Guide to Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms

This page is a guide of computer keyboard key switch mechanisms.

Rubber Dome Switch

Most keyboard's key switch mechanism is rubber dome switch. Basically all laptop keyboards, and Microsoft Keyboards, Logitech Keyboards.

Rubber dome switch is cheap to make, but is not as good as other mechanisms that use spring. Rubber dome's tactile feedback is not precise, wobbly, and wears out. Usually what made it worse is the cheap key housing that goes with it. (ever had squeaky keys that make ugly noises and sometimes stuck midway due to friction?)

Scissor Switch

Scissor-switch is found in laptop computers, starting around ~2002. It is still rubber dome, but is enhanced by a scissor-like mechanism above the rubber membrance.

Buckling-spring Switch

This is most famous as used by IBM Model M keyboard, and loved by many programers.

[see IBM Model M keyboard]

You press the key, the spring compresses, then at some point, it can't take it anymore, CLICK, it buckles, crumpling and gave up all resistance!

you can buy Buckling-spring keyboard from Unicomp Keyboard

Buckling-spring switch is the most loud.

[see Mechanical Keyboard Noise Comparison]

Cherry MX Switches

Cherry Corporation of Germany makes mechanical switches called Cherry MX. It is the most popular mechanical switch. There are several different models of Cherry MX, with different properties of feel. These models are color coded. They are:

Linear Action: Red, Black

MX Red requires the least pressure to activate the key. It's really nice. Typing on it is effortless.

For example of Cherry MX Red keyboards, see Cherry MX red

Cherry MX Black is same as Red, except more force is required. I don't like MX Black at all.

For example of Cherry MX Black keyboards, see Cherry MX black keyboard

Tactile Action: Brown, Blue

The Brown and Blue types have a tactile bump. When you press down, after certain point, there's a bump feel, then after that the pressure is reduced. This lets you know when a key has been registered.

The Brown and Blue types are often preferred by typists. (i myself prefer Red. Am a programer and writer.)

Examples Cherry MX brown

The difference between Brown and Blue are:

• Blue has a very definite click point, and makes a audible “click” sound
• Blue is very noisy, it's all clicky clicky.

Examples Cherry MX blue

There are few others, but less common.

Cherry MX	brown	blue	green	red	black
Key Feel	Tactile Bump	Tactile Click	Tactile Click	Smooth (Linear)	Smooth (Linear)
Resistance	Medium-Low	Low	Firm	Very Low	Firm

Note, switch tester is helpful is choosing a switch, but pressing 1 key on a switch tester is different from typing on many keys. You need to actually type on the keyboard with a particular switch to be sure if you really like it.

Cherry MX Compatible Switches

Several companies make Cherry compatible switches. (the patent expired)

All these Cherry MX compatible are not EXACTLY like those from Cherry the company.

Some say it's better, some say worse, some say can't feel difference.

Gateron switch

Gateron switch is Cherry MX compatible made by Gateron (惠州佳达隆电子科技有限公司). company site: http://www.gateron.com/

Kailh switch

Kailh Switch is a Cherry MX compatible switch, made by Kaihua Electronics Co., Ltd.”. (凯华).

see Kailh Switch Keyboards

Outemu switch

Outemu switch is Cherry MX compatible made by Gaote Corp. 东莞市高特电子有限公司. Home page http://www.cngaote.com/

Box Switches from Kaihua, Zealio from Gateron

Some Chinese companies are creating their own, new, switches. e.g. “box switches” from Kaihua, and Zealio from Gateron.

Common consensus is that they are better than the originally Cherry MX.

Romer-G Key Switch

This is new tech, came out in 2015.

• The romer-g switch has hollow stem, which allows LED to be placed in center. So that key lights can shine brighter thru the key label, and without light leaking at bottom.
• Romer-g switch is noticeably more quiet than any Cherry MX switches.
• Romer-g switch is supposed to last even longer than Cherry MX switches.

Romer-G key switch is used by Logitech, e.g.

• Logitech G910 Orion Keyboard
• Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum Keyboard

Infra-Red Optical Key Switch

This is new tech, came out around 2016.

Optical switch is great because it does not need metal contact. Meaning, no wear, last longer, and easier to be water resistant.

Optical switch are actually not more expensive then Cherry MX compatible ones.

[see Optical Key Switch Keyboard]

Topre Switch (Electrostatic Capacitive Switch)

Another type of expensive switch is by capacitance. In particular, one made by Topre Corporation, of Japan.

The Topre switch's feel came from its rubber dome, not the spring.

Topre key switch is most famously used in Happy Hacking Keyboard.

I don't like topre switch. It has a hit-bottom finger-shock problem. Topre switch, got this rubber dome, you have to hit with certain force, and because it is rubber dome, the dome collapses at some point and sucks you down, thus hit bottom and creates a finger impact shock feel. I don't have this problem with any Cherry MX switches, nor with IBM buckling spring switch, nor romer-g.

[see List of Keyboards with Topre Switch]

White Alps Strongman Switch

Don't know how this switch works, but i have used one for a couple of years. It's excellent. See: Keyboard: Matias Mini Tactile Pro. This keyboard has strong presence in Mac community.

The Matias mechanical key switch is used by Keyboardio model 1. See Keyboardio Review

Hall Effect Switch

XMIT Hall Effect Switch Keyboard

Key Noise Comparison

Mechanical Keyboard Noise Comparison

Does Mechanical Keys Matter?

Mechanical Keyboard and Repetitive Strain Injury

List of Keyboards with Mechanical Switch

List of Keyboards with Mechanical Switch

References

• https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/switch_guides
• http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX