Keyboard Switches: From Linear to Magnetic – Discover Your Ideal Typing Feel and Function
📅Mar 19 2025
Mechanical keyboards and magnetic switch keyboards use switches to register keystrokes. These switches greatly affect how a keyboard feels and sounds. Choosing the right switch is important for a good typing and gaming experience.
What are Switches?
A switch is the part under each key that sends a signal when pressed. Unlike rubber dome keyboards, mechanical keyboards use individual, spring-loaded switches for a more responsive feel.
Types of Switches
- Linear:
✔ Smooth and consistent keystrokes.
✔ Good for gamers needing fast key presses.
✔ Feel: Smooth, quiet.
- Tactile:
✔ A bump is felt when the key is pressed.
✔ Good for typing, providing feedback.
✔ Feel: Bump, quieter than clicky.
- Clicky:
✔ A bump is felt and a click is heard.
✔ Good for those who like sound feedback.
✔ Feel: Bump and click, loud.
- Magnetic (Used on Hall Effect or TMR Keyboards):
✔ Uses magnets for fast response and adjustable actuation distance.
✔ Good for gaming.
✔ Advantages: Adjustable, long lasting.
- Optical:
✔ Uses light to register key presses, for fast response.
✔ Good for gaming and fast typing.
✔ Advantages: Fast, durable.
- Inductive (MonsGeek Inductive Switch in Development):
✔ Uses electromagnetic induction to detect key presses.
✔ Good for gaming and precise actuation.
✔ Advantages: Contactless, durable, consistent.
Other Mechanical Switch Features:
• Structure: Top Cover/Spring/Stem/Bottom Housing
• Pin Configuration: Compatible with both 3-pin and 5-pin PCB layouts for broad compatibility.3-Pin Switches: Compatible with 3-pin and 5-pin PCBs.
5-Pin Switches: Compatible with 5-pin PCBs. For 3-pin PCBs, clip two plastic legs.
• Operating Force: Measured in grams (g), this indicates the force required to depress the key. A lower value signifies a lighter, faster press.
• Actuation Point: The precise point during the key’s travel where the keystroke is registered. Expressed in millimeters (mm).
• Total Travel Distance: The full distance the keycap travels when pressed, also measured in millimeters (mm).
• Materials: Different parts utilize varied materials for distinct typing feels and functions. Example: Transparent Polycarbonate (PC) housing enhances RGB, such as in Akko V3 Crystal Pro Switches.
• Lubrication (Lube): Pre-lubricated for smoother operation and reduced friction. (Specify type or application if known, e.g., factory lubed, light lube, hand lubed etc.)
• Dust-proof Resistance: Designed with dust-proof features to enhance longevity and reliability. (Specify any specific dust-proofing features if known)
• LED Diffusion: Integrated LED diffuser for uniform and vibrant backlighting.
• Spring: Offers single-stage, dual-stage, three-stage, and other specialized configurations, with varying force, materials, and lengths, allowing for highly customized responsive feedback.
• Modding Potential: Designed for user-driven modification, enabling personalized performance and aesthetics.
✔ Discover a new typing feel with interchangeable components, such as swapping top housings from PC to POM for varied sound and feedback.
✔ Apply switch film to reduce wobble, improve acoustics, smooth key presses, and create a more stable, premium typing experience.
To choose, consider:
• Your Typing Style: Do you type quickly and lightly, or do you prefer a more deliberate and forceful style?
• Your Environment: Do you work in a quiet office, or do you prefer a more noisy environment?
• Your Personal Preference: Do you enjoy the feel of a smooth keystroke, a tactile bump, or a clicky sound?
Recommendation:
• Linear:
✔ Gamers who prioritize fast and smooth keystrokes.
✔ Typists who prefer a consistent and quiet typing experience.
✔ People who like a simple, no-frills feel.
• Tactile:
✔ Typists who want feedback that a key has been registered.
✔ People who enjoy a more engaging and responsive typing experience.
✔ Users who want some feedback without the loud click of clicky switches.
• Clicky:
✔ Typists who enjoy the auditory and tactile feedback.
✔ People who like a very responsive and “mechanical” feel.
✔ Those who want a very noticeable confirmation of each keystroke.
• Magnetic:
✔ Gamers demanding maximum responsiveness and speed.
✔ Users seeking high precision and customizable actuation and low latency
✔ Those wanting the newest technology.
Try different switches to find what you like or watch some KEYBOARD ASMR videos that have sound tests of the different switch types.
Switch testers are a good way to do this. The right switch will make your keyboard better.
