A short guide to keyboard switches: are linear, tactile or clicky ones best?

Mechanical keyboards are simply better for typing than the chiclet keyboards found in most offices – in my opinion, anyway. The crown jewel of any mechanical keyboard is the switch.

Basically, there are three types of mechanical switches: linear, tactile and clicky.

Linear switches

With a linear switch, you don’t get any feedback when you press the keys. In other words, you can press them down as far as they’ll go without noticing any haptic feedback. Switches like these are popular with gamers because the keys can be pressed so much more quickly. And they feel lighter to press, too. On the other hand, the components used in the switch can also have an impact on this.

Linear switches are often referred to as «reds» – a legacy of the most popular switches, Cherry MX Reds. These days, there are so many different switches in all sorts of colours that the name doesn’t quite fit the bill anymore. But that doesn’t stop it from being commonly used.

Linear switches can be quieter than tactile or clicky switches. Mind you, you can get loud linear ones. It also depends on who's typing. Still, there are linear switches out there that are meant to be extra quiet.

Tactile switches

A tactile switch gives you haptic feedback while you’re typing. This comes through at different points on the key stroke, depending on the type of switch you’re using. The resistance can be felt at the top, in the middle or down at the bottom. And the level of resistance varies, too. There are even switches which keep the resistance going for as long as possible. Picture it as being like a pump track for bikes, where the tactile moments are the bumps. There are large, small, long and short bumps. That’s also where the term «tactile bump» comes from.

Tactile switches are often referred to as «browns». Like with the reds, this is related to Cherry switches: the Cherry MX Browns, which are – yep, you guessed it, brown. And just like the linear switches, tactical switches now come in countless colours, materials and tactility variations.

If you write a lot, a tactile switch is likely to be the most suitable for you. You get feedback via the tactile bump when the switch activates. Generally, you also need to press a little harder than with a linear switch. This way, you can avoid typos. But this also varies from person to person.

Clicky switches

Clicky switches are every open-plan office’s worst nightmare. Along with the haptic feedback when the keys are struck, an audible click is heard – hence the name. Clicky switches are by far the loudest switches.

These switches have Cherry to thank for their nickname «blues», namely the MX Blues. Although there’s significantly less choice when it comes to clicky switches, not all clickys are blue.

The clicky switches are brilliant for typing – that is, as long as you like the sound.

After this mini foray into the world of switches, I’d like to dive a bit deeper into the topic in my next article. I’ll show you how the different types of switches look – inside and out – and give you the lowdown on springs, POM, click bars and click jackets.