Question for mechanical keyboard users.

[Ulfrinn]

Which switch type do you prefer, and why? Clicky (blues, tactile (browns) or linear (reds).

[stoneyoda]

I use Razer oranges (tactile and liner) and they have been my favorite so far.
haven't used a ton of keyboards/switches but

my rank goes
razer orange
ink blacks
outemu reds
razer yellow
mx brown
razer greens
outemu blues
mx reds
gateron clear
gateron reds
mx blues<----- i don't like these
gateron blues<------ or these

the rest are ether decent or great.

[r.linder]

Having used a variety of mechanical switches, I'll break it down for you:

1. Linear switches (Cherry MX Red, Speed Silver, Silent Red)
Most red switches are very light and simple; you press the key, and the switch actuates without any sort of tactile or aural feedback beyond the sound of the switch and cap bottoming out.
Speed Silvers are basically the same as Reds but more sensitive; in some cases even the slightest nudge can trigger a key, so it's too easy to unintentionally press a key on that switch type.
Silent Reds are, in my opinion, awful. They don't feel good at all because of how spongy the switch is from all of the sound dampening applied to the switch, so it doesn't feel much better than cheap membrane keyboards, and the options for silent red keyboards are limited. Corsair limits it to their STRAFE models, which are cheap garbage for the price they sell them at.

2. Tactile switches (Cherry MX Brown)
I really like the MX Brown switch because it's more of an all-rounder; you get some nice aural and tactile feedback from the switch, and it's not as stiff as Blue switches, and there's less travel than those switches.

3. Clicky switches (Cherry MX Blue, Outemu Blue, Greentech Blue)
Clicky switches are my personal favorite because I'm typing just as much as I'm gaming. They're a joy to type on because of how rigid and solid the switches feel, and the aural feedback is music to my ears when it comes to the quality switches like Razer Green and MX Blue. However, they are far from the best mechanical switch for gamers (not that it makes much of a difference), and the budget/clone switches like Outemu are typically less consistent in quality. Some switches on the same board can actually sound different, they're often more obnoxious sounding, even, than premium clicky switches.

My absolute personal favorite switch of all mechanical switches currently available is Cherry's MX Blue switch. Not many people actually agree with that sentiment, as blue switches are often the cheapest and least popular. I'm just weird.

[Autumn_]

Tactiles are by far the worst feeling, in my opinion, mushy and soft.

Linears are bareable, but I wouldn't use if I had the choice.

Clicky switches are the best, to me; I love my Razer Green switches, and I would love to get some Gateron Blues, or Kailh Box Whites.
Clicky switches just feel the most natural and pleasureable to type on. They don't hurt my fingers after long typing sessions (like linears and tactiles do), and the sound is just so nice.

Downside of them is the VERY audable click, which I've had various complaints about, even people on the phone.


The important thing to remember about switches is, it's all personal preference, just try them and see what you like the most.

[r.linder]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Autumn_:

The important thing to remember about switches is, it's all personal preference, just try them and see what you like the most.

^^^^^^^^^^
You can't base switch choice off of the opinions of others. Only you can choose what's best.

[Illusion of Progress]

I've only tried one type (Browns with rubber o-rings), and from everything I've researched about the various (at least Cherry) types, they are probable the type that would work best for me. I wanted to avoid anything noisy, and anything overly stiff to type on and/or needing to entirely bottom out. I'd probably not like Blue or Green based on that, and I haven't tried Red (though this needs bottomed out I think) or Silver (but Silver being overly sensitive would probably make it one I don't like, as Browns activate halfway and accidental presses are rare but happen as it is). That being said, I haven't given any other type an actual try, and sometimes we like things we think we won't, so I can't speak for experience beyond Brown, but that's largely why I went with them.

I'm not sure if this is a post for the sake of it or if you're doing research, but if it's the latter, don't go for the type that has the most preference here. You might get something you really don't like. That being said, the only replies here before mine gave some good information, but if this is because you're researching, i echo the above to do a lot of it. There's coincidentally a video on Youtube that I saw by chance the other day that explores some differences, but it only pertains to Cherry types.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSPH3HvxhQ

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

I prefer Reds for gaming, smooth key press and little less clack then others.

[Ulfrinn]

What I have heard before about browns is the tactile feel is not very well pronounced so when typing fast it isn't really felt, and under normal circumstances it just feels like a scratchy red. It also seems to be believed by most that clears are what browns should have been with a more pronounced feel that many people prefer, so I may skip browns entirely. I just got a keyboard with reds on it and I don't mind the feel of them. I think I'd prefer tactile, however, not if they are poorly implemented as a lot of people seem to believe browns are.

The other issue I am currently having with trying out mechanical keyboards is they are tall. Immediately I noticed much more wrist strain using this keyboard than I ever did using my membrane keyboard and having to use a wrist rest seems to defeat the purpose of gettting a smaller keyboard to clear up some desktop clutter (using a TKL right now, which I do like the size of). I will probably return this one and get a low profile mechanical keyboard with red switches, and unfortunately there's not a whole lot of options in the low profile market so I think I'll be stuck with whichever I get.

[Guydodge]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Ulfrinn:

What I have heard before about browns is the tactile feel is not very well pronounced so when typing fast it isn't really felt, and under normal circumstances it just feels like a scratchy red. It also seems to be believed by most that clears are what browns should have been with a more pronounced feel that many people prefer, so I may skip browns entirely. I just got a keyboard with reds on it and I don't mind the feel of them. I think I'd prefer tactile, however, not if they are poorly implemented as a lot of people seem to believe browns are.

The other issue I am currently having with trying out mechanical keyboards is they are tall. Immediately I noticed much more wrist strain using this keyboard than I ever did using my membrane keyboard and having to use a wrist rest seems to defeat the purpose of gettting a smaller keyboard to clear up some desktop clutter (using a TKL right now, which I do like the size of). I will probably return this one and get a low profile mechanical keyboard with red switches, and unfortunately there's not a whole lot of options in the low profile market so I think I'll be stuck with whichever I get.

i went from blues to browns after years using blue clickys and love them a very nice feel less travel time and still get that click i have grown accustom to the corsair K95 has a wide sloping wrist wrest very comfortable give it a look.feels low pro.

[Supafly]

Personal preference. Get a switch tester so you can try different switches.

Simple 4 key tester
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-Cherry-MX-Mechanical-Keyboard-Switch-Tester/323801455005?hash=item4b6412199d:g:p60AAOSw9Mpc0xEQ

can get tester with more switches to try. I used one and once I was done I sold it on ebay for a few £ less than I paid for it.

[Shadow]

Personally, I feel I have more control typing on a Cherry MX Blue Switches.

I own all 3 Cherry MX Browns, Reds and Blue Switches. Blues is always my personal choice.

For those that say, Reds Switches are best for Gaming are wrong. The best Mechanical Switches for Gaming are the one that isn't broken. You can Game on anything, it all comes down to Personal preference. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[stoneyoda]

as you can see OP everyone has different tastes
Trying them for yourself is the best way

i wouldn't base your choice on what others tastes are
cause apparently people actually like mx blues here lol

[Pocahawtness]

I seem to be able to adapt to any pretty quickly. The most important thing for me is not so much the activation point, feedback or anything like that, it's the noise. I find the noise really annoying and I am not alone in that you see countless thousands of posts of forums from people trying to fit "o" rings and so on to their keyboard. There are only two for me. Romer-G and Cherry Silent Red. Cherry Silent Red can be difficult to find ( Fnatic offer them ) and Romer-G, well, fantastic but I find they break too easily. The last Logitech keyboard I bought, I turned it upside down and the keys fell off. There are some small clips that hold the keycap in place. If you look around there are loads of videos offering methods to fix them, which kinda says to me that a lot of other people have the same problem with them. So, my choice is Fnatic with Cherry Silent Red.

[AdahnGorion]

I threw my mechanical keyboard in the dumpster. I got it cheap back then, but I could simply not endure the awful ergonamics, tactile switches and in general awful response on it...

Atm I still use my old membrane one, because it performed better, but I have tried more modern mechanical keyboards and I am switching to one with cherry mx silent reds. Those are pretty nice and fits my personal taste and they don´t wake up the entire household.

[zexx11]

brown

[Autumn_]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Bruh:

Personally, I feel I have more control typing on a Cherry MX Blue Switches.

I own all 3 Cherry MX Browns, Reds and Blue Switches. Blues is always my personal choice.

For those that say, Reds Switches are best for Gaming are wrong. The best Mechanical Switches for Gaming are the one that isn't broken. You can Game on anything, it all comes down to Personal preference. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

This guy gets it.

And hey, if you can game well on a 125hz membrane keyboard and barely feel a difference, does it matter what the minute difference in switch actuation distance is?
Most good mechanical keyboards these days should have a 500/1000hz polling rate (and a good micro processor) so response should be near instant.

Diposting pertama kali oleh 604 C4:

as you can see OP everyone has different tastes
Trying them for yourself is the best way

i wouldn't base your choice on what others tastes are
cause apparently people actually like mx blues here lol

Because it's the best switch ;^)

Diposting pertama kali oleh ｢C❤️A｣ Pocahawtness:

I seem to be able to adapt to any pretty quickly. The most important thing for me is not so much the activation point, feedback or anything like that, it's the noise. I find the noise really annoying and I am not alone in that you see countless thousands of posts of forums from people trying to fit "o" rings and so on to their keyboard. There are only two for me. Romer-G and Cherry Silent Red. Cherry Silent Red can be difficult to find ( Fnatic offer them ) and Romer-G, well, fantastic but I find they break too easily. The last Logitech keyboard I bought, I turned it upside down and the keys fell off. There are some small clips that hold the keycap in place. If you look around there are loads of videos offering methods to fix them, which kinda says to me that a lot of other people have the same problem with them. So, my choice is Fnatic with Cherry Silent Red.

I have double o-rings on my Razer greens, doesn't do much for the sound (because clicky switch), but it does improve the feel.
Removes a lot of the post travel, stops you bottoming out, letting you type faster.
It does make the keyboard better, and i do recommend o-rings. But I could function without them.