If you’re looking for a way to massively upgrade your typing experience, it’s time to look beyond the traditional mechanical switch. Tactile switches are the latest and greatest keyboards on the market that provide an unprecedented amount of customization, sensitivity, feedback, and responsiveness – all at a fraction of their mechanical predecessors’ price! Whether you’re a novice or a pro gamer hunting for performance-enhancing tactical switches, read on to find out which tactile keyboard will turn your typing game around in 2023.
The DROP Halo Clear Tactile Switch is an exceptional choice for gamers and typists looking for a smooth, precisely weighted experience. Developed by Jacob Alexander (HaaTa), these custom switches offer the perfect combination of Topre 55g and Cherry MX Clear switch weights while providing near-perfect consistency and smoothness with each key press. Furthermore, the Halo Clears come preloaded with an interesting pop during activation that is similar to the force curve of Topres.
- Smooth, precisely weighted experience.
- Combines best attributes of Topre 55g & Cherry MX Clear switches.
- Near-perfect consistency and smoothness with each keypress.
- May require some tinkering for setup and installation.
The Zealios V2 Tactile Switch is the ultimate tactile switch for your keyboard. With five pins and two pieces per set, they are both durable and responsive, offering a smooth linear feel with solid reliability. The transparent shell blue switches look stylish too!
- Five-pin design makes them incredibly durable and reliable.
- Responsive and smooth linear feel.
- Transparent shell blue switches look great.
- Higher price than other types of tactile switches.
- May be too responsive for some users, resulting in accidental key presses.
The Glorious Panda Switch Tactile Switch is a great choice for gamers and typists alike. The three-pole switch is compatible with most sockets, the top cover is made of polycarbonate and the lower cover is made of PA66 nylon for durability. The shaft is made of POM and the spring is made of nickel-plated stainless steel, providing a very snappy and responsive tactile switch. The switch offers a strong ‘bump’ at the start of the downstroke with a quick snap back to the position in the upstroke.
- Compatible with most sockets.
- Durable materials used in construction.
- Strong ‘bump’ at the start of the downstroke.
- Quick snap back to the position in the upstroke.
- The lubricant provided with the switch is not the best.
- Tactile Bump is more noticeable compared to other tactile switches
The TECSEE Sapphire & Ruby V2 UHMWPE Stems Tactile Switch is great for gamers and typists alike. The five-pin design provides durability and reliability, while the O-ring and plate-mounted switches (5 pins) make it compatible with most sockets. The top cover is made of polycarbonate and the lower cover is made of PA66 nylon for durability. The shaft is made of POM and the spring is made of nickel-plated stainless steel, providing a very snappy and responsive tactile switch. The lubricant provided with the switch works well, and both switches offer a strong ‘bump’ at the start of the downstroke with a quick snap back to the position in the upstroke. This switch is also SMD and PCB LED compatible, making it great for any gaming setup.
- Five-pin design makes them incredibly durable and reliable.
- Responsive and snappy tactile switch with strong ‘bump’ at the start of the downstroke.
- Compatible with most sockets, SMD & PCB LED compatible.
- Does not come with lube, you need to buy separately.
The Akko Lavender Purple Tactile Switch is a great option for those looking for a switch that offers both affordability and performance. This three-pin plate mounted switch provides a smooth feedback followed by a high tactile bump at 0.5mm, making it ideal for gamers and typists alike. The built-in LED slot is great for LED Mod/Assembly and the switch is SMD compatible, meaning you can light up your keyboard without worrying about compatibility. The Akko CS switches are incredibly durable, with an approximate lifespan of 60 million keystrokes based on laboratory durability tests. Furthermore, it features an 18mm extension spring that provides ample feedback during use and includes a plastic tray that can securely house the switches and serve as a lubing station if necessary.
- Smooth feedback followed by a high tactile bump.
- Built-in LED slot for LED Mod/Assembly and SMD compatible.
- Budget Friendly
- Available in multiple color choices.
- Switch opener not included in the package.
- Does not come with lube, you need to buy separately.
The Kailh Cream Speed Pro Tactile Switch is a great option for gamers and typists alike. These new speed switches are made with 3.5 millimeters of total travel, boasting 1.1 – 1.4 millimeters of pre-travel and a 70 million lifetime click rating Cherry clear which is a tactile switch rated to last 70 million clicks. The switch also offers a copper tactile switch, silver linear switch, gold clicky switch, and pink or bronze clicky switches with 40 g springs – 1.1mm +/- 0.3 mm in pre-travel.
- Attractive Color options – Copper, silver, gold
- Built-in LED slot for LED Mod/Assembly
- 70 million keystrokes lifespan rating.
- Lubricant provided offers an even smoother response.
- Does not come with lube, you need to buy separately.
The ZugGear DUROCK T1 Tactile Switch is a great choice for gamers and typists who desire strong tactile feedback during use. This five-pin plate-mounted switch provides smooth feedback followed by a strong tactile bump at the top of the key press, making it ideal for those who need to type fast or game with precision. The switch is incredibly durable, offering an approximate lifespan of 60 million keystrokes, and features a 67g gold-plated spring and metal leaf to ensure superior stability and response time.
- Strong tactile feedback at the top of the keypress.
- Incredible durability – 60 million keystrokes lifespan rating.
- 67g Gold Plated Spring and Metal leaf provide superior stability and response time.
- Switch opener not included in the package.
Buyer’s Guide and FAQs
A tactile switch is a type of mechanical keyboard switch that provides a small bump or click when the key is pressed, giving users an indication that the keypress has been registered. Tactile switches are typically loud and provide more feedback than linear switches, making them popular among gamers and typists alike.
Linear switches offer smooth key travel with no bumps or clicks, while tactile switches generally have a small bump or click at the top of the key press to indicate that it has been registered. Linear switches tend to be quieter than tactile ones, but they don’t provide as much feedback to the user when typing or gaming.
Tactile switches provide increased feedback when typing or gaming, making them ideal for those who need precise key presses. Additionally, tactile switches generally offer a longer lifespan than linear ones since they don’t have to move as far for each press. Finally, tactile switches are usually louder than linear ones and can provide an interesting “pop” sound when pressed.
The most popular types of tactile switches include Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Clear, Topre Realforce 55g, ZugGear DUROCK T1 Tactile Switch, and DROP Halo Clear Tactile Switch. Each provides its own unique combination of features such as actuation force, key travel distance, noise level, and feedback.
Installing tactile switches can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re working with a hot-swappable compatible barebones kit. It’s best to consult the manual for your specific keyboard first and follow the instructions carefully. If you don’t have access to a manual, there are plenty of resources online that can help walk you through the installation process. Additionally, many switch manufacturers offer tools such as soldering irons and switch openers to make installation easier.
That really depends on what type of user you are and what kind of feedback or sound profile you’re looking for from your mechanical keyboard. Generally speaking, tactile switches provide more feedback when typing or gaming, while linear switches are quieter and smoother. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of switch best fits your needs.
