Mechanical Keyboard Switches Comparison Guide (Colors, Types, Brands)

Since the market is saturated with a variety of switches, choosing the right ones for your mechanical keyboard can be overwhelming. Tactile, linear, or clicky – what does this mean exactly and which brand should you trust when purchasing the perfect set of keyboard switches? 

Clearly, that will depend on your personal preferences. But you can start with this list of switches that will make your life easier:

Name	Brand	Color	Behavior	Link sponsored
Cherry MX Black	Cherry	black	linear	Link
Cherry MX Red	Cherry	red	linear	Link
Cherry MX Dark Gray	Cherry	gray	linear	Link
Cherry MX Silent Red	Cherry	red	linear	Link
Cherry MX Silent Black	Cherry	black	linear	Link
Cherry MX RGB Red	Cherry	red	linear	Link
Cherry MX RGB Black	Cherry	black	linear	Link
Cherry MX RGB Brown	Cherry	brown	tactile	Link
MX Low Profile RGB Red	Cherry	red	linear	Link
MX Low Profile RGB Speed	Cherry	gray	linear	Link
Cherry MX Blue	Cherry	blue	clicky	Link
Cherry MX Speed Silver	Cherry	silver	linear	Link
Cherry MX Green	Cherry	green	clicky	Link
Cherry MX Clear	Cherry	clear	tactile	Link
Cherry MX Brown	Cherry	brown	tactile	Link
Cherry MX Gray	Cherry	gray	tactile	Link
Cherry MX RGB Blue	Cherry	blue	clicky	Link
Cherry MX White	Cherry	white	clicky	Link
Gateron KS-15 Black	Gateron	black	linear	Link
Gateron KS-15 White	Gateron	white	clicky	Link
Gateron KS-15 RGB Brown	Gateron	brown	tactile	Link
Gateron KS-15 Red	Gateron	red	linear	Link
Gateron KS-15 Yellow	Gateron	yellow	linear	Link
Gateron KS-15 Silver	Gateron	silver	linear	Link
Gateron KS-15 Blue	Gateron	blue	clicky	Link
Gateron Clear	Gateron	clear	linear	Link
Gateron Blue	Gateron	blue	clicky	Link
Gateron Red	Gateron	red	linear	Link
Gateron Green	Gateron	green	clicky	Link
Gateron Brown	Gateron	brown	tactile	Link
Gateron Black	Gateron	black	linear	Link
Gateron Yellow	Gateron	yellow	linear	Link
Kailh BOX Black	Kaihua	black	linear	Link
Kailh BOX Red	Kaihua	red	linear	Link
Kailh BOX Brown	Kaihua	brown	tactile	Link
Kailh BOX White	Kaihua	white	clicky	Link
Kailh BOX Pink	Kaihua	pink	tactile	Link
Kailh Bronze (Speed)	Kaihua	bronze	clicky	Link
Kailh Silver (Speed)	Kaihua	silver	linear	Link
Kailh Copper (Speed)	Kaihua	copper	tactile	Link
Kailh Gold (Speed)	Kaihua	gold	clicky	Link
Kailh Pink (Speed)	Kaihua	pink	tactile	Link
Kailh Pro Burgundy	Kaihua	burgundy	linear	Link
Kailh Pro Purple	Kaihua	purple	tactile	Link
Kailh Pro Light Green	Kaihua	green	clicky	Link
The BOX Heavy Dark Yellow	Kaihua	yellow	linear	Link
The BOX Heavy Burnt Orange	Kaihua	orange	tactile	Link
The BOX Heavy Pale Blue	Kaihua	blue	clicky	Link
NovelKeys BOX Navy	Kaihua	navy	clicky	Link
NovelKeys BOX Jade	Kaihua	jade	clicky	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Cream	Kaihua	cream	linear	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Berry	Kaihua	berry	linear	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Plum	Kaihua	plum	tactile	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Sage	Kaihua	sage	clicky	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Low Profile Choc Dark Yellow	Kaihua	yellow	linear	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Low Profile Choc Burnt Orange	Kaihua	orange	tactile	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Low Profile Choc Pale Blue	Kaihua	blue	clicky	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Low Profile Choc Navy	Kaihua	navy	clicky	Link
NovelKeys x Kailh Low Profile Choc Jade	Kaihua	jade	clicky	Link
Kailh Low Profile “Choc” Red	Kaihua	red	linear	Link
Kailh Low Profile “Choc” Brown	Kaihua	brown	tactile	Link
Kailh Low Profile “Choc” White	Kaihua	white	clicky	Link
Halo Clear	Kaihua	clear	tactile	Link
Halo True	Kaihua	pink	tactile	Link
Razer Green	Razer	green	clicky	Link
Razer Orange	Razer	orange	tactile	Link
Razer Yellow	Razer	yellow	linear	Link
GL Tactile	Logitech	brown	tactile	Link
GL Linear	Logitech	red	linear	Link
GL Clicky	Logitech	white	clicky	Link
GX Blue	Logitech	blue	clicky	Link
GX Brown	Logitech	brown	tactile	Link
GX Red	Logitech	red	linear	Link
Romer-G Tactile	Logitech	white	tactile	Link
Romer-G Linear	Logitech	gray	linear	Link
Outemu Blue	Gaote	blue	clicky	Link
Outemu Black	Gaote	black	linear	Link
Outemu Brown	Gaote	brown	tactile	Link
Outemu Red	Gaote	red	linear	Link
Greetech Blue	Greetech	blue	clicky	Link
Greetech Brown	Greetech	brown	tactile	Link
Greetech Red	Greetech	red	linear	Link
Greetech Black	Greetech	black	linear	Link
Zealio V2	ZealPC	purple	tactile	Link
Blue Zilent	ZealPC	blue	tactile	Link
Aqua Zilent	ZealPC	aqua	tactile	Link
Tealio V2	ZealPC	blue	linear	Link
Turquoise Tealio	ZealPC	turquoise	linear	Link
Sakurio	ZealPC	pink	linear	Link
Rosélio	ZealPC	pink	linear	Link
Healio V2	ZealPC	orange	linear	Link
TTC Gold Pink	TTC	pink	linear	Link
TTC Bluish White	TTC	blue	tactile	Link
TTC Green Axis	TTC	blue	clicky	Link
TTC Red Shaft	TTC	red	linear	Link
TTC Tea Shaft	TTC	brown	tactile	Link
TTC Golden Tea Axis	TTC	brown	tactile	Link
TTC Golden Red Shaft	TTC	red	linear	Link
Matias Quiet Click	Matias	gray	tactile	Link
Matias Click	Matias	white	tactile	Link
Matias Linear	Matias	red	linear	Link
Holy Panda	Drop	salmon	tactile	Link
Glorious Panda	Glorious	orange	tactile	Link

Mechanical Keyboard Switches Brands

There’s no need to scour the internet to find out which switch brand is best. Read about switch companies and how they started all in one place bellow.

Cherry

Nowadays, we link the Cherry brand to its popular line of switches – Cherry MX. However, this German switch maker with US roots has not always been the leading brand of mechanical switches in the world. 

The company started by manufacturing various products, ranging from sensors to automotive modules in the United States. In 1984, Cherry patented its first switch which allowed the company to sell the product directly to consumers. 

Cherry is a trusted brand due to its long history of making keyboards and keyboard switches. After Cherry’s switch patent expired in 2004, other switch brand started to use it to make Cherry switch clones and find their own place in the rising switch market. 

Regardless of other options, Cherry is still a major go-to brand for any mechanical keyboard enthusiast. Also, any new switch manufacturer is compared with this company.  

Visit Cherry’s official page to find out more about the company and its products. 

Gateron

Established in China in 2000, Gateron is the brand notable for its switches, i.e. Cherry alternatives. Their switches are made by the company Huizhou Gateron Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. that produces and manufactures plastic hardware parts and sensors as well. 

Their switches are direct clones of the Cherry MX line, and you can use Gateron counterpart to replace Cherry. Some even prefer Gateron switches over Cherry.

The major complaint on Cherry switches has been their “scratchy” keystroke feel, and Gateron managed to take care of that flaw. Besides being more affordable and lighter, Gateron switches have softer keystrokes which make them more favourable for gaming.  

Check out Gateron’s website to find out more.    

Kailh (Kaihua)

Manufactured by the company Kaihua Electronics based in China, Kailh is another brand that offers affordable clones of Cherry MX switches. 

They started making switches in 2009 and at the time were known for the poor quality of their materials and production. People would be reluctant to buy them since they were knockoffs of the established Cherry brand. 

The quality of their switches improved over the years, along with their reputation. Some would even argue that their switches are better than Cherry’s, but all can agree that Kailh contributes something different and innovative to the world of mechanical keyboards.    

Besides manufacturing Kailh branded switches, Razer trusted the company with their switches as well. 

Visit Kailh’s official site to see what they have to offer.  

Razer

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Razer Inc. established its brand firmly within the world of the professional gaming industry. Their products include any technology that a reputable gamer might need – including the switches. Similarly to their other products, switches used in their keyboards are specifically designed for the best performance for gaming and typing alike.

According to the brand’s official site, Razer took over the entire process of making the switch in 2014. However, it is known that other companies such as Cherry, Kaihua, Greetech, and TTC manufactured switches for Razor keyboards since 2014. That does not mean you get off-brand switch because partner-manufacturers make Razer switches based on Razer’s specifications and blueprints.  

Razer doesn’t offer a wide array of switches and they aren’t commercially available. The only way to get them is by purchasing one of their gaming keyboards. 

Opinion on the Razer switches are divided – you will either love them or find them too expensive considering the questionable quality control because of its multiple manufacturers.

Visit Razer’s official website for more information.   

Logitech

Logitech is another well-known name in the electronics industry. The company manufactures computer peripherals, but they have their signature switch as well.

When it comes to switches, Logitech is best known for its Romer-G model introduced in 2014. Omron manufactures Logitech’s switches as we speak. However, you could find Cherry MX switches in their first mechanical keyboard before that.

Like Razer’s, Logitech’s switches aren’t commercially available and you can get them exclusively in their keyboards.

Their switches are well received in the mechanical keyboard community since people generally do not have issues with them. The only complaint is that they aren’t compatible with Cherry MX switches.

For more info, visit Logitech’s official website.

Gaote

Dongguan Gaote Electronics Co., Ltd. is a China-based manufacturer that provides components for Matias switches. Also, they have their own series of Cherry MX clone switches branded as Outemu. 

Outemu switches are generally perceived as a cheaper alternative to Cherry MX. 

This is Gaote’s official website. 

Greetech

Huizhou Greetech Electronics Co., Ltd. is another switch maker based in China. They’ve been perfecting switch production since 2007. 

Greetech switches are a less expensive alternative to Cherry MX switches. The common complaint is that they can feel scratchy. 

As mentioned, they make Razer switches as well.

Check out Greetech’s official website. 

ZealPC

Zeal PC company specializes in providing top parts for mechanical keyboards. They partnered with Gateron to make the line of switches called Zealios they introduced in 2015. Gateron manufactured this unique line featuring transparent casings specifically for Zeal PC. 

Zeal PC company was founded by a fellow member of keyboard community enthusiasts. That is visible in their great customer service and insider approach to switch-making. Therefore, customers are generally happy with their products even though they lean more on the expensive side.   

Visit Zeal PC’s official website to check out what they have in store. 

TTC

Established in 1998, a China-based company Huizhou Trantek Electronics Co., Ltd. makes a wide range of electronic products for household and offices. Better known as TTC, the company also manufactures switches for mechanical keyboards. 

They are regarded as cheap clones of Cherry MX line. 

Read more on their switches on TTC’s official website.  

Matias

Matias Corporation is a Canadian based company founded in 1989 that specializes in keyboard manufacturing. They used the Alps switches in their keyboards till the end of the 90s, i.e. until the Alps discontinued their production. 

Considering there wasn’t another product to replace Alps switches, Matias designed their own simplified version. As mentioned, Gaote manufactures Matias branded switches.   

Matias switches are known for their quality. However, since their switches are Alps clones, the only issue people have with it is that they have unique stem and design that does not allow standard keys. 

Visit Matias’ official website. 

Drop

Drop is an American e-commerce company founded in 2012. The site sells a variety of products for mechanical keyboards – including the switches you can buy exclusively on their site. Furthermore, they created a community with common interests and use their input to develop or find wanted products.  

As of recently, they sell hybrid switches marketed as Holy Panda that are manufactured by Kaihua. Holy Pandas are hybrid of Halo True and Invry Panda switches.  

Drop website. 

Glorious

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Glorious is an American company founded in 2014 by PC gamers. The focus of the company is to make high-quality hardware and gaming accessories at a reasonable price point. Glorious creates mouse pads and wrist supports, but they dabble in switches as well. 

They are on the list because of their new Glorious Panda switch. Similarly to Holy Panda, Glorious Panda is the hybrid they created by integrating Invry and Glorious technology. 

Visit their glorious site to see what they’re up to. 

Mechanical Keyboard Switch Types

You can buy three kinds of switches: linear, tactile, and clicky. The key difference between the types is in their behaviour – the sound and feel of the keystroke.

1. Linear

Let’s start with the quietest and the least tactile switch – a linear switch. Mechanics of a linear switch are straightforward – the harder you press the key down, the faster it returns straight up.    

A linear switch is popular with competitive gamers since reliable keystrokes allow them fast and precise movement. Regardless, this switch type is also great for people who get easily distracted by loud keys or want rapid, consistent, and smooth typing feel. 

2. Tactile

This switch features tactile keystrokes with audible feedback mid-travel. True, a tactile switch is not the loudest of the three, but you will hear and feel the bump midway when you press the key. 

 Just by the sound and feel of typing on the keyboard with the tactical switches, you can be sure everything works as it should. Hence, this switch type is popular because it reduces the chance of mistakes while typing –making the typing experience even more enjoyable.  

3. Clicky

Clicky is the loudest switch of the three. Its recognizable click sound signals you’ve reached the actuation point, i.e. pressed the key with enough force to activate it. 

Depending on the brand, clicky and tactile might sound similar – mainly because they operate in the same way. However, have in mind that they feel entirely different when you press it since tactile switch feels like a smooth bump. 

Clicky might not be the right fit for gamers, fast typists, or those who don’t like noisy keyboards in general. Nevertheless, it’s ideal for people who enjoy the distinct sound that indicates actuation of the key. 

Still searching where to buy parts for your unique keyboard? Check out the article on top sites that provide parts for mechanical keyboards.