Switch choice is arguably the most important part of a keyboard build. It is the component that provides the overall typing feel. Although this is the component that is truly dependent on your personal preference, this article aims to shed some light on very well-received switches.
In today’s custom keyboard market, there are a lot of mechanical keyboard switches to choose from. Some of the “must-try” switches include the Alpaca V2 (Linear), Boba U4T (Tactile), and Kailh Box Jades (Clicky). All switches mentioned in this article have their own unique strengths. The best switch will depend on the user’s personal preference.
In this article, we will be talking about some of today’s most popular enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard switches. We will be going through all three switch types: linear, clicky, and tactile. And by the end of this article, enthusiasts should have a good idea on which enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard switch to try or use in their next custom keyboard build.
Enthusiast-Grade Mechanical Keyboard Switches vs. Mainstream Switches
Before we start listing our recommendations for enthusiast switches, we will first draw the boundary between mainstream switches and enthusiast switches. This is because some mainstream switch manufacturers may also have what some in the hobby would consider as enthusiast grade switches.
Mainstream mechanical keyboard switches will often be found on pre-built keyboards. This category has brands like Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, and peripheral brand-specific switches like Razer, Steelseries, and Logitech G.
Enthusiast grade switches are a step above the popular switches from previously mentioned brands. For example, the vanilla Gateron Reds are considered mainstream switches. Its enthusiast-grade equivalent would be Gateron Ink Reds.
Top Enthusiast Grade Switches
Linear Switches
Alpaca V2 (Smoothness + In Stock)
- Brand: Durock
- Manufacturer: JWK
- Actuation Force: 62g
- Housings: Nylon Bottom, Polycarbonate Top
- Stem: POM
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Based on the SA Bliss colorway by Minterly, the Alpaca V2 is a smooth linear switch with a gold-plated spring. The Alpacas have quite the reputation backing it inasmuch as a lot of JWK manufactured linear switches with 62g springs are often labeled as “recolored Alpacas.” Availability is not an issue, especially with the existence of recolors, making Alpacas a must-try in-stock switch.
TKC x C3 Equalz Tangerine (Smoothest and Cutest)
- Brand: TKC
- Manufacturer: JWK
- Actuation Force: 62g (Light Green Stem), 67g (Dark Green Stem)
- Housings: UHMWPE
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Sporting full orange, translucent housings, and a green stem, it is very obvious where the Tangerine switches get their name from. While the light green stem version has the same spring spec as Alpacas, the housing materials on the two are different and give a distinct sound profile between the two. The UHMWPE housing on the Tangerines gives the switch a higher pitch compared to the Alpacas. As such, the material choice offers much smoother travel.
Durock POM (Deep Smoothness)
- Brand: Durock
- Manufacturer: JWK
- Actuation Force: 63.5g
- Housings: POM Blend
- Stem: POM Blend
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
“What if we made a switch made entirely out of the Alpaca stem material?” That was probably the question asked when coming up with the concept of the Durock POM. The proprietary POM blend offers a deeper sound compared to the two aforementioned switches.
Novelkeys x Kailh Cream (Great Over Time)
- Brand: Novelkeys
- Manufacturer: Kailh
- Actuation Force: 50g
- Housings: POM
- Stem: POM
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
The Novelkeys Cream switches have quite an unusual reputation. If you’ve ever heard of the need to break in a car after repairs or burn in a pair of headphones before use, well, the Creams are no stranger to such practices. Stock and out of the box, the Creams have quite some scratchiness to them akin to very fine sandpaper.
While lubing the switches reduces this, it is said that using it over time and letting the lube set more helps improve it further. It’s a bit strange when the POM material it uses is supposedly “self-lubricating.”
Gateron Black Ink
- Brand: Gateron
- Manufacturer: Gateron
- Actuation Force: 60g actuation, 80g bottom out
- Housings: Undisclosed
- Stem: Undisclosed
- Pins/Mount: 5-pin/PCB mount
Despite being a mainstream switch brand, Gateron has their line of premium, enthusiast-grade switches known as the Ink line. These switches are best known for their translucent housing and colored springs, hence the Ink moniker. Its signature sound is a bassy bottom out, contrasting the high-pitched sound the non-Ink version has.
Everglide Aqua King (Stock+Aesthetics King)
- Brand: Everglide
- Manufacturer: JWK
- Actuation Force: 55g, 62g, 67g
- Housings: Polycarbonate
- Stem: Polycarbonate
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Seeing “JWK” and “62g actuation”, you may be compelled to think this is yet another JWK/Alpaca recolor. The appearance alone could make you think otherwise, as with the lack of color. The biggest thing going for this switch is aesthetic value. If you run a board with good RGB lighting, the whole switch being transparent gives a crazy glow to your keyboard’s lighting.
The next best thing this switch has is excellent stock performance. The EG Aqua Kings have sufficient lubing out of the box, and while it cannot simply compare to manual hand lubing, you may use it as is without issue.
H1 Linear V2 (Heavy Hitter)
- Brand: Quad-H
- Manufacturer: JWK
- Actuation Force: 78g
- Housings: Special PC Top, Special Nylon Bottom
- Stem: POM
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
With how unlikely you are to get inexpensive, very sought-after Vintage Cherry MX Blacks, H1 Linears were made with the intention of being the Vintage Black alternative. Featuring a pretty heavy actuation force and identical form to Vintage Blacks, it isn’t hard to see why it was intended to be such.
As with pretty much all JWK manufactured switches, the H1 has very smooth travel. Do note that if you’re looking for the signature Vintage Black sound signature, the H1 is a bit higher-pitched and plasticky compared to the Vintage Black’s deep sound.
Gateron Yellow KS3 (Budget King)
- Brand: Gateron
- Manufacturer: Gateron
- Actuation Force: 50g
- Housings: Nylon
- Stem: POM
- Pins/Mount: 5-pin/PCB mount
Most often nicknamed “Butter” switches because of the yellow stem and slippery smoothness. Despite being a budget switch, the Gateron Yellows are good enough to make their way outside of budget builds. Definitely consider this as a first choice for switches or for upgrading.
Honorable Mention: Cherry MX Hyperglides
- Brand: Cherry
- Manufacturer: Cherry
- Actuation Force: 60g (Black), 45g (Red)
- Housings: Nylon
- Stem: Undisclosed
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Cherry MX is definitely the most popular mechanical switch brand. Cherry MX introduced the Hyperglides with the Cherry MX Black Hyperglide in CES 2020. With the new Hyperglide tooling, the switch lifespan is supposed to be increased to well over 100 million actuations, smoothness increased, and tolerances tightened (less wobble). Although Cherry MX is definitely not one to be considered for enthusiasts, the reception of the Hyperglide switches may mend the rift between the two groups.
Tactile
Boba U4T (Thick Thocks)
- Brand: Gazzew
- Manufacturer: Outemu
- Actuation Force: 62g, 68g
- Housings: Proprietary Blend
- Stem: Proprietary Blend
- Pins/Mount: 5-pin/PCB mount
“T for Thock” Gazzew and Outemu’s brainchild is this very distinctly salted egg-colored switch best known for being the thockiest tactile switch that is very easily available. Gazzew himself recommends using the switch in its stock form but lubing and filming will improve such a great switch even more.
It features a strong but rounded tactile bump, matching the deep sound profile it produces. While the Holy Panda has dominated the tactile market for quite a while, the Boba U4T has seemingly taken over its spot as the tactile king.
Holy Panda (Tried and Tested formula)
- Brand: Drop x Invyr
- Manufacturer: BSUN Housing, Kailh Stem
- Actuation Force: 67g
- Housings: Polycarbonate Top, Nylon Bottom
- Stem: POM
- Pins/Mount: 3-Pin/Plate Mount
The iconic salmon-and-white Holy Pandas. Originally a Frankenswitch made of Halo Clear/True stems with the Invyr Panda housing, the Holy Panda switch takes the cons out from both switches and merges the best from the two. The snappy, sharp tactility gave this switch its reputation, especially during a time where Brown switches were pretty much all you hear of when talking about tactile switches.
Moyu Black/Everglide Dark Jade (Loud Tactility)
- Brand: Moyu/Everglide
- Manufacturer: JWK
- Actuation Force: 67g
- Housings: PBT
- Stem: POM
- Pins/Mount: 5-pin/PCB mount
Sporting a black stem with white housing, you’d think this is the Holy Panda switch. It comes close, with a similar actuation force and sharp tactility. However, the Dark Jades are much louder and clackier, the signature sound of this switch. If you’re the type to really want to hear and feel as you type, this switch is perfect for you.
Durock T1/Sunflower (Budget Tactile)
- Brand: Durock
- Manufacturer: JWK
- Actuation Force: 67g
- Housings: PC Top Nylon Bottom (T1)/POM (Sunflower)
- Stem: POM (T1)/Mystery Blend (Sunflower)
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
It is safe to say that, at this point, most tactile switches with a 67g actuation would be held to the standard of Holy Pandas. It isn’t farfetched to say that the Durock T1 was sold as a Holy Panda alternative. The two previous switches come with a bit of a price tag, and the T1 works as a cheaper alternative to the two. Featuring a well-rounded tactile bump with little pre-travel, its sound may be described as popping bubble wrap on a keyboard.
The Sunflower follows the success of the Durock POM Linears. It is essentially a Durock POM Tactile, retaining the T1’s tactility with the smoothness of Durock POM Linears.
Clicky (Kailh Clicky Switches)
Kailh Box Clicky
Kailh Box White (Light)
- Brand: Novelkeys x Kailh
- Manufacturer: Kailh
- Actuation Force: 45g
- Housings: Undisclosed
- Stem: Undisclosed
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Kailh Box Jade
Kailh Box Jade (Medium)
- Brand: Novelkeys x Kailh
- Manufacturer: Kailh
- Actuation Force: 50g
- Housings: Undisclosed
- Stem: Undisclosed
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Kailh Box Navy (Heavy)
- Brand: Novelkeys x Kailh
- Manufacturer: Kailh
- Actuation Force: 60g
- Housings: Undisclosed
- Stem: Undisclosed
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Kailh Box Clicky switches deserve their own category since they’re pretty much the only clicky switch one would recommend when asked for an enthusiast-grade clicky switch. The “box” surrounding the stems is added with the intention of creating a switch that is more dust and fluid-resistant. These clicky switches use a click bar rather than a click jacket, creating a more distinct click with satisfying tactile feedback.
As they are listed, these switches are in order of actuation weight. The heavier switches also tend to produce more whole-sounding clicks, accentuated by the blockier stem.
Silent Switches
Not all environments may appreciate the loud, distinct mechanical keyboard sound. Late-night typing requirements or office environments may require a different type of switch. If you absolutely need the silence of typing without sacrificing a good typing feel, this section is for you.
Bobagums (Silent Linear)
- Brand: Gazzew
- Manufacturer: Outemu
- Actuation Force: 52g, 62g, 68g
- Housings: Proprietary Blend
- Stem: Proprietary Blend
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Boba U4S (Silent Tactile)
- Brand: Gazzew
- Manufacturer: Outemu
- Actuation Force: 62g, 68g
- Housings: Proprietary Blend
- Stem: Proprietary Blend
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
The hype behind Gazzew and Outemu’s Boba switches is surely warranted. Switches that perform great out of the box, along with excellent typing feel and sound, helped it make its way to the top of switch recommendations. Gazzew’s silent switch options follow suit as well.
The Bobagums are very cutely pink-colored silent linear switches. It may be used right out of the box without issue, having this sort of dampened smoothness despite only the leaf and spring being lubed. Of course, lubing the slider rail contact areas will only make this type smoother.
The Boba U4S is a silent tactile switch featuring a pearly white stem and housing. Basically, a silent version of the U4T’s, expect excellent performance from this switch with a tradeoff of sound.
Silent Alpaca
- Brand: Durock
- Manufacturer: JWK
- Actuation Force: 62g
- Housings: Nylon Bottom, Polycarbonate Top
- Stem: POM
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
As the name suggests, this is a silent version of the Alpaca switch. Featuring the trademark smoothness of the Alpaca, the only thing you’ll be truly missing from this switch is the distinct Alpaca sound that matches its smoothness.
Special Mentions
Zeal PC Switches
- Brand: Zeal PC
- Manufacturer: Gateron
- Actuation Force: Depends on Variant
- Housings: Undisclosed
- Stem: Undisclosed
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
Zeal PC’s most popular switch, the Zealios Tactile switch, had quite the reputation some 3-4 years ago as of this article’s writing. It was hailed as the premium switch at the time, with its price justifying its performance. Nowadays, though, with switch prices becoming much more competitive, it doesn’t seem practical to be running a full board of Zeal switches. It can’t be denied, though, that their switches are really good as they are, which is why they are worth the special mention. But with a lot more cheaper alternatives coming out with performance almost on par with Zeal switches, it just doesn’t seem practical to use them.
Akko CS Switches
- Brand: Akko
- Manufacturer: KTT
- Actuation Force: Depends on Variant
- Housings: Undisclosed (Presumably Nylon Bottom, PC Top)
- Stem: Undisclosed (Presumably POM following KTT Standard)
- Pins/Mount: 5-Pin/PCB Mount
The Akko brand has done quite the job shaking up the budget market, somewhat making a statement that low price does not always equal cheap quality. Their designer keycap sets and prebuilts are definitely their strong side, but their switches are no slouch either. Coming in at just around $11 per pack of 45 switches, the price to performance ratio that Akko CS Switches offer is almost unreal. Sounding and feeling great out of the box, definitely consider getting Akko CS switches when the budget is very tight and you’re looking for something that could hold up very well.
Stephen is the head content creator of Keyboardsexpert. His mechanical keyboard journey began in 2014 when he got his Razer Blackwidow. Since then, he has been fascinated with all things mechanical keyboard-related. He later discovered the custom keyboard hobby and fell in love with the vast customization options. He is currently searching for his endgame and is very excited to share his journey and educate other keyboard enthusiasts.
