Mechanical switches are the physical buttons that you press when you type on a mechanical keyboard. They are called “mechanical” because they use physical mechanisms to register a key press, as opposed to rubber dome switches or membrane switches which use rubber or plastic membranes to register key presses.
A mechanical switch consists of a housing, a spring, and a moving contact or “switch leaf.” When you press a key, you push down on the switch’s stem, which in turn pushes down on the switch leaf and activates the switch.
Each switch type has its own characteristics, such as the amount of force required to activate it, the tactile feedback it provides, and the sound it makes when it is activated. These characteristics make each switch type better suited for certain types of typing or gaming. Some examples of popular mechanical switch brands are Cherry MX, Kailh, Gateron, and Outemu.
In general, these switches are considered to be more durable and more pleasant to use than rubber dome switches. They are also more expensive. They are widely used in high-end gaming keyboards and typing-intensive applications
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Advantages of Mechanical switches
There are several advantages to using mechanical switches over rubber dome switches or membrane switches:
- Durability: Mechanical switches are generally more durable than rubber dome switches and can last for millions of key presses, whereas rubber dome switches may start to wear out after a few hundred thousand key presses. This means that mechanical keyboards have a longer lifespan and may be a better investment in the long run.
- Tactile feedback: Mechanical switches provide tactile feedback when a keypress is registered, which can help with typing accuracy and speed. This feedback is usually in the form of a “bump” or “click” that can be felt when the switch is activated.
- Audible feedback: Mechanical switches also provide audible feedback, in the form of a “click” sound when the switch is activated. This can be helpful for those who rely on sound to know when a key press has been registered.
- Customizability: Mechanical switches come in a variety of types, each with its own unique characteristics. This means that users can choose a switch type that best suits their typing or gaming needs.
- Consistency: They tend to provide consistent results, which is helpful for those who do intensive typing or gaming.
- Hygiene: Mechanical switches are easy to clean. They are less likely to harbor dirt and bacteria as compared to rubber dome or membrane switches
- Force level: Mechanical switches can be designed to have a variable force level. They provide the user with more control over their typing experience.
Overall, they offer a better typing and gaming experience than rubber dome or membrane switches. It is basically due to their durability, tactile and audible feedback, and customizability.
Best Mechanical Switches
The best mechanical switches for gaming are Cherry MX Switches, Gateron Switches, Razer Switches, and Kailh Switches. Let’s learn about each of them in detail.
Cherry MX Switches
Cherry MX Switches are used extensively in computer keyboards, as well as a number of other applications. They can be found in gaming keyboards, ergonomic office keyboards, and even high-end mechanical keyboards. Cherry MX Switches are considered the best because of their reliability and durability. They offer a smooth and consistent feel for typing, providing an enjoyable user experience. They have been used in the computer keyboard industry for more than 40 years, so they have a long history of reliability and performance. Cherry MX switches are available in a variety of colors to suit different preferences, such as red, black, brown, blue, and clear. These switches also have a linear or tactile action, depending on which version you choose.
Gateron switches
Gateron Switches are budget-friendly mechanical keyboard switches made by Gateron, a Chinese switch manufacturer. They are often compared to Cherry MX switches, and they are available in the same styles (linear, tactile, and clicky). These switches are renowned for their smoothness, while the clicky switches are known for their loudness. Gateron switches are also fully SMD-LED compatible, have a rated lifetime of 50 million cycles, and are available in a variety of colors. Gateron mechanical switches are available in red, blue, brown, white, black, and yellow variations. The actuation force for the switches ranges from 35g to 80g, making them suitable for gaming, typing, and daily tasks.
Razor Switches
Razer switches are Razer-branded clones of Cherry MX switches from multiple manufacturers. They are used in Razer’s BlackWidow and Orbweaver mechanical gaming keyboards. Razer switches come in three different types: green, orange, and yellow. The green and orange switches are clicky and tactile, respectively, while the yellow switches are linear. The Razer switches have a rated lifetime of 60 million keystrokes for the Kailh switches, and 80 million for the Greetech switches. They also support RGB lighting and have a shorter actuation distance than Cherry MX switches.
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Kailh Switches
Kailh Switches are mechanical keyboard switches made by Kailh, a Chinese switch manufacturer. These switches are often compared to Cherry MX switches, and they are available in the same styles (linear, tactile, and clicky). Kailh switches are renowned for their smoothness and are available in a variety of colors. Kailh mechanical switches are available in red, blue, brown, white, black, speed silver, speed copper, and speed gold variations. The actuation force for the switches ranges from 35g to 80g, making them suitable for gaming, typing, and daily tasks. Kailh switches have a rated lifetime of up to 60 million keystrokes.
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