Choosing your keyswitches?
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2 rows of keyswitches

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.

Keyswitch: Cherry MX Brown
Openend keyswitch

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.

Enjoyed that? Listen to Tisha talk some more about switches!

tisha-talks-switches
Grid of keyswitches

Our keyswitches

Here are the keyswitches we currently offer.

Cherry MX Brown

Actuation Force

45±20gf

Pre-travel

2.0±0.6mm

Feel

tactile

A single Cherry MX Brown

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 detailWaveform

Cherry MX Blue

Actuation Force

50±15gf

Pre-travel

2.0±0.6mm

Feel

clicky

A single Cherry MX Blue

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 detailWaveform

Cherry MX Clear

Actuation Force

65±15gf

Pre-travel

2.0±0.6mm

Feel

tactile

A single Cherry MX Clear

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 detailWaveform

Cherry MX Red

Actuation Force

45±20gf

Pre-travel

2.0±0.6mm

Feel

linear

A single Cherry MX Red

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 detailWaveform

Cherry MX Silent Red

Actuation Force

45±15gf

Pre-travel

2.0±0.6mm

Feel

linear

A single Cherry MX Silent Red

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 detailWaveform

Cherry MX Black

Actuation Force

60±20gf

Pre-travel

2.0±0.6mm

Feel

linear

A single Cherry MX Black

Think Cherry MX Red, but heavier. Linear, with no tactile or audible feedback.

Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailWaveform

Cherry MX Speed Silver

Actuation Force

45±15gf

Pre-travel

1.2±0.4mm

Feel

linear

A single Cherry MX Speed Silver

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 detailWaveform

Kailh Brown

Actuation Force

60±10gf

Pre-travel

2.0±0.6mm

Feel

tactile

A single Kailh Brown

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 detailWaveform

Kailh Bronze

Actuation Force

50±10gf

Pre-travel

1.1±0.4mm

Feel

clicky

A single Kailh Bronze

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 detailWaveform

Kailh Gold

Actuation Force

60±10gf

Pre-travel

1.4±0.3mm

Feel

clicky

A single Kailh Gold

Its click is crisp and precise, and its actuation is smooth.

Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailWaveform

Kailh Silver

Actuation Force

40±10gf

Pre-travel

1.1±0.3mm

Feel

linear

A single Kailh Silver

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 detailWaveform

Kailh Copper

Actuation Force

40±10gf

Pre-travel

1.1±0.3mm

Feel

tactile

A single Kailh Copper

Quite similar to the Kailh Silver, only these are tactile. Think “Brown lite”.

Listen to Tisha talk about this switch in more detailWaveform

Kailh Box Brown

Actuation Force

50±15gf

Pre-travel

1.8±0.3mm

Feel

tactile

A single Kailh Box Brown

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 detailWaveform

Kailh Box Red

Actuation Force

45±15gf

Pre-travel

1.8±0.3mm

Feel

linear

A single Kailh Box Red

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 detailWaveform

Kailh Box White

Actuation Force

45±10gf

Pre-travel

1.8±0.3mm

Feel

clicky

A single Kailh Box White

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 detailWaveform

Kailh Box Black

Actuation Force

60±10gf

Pre-travel

1.8±0.3mm

Feel

linear

A single Kailh Box Black

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 detailWaveform

A 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.