Choosing your keyswitches?
Start here.
Keyswitches are one of the most important aspects of a mechanical keyboard. Getting to know your options will help you get the most out of your keyboard.
What are mechanical keyswitches?
Each key on a mechanical keyboard hides an actual physical switch under it, unlike the squishy rubber membrane you'd find on most keyboards. Typing on these mechanical switches is a very different experience from typing on regular ones. The keys have more travel, and are much more tactile; you don't have to press the keys all the way down to get them to register, which makes typing easier on the fingers; and of course, mechanical keyboards have their own unique sound. They sound like a keyboard.
What are your options?
Listen to the intro
When buying one of our keyboards, you get to choose from many keyswitch types.
When thinking about your switches, there are several things you should consider.
First, how much noise do you want your keyboard to make?
Do you want a clicky switch or a non-clicky switch?
Second, do you prefer a smoother typing experience, or do you want to feel a little bump when the key is actuated?
So, do you want a linear switch with no bump or a tactile switch with a bump?
And how much force do you want to use when typing on your keyboard?
This is measured in grams of pressure.
So do you want something really light, or do you want something that pushes back on your fingers a little?
If you can find some friends who have mechanical keyboards, try different switches to see what you like best: See what feels best under your fingers.
And remember, this decision isn't forever: you can swap out the keyswitches on your keyboard anytime, no soldering required.
Our keyswitches
Here are the keyswitches we currently offer.
Cherry MX Brown
Actuation Force
45±20gf
Pre-travel
2.0±0.6mm
Feel
tactile
Our most popular switch. Cherry MX Brown switches are tactile and quiet. Excellent for office use. These are a preferred choice for developers, writers, and anyone who works long hours in front of the computer.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailCherry MX Blue
Actuation Force
50±15gf
Pre-travel
2.0±0.6mm
Feel
clicky
Almost as popular as the Browns, MX Blue are everyone's favorite "clicky" switch. Easily recognizable by their signature audible clicking sound. Ideal for people who work from home, or have colleagues who appreciate old-school mechanical keyboards.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailCherry MX Clear
Actuation Force
65±15gf
Pre-travel
2.0±0.6mm
Feel
tactile
A slightly heavier sibling to the Brown switch. The MX Clear has the same qualities of Brown with a bit more resistance, for those who want more pronounced tactile feedback.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailCherry MX Red
Actuation Force
45±20gf
Pre-travel
2.0±0.6mm
Feel
linear
Most popular among gamers for their relatively light weight, and lack of tactile feedback. A solid performer for high-speed keypresses.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailCherry MX Silent Red
Actuation Force
45±15gf
Pre-travel
2.0±0.6mm
Feel
linear
A very quiet keyswitch, it’s as close as you’re going to get to the acoustics of typing on a laptop. Ideal for typing during conference calls and next to coworkers. It’s so quiet, people around you might not even realize it’s a mechanical keyboard.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailCherry MX Black
Actuation Force
60±20gf
Pre-travel
2.0±0.6mm
Feel
linear
Think Cherry MX Red, but heavier. Linear, with no tactile or audible feedback.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailCherry MX Speed Silver
Actuation Force
45±15gf
Pre-travel
1.2±0.4mm
Feel
linear
The smoothest Cherry MX Switch there is. Like a Red but lighter and more responsive, springy enough to get that mechanical feedback that you know and love, light enough to type for hours.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Brown
Actuation Force
60±10gf
Pre-travel
2.0±0.6mm
Feel
tactile
Compared to Cherry MX Brown, its sound is pitched a little lower and more subdued, and its return action is less pronounced.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Bronze
Actuation Force
50±10gf
Pre-travel
1.1±0.4mm
Feel
clicky
Clicks once on the downstroke, and clicks again on the upstroke. A high-pitched, crisp click. Light, precise, and utterly unique - this keyswitch is addictive.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Gold
Actuation Force
60±10gf
Pre-travel
1.4±0.3mm
Feel
clicky
Its click is crisp and precise, and its actuation is smooth.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Silver
Actuation Force
40±10gf
Pre-travel
1.1±0.3mm
Feel
linear
This is an extremely smooth keyswitch. Light enough not to tire your fingers, and quiet, too. Ideal for soft typing in an office environment.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Copper
Actuation Force
40±10gf
Pre-travel
1.1±0.3mm
Feel
tactile
Quite similar to the Kailh Silver, only these are tactile. Think “Brown lite”.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Box Brown
Actuation Force
50±15gf
Pre-travel
1.8±0.3mm
Feel
tactile
As we've come to expect from a switch labeled Brown, the tactile bump is gentle. These feel solid, right between a loud clicky switch and a smooth linear. Actuated slowly, you'd feel an almost buckling effect as the switch reaches its tactile point.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Box Red
Actuation Force
45±15gf
Pre-travel
1.8±0.3mm
Feel
linear
These are very civil switches. Typing on them is a pleasant, gentle experience. The linear action is easy on the fingers, and the sound is a little muted. Like other Kailh switches, actuation is beautifully smooth and fluid.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Box White
Actuation Force
45±10gf
Pre-travel
1.8±0.3mm
Feel
clicky
Slightly lower in pitch than the Kailh Gold, these are clicky to the point of being crunchy. Actuation is a smidge lighter, and it feels as though the box design might result in a slightly more resonant click.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailKailh Box Black
Actuation Force
60±10gf
Pre-travel
1.8±0.3mm
Feel
linear
Oh, such springy smoothness. We often think of Black switches as somewhat firm due to the high actuation force, but the buttery smooth action of the Box Black makes them feel lighter somehow. These switches still push back, but they don't feel tiresome.
Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailA Summary
Here are the keyswitches we currently offer.
SWITCH
Cherry MX Clear
65±15gf
2.0±0.6mm
tactile
Cherry MX Black
60±20gf
2.0±0.6mm
linear
Kailh Gold
60±10gf
1.4±0.3mm
clicky
Kailh Brown
60±10gf
2.0±0.6mm
tactile
Kailh Box Black
60±10gf
1.8±0.3mm
linear
Kailh Box Brown
50±15gf
1.8±0.3mm
tactile
Cherry MX Blue
50±15gf
2.0±0.6mm
clicky
Kailh Bronze
50±10gf
1.1±0.4mm
clicky
Cherry MX Red
45±20gf
2.0±0.6mm
linear
Cherry MX Brown
45±20gf
2.0±0.6mm
tactile
Kailh Box Red
45±15gf
1.8±0.3mm
linear
Cherry MX Speed Silver
45±15gf
1.2±0.4mm
linear
Cherry MX Silent Red
45±15gf
2.0±0.6mm
linear
Kailh Box White
45±10gf
1.8±0.3mm
clicky
Kailh Silver
40±10gf
1.1±0.3mm
linear
Kailh Copper
40±10gf
1.1±0.3mm
tactile
Not sure what to choose?
Our default pick for each board is carefully considered. When in doubt, it's very safe to go with it. If you're new to mechanical keyboards or just not sure what to choose, these switches are a popular and safe choice you're bound to enjoy.
Also, you can always contact us.