What is your favorite mechanical keyboard switch type?

Question

25

Options
Considered

49

User
Recs.

Mar 13, 2022

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

24 Options Considered

What is your favorite mechanical keyboard switch type	Price	Last Updated
-- Cherry MX Brown	-	Apr 4, 2020
-- Cherry MX Blue	-	Sep 24, 2019
-- Cherry MX Clear	-	Aug 21, 2020
-- Cherry MX Black	-	Dec 8, 2020
-- Buckling spring	-	Jul 15, 2018

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score 10 · Answer 1

Cherry MX Brown

Top Pro

Not clicky

While clicky switches (Blue, Green) provide audible feedback, they can be loud and distracting to others. Brown switches don't have any click, but still make a bit of sound because of the slight tactile bump. See More

Top Con

Tactile feedback is not distinct enough

Top Pro

Soft tactile feedback

Top Pro

Soft pressure point

A lighter pressure point means that you don't need to hit the keys as hard for it to register. For Brown switches, you can lightly tap the key and it will register, while other switches require more force. See More

See All

score 8 · Answer 2

Cherry MX Blue

Top Pro

Tactile feedback

Top Con

Noisy

Top Pro

Audible click

Top Pro

Click pressure point

See All

score 9 · Answer 3

Cherry MX Clear

Top Pro

Tactile pressure point

Top Pro

Doesn't make a lot of noise (non-clicky)

Top Pro

Heavy switch

The activation weight is 55g (compared to the similar Brown's 45g), making for a heavier feeling keyboard See More

Top Pro

Good general use switch

The Clear switch carries many similarities to the Brown switch, which means it has a tactile bump with no audible click. See More

See All

score 3 · Answer 4

Cherry MX Black

Top Pro

Linear

wolfsnase's Experience

I have a Steelseries 6GV2 keyboard with Cherry MX Black switches for about 8 years now. All keys on the keyboard still feel like on day one. The switches need a bit more pressure than other types. You only have to press the keys half way through to type. If you're accustomed to that type of switch, this results in some noise reduction during typing. See More

Top Pro

Heavy switch

The Black is the heaviest out of the 4 most common switches (Black, Brown, Blue, Red). It requires 60g of pressure for activation. See More

Top Pro

Ultimately durable

On my 8 year old keyboard, all keys still feel like on day one. See More

Top Pro

Very sturdy

See All

score 2 · Answer 5

Buckling spring

Top Pro

Very precise

Top Con

Takes more vertical space than most other switch types

Top Pro

Equally good for double-tapping and single press of a key

Top Con

Less accessories available

Top Pro

Buckling springs are very durable

Top Con

Noisy

Top Pro

Buckling of the spring provides tactility and auditory feedback

See All

score 2 · Answer 6

Matias Quiet Click

Top Pro

Damped slider

Top Con

Wobble

Top Pro

Tactile

Top Pro

Heavier weight without being too heavy

Top Pro

Very quiet

See All

score 1 · Answer 7

Matias Click

Top Pro

Great value for money

An inexpensive way to nab an ALPS style switch. See More

Top Con

Noisy

Top Pro

Audible click

See All

score 1 · Answer 8

Cherry MX Green

Top Pro

Heaviest switch

With 80g of activation pressure, the Green switches are the heaviest available. If you find yourself pounding on your keyboard, yo're sure to like the weight of the Green switches. See More

Top Pro

Tactile feedback

Top Pro

Audible click

See All

score 3 · Answer 9

Cherry MX Silent Red

Top Pro

Shorter Key Travel Distance

3.7mm total travel and 1.9 actuation point make the typing speed a little bit faster than other switches with 4.0mm total travel. See More

Top Con

The sound of the larger keys could be more obvious.

The sound of the switches are quieter, so the sound coming from stabilizers would be easier to notice. See More

HelpfulShivini's Experience

Really comfortable and silent to type on. Tried Topre but found light linear switches brings more speed to me. See More

Top Pro

Combine most pros of MX Red

It is a modified version of MX Red. So most advantages of MX Red will exist in MX Silent Red. See More

Top Con

Require more force to actuate

The mechanism inside brings more friction, so you need to push the keys harder. See More

Top Pro

Really quite

You could barely hear any sound. Even quieter than some keyboards on laptops. See More

See All

score 2 · Answer 10

Cherry MX Red

Top Pro

Linear easy actuation

Top Con

Mushy feeling

The Red switch doesn't offer any feedback (either audio or tactile), so they can end up feeling mushy. See More

Paolo's Experience

My favorite switch type. I type a lot and this doesn't tire my fingers quickly. I also love how smooth and silent the switch is. See More

Top Pro

Minimal resistance

Top Pro

No pressure point

Top Pro

Very quiet

Because there is no click or tactile bump, the Red switch is the quietest Cherry MX switch available. See More

See All

score 1 · Answer 11

Topre Standard

Top Pro

Very smooth

Its action is very smooth, with a tactile bump near the top of the stroke. See More

Top Con

Possibly semi-mechanical rubber dome

Debate over whether it is technically classified as mechanical as the question asks, or only semi-mechanical See More

Top Pro

Tactile bump

Top Pro

Low resistance after the bump

See All

score 1 · Answer 12

Cherry MX Tactile Grey

Top Pro

Tactile, stiff

Answer 13

Alps SKCM Orange

Add Video or Image

Answer 14

Cherry MX Click Grey

Top Pro

Audible click

Top Con

Noisy

Answer 15

Matias Quiet Linear

Top Pro

Linear

Answer 16

Topre Short-Throw

Top Pro

Tactile bump

Its action is very smooth, with a tactile bump near the top of the stroke. See More

Top Con

Possibly semi-mechanical rubber dome

Debate over whether it is technically classified as mechanical as the question asks, or only semi-mechanical See More

Top Pro

Low resistance after the bump

Top Pro

Very smooth

Its action is very smooth, with a tactile bump near the top of the stroke. See More

Top Pro

Compact

Short-throw switch used in compact-layout keyboards. See More

See All

Answer 17

Topre Two-Tone

Top Pro

Tactile bump

Top Con

Possibly semi-mechanical rubber dome

Debate over whether it is technically classified as mechanical as the question asks, or only semi-mechanical See More

Top Pro

Low resistance after the bump

Top Con

Cannot be disassembled

Only the plunger can be removed, compared to the standard Realforce switch, which can be removed completely from the mounting plate. See More

Top Pro

Very smooth

Its action is very smooth, with a tactile bump near the top of the stroke. See More

See All

Answer 18

Alps SKBM Grey

Add Video or Image

Answer 19

Cherry MX Lock

Top Pro

Locked when pressed and unlocks when pressed again (latching)

Answer 20

Cherry MX Linear Grey

Top Pro

Linear

24 Options Considered

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Brown

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Brown

Not clicky

Tactile feedback is not distinct enough

Soft tactile feedback

Soft pressure point

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Blue

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Blue

Tactile feedback

Noisy

Audible click

Click pressure point

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Clear

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Clear

Tactile pressure point

Doesn't make a lot of noise (non-clicky)

Heavy switch

Good general use switch

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Black

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Black

Linear

Heavy switch

Ultimately durable

Very sturdy

My Recommendation for Buckling spring

My Recommendation for Buckling spring

Very precise

Takes more vertical space than most other switch types

Equally good for double-tapping and single press of a key

Less accessories available

Buckling springs are very durable

Noisy

Buckling of the spring provides tactility and auditory feedback

My Recommendation for Matias Quiet Click

My Recommendation for Matias Quiet Click

Damped slider

Wobble

Tactile

Heavier weight without being too heavy

Very quiet

My Recommendation for Matias Click

My Recommendation for Matias Click

Great value for money

Noisy

Audible click

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Green

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Green

Heaviest switch

Tactile feedback

Audible click

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Silent Red

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Silent Red

Shorter Key Travel Distance

The sound of the larger keys could be more obvious.

Combine most pros of MX Red

Require more force to actuate

Really quite

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Red

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Red

Linear easy actuation

Mushy feeling

Minimal resistance

No pressure point

Very quiet

My Recommendation for Topre Standard

My Recommendation for Topre Standard

Very smooth

Possibly semi-mechanical rubber dome

Tactile bump

Low resistance after the bump

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Tactile Grey

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Tactile Grey

Tactile, stiff

My Recommendation for Alps SKCM Orange

My Recommendation for Alps SKCM Orange

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Click Grey

My Recommendation for Cherry MX Click Grey

Audible click

Noisy