List of keyboard switches
Appearance
Commonly used mechanical switches on pre-built keyboards
[edit]Manufacturers frequently build computer keyboards using switches from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The switches used determine the feel of the keyboard.
| Brand | OEM | Switch name | Cherry MX equivalent | Switch Type | Actuation force | Tactile force | Actuation point | Total travel | Product code | Durability (actuations) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry | Cherry | Black[1] | Cherry MX Black | Linear | 0.60 N | N/A | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-11xx | >100 million |
| Cherry | Cherry | Red[2] | Cherry MX Red | Linear | 0.45 N | N/A | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-L1xx | >100 million |
| Cherry | Cherry | Brown[3] | Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | 0.45 N | 0.55 N | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-G1xx | >100 million |
| Cherry | Cherry | Blue[4] | Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | 0.50 N | 0.60 N | 2.2 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-E1xx | >50 million |
| Cherry | Cherry | Green[5] | Cherry MX Green | Clicky | 0.70 N | 0.80 N | 2.2 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-F1xx | >50 million |
| Cherry | Cherry | Clear[6] | Cherry MX Clear | Tactile | 0.55 N | 0.65 N | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-C1xx | |
| Cherry | Cherry | Grey (Tactile)[7] | Cherry MX Tactile Grey | Tactile | 0.80 N | 0.80 N | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-D1xx | >50 million |
| Cherry | Cherry | Grey (Linear) (formerly Dark grey) | Cherry MX Linear Grey | Linear | 0.80 N | N/A | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-21xx | |
| Cherry | Cherry | Nature White | Cherry MX Nature White | Linear | 0.55 N | N/A | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | MX1A-41NA | |
| Cherry | Cherry | Speed Silver[8] | Cherry MX Speed Silver | Linear | 0.45 N | N/A | 1.2 mm | 3.4 mm | MX1A-51xx | |
| Cherry | Cherry | Low Profile Red[9] | Cherry MX Low Profile Red | Linear | 0.45 ± 0.15 N | N/A | 1.2 ± 0.3 mm | 3.2 ± 0.25 mm | MX1B-L2NA | >50 million |
| Cherry | Cherry | Low Profile Speed[10] | Cherry MX Low Profile Speed | Linear | 0.45 ± 0.15 N | N/A | 1.0 ± 0.3 mm | 3.2 ± 0.25 mm | MX1B-52NA | >50 million |
| Cherry | Cherry | Silent Black[11] | Cherry MX Silent Black | Linear | 0.60 N | N/A | 1.9 mm | 3.7 mm | MX3A-11xx | |
| Cherry | Cherry | Silent Red[12] | Cherry MX Silent Red | Linear | 0.45 N | N/A | 1.9 mm | 3.7 mm | MX3A-L1xx | |
| Cherry | Cherry | Purple | Cherry MX Purple | Tactile | 0.35 N | 0.55 N | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | MX2A-V1NW | |
| Kailh | Kailh | Black[13] | Cherry MX Black | Linear | 0.60 N | N/A | 1.9 mm | |||
| Kailh | Kailh | Red[13] | Cherry MX Red | Linear | 0.50 N | N/A | 1.9 mm | |||
| Kailh | Kailh | Blue[13] | Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | 0.50 N | 0.60 N | 1.9 mm | |||
| Kailh | Kailh | Brown[13] | Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | 0.50 N | N/A | 1.9 mm | |||
| Kailh | Kailh | Speed Silver[13] | Cherry MX Speed Silver | Linear | 0.50 N | N/A | 1.3 mm | |||
| Kailh | Kailh | Speed Bronze[13] | N/A | Clicky | 0.50 N | N/A | 1.3 mm | |||
| Kailh | Kailh | Speed Copper[13] | N/A | Tactile | 0.50 N | N/A | 1.3 mm | |||
| Razer | Kailh | Green[14] | Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | 0.50 N | 1.9 ± 0.4 mm | 80 million | |||
| Razer | Greetech | Green | Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | ||||||
| Razer | Kailh | Orange[14] | Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | 0.45 cN | 1.9 ± 0.4 mm | 80 million | |||
| Razer | Greetech | Orange | Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | ||||||
| Razer | Kailh | Yellow[14] | Cherry MX Speed Silver | Linear | 0.45 N | N/A | 1.2 ± 0.3 mm | 3.5 mm | ||
| Razer | Greetech | Yellow | Cherry MX Speed Silver | Linear | N/A | |||||
| Razer | DMET[15] | Red (Optical Switch)[16] | Cherry MX Red | Linear | 0.40 N | N/A | 1.0 mm | 100 million | ||
| Razer | DMET[15] | Purple (Optical Switch)[16] | Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | 0.45 N | N/A | 1.5 mm | 100 million | ||
| Logitech | Kailh | GL Linear[17] | Cherry MX Low Profile Red | Linear | 0.50 N | N/A | 1.5 mm | 2.7 mm | 80 million | |
| Logitech | Kailh | GL Tactile[17] | N/A | Tactile | 0.50 N | 0.60 N | 1.5 mm | 2.7 mm | 80 million | |
| Logitech | Kailh | GL Clicky[17] | N/A | Clicky | 0.50 N | 0.60 N | 1.5 mm | 2.7 mm | 80 million | |
| Logitech | Omron | Romer-G Linear[17] | N/A | Linear | 0.45 N | N/A | 1.5 mm | 3.2 mm | 70 million[18] | |
| Logitech | Omron | Romer-G Tactile[17] | N/A | Tactile | 0.45 N | 0.50 N | 1.5 mm | 3.2 mm | 70 million[18] | |
| Logitech | Kailh | GX Red[17] | Cherry MX Red | Linear | 0.50 N | N/A | 1.9 mm | 4.0 mm | ||
| Logitech | Kailh | GX Blue[17] | Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | 0.50 N | 0.60 N | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 70 million | |
| Logitech | Kailh | GX Brown[17] | Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | 0.50 N | 0.60 N | 1.9 mm | 4.0 mm | 70 million | |
| Roccat | Roccat | Roccat Titan Linear[19] | Cherry MX Red | Linear | N/A | 1.4 mm | 3.6 mm | |||
| Roccat | Roccat | Roccat Titan Tactile[19] | Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | ||||
| Outemu | Gaote/Outemu | Reds[20] | Cherry MX Reds | Linear | 0.50 N | N/A | 1.5 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Outemu | Gaote/Outemu | Browns[20] | Cherry MX Browns | Tactile | 0.50 N | 0.55 N | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Outemu | Gaote/Outemu | Blues[20] | Cherry MX Blues | Clicky | 0.60 N | 0.65 N | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Outemu | Gaote/Outemu | Black [20] | Cherry MX Blacks | Linear | 0.70 N | N/A | 2.4 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Gateron | Gateron | Reds [21] | Cherry MX Reds | Linear | 0.45 N | N/A | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Gateron | Gateron | Browns[21] | Cherry MX Browns | Tactile | 0.55 N | 0.60 N | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Gateron | Gateron | Blacks[21] | Cherry MX Blacks | Linear | 0.65 N | N/A | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Gateron | Gateron | White [21] | - | Linear | 0.35 N | N/A | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Gateron | Gateron | Green [21] | - | Clicky | 0.80 N | 0.80 N | 2.3 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Gateron | Gateron | Blues[21] | Cherry MX Blues | Clicky | 0.60 N | 0.65 N | 2.3 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| Gateron | Gateron | Yellows[21] | - | Linear | 0.50 N | N/A | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 50 million | |
| I.B.M./Unicomp | I.B.M./Unicomp | Buckling Spring | N/A | Clicky | >25 million (Model M)
>100 million (Model F) |
Mechanical keyboard switches for custom keyboards
[edit]On the custom mechanical keyboard space, there are far greater quantity of keyboard switches. That these do not portray the diversity and number of switches currently on the market.
| Brand | OEM | Switch name | Stem design | Switch type | Click type | Initial force | Actuation force | Spring force | Actuation point | Total travel | Mounting type | Factory lube | SMD LED compatibility | Key stroke lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drop x Invyr | Kailh | Holy Panda[22] | MX Type stem | Tactile | N/A | 67 g | 67 g | 67 g | 1.2 mm | 4.0 mm | Plate mounting | No | Yes | 80 million |
| Drop | Kailh | Halo True[23] | MX Type stem | Tactile | N/A | 60 g | 54 g | 100 g | 1.9 mm | 4.0 mm | Plate mounting | Yes | Yes | 80 million |
| Drop | Kailh | Halo Clear[23] | MX Type stem | Tactile | N/A | 65 g | 52 g | 78 g | 1.9 mm | 4.0 mm | Plate mounting | Yes | Yes | 80 million |
| Kailh | Kailh | Box White | MX Type stem | Clicky | Click Bar | 50 g | 50 g | 60 g | 1.8 mm | 4.0 mm | Plate mounting | No | Yes | 80 million |
| Kailh | Kailh | BOX Glazed Green | MX Type stem | Clicky | Click Bar | 50 g | 50 g | 50 g | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | 80 million |
| Kailh | Kailh | BOX Jade | MX Type stem | Clicky | Click Bar | 50 g | 50 g | 60 g | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | 80 million |
| Kailh | Kailh | BOX Pale Blue | MX Type stem | Clicky | Click Bar | 60 g | 60 g | 80 g | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | 80 million |
| Kailh | Kailh | BOX Navy | MX Type stem | Clicky | Click Bar | 60 g | 60 g | 90 g | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | 80 million |
| Kailh | Kailh | BOX Noble Yellow | MX Type stem | Clicky | Click Bar | 65 g | 65 g | 65 g | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | 80 million |
| Kailh | Kailh | BOX Pinks | MX Type stem | Clicky | Click Bar | 65 g | 65 g | 65 g | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | 80 million |
| Gateron | Gateron | Aliaz Silent | MX Type Stem | Silent Tactile | N/A | N/A | N/A | 60/70/
80/100g |
2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | N/A |
| Zeal PC | Gateron | Clickiez | MX Type Stem | Clicky/Tactile/Linear | Click Leaf | 40/75 g | 32/58 g | 73/95 g | 2.0 mm (unchecked) | 4.0 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | N/A |
| Zeal PC | Gateron | Crystal | MX Type Stem | Tactile | N/A | ~50g | ~70g | 60 g | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | N/A |
| Zeal PC | Gateron | Zealio V1 Redux | MX Type Stem | Tactile | N/A | ? | ? | 62g/67g | 2.0 mm | 4.0 mm | Plate Mounting | No | Yes | N/A |
Future
[edit]On top of a variety of new switches being made, consumers are taking parts of different switches and then going on to make their own switches, called “Franken-switches.”
References
[edit]- ↑ "Cherry MX black", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-black.html Archived 2020-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX red", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-red.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX brown", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-brown.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX blue", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-blue.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX green", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-green.html Archived 2020-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX clear", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-clear.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX grey", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-grey.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX speed silver", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-speed-silver.html Archived 2020-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX Low Profile Speed", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-low-profile/mx-low-profile-red.html Archived 2020-06-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX Low Profile Speed", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-low-profile/mx-low-profile-speed.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX silent black", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-silent-black.html Archived 2020-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Cherry MX silent red", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-silent-red.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kitguru Guide to Mechanical Keyboard Switches", https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/keyboards/matthew-wilson/the-kitguru-guide-to-mechanical-keyboard-switches/ Archived 2020-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 3 "Tom's Hardware Review", https://www.tomshardware.com/news/razer-yellow-mechanical-keyboard-switch,33476.html Archived 2023-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 "Dongguan Mingjian Electronic Technology products page". dgmjdz (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- 1 2 Razor, https://www.razer.com/razer-optical-switch Archived 2020-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Logitech, https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/innovation/mechanical-switches.html Archived 2020-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 "Tom's Hardware Orion Review", https://www.tomshardware.com/news/logitech-g910-orion-spark-romer-g,28101.html Archived 2023-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 "Roccat's Titan Switch", https://en.roccat.org/Labs/Titan-Switchl
- 1 2 3 4 "information regarding the mechanical switches from a reseller". Mechanicalkeyboards. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "For Gateron". keychronkeyboards. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ↑ "Drop: Passions lead here". Drop. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
- 1 2 "Drop: Passions lead here". Drop. Archived from the original on 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2021-03-19.