For years, I used to have a membrane keyword for writing purposes.
However, all this changed when I decided to upgrade my custom PC set up with a PC gaming chair, the best in the business processors, CPU cooler & additional PC components.
During this process, I got my hands on a mechanical keyboard for the 1st time.
I was like:
That was something new.
Mainly, a mechanical keyboard comes with these switches:
But on that day I was using brown mechanical keyboard switches.
Everything was so mesmerizing, I can’t explain in words.
First of all, the keys were super light to type. Unlike my dell membrane keyboard, here I no longer had to hit the keys with hard force.
Soon after this, I got to know about different mechanical keyboard switches, their features & use.
After going through intensive research, I ended up purchasing my first keyboard with MX cherry blue mechanical keyboard switches.
As much as I love this tactile sound feedback, many writers love to hear the same response when typing on a mechanical keyboard.
So, going forward in this post, I’ll share:
✅Types of Mechanical Keyboard Switches.
✅Which switches are the best for you?
Let’s get started:
Types of Mechanical Keyboard Switches
Before I explain everything to you, in detail, you need to answer me –
When you take out the button of a membrane keyboard, what’s the first thing you see?
It’s something similar to the layer of silicone.
In case you don’t know, this silicon layer is the real reason why you have membrane keyboards that are silent by default.
Now, talking about a mechanical keyboard, it comes with a Mechanical switch under every keycap available on the keyboard.
So, every time you type using a mechanical keyboard, you get instant feedback after pressing a key.
Therefore, it increases your typing precision.
Here, instead of pressing the keyboard keys all the way down words to simply using the low friction mechanism to type in like, you are using a spring.
This is how mechanical keyboard switches look like:
On top of every button, you can see something in blue.
Well, these blue-colored Plastic materials are switches that function based on their type.
In this case, it is a blue mechanical Switch.
Now, let’s get back to the reason why I’m publishing this post – types of mechanical keyboard switches.
There are three types of mechanical switches that you can use.
Linear Switches
Unlike the other two mechanical keyboards, this one are the simplest switch.
Here the stem travels up and down without any kind of delay.
As soon as you press the key, it is instantly registered at every stroke and completes its travel with this type of mechanical keyboard switch.
Gamers tend to prefer keyboards with linear switches.
You see when playing a game, even a fraction of a second can result in the death of your character.
So the first type of linear switch takes this unambiguous option out of the game.
Even though many companies make mechanical keyboard switches, but
If you ask me to pick the best one, I would say it is Cherry MX switches.
And in this case, one of the most popular linear switches are made by the German company Cherry MX.
Best Pick: Coolermaster’s CK552 Gaming Keyboard with Gateron Red Switches is a perfect choice for a gamer on any given day.
Tactile Switches
Even though this type of mechanical keyboard is quite similar to the linear switches. However, this one has a bump as it travels to the downward part.
So, as soon as you press a key, the bum
Now, with no need of pressing the way downwards, you get faster typing speed as these keys do not need to travel all the way downwards for click confirmation actuation.
In terms of sound, tactile switches are quite silent by Nature.
That’s why some typists prefer a completely silent keyboard and that too without pressing the keys. All the way downwards.
Now, if you are planning to buy a tactile Mechanical Keyboard, I would recommend you to go for the best in the market and that is none other than Cherry MX Brown switches.
Best Pick: Cherry MX Brown Keyboard switches.
Clicky Switches
These types of switches are nothing, but a variation of the tactile switch.
The only difference is that there is a clicky switch that makes it easier for you to notice the bump in the typing process.
Unlike the other two types of mechanical keyboards, this one is the loudest one ad every stroke on the keys results in a loud, clicking noise.
As a writer. I really love these types of keyboards switches as I like to hear the sound as soon as I press keys on a keyboard.
It’s kind of reassuring for the writers.
Additionally, if you aren’t that comfortable with Mechanical keyboards, the feedback while typing would enhance your overall typing experience lines up to the actual point right before it goes completely downwards.
Best Pick: Cherry MX Blue Switches
Final Verdict
These 3 types of mechanical keyboard switches come with their own merits & demerits points. In the end, it’s your choice that matters.
If you’re purchasing a mechanical keyboard for the very 1st time, the last piece of advice I would give you is – Don’t buy it online right away.
Instead, go to any offline store near you, try typing on different mechanical switches to see which meets your requirement.
That’s all for now.
If this post was a helpful factor in deciding on a mechanical keyboard, then do share it with your friends & family. Besides, if you’re a Windows PC user, then check out my previous post where I’ve shared my views on whether you should install Windows 11 Insider Build on your PC or not.
