Tired of those conventional rubber dome keyboards? Go for a mechanical one! These Keyboard switches are destined to give you unique gaming experience. Some are tactile while some are linear. Some are noisy while some silent. Let’s go through our options!
10 Best Keyboard Switches
| BEST OVERALL 🏆 | PREMIUM CHOICE 💎 | BEST VALUE 💲 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
|
| NAME | Cherry MX B Keyboard Switch | Kailh Red Mechanical Switch | Cherry MX R Keyboard Switch |
| SPECIAL | Amazon's Choice ✅ | Best Seller ✅ | Coupon's Choice ✅ |
| SIZE | 10 | 65 Pcs | 10 |
| RATINGS | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.2/5 |
| DIMENSIONS | 4.45 x 2.05 x 0.67 | 0.39 x 0.39 x 0.39 | 3.98 x 2.68 x 0.63 |
- Cherry MX Brown Keyboard Switch
- Cherry MX Red Keyboard Switch
- Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard Switch
- Kailh Red Mechanical Switch
- Cherry MX Black Keyboard Switch
- Cherry MX Blue Keyboard Switch
- Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches
- Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch
- Kailh Black Mechanical Keyboard Switch
- Kailh Brown Mechanical Keyboard Switch
1. Cherry MX Brown Keyboard Switch
Rating : 4.3/5
The Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switch seems to have made a name in the domain of key switches for gaming. These are tactile and quiet gaming key switches meaning that you will experience a slight bump when the key is pressed. They do not make much sound.
The Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switch promises you versatility. It’s not every day that you get a switch that is quiet and also gives the bump that you want for assurance. The noticeable tactile feedback is the primary reason this key switch is popular among gamers. While most people prefer a smooth and feel-less keyboard experience, there are some who want to be assured that the key was pressed. This is accomplished with the tactile bump on the Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switch.
While gaming, most of you will not want that annoying clicking sound. And even if you do, I am sure the people around you will not like it! That is what the Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switch has taken an oath to be silent while giving you the same tactile feedback that you require.
Note that the Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switch needs only 45g of actuation force to gear that game going and will not be a burden on your fingers while you’re in the middle of a competitive game. The actuation point of this gaming key switch is 2mm with a total travel distance of 4mm.
Like most Cherry MX key switches, the Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switch also promises about 50 million keystrokes throughout its life span. The feel of the key switch is average. Not too special. But this doesn’t mean it is noticeably uncomfortable.
The Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switch is certainly one of the best choices you can make if you are looking for a tactile and quite key switch for your games.
2. Cherry MX Red Keyboard Switch
Rating : 4.3 /5
Mechanical keyboards are said to provide a more unique gaming and typing experience than your regular keyboards. And in this regard, the Cherry MX Red Keyboard switch comes on top of the list for several reasons. Weighing about 3.98 ounces, this keyboard switch is a linear, non-tactile, and non-clicky mechanical switch.
Being a linear key switch, the Cherry MX Red Keyboard switch is really easy to use with a simple operation. They only require about 45g of actuation force which makes it perfect for gaming. It does not produce a lot of sounds (or almost any sound) during actuation. The experience can be described as effortless and silky.
The Cherry MX Red Keyboard switch is pretty good at registering keystrokes accurately and precisely. It efficiently recognizes your movements and detects them to register a precise stroke hence giving you more fluidity as your fingers move across the keyboard.
The Cherry MX Red Keyboard switch is famous for not fatiguing your fingers and giving an effortless experience. And also, it is very durable. A pretty good investment, if you ask me. It can give you up to 50 million keystrokes. This may not seem a lot but if you compare it to the 5 million keystrokes a regular rubber dome keyboard gives you, you will know the difference.
Most females prefer the Cherry MX Red Keyboard switch because of its light feel. While some people may feel like this keyboard switch gives an error but the truth is, it just needs a little time to get used to. If you are a gamer used to all that fast action, you should definitely opt for the Cherry MX Red Keyboard switch because of its low resistance (because of the absence of a tactile bump). You will surely have a gaming experience to remember.
For those of you who prefer to not have tactile feedback, the Cherry MX Red Keyboard switch may just be the right choice for you. Experience the smooth, unique, and fluid experience of this keyboard.
3. Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard Switch
Rating : 4.3 /5
As the name suggests, the Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch is designed to give you faster and more accurate clicks. Another one of Cherry’s phenomenal creations. The headline is that the Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch has an actuation point of 1.2mm which is 0.8mm less than that of the Cherry MX Red.
The reduced distance in the actuation point leads to a much faster keypress than other MX key switches. Although, not that both the Cherry MX Red and Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch both require an actuation force of 45g. The feel of the keyboard is very light and the reduction in actuation point can be felt the moment you start using it. The feel is very shallow and the response faster.
Apart from the speed, the precision is phenomenal. Cherry wanted to make sure it did not compromise on accuracy and precision while working on speed. The Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch gives you very fine-tuned tactile feedback which can be essential for some gamers as well as a linear feel.
Without a doubt, the Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch is a reliable choice for competitive gaming. In competitive in-game situations, you have to make sure you react/attack at the exact moment it is called for. Not a minute sooner nor later! The Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch keeps this in mind and gives you extremely short reaction times to allow a unique gaming experience.
Apart from all this, the Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch also offers a high level of durability promising you up to 50 million keystrokes. But in terms of material used, I would say that this key switch is a little flimsy. Comfort was also not compromised.
The Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch is an excellent choice for competitive gamers who are simply looking for a fast alternative to their regular keyboards. Lastly, if you’re looking for a keyboard for coding then have a look at the guide which covers it in detail.
4. Kailh Red Mechanical Switch
Rating : 4.8/5
If you have a habit of bottoming out during gaming, then the Kailh Red Mechanical Switch might just be your go-to mechanical switch. Every gamer needs a keyboard that can keep pace with their fingers and not exhaust them despite excessive use. The Kailh Red Mechanical Switch is a soft, quiet, and non-fatiguing mechanical switch.
As it is a linear switch, the Kailh Red Mechanical Switch is fairly easy to operate and allow a smoother and more precise gaming experience. This key switch requires an actuation force of 50g which is relatively more as compared to most other mechanical switches. Still, it will not fatigue your fingers.
While the Kailh Red Mechanical Switch is clicky, it isn’t apparently noisy. In fact, you won’t be complaining of an annoying sound. It is plate mounted with three pins and is SMD compatible. The bottom-out is fantastic as well. The amazing thing about the Kailh Red Mechanical Switch is that you will not need a lot of time to get used to them. The overall feel and tactility of this mechanical key switch can be felt straight out of the box.
Another thing is that the Kailh Red Mechanical Switch is not wobbly. The throw, however, is a little short by 0.4mm but it is not a very noticeable difference and feels pretty much the same giving a more solid feel.
The total travel distance is 4mm. With great convenience, it also gives you high levels of durability. The Kailh Red Mechanical Switch promises you 50 million keystrokes!
In conclusion, the Kailh Red Mechanical Switch is a quiet and efficient alternative to your regular noisy keyboards! Definitely worth a try if you are a gamer.
5. Cherry MX Black Keyboard Switch
Rating : 4.3/5
The Cherry MX Black Keyboard switch is one of the most preferred Key switches for gaming thanks to its extremely low travel time and high actuation force. The 60 g actuation force makes the Cherry MX Black Keyboard switch more resistant and hence more liked by FPS gamers.
When the Cherry MX Black Keyboard switch arrives at your doorstep, you will find them neatly packaged in a box. Within the box, you will find a plastic envelope full of these beautiful black mechanical switches. They come with a PCB mount (5 pins).
While the Cherry MX Black Keyboard switch is resistant as compared to other models, you will find that this Key switch is very quite and linear. The feel of this switch is similar when you press it to when it bottoms out. Hence giving a smooth feel. Tactile feedback is absent and you won’t have much of that annoying noise everyone hates.
Because the Cherry MX Black Keyboard switch is linear, it gives very rapid actuation and reaction. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers as they thrive on quick reactions and right-at-the-moment responses. We all know how simple delays can ruin a good game. You also won’t experience any hysteresis.
However, if you’re planning on using this Keyboard switch for excessive typing, I won’t recommend it much. But since this article is about gaming, this shouldn’t be a noticeable con.
In short, if you’re a gamer in the habit of fast-paced and competitive gaming, the Cherry MX Black Keyboard switch is definitely a key switch you might want to consider for your next mechanical keyboard. Lastly, if you’ve got long nails then try these keyboards designed for long nails.
6. Cherry MX Blue Keyboard Switch
Rating : 4.3 /5
If you’re not a fan of quiet and non-clicky key switches, then the Cherry MX Blue Keyboard switch might be the right option for you. It gives a noticeable and audible tactile feedback. The Cherry MX Blue Keyboard switch requires 60g of actuation force to get over the tactile bump. Perhaps this is what accounts for the loud sound it produces.
Of all the MX switches, the Cherry MX Blue Keyboard switch is known to give you the maximum thud sound and the real feel of the mechanical keyboard. It is also the loudest of the lot. The clicky sound is very noticeable and audible. The sliders on this key switch are separate (two slider construction).
While most may think that the Cherry MX Blue Keyboard switch is more suitable for typing, I would like to point out that hundreds of the best FPS gamers are in possession of the Cherry MX Blue Keyboards and actually prefer the clicky sound and tactile feedback. The resistance can prove to be a favorable trait for gamers. However, everyone is entitled to their opinions.
If you don’t mind your fingers fatiguing a little during the game, the Cherry MX Blue Keyboard switch can prove to be just the right choice.
While they may not be the BEST choice in the domain of key switches for gaming, the Cherry MX Blue Keyboard switch is still a good choice for gamers.
7. Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches
Rating : 4.5 /5
Logitech’s Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches are said to be 25 percent faster than all other key switches and are rumored to be really key switches for gaming. Let’s dive into the features and see if this is actually true.
Well, first of all, the Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches require an actuation force of 45g which is pretty low as compared to the more resistant key switches. So not a lot of effort is required to make a click. The travel distance is pretty short with an actuation point of a mere 1.5mm. The features dramatically increase responsiveness and make the keyboard faster.
What’s surprising is that these switches are more durable than all the others on the list mentioned above. While the cherry MX switches promise 50 million key presses, the Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches offer you durability with keypresses of up to 70 million! You can keep playing for ages with this one!
You will also find that the keycaps on these key switches come in an all-new design with angular sides! You can say goodbye to the cylindrical hollow keycap design. Why is this necessary? Well, it helps your fingers glide more easily onto the keys. The keys have been designed in a way that allows a beautiful LED light-up across the entire keyboard.
What’s more, is that the Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches have a very light feel and the sound produced by them is hardly audible. Some think that these key switches hardly give the feel of a mechanical key switch and feels more like a rubber dome one. But everyone has different opinions.
Getting used to the Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches takes some time. But once you get the hang of them, they are very comfortable and light. Thanks to the short travel distance, responsiveness is increased by a million and you can press the same key repeatedly, easily. If we add in the raised keycaps, the Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches become the perfect match for gaming.
In essence, the Romer-G Mechanical Key Switches are must-haves if you are looking for fast, accurate, and precise key switches for gaming.
8. Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch
Rating : 4.5/5
The Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch is designed to give you the perfect tactile keyboard feel that you crave. This keyboard switch is smooth, satisfying, consistent, light, and super quiet. Just the way you like it!
When I said quite, I did not really mean silent. While the Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch may be quiet and relatively silent, it isn’t so completely. In fact, you will hear the clicky sound louder occasionally. Because the Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch has combined silence with tactility to give you just the right amount of noise: the pleasing kind.
The Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch is perfect for gaming. They give you just the right tactile feedback. It requires an actuation force of 60g which is of medium feel. The switch feels comfortable to type on and the preload is very light!
The Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch gives you great comfort when you are running your fingers rapidly on the board. Rapid use during typing and gaming can really tire out your fingers but the Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch and its light preload help reduce fingertip impact and protect them.
For reducing bottom out, the spring is heavy. It requires a spring force of about 100 FG. While the manufacturer claims that you won’t experience a clicky sound when using this keyboard switch, the truth is that occasionally, you might. Tactile switches tend to make a little noise and the Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch is no exception.
All in all, I assure you that the typing experience will be smooth and mostly effortless. The only con is the poor packaging and that they are not as quiet as the manufacturer claims. Apart from this, the Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch promises you up to 80 million keystrokes.
In essence, the Drop Halo True Keyboard Switch is a good keyboard switch for gamers and will do well in action games.
9. Kailh Black Mechanical Keyboard Switch
Rating : 4.8/5
The Kailh Black Mechanical Keyboard Switch will give you a smooth and professional feel the minute you get them out of the box. It is a linear switch so it is fairly simple to use and operate giving you a silky keyboard experience.
The Kailh Black Mechanical Keyboard Switch is waterproof and dustproof so you do not need to worry much if your juice spills on it or if dust has accumulated. However, users claim that this is not entirely the case and that it is not completely waterproof. So try keeping that juice away unless it is an accident!
An actuation force of 60g is required with an actuation distance of 2mm. While the force is larger than Cherry MX switches, it certainly doesn’t mean that the Kailh Black Mechanical Keyboard Switch gives you a hard time. In fact, it has taken an oath to provide you with a silky smooth experience. It is very quiet and silent as well. Press away for hours without annoying anyone with the sound!
You will observe very little wobble and are amazing the minute you start using them. Durability is also promised. You can accomplish up to 50 million keystrokes with the Kailh Black Mechanical Keyboard Switch.
The Kailh Black Mechanical Keyboard Switch is another amazing choice for gamers and typers alike. A must-have, for sure.
10. Kailh Brown Mechanical Keyboard Switch
Rating : 4.4 /5
Very different from the previous switch, the Kailh Brown Mechanical Keyboard Switch is a tactile one giving feedback and clicky sounds evidently.
There is a box enclosure that is supposed to protect it from the effects of dust and water. However, just like the Kailh Black Switch, it is not completely waterproof. The Kailh Brown Mechanical Keyboard Switch is similar to the black. Having the same 1.8mm actuation distance, and 60g actuation force. The main difference is that the black is linear while the Kailh Brown Mechanical Keyboard Switch is tactile giving that sound when it overcomes the bump.
Again, another amazing choice for gamers.
Tactile switches are the perfect choice for gamers. And the Kailh Brown Mechanical Keyboard Switch will not disappoint.
Conclusion
Gaming requires quick responses and short reaction times. Delays can be fatal and very frustrating to the gamer! Having just the right keyboard switch is essential. While all the keyboard switches above area amazing choices, I would recommend the following.
- The Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switch because of its durability, silence, and low actuation force requirements.
- The Cherry MX Red Keyboard switch because of the smooth and comfortable experience.
- The Cherry MX Speed Silver Keyboard switch because of its speed and low reaction time.
We hope this article guided you in picking the next set of keyboard switches.