Types of Mechanical Keyboard Switches

Mechanical Keyboard is a keyboard that is similar to a regular keyboard. One of the notable features of a mechanical keyboard is its high level of comfort. This comfort is due to the use of switches on each key of the mechanical keyboard.

Switches on a mechanical keyboard have several types of characteristics:

Clicky

Switch makes a distinctive loud clicking sound.

Tactile

Switch provide a tactile feedback sensation when pressed, such as the click and bump sensation.

Linear

Switch without sensation / feedback when pressed.

These are some types of mechanical keyboard switches:

Cherry MX

Cherry MX is one of the “legends” and a reference for mechanical keyboard switches. The keyboard switches, manufactured by ZF Electronics GmbH (Cherry Corporation), a German-American company, have been used by many high-end keyboard manufacturers worldwide since 1983.

Cherry MX Red

Cherry MX Black

Characteristics	Linear
Sensation	Heavy
Finger pressure	60g
Sound levels	Calm
Durability	50 million clicks per button

Cherry MX Blue

Characteristics	Tactile
Sensation	Heavy
Finger pressure	60g
Sound levels	Clicky
Durability	50 million clicks per button

Cherry MX Brown

Characteristics	Tactile
Sensation	Medium
Finger pressure	45g
Sound levels	Calm
Durability	50 million clicks per button

Cherry MX Speed

Characteristics	Linear
Sensation	Light
Finger pressure	45g
Sound levels	Calm
Durability	50 million clicks per button

Kailh/Kaihua

Kailh switches are produced by Kaihua Electronics, a semiconductor company from China that has been in operation since 1990. Initially, Kaihua was known for cloning Cherry switches, but over time, the company developed its own switch models and established exclusive partnerships with several keyboard manufacturers.

Kailh Red

Characteristics	Linear
Sensation	Light
Finger pressure	50g
Sound levels	Very quiet
Durability	50 million clicks per button

Kailh Black

Characteristics	Linear
Sensation	Light
Finger pressure	60g
Sound levels	Quiet
Durability	50 million clicks per button

Kailh Brown

Characteristics	Tactile
Sensation	Medium
Finger pressure	50g
Sound levels	Calm
Durability	50 million clicks per button

Kailh Blue

Characteristics	Tactile
Sensation	Heavy
Finger pressure	60g
Sound levels	Clicky
Durability	50 million clicks per button

Outemu

Outemu is a switch brand manufactured by Gaote Corp, a renowned semiconductor company from China. Similar to Kailh, Outemu heavily references the design and characteristics of Cherry MX switches.

Outemu Black

Characteristics	Linear
Sensation	Heavy
Finger pressure	60g
Sound levels	Calm
Durability	40 – 50 million clicks per button

Outemu Red

Characteristics	Linear
Sensation	Light
Finger pressure	45g
Sound levels	Calm
Durability	40 – 50 million clicks per button

Outemu Brown

Characteristics	Tactile
Sensation	Medium
Finger pressure	45g
Sound levels	Calm
Durability	40 – 50 million clicks per button

Outemu Blue

Characteristics	Tactile
Sensation	Heavy
Finger pressure	60g
Sound levels	Clicky
Durability	40 – 50 million clicks per button

Romer G

Romer-G is a switch developed through a collaboration between Logitech and Omron, an electronic equipment company from Japan. Initially, Romer-G was designed and produced to supply Logitech keyboards. However, later on, many non-Logitech keyboard manufacturers also started using this switch.

The distinctive feature of Romer-G switches is their shorter actuation distance, approximately 25% shorter than Cherry MX or Kailh switches. In the middle of the switch, there is space to accommodate LEDs or vibration effects.

Characteristics	Very tactile
Sensation	Light
Finger pressure	45g
Sound levels	Calm
Durability	70 million clicks per button