When it comes to customizing your very own mechanical keyboard, every bit of detail counts, with the switches playing an integral role. Responsible for the tactile, auditory, and experiential aspects of typing, switches ultimately define the overall usability and feel of the keyboard. This article will cover the best switches you could opt for when building a custom keyboard.
Let’s commence with the Cherry MX series, the industry standard for mechanical switches. Cherry MX provides several options distinguished by color, ensuring a solution for various typing preferences.
The Cherry MX Blue provides a clicky, high-pitched noise and a tactile bump that delivers satisfying feedback for typists and gamers. Similarly, the Cherry MX Brown offers less noise but retains the tactile feedback for a smoother typing experience. However, if noise and tactile feedback aren’t your preferences, the Cherry MX Red could be your pick. It has a linear response without any bump, providing a smooth and silent typing experience, ideal for office environments or shared spaces.
Gateron, a Chinese manufacturer, has emerged as a popular alternative to Cherry MX. Gateron switches come in five variants: Clear, Red, Black, Blue, and Brown. Gateron Blacks offer linear feedback with more actuation force, making them perfect for those who prefer a weightier feel. Their Clear switches, on the other hand, require the least amount of force, making them suitable for fast typists or gamers.
Looking for a switch with unique characteristics? Consider the ZealPC Zealio. Zealios switches are best known for being ‘smooth’, alongside a tactile feel much loved by keyboard enthusiasts. They come in four versions, varying in actuation force and tactility, allowing for a detailed level of customization.
Kailh, another key player in the switch market, offers an expansive catalog of switches. Their Kailh Box White switches are particularly standout due to their click-bar mechanism. Unlike traditional clicky switches that use a click jacket, box white uses a thin metal bar offering a sharper click and a very unique sound.
The Topre switch is another novel entity in custom keyboards. Instead of the traditional mechanical design, Topre switches incorporate a rubber dome and a conical spring. This switch promotes a soft, tactile feel and a muted thock sound that’s uniquely satisfying and well worth considering for enthusiasts desiring a varied typing experience.
Next, we have the Outemu switches. These are a budget-friendly choice, best-known for their Blue version, which offers a clicky and weighty typing experience. This makes them a good fit for loud typists and gamers, providing a tactile and auditory response at a lower price point.
The Holy Panda switches have been deemed the ‘holy grail’ amongst the keyboard enthusiast community. They offer a tactile bump near the topmost part of the keypress, providing a satisfying note of clickiness while not being disruptive. This makes it a fantastic option for those favoring a luxurious, tactile, and silent typing experience.
Moving towards a more premium segment, we find the NovelKeys Cream switches. This switch employs an entirely POM housing and stem, which is unheard of in other options. This design choice results in a sleek, smooth keystroke, and when broken in, the switches generate a dense, satisfying sound that differentiates them from their competition.
Everglide’s Crystal Violet switches, also known as the Everglide Oreo, have attracted significant attention recently. Featuring transparent housing that shows off your keyboard’s LEDs, these switches deliver both aesthetics and practicality. Function-wise, they’re tactile switches with a pronounced bump and a slight pre-travel before actuation.
Lastly, enthusiasts seeking an intense tactile experience should consider the T1 Tactile switches. Made by Durock, these switches arguably offer the most satisfying tactile response in the market. They are also quite durable, rated for fifty million keystrokes per key.
In conclusion, there’s a wide variety of options for the choosing when building your custom keyboard. The best switches will always be subjective and depend on your personal preferences. Rest assured, there’s a switch out there that’s perfect, designed to cater to your unique typing habits and provide an experience that’s solely you.
