$100: Gateron, Kailh, entry Cherry MX.
  3. $100+ or custom kit: Cherry MX, boutique switches, lubing/modding options.

Compatibility & mod-friendliness:

  1. MX-style stem: Nearly all keycaps fit.
  2. Lubrication & spring swaps: Easier with screw-in or hotswap boards.