A few years ago, a “gaming keyboard” consisted of an old membrane keyboard with a few fancy lights slapped on for good measure. Now, mechanical keyboards are the rage. Gamers have come to appreciate the responsiveness, durability, and versatility that only mechanical switches can provide.
However, having more options on the market also means more potential for confusion. How many different types of mechanical switches are there, and what’s the difference between them? What brands should you look at? Consult this helpful guide to find out.
Why buy mechanical?
Just in case you’re one of the few people who insists that a membrane keyboard is good, and you’d rather not spend a lot of money on a keyboard, take a few minutes to read A guide to mechanical keyboards. Short version: Membrane keyboards work by sending an electrical signal between two plastic membranes.
Mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, operate via a separate key under each keycap, as in a typewriter. This not only makes the keyboard more solid and less prone to failure, but also makes it more responsive and comfortable. If you’re a PC gamer or an accomplished writer and don’t own a mechanical keyboard, getting one can change your life in a small but important way.
How much do mechanical keyboards cost?
If you’re not picky about brand names, you can get a mechanical keyboard for as little as $60 — or even less, if you’re willing to accept an older model. If you go with a popular brand, though, mechanical keyboards without keys start at around $80, full-size keyboards cost around $110, while full-size keyboards with RGB lighting can be as low as $180.
linear vs tactile
The two words you’ll need to know to get the most out of this guide are “linear” and “concrete.” Almost every mechanical key is one or the other, and the difference between the two types is easy to understand. To actuate a linear switch, you have to push it all the way down, like a membrane switch. To stimulate a haptic switch, you usually press it halfway down; You can hold the key afterward, but you can also lift your finger and move to the next key right away.
Some enthusiasts argue that linear keys are better for gaming, while tactile keys are better for typing. I have no particular feelings about this debate, having successfully used both linear and tactile switches for both purposes.
Cherry MX
Cherry MX switches are the gold standard for mechanical keyboards. If the manufacturer doesn’t use genuine Cherry switches, you can bet the company will do everything they can to imitate them. There is not a single magic quality that makes Cherry comfortable and responsive – only old-fashioned German engineering and versatility.
Cherries come in a variety of colors, but these are the main colors you’ll see:
Chery MX Reds They are some of the most popular switches, and for good reason. These linear switches require 45 grams of force to actuate. The light touch makes it a good choice for both gaming and writing. The switches are also very quiet, especially the MX Red Silent variant, which makes them good for busy office or home environments.
Cherry MX Blacks They are linear switches very similar to Reds, except that they require 60 grams of force to operate. They feel a bit more resistant than Reds, and they are also available in Silent variant.
Chery MX Browns These are some of the most common keys on gaming consoles. Browns are tactile switches that require 45 grams of force to activate. They don’t make much noise, and come back up very quickly after turning on.
Cherry MX Blues They are “click” keys, which means they make audible clicking sounds every time you press them, like old typewriters. Some users find the noise satisfying; Others find it unbearable. You won’t know until you try. Cherry MX Blues require 50 grams of operating force.
Cherry MX Speed or Silver The switches are designed with gamers in mind. Like the Reds, Cherry MX Speeds are linear switches that require 45 grams of actuation force. Unlike Reds, they only travel 1.2mm instead of the standard 2mm. This in theory allows players to push keys faster – useful in genres such as MOBA (League of Legends, Dota 2) and MMO (World of Warcraft, Star Wars: The Old Republic), where skills are constantly updated.
There are other types of Cherry switches, such as Green-clicky Plus and Resistant Clears, but these varieties are not as popular as the ones listed above.
Scanner
Since 2014, Razer has produced mechanical switches for in-house keyboards. The resulting switches are responsive, comfortable, and arguably more durable than Cherry switches. In my tests, they were always just a little shorter than the original Cherry MX switches, but still better than Razer’s older diaphragm models.
The Razer Green switches are the company’s answer to tactile switches like the Cherry MX Blues. The Razer Greens run at 50g and beep like a fast-fire typewriter while clicking.
The Razer Orange switches are a quieter alternative to the greens, with a slightly lower actuation force of 45g. The orange switches are textured, but hardly make any sound, which makes them better suited to office or home environments where the light sleeps.
The Razer Yellow switches are aimed primarily at FPS players. Unlike the green and orange switches, the Razer Yellows are linear. Requires 45g of operating force. Razer says the lack of a perceptible bump will make the Yellows more attractive to players who need to hit the keys hard and frequently.
Logitech keys
Logitech Romer-Gs have been designed from the ground up to provide switches that will specifically benefit gamers. (Cherry, as both fans and detractors have pointed out, has always been designed with typing first and foremost in mind.) A tactile, quiet switch that requires 45 grams of actuation force, is similar to Romer-Gs Cherry MX Browns, but the return spring is slightly faster.
Newer Logitech keyboards use either GL or GX switches, which vary in style and appearance, depending on which type you get. The GL switches use thin keycaps, while the GX switches are a bit more traditional. The names attached to each key – written, tactile, tap, and so on – will help you identify how the keys feel and sound.
to before
Topre switches aren’t very popular this side of the Pacific, but like Spinal Tap, they’re really big in Japan. Serving as a sort of midpoint between the diaphragm and mechanical switches, Topres are unusual rubber dome switches that come in threaded plates. It’s not quite a membrane design, but it’s not really mechanical either. However, the Topre switches are quiet and operate at only 5g, which makes them worth considering if you want the lightest touch possible in something a bit more durable than a diaphragm surround.
Gretek is an agent
Lots of second-tier peripheral companies keep costs down by using Greetech or Kailh switches instead of Cherry MXs. Greetech and Kailh are both cheap Chinese brands of switches. I hesitate to say “cheap,” because both brands are fine; It’s not just premium products. Greetech and Kailh switches generally mimic Cherry colors and patterns, which means Greetech Red will feel like Cherry MX Red, Kailh Brown will feel like Cherry MX Brown and so on.
If you have the money, I would recommend going for a terminal with genuine Cherry MX switches. However, if for whatever reason this is not an option (Cherry switches are often not available, among other things), Greetech and Kailh make acceptable alternatives.
minimum
The type of switches you want depends on whether you want a linear or tactile experience, and whether you prefer quiet or noisy switches. Knowing these two factors will reduce your potential keyboard choices from dozens to just a handful.
If possible, buy a keyboard with Cherry MX switches. The gap between Cherries and competing switches isn’t as wide as it was a few years ago, but there’s a reason Cherry is still the most popular brand on the market.
Mechanical keyboards are expensive, but unless you insist on having the latest gadgets, you can often save a few (tens) bucks by purchasing a recently replaced model. Since game companies tend to update their console lineups every two years or so, you can get some good deals on peripherals with all kinds of switches if you’re willing to forgo features like RGB lighting and fancy software.
Next: Check out our guide to How to clean a mechanical keyboard.