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 Non-Gaming 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, is 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 rubber dome with a scissor-like mechanism as stabilizer. It is found in laptop computers, starting around ~2002.

Cherry MX Switches

Cherry Corporation of Germany makes a series of mechanical key switches called Cherry MX.

Cherry MX series of switches are first introduced in 1983. They are the most well known switches. There are several different models, with different feel to them. These models are color coded.

Linear Action: Red, Black, Silent Red, Speed Silver

All these are linear switches.

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

CHERRY MX Red switches

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

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.

The Brown and Blue types are often preferred by programers and writers.

The difference between Brown and Blue are:

• Blue has a very definite click feel.
• Blue is very noisy. It makes a “click” sound by design.

Cherry MX Blue switches Cherry MX Brown switches

Key Switch Tester

There are many other color-coded Cherry MX switches, but less common.

Cherry MX Compatible Switches

Many Chinese companies make Cherry compatible switches.

Cherry MX compatible switches are not EXACTLY the same as those from Cherry the company. For example, Cherry MX Red has a actuation force of 45g, but Kailh Red is 50g. That 5g difference is a big difference for key feel.

There is no agreement on whether the Chinese ones are better or worse. I recommend the Chinese ones, because keyboard with them are usually cheaper and is not worse.

Gateron

Huizhou Gateron Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. (惠州佳达隆电子科技有限公司), makes key switches. Gateron switch is a series of Cherry MX compatible made by Gateron . There are ks3, ks8, ks9 series and variations. They differ in tech details, but key feel is color coded the same as Cherry MX when possible.

Gateron KS-9 Key Switch Buy at amazon

“Zealio Switch” is also from Gateron. It is another variant improvement of Cherry MX, smoother, less scratchy.

Kailh

Kailh KT Switch series are Cherry MX compatible switches, made by Kaihua Electronics (凯华).

see Kailh Switch

Kailh BOX Switch

Improved Cherry MX compatible.

Kailh BOX Switch

Kailh Choc Switch

Choc Switch is a low-profile mechanical switch, from Kaihua.

Kailh Choc Switch

Outemu

Outemu switch is Cherry MX compatible made by Gaote Corp. 东莞市高特电子有限公司.

Logitech GX Blue Clicky

Logitech GX Blue Clicky came out in 2018. It is made by Kaihua. It is just a variation of the Cherry MX Blue.

The stem is Cherry MX compatible, so you can buy keycaps. [see Cute Keycaps]

Romer-G Switch

Logitech invented Romer-G switch in 2015.

Romer-G Switch

Roccat Titan

This came out around 2018-10.

The Titan Switch is a tactile switch, and supposedly faster reaction time.

Used in Roccat Vulcan Keyboard

The switch may be made by a Chinese company named TTC. http://www.ttc9.com/

TTC (惠州市正牌科电有限公司 — Huizhou Zhengrui Electronics Co., Ltd., abbreviated 正牌科电) is a manufacturer of switches, digital encoders and connectors. TTC appears to be related to Trantek Electronics Co., Ltd., also founded in 1998, and who appear to offer the origin of the abbreviation “TTC”.

[https://deskthority.net/wiki/TTC]

Optical Key Switch

Optical Switch

Gateron Optical Switches

Gateron also makes optical switches. Cherry MX compatible stem.

Gateron optical Switches Buy at amazon

Topre Switch (Electrostatic Capacitive Switch)

Topre switch is most famous for used in Happy Hacking Keyboard

Topre Switch

Niz Plum Switch

Niz Plum is inspired by Topre.

Niz Plum

Varmilo EC Switch

Varmilo EC Switch is like a Cherry MX, but with contactless electro capacitance mechanism for eletric switch.

Varmilo EC Switch

Buckling Spring Switch

Buckling spring switch is most famous as used by IBM Model M keyboard from 1980s and 1990s, and is loved by many keyboard nerds. It has a crisp tactile feel, but makes the loudest key noise.

IBM Model M, 1984

[see Mechanical Keyboard Noise Comparison]

You can buy Buckling Spring keyboard from Unicomp Keyboard

Alps Switch

ALPS Switch

Hall Effect Switch Keyboards

Hall Effect Switch Keyboards

Key Noise Comparison

Mechanical Keyboard Noise Comparison

Does Mechanical Keys Matter?

Mechanical Keyboard and Repetitive Strain Injury

What Does “Mechanical” Keyboard Means

computer keyboard key switch expert Thomas Ran (aka Chyrosran22) tells us

Demo of Different Force-Displacement Curves for Key Press

Which Switch is Best?

It's impossible to rank them, as different people have different preferences.

My own preference of keyboards that i actually used this:

1. Cherry MX silent red
2. Cherry MX red
3. Kailh Red (50g) (Cherry MX Red is 45g)
4. Cherry MX blue
5. Cherry MX brown
6. Kailh Choc Switch clicky, lowest is 50g.
7. Buckling Spring (too loud)
8. Topre Switch (hate it)
9. Cherry MX black (hate it)

In general, i prefer linear light switches, with actuation force ≤ 45g.

Ancient Switches

Invac Optical

Invac PK-200, 1966

Univac Magnetic Separation Switch

Univac, 1971