What is a switch on a mechanical keyboard? Types of switches available in the market

When using a mechanical keyboard, you may notice the colored switches when removing the keys. So are these switches different? Today’s article will tell you more about the types of switches (switches) on the mechanical keys along with the advantages of each.

1. What is a switch on a mechanical keyboard?

– Define

Switches are the switches located on the bottom of each key on the mechanical keyboard. Each type of switch has different sensitivity and noise level to serve objects from gamers to office workers.

– Why is a switch on a mechanical keyboard important?

When you press a key, you get an instant response, so you don’t have to stress when typing, reducing the pressure on your hands.

In addition, when you press the key, you will hear the click of each key, making typing more accurate and faster.

– Criteria to know about Switch

+ Push button: When you press a key, you have to press the button of the switch computer just received the key. Depending on the type of switch, each of you has the mechanical key of the high and low key.

+ Acting force: Calculated in grams (g), the force of the switch determines how strong you have to type for a computer to accept the key, which helps to minimize mistyping of keys.

+ Click sound: There are switches that only make a small click, while some are Clicky it generates a very loud click. Therefore, you should choose the keyboard with the appropriate switch to avoid disturbing those around you.

+ Force feedback: Some switches have a slight feedback force each time you touch the impact point, while others will not have this force, forcing you to emphasize before you can hit the impact point.

+ RGB: Switches are usually equipped with RGB color changing lamps, some are equipped with auxiliary features such as lighting improvement, color selection, …

2. Switch types of mechanical keyboards are popular in the market

– Cherry MX – Red, Black, Brown, Blue, Speed

+ Introduction: Founded in 1953, Cherry considered the ancestor of modern mechanical keyboards. Its current switches are used by many brands for their mechanical keyboard models.

+ Comparison between switches:

Switch	Impact force	Clicky	Force feedback
Red	45g	Is not	Is not
Black	60g	Is not	Is not
Brown	45g	Is not	Have
Blue	50g	Have	Have
Speed	45g	Is not	Is not

+ Features and advantages:

Life span of up to 50 million clicks.

Switch Red, Brown, Speed ​​have slight impact force.

Switch Blue and Brown have good force feedback.

+ Typical products: Logitech G610, Corsair K63, Corsair K70

+ Cost: About VND 1.5 million or more (updated on 6/6/2020).

– Logitech – Romer G, GX Blue

+ Introduction:

Logitech is a manufacturer of computer accessories from Switzerland, is one of the leading companies in this field.

Yet Logitech Has produced mechanical keyboard with switch Cherry MX, they also coordinate with the company Omron of Japan to create their own switch line.

+ Compare switches:

Switch	Impact force	Clicky	Force feedback
Romer-G Tactile	45g	Is not	Have
Romer-G Linear	45g	Is not	Is not
GX Blue	60g	Have	Have

+ Features and advantages:

Life span of up to 70 million clicks.

Designed suitable for gamers.

Button press in high position.

+ Typical products: Logitech G910, Logitech G512, Logitech G Pro X.

+ Cost: Approximately VND 1.8 million or more (updated on 6/6/2020).

– Steelseries – QX2 and variants

+ Introduction:

Steelseries is a manufacturer of computer accessories from Denmark, a partner of many gaming and esports brands.

Steelseries cooperate with Kaihua to create their own switch family, with the QX2 switch family being an upgrade of the previous QS1 switch family.

+ Compare switches:

Switch	Impact force	Clicky	Force feedback
QX2 Red	45g	Is not	Is not
QX2 Blue	45g	Have	Have
QX2 Brown	45g	Is not	Have
QX2 Omnipoint	45g	Is not	Is not

+ Features and advantages:

Light impact force.

Button press in high position.

Good RGB lighting effect.

+ Typical products: Steelseries Apex M750, Steelseries Apex 7, Steelseries Apex Pro.

+ Cost: Approximately VND 2 million or more (updated on 6/6/2020).

– Roccat

+ Introduction: Roccat is a manufacturer of computer accessories from Germany. As a new player, Roccat really made a mark with the switch Titan.

+ Compare switches:

Switch	Impact force	Clicky	Force feedback
Titan	45g	Is not	Have

+ Features and advantages:

Light impact force.

Button press in high position.

Premium design.

+ Typical products: Roccat Vulcan Aimo.

+ Cost: About 4 million (updated on 6/6/2020).

– Kaihua – Red, Black, Brown, Blue

+ Introduction:

Kaihua is a company that has helped many other companies design their own switches, and is one of the oldest switch manufacturers.

Kaihua switches have the same features as Cherry MX switches but at a better price.

+ Compare switches:

Switch	Impact force	Clicky	Force feedback
Red	50g	Is not	Is not
Black	60g	Is not	Is not
Brown	50g	Is not	Have
Blue	60g	Have	Have

+ Features and advantages:

Life span of up to 50 million clicks.

Low price.

The feature is similar to the Cherry MX switch series.

+ Typical products: Havit, HEXGEARS GK705.

+ Cost: About 1-2 million VND (updated on 6/6/2020).

Hopefully after this article, you have more knowledge to know about mechanical keyboards, mechanical keyboard switches. Thank you for watching!