Guide: How to choose the switches for your mechanical keyboard?

Today, mechanical keyboards are more and more popular and have many advantages: durability, repairability, robustness, responsiveness... And all this thanks to one element: the switch , this small mechanism which makes all the difference in use and the performance of a keyboard . In this article, you will discover which keyboard switch to choose according to your needs.

What is a mechanical keyboard switch?

Photo credit: PlanètePC

A mechanical keyboard switch is a switch placed under each key of a mechanical keyboard. It works using a switch mechanism: when a key is pressed, an electrical connection is triggered, and the keystroke is recorded. Unlike traditional membrane keyboards (the most common type of keyboard on the market), mechanical keyboards offer a special typing feel and a longer lifespan.

As you will have understood, the main difference between a mechanical keyboard and a membrane keyboard is the presence of switches on the mechanical keyboard , thus making it much more responsive and offering greater precision.

To find out more about the particularities of a mechanical keyboard and its advantages, we invite you to read our article: Why choose a mechanical keyboard?

How do the switches work?

Photo credit: Clavier Custom

To better understand how a switch works on a mechanical keyboard , let's see how a switch is composed . Any switch is made up of a rod (1), a high base (2), a spring (3) and contacts (4).

When a key is pressed, the rod presses the spring, and pushes the contacts together, which sends an electrical signal to the device so that the keystroke is registered.

Which mechanical keyboard switch to choose ?

There are three main types of switches on the market, each with their advantages and disadvantages: the linear switch , the tactile switch , and the clicky switch .

What is a linear switch?

The linear switch is the most popular. It is appreciated for its excellent responsiveness and for its quiet sound signature . Its particularity is that it offers a uniform, fluid and constant resistance force throughout its stroke, with no perceptible stopping point when pressing the key.

The linear switch is the ideal switch for fast typing , and for games requiring responsiveness. Particularly recommended for gamers, it can also be suitable for typing text. However, due to its responsiveness, it may cause more typos when entering text.

If you are looking for a linear switch , we recommend the Roselle switch which will offer you soft, light and silent typing .

What is a tactile switch?

Unlike the linear switch , the tactile switch provides a slight resistance when pressing the key, indicating a clear activation point. The resistance force is not the same throughout the stroke, allowing you to feel when the key is pressed.

The tactile switch offers great typing precision and very versatile use. Pleasant for entering text, it is also appreciated for gaming. It is perfect for people who prefer to feel when the key is pressed, and for those who seek more precision than responsiveness.

If you are looking for a tactile switch , we recommend the Holy Panda switch which will offer you a distinctive, pleasant touch, with a strong sensation of activation .

What is a clicky switch ?

A clicky switch is a switch combining tactile resistance with an audible click when the key is activated. This type of switch is perfect for those who like to hear and feel the activation of the button, but it has the particularity of being quite noisy, which can be annoying depending on the uses and the working environment in which you are.

Conclusion

Whether you're a gaming addict, a professional writer, or a daily computer user, a mechanical keyboard with the right switch can significantly improve your user experience .

Linear , tactile , or clicky , the choice of a switch for mechanical keyboard will depend on your preferences, your typing style and the intended use. If responsiveness is important to you, then the linear switch will be perfect for you. On the other hand, if precision is a priority, the tactile switch will be ideal. If you are looking for a switch for a particular use, combining audible click and tactile resistance, then the clicky switch may be more suitable.

And if you want to customize your mechanical keyboard , we invite you to follow our guide and advice for building your own mechanical keyboard.