What are the differences between Key Switch Types?

[Longshot]

im currently using a Microsoft Membrane keyboard but wanted to move to a mechanical but dont know what all these key types are?

 

Whats the Differences between them?

[Coolmaster]

Check this out 

 

[minibois]

2 minutes ago, Longshot said:

Whats the Differences between them?

Keep in mind this is a very open and vague question. It's almost like asking "what's the difference between all cars?". There is a LOT to consider.

 

The easiest way to narrow it down is that the differences are:

- Category of switch. Linear, Tactile, Clicky.

Linear just presses down, tactile has a 'bump' you feel when pressing the switch  and clicky clicks during that activation.

For reference, Cherry MX Red, Brown and Blue are Linear, Tactile and Clicky respectively.

 

- Weight of the switch

A switch has a weight to activate and bottom out. There are lighter and heavier switches

 

- Smoothness

A switch is made of different parts. The stem and housing come into contact and some switches are smoother in that regard. The spring can also change this.

 

From here, it's time for you to do the research to find your preferred switch.

Do you want something light or heavy? Linear, tactile or clicky? What type of clicky (i.e. clickjacket vs. clickbar)?

 

There are dozens if not hundreds of options out there (hundreds if you count variations/combinations of switches), so the best one is difficult to say, but everyone will have a preference.

Try out some switches in a store (provided it's safe to do so) or get a switch tester to test out some switches (although trying them out in a board is always different).

 

Check out this guide too:

Section 5 goes into the different switch options, with more detail than I have provided here.

[Longshot]

11 hours ago, minibois said:

Keep in mind this is a very open and vague question. It's almost like asking "what's the difference between all cars?". There is a LOT to consider.

 

The easiest way to narrow it down is that the differences are:

- Category of switch. Linear, Tactile, Clicky.

Linear just presses down, tactile has a 'bump' you feel when pressing the switch  and clicky clicks during that activation.

For reference, Cherry MX Red, Brown and Blue are Linear, Tactile and Clicky respectively.

 

- Weight of the switch

A switch has a weight to activate and bottom out. There are lighter and heavier switches

 

- Smoothness

A switch is made of different parts. The stem and housing come into contact and some switches are smoother in that regard. The spring can also change this.

 

From here, it's time for you to do the research to find your preferred switch.

Do you want something light or heavy? Linear, tactile or clicky? What type of clicky (i.e. clickjacket vs. clickbar)?

 

There are dozens if not hundreds of options out there (hundreds if you count variations/combinations of switches), so the best one is difficult to say, but everyone will have a preference.

Try out some switches in a store (provided it's safe to do so) or get a switch tester to test out some switches (although trying them out in a board is always different).

 

Check out this guide too:

Section 5 goes into the different switch options, with more detail than I have provided here.

i just investigated a bit and i think i inderstand what your saying, sadly i cant really test them because of the pandemic and my country's electronics stores not having any for display

 

im currently torn between the Blue and Red

 

i use my PC for gaming and typing

though for gaming i mostly use a controller because of the types of games i play

but im not sure how annoying it is to hear every click when i type and i have someone sitting next to me and dont want to annoy them

 

based on what i said, which would you recommend?

[Exidor]

There are things called switch testers you can order them online.

Not perfect but better than nothing.

https://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Switch-Tester-keyboard-Sampler/dp/B01GZHU1EG

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/ACAMPTAR-Acrylic-Keyboard-Plastic-Switches/dp/B07WJG15ZR/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Switch+Tester&qid=1610025379&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Cherry-Switch-Tester-Keyboard-Sampler/dp/B01GZHU1EG/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Switch+Tester&qid=1610025402&sr=8-2

 

I personally recently moved to Khali box switches and I am loving them.

Better than cherries and still widely available and not too expensive.

[Exidor]

7 minutes ago, Longshot said:

i just investigated a bit and i think i inderstand what your saying, sadly i cant really test them because of the pandemic and my country's electronics stores not having any for display

 

im currently torn between the Blue and Red

 

i use my PC for gaming and typing

though for gaming i mostly use a controller because of the types of games i play

but im not sure how annoying it is to hear every click when i type and i have someone sitting next to me and dont want to annoy them

 

based on what i said, which would you recommend?

Well loud switches can drive ppl nuts....

Many workplaces even have a policy that prohibits too loud keyboards.

 

The blues are in my opinion especially annoying they are famous for being loud.

[seon123]

37 minutes ago, Longshot said:

i just investigated a bit and i think i inderstand what your saying, sadly i cant really test them because of the pandemic and my country's electronics stores not having any for display

 

im currently torn between the Blue and Red

 

i use my PC for gaming and typing

though for gaming i mostly use a controller because of the types of games i play

but im not sure how annoying it is to hear every click when i type and i have someone sitting next to me and dont want to annoy them

 

based on what i said, which would you recommend?

It's all personal preference, ignore anyone that recommends which type of switch to use based on gaming, writing etc. Also, ignore anyone that only looks at Cherry MX switches, and ignore switch testers that only have Cherry MX, if you have the ability to choose switches.

 

Imo, anything that is not silenced is too loud for any quiet environment with people right next to you. For silenced linears, you could check out various JWK/Durock silenced linears, and for silenced tactiles, you could check out the Gazzew Boba U4. But again, personal preference, your coworkers might not be as sensitive to noise, and you might enjoy different feeling switches.

[minibois]

1 hour ago, Longshot said:

i just investigated a bit and i think i inderstand what your saying, sadly i cant really test them because of the pandemic and my country's electronics stores not having any for display

 

im currently torn between the Blue and Red

 

i use my PC for gaming and typing

though for gaming i mostly use a controller because of the types of games i play

but im not sure how annoying it is to hear every click when i type and i have someone sitting next to me and dont want to annoy them

 

based on what i said, which would you recommend?

Mechanical switches are absolutely based on personal preference, so I can't give recommendations on switch types if you have not tried anything.

Get a switch tester. That is the only way to know what you like to type on and only way to know if you consider any type of switch loud or not.