Tactile switches are a type of mechanical switch that offers a unique typing experience. They provide tactile feedback when pressed, making them great for gaming and typing.
Tactile switches are available in various styles, from clicky to non-clicky and linear to tactile. It can take time to decide which is the best switch for you as there are more brands and types out there.
Fortunately, we’ve researched and compiled a list of the best tactile switches available. From Cherry MX switches to Gateron and Durock switches, this guide will help you find the perfect switch for your needs.
We’ll discuss the differences between linear and tactile switches and the pros and cons of each type. We’ll also look at some of the most popular brands today and explain why they’re popular among gamers and typists.
You should have all the information to decide which tactile switch is right for you at the end of this article. So let’s start by closely examining what makes these switches so special!
What are Tactile Switches?
Tactile switches are used in many electronic devices, such as keyboards and gaming controllers. When actuated, they provide a small bump feedback that can be clicky or non-clicky.
Tactile switches are popular for their accuracy and responsiveness, making them ideal for gaming or typing applications. They come in various brands and materials, allowing users to customize their devices to fit their needs.
What Are Best Tactile Switches Good For?
Tactile switches offer the best feedback from any mechanical switch, making them ideal for accurate typing without any mistakes. They are also great for gaming as they provide a tactile response when pressed, allowing gamers to feel the action of their button presses.
Additionally, tactile switches are popular among keyboard enthusiasts due to their unique sound and feel when typing on them.
Gaming
Tactile switches provide an excellent gaming experience, giving gamers a tangible response when pressing buttons. This allows gamers to have more control over their actions as they can feel the action of each button press.
Additionally, tactile switches offer a unique sound when pressed, adding to the gaming experience.
Typing
Tactile switches are great for typing as they give users a small bump feedback during actuation which helps with typing accuracy. The sound and feel of tactile switches make it easier to type accurately without any mistakes, making them ideal for those who type frequently or professionally.
Customization
Tactile switches allow users to customize their keyboards with different switch types, such as Cherry MX, Durock, JWK, Tecsee, Gateron, and more. This will enable users to choose the switch that best suits their needs and preferences regarding sound, feel, and performance.
Review 10 Best Tactile Switches
1. Glorious Panda Switches
Glorious Panda switches are the perfect choice for anyone searching to upgrade their mechanical keyboard. These switches provide a buttery smooth operation with a snappy tactile bump that makes typing a satisfying experience.
They feature a strong ‘bump’ at the start of the downstroke, which is great for gamers and typists. The feeling of Glorious Pandas could be described as very responsive and snappy, making them ideal for gaming and typing.
The switches come in packs of 36, so you can easily replace all your keys with these high-quality switches. They are also plate-mounted, meaning they will fit most keyboards without additional modifications.
Plus, they are relatively affordable compared to other switch types on the market.
These switches are also lubed, which means they have been coated in lubricant to reduce friction and make them even smoother and quieter when typing or gaming.
This is especially useful if you prefer a quieter keyboard setup or plan on using your keyboard for long periods without fatigue.
2. Gazzew Boba Thocky U4T
The JOJOYS Gazzew Boba is perfect for customizing your mechanical gaming keyboard. This switch features a 5-pin design, 62g or 68g force tactile key-switch, and comes in 70PCS color options.
It’s designed with high-quality materials and offers a tacky tactile feel that provides a smooth and responsive typing experience. The switch also has an ergonomic design for comfortable typing and gaming sessions.
The Gazzew Boba is great for those who want to customize their keyboards to fit their individual needs. It’s also perfect for gamers who need a switch that can handle intense gaming sessions without sacrificing performance or comfort.
The switch is highly durable, making it ideal for long-term use. Additionally, the switch is designed to be compatible with most mechanical keyboards today.
The Gazzew Boba U4T Switch is available in two spring weights (62g and 68g) and four different top colors (white, boba, clear, and white). It also comes with a bundle of 1 or 10 pcs, depending on your needs.
With its tacky tactile feel and ergonomic design, this switch will surely provide you with an enjoyable typing experience every time you use it.
3. EPOMAKER Budgerigar
The EPOMAKER Budgerigar is an excellent choice for gaming and DIY keyboard projects. The switches feature a pale-green and yellow color scheme inspired by the close relationships between humans and budgies.
They offer a pleasing, smooth feeling that almost mimics the sensation of clicking switches without any accompanying sound.
The switches are all very consistent regarding actuation force and travel distance. The total travel distance is 3.80mm with an actuation travel of 2.00±0.5mm and an actuation force of 47±10gf. The initial force is 55gf with a minimum bottom force of 40gf.
The EPOMAKER Budgerigar switches are designed with a general MX structure to fit most keycap sets with (X) cross stems, making them highly versatile for different keyboards. They also come factory-lubed with a POM stem, dual spring, and nylon housing for improved durability and performance.
4. EPOMAKER Ajazz Kiwi Switch
The EPOMAKER Ajazz Kiwi is a tactile type switch designed for a mechanical keyboard replacement. It features 45 pieces of diced fruit with kiwi, making it a fun and colorful switch. Colorful and tasty fruits inspire the Tactile Banana, Peach, and Kiwi switches, providing players with a rich typing experience and visual feast-like fruits.
The AJAZZ Diced Fruit collection is overflowing with customizable options catering to any preference. For example, the Banana Switch features a 55gf end force and 3.3mm total travel, whereas the Peach Switch operates at 65gf end force and 3.2mm total travel; if you’d prefer something even firmer, then try out our Kiwi Switch – 70gf end force and 3.4mm total travel!
Designed by the AJAZZ creative team, these delightful switches bring out mesmerizing shades of color while providing an unparalleled typing experience with tactile feedback like never before!
5. Akko V3 Cream Blue Switch
The Akko V3 switches are an excellent choice for mechanical keyboards. These switches offered a smooth and creamy typing experience with their 18mm spring extension made of POM/PC/PA materials.
The operating force of these switches is 38 ± 5gf, and they have a total travel of 3.5±0.3mm, with a pretravel of 2.0±0.3mm. The stem of the switch is made from POM with an extension spring, while the housing and bottom are made from PC material.
These switches are compatible with most mechanical keyboards that have both 3-pin and 5-pin hot-swappable sockets, making them easy to install in any keyboard setup.
They also feature a long pole compared to other Akko tactile switches, which provides a solid and faster bottom-out feeling when typing or gaming on your keyboard.
6. Drop Halo True
The DROP Halo True are mechanical switches that are the best choice for those searching for a tactile feel with their keyboard. When pressed, these switches provide a satisfying bump, making typing and gaming more enjoyable.
The switches are plate mounted, meaning they are securely attached to the keyboard and have a 60g operating force similar to Cherry MX-style switches. Additionally, these quiet switches ensure that your typing experience is not disturbed by loud noises.
The Halo Clears emulate Cherry MX Clear switches, while the Halo Trues blend Topre and Cherry MX Clear force curves. This makes them ideal for those who want to experience both switch styles without buying two separate keyboards.
The Halo True switch has a 58g operating force and 1.9mm pretravel with a 4mm total travel distance. It also comes in an attractive salmon stem color that adds a nice touch of color to your setup.
These DROP Halo True mechanical keyboards offer an excellent balance between tactile feedback and smoothness of operation. They provide enough resistance at the start of each press to ensure you’re pressing the right key every time without feeling like you’re fighting against it too much.
These switches are designed to outdo Cherry MX ones. They come with a spring that mitigates resistance when the key is pressed down and also restricts unintentional double-tapping with its higher actuation point.
7. TECSEE Purple Panda
Tecsee Purple Panda switches are the perfect choice for any mechanical gaming keyboard. These tactile switches feature a long stem pole and a firm tactile bump, allowing for a more muted bottom out and smoother keypress.
The housing is made of PME plastic material, which provides self-lubrication to create a smooth keypress. Additionally, the switch has an SMD 5-pin RGB design that allows for backlit keyboards.
The Tecsee Purple Panda 90 is designed with Cherry-style plate-mounted switches, ideal for mechanical gaming keyboards. The switch has a 90g spring weight and is rated at 55g actuation force, providing users with a comfortable typing experience.
In addition, the switch features 2mm pretravel and 3.5mm total travel distance for faster response times when gaming or typing.
The Tecsee Purple Panda also comes with POM tactile stems that provide extra comfort and durability to the key switch. This makes it perfect for gamers who want to enjoy gaming sessions without worrying about their key switches wearing down over time.
8. Cherry MX Brown
The Cherry MX Brown RGB Key Switches offer an outstanding balance between tactile feedback and noise level. The actuation force is 45g (55g peak), and they have a travel distance of 4mm with 2mm pretravel.
This makes them ideal for typing and gaming, as they provide just enough feedback to let you know when your keypress has been registered without being too loud or distracting.
Cherry MX Brown is an excellent option if you’re looking for something quieter than the standard Cherry MX Brown RGB Key Switches. They offer up to 50% quantity discount and come in packs of 10, making them an affordable option for those who want to upgrade their keyboards without breaking the bank.
Cherry MX Brown might be just what you need if you want an even quieter switch. This switch offers a tactile actuation with no audible click, making it perfect for those who want to keep their typing quiet but still get that satisfying feeling when pressing down on their keys.
9. Kailh Box Switches
Kailh Box switches are the perfect choice for gamers and typists alike. These switches have a unique box design that helps keep dust and moisture out, making them ideal for those who tend to be messier at the keys.
The Kailh Box switches also feature a 50g force, linear action, plate-mounted construction, and SMD 3-pin RGB switches for backlit keyboards. They are available in 65 pcs per pack in various colors such as red, blue, brown, and black.
The Kailh Box switches offer an easy transition to fit any MX style keycaps due to their combined form of Cherry MX and box design around the cross stem.
With an IP56 rating, these switches are waterproof and dustproof, which makes them highly durable and long-lasting. Additionally, they provide a smooth tactile feel with every press of the key, which makes typing or gaming more enjoyable.
These switches are great for those who want a reliable mechanical keyboard without worrying about dust or moisture getting inside the switch housing. With their low-profile design, they can easily fit into any keyboard setup while still providing excellent performance.
10. LTC Panda Switches
If you’re looking for the perfect switch for your mechanical keyboard DIY project, look no further than the LTC Panda Switches.
These switches provide a tactile feel and an RGB/SMD lighting effect to make your keyboard stand out. Experience the Holy Panda Feeling with a 3pin RGB/SMD MX Compatible Switch!
This linear tactile switch is perfect for gaming and typing, providing maximum comfort. What’s more? It also comes complete with its switch puller—ready to be used immediately. Get ready to experience smooth switching that will revolutionize your gaming or typing sessions!
The LTC Panda is made with high-quality materials, ensuring they last longer than other switches on the market. They also come pre-lubed, making them easier to install and use.
The switches have an impressive 60 million keystrokes lifespan, meaning you won’t have to replace them anytime soon. Plus, they are compatible with most mechanical keyboards, so you can easily upgrade or replace your current keyboard without any hassle.
The Holy Panda is designed to provide an enhanced gaming experience with its smooth and responsive keys. It also has an RGB/SMD lighting effect, adding a unique touch to your setup.
The switches are easy to install and use, making them ideal for anyone who wants to customize their mechanical keyboard DIY project quickly and easily.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Tactile Switches
When choosing the best tactical switches for your gaming setup, there are a few key factors to consider. Below are the factors you should consider:
1. Type of Switch
There are different types of switches with additional functionality. Linear switches offer smooth keystrokes without any feedback or noise, while tactile switches provide bump feedback during actuation and can be clicky and non-clicky.
Lastly, clicky switches provide an audible click sound when pressed and can be tactile or linear.
2. Sound
The sound of your tactical switch is essential. Clicky switches are louder than others due to their audible click sound when pressed. On the other hand, linear and tactile switches are usually quieter as they do not produce any sound when pressed.
Depending on your preference and environment, choose a quieter option, such as linear or tactile switches, over a louder one, like clicky switches.
3. Feel
Different switches have different resistance levels, affecting how comfortable they are to use over long periods. Linear and tactile switches tend to have higher resistance levels than clicky ones, making them more suitable for gaming sessions that require quick reflexes and fast movements.
4. Durability
Durability should be considered when selecting a tactical switch for your gaming setup. Some brands offer more durable options than others, so it’s worth researching before making your purchase in order to ensure you get the most out of your investment in terms of longevity and performance over time.
5. Price
Price comes in when selecting a tactical switch for your gaming setup, as some brands offer more expensive options than others, depending on their features and quality level.
It’s worth doing some research beforehand in order to find the best value-for-money option available on the market today in terms of features offered versus the price paid for them.
6. Reviews & Testimonials
It’s always worth reading reviews from other users who have purchased similar products in order to get an idea about how well they perform before making any purchases yourself, as this can help you avoid buying something that may not meet your expectations or needs after all has been said and done.
Additionally, testimonials from experienced gamers can also give you useful insights into what kind of product would work best for you based on their own experiences with different brands or models available on the market today, so it’s worth taking these into account before making any decisions too!
7. Compatibility
Compatibility with other components, such as keyboards or mice, should also be considered when selecting the best tactical switches. Some models may not work properly with certain devices due to compatibility issues, so it’s always worth double-checking this beforehand too!
Read More: What Is a MUX Switch?
Benefits of using Best Tactile Switches
The best tactile switches offer unique features that make them ideal for use in many applications. Here are 7 benefits of using tactile switches:
1. Low Profile
Tactile switches are designed to be low profile, making them perfect for limited-space applications. They can fit into tight spaces and still provide reliable performance.
2. High Reliability
The reliability of tactile switches is very high, which makes them suitable for use in critical applications. They are designed to last many years and perform reliably even under harsh conditions.
3. Mechanical Feedback
The best tactile switches give users mechanical feedback when pressed, making it easier to know when the switch has been activated. This feedback also helps users type accurately without looking at the keyboard.
4. Durability
Mechanical keyboards with tactile switches have a much higher lifespan than membrane keyboards, making them more cost-effective in the long run. The durability of these switches ensures that they will last for many years without needing to be replaced.
5. Noise Reduction
Unlike clicky mechanical switches, tactile switches provide satisfying feedback without the associated noise. This makes them ideal for environments where noise levels, such as offices or libraries, need to be kept low.
6. Waterproofing & Anti-Pollution
The tact switch adopts a unique sealing technology that allows it to be waterproof and anti-pollution. This makes it suitable for wet or dusty environments where other types of switches would not survive.
7. Accuracy & Speed
Tactile switches allow greater accuracy when typing or gaming. There are even specially designed speed switches as a subcategory of linear ones that offer faster response times than regular ones.
Linear vs. Tactile Switches
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, there are three main types of switches: linear, tactile, and clicky. Each type has unique characteristics that make it better suited for certain tasks. Let’s take a look at the differences between linear and tactile switches.
1. Linear Switches
Linear switches provide a smooth, consistent feel throughout the keystroke without resistance or bump. This makes them ideal for gaming as they offer quick response times and require less effort to press down on the keys. Additionally, linear switches are incredibly quiet compared to other switch types.
2. Tactile Switches
Tactile switches have a small bump during the keystroke, providing feedback when typing or gaming. This can benefit those who want to know exactly when their keypresses have been registered without looking at the screen.
However, these switches tend to be slightly louder than linear switches due to the bump in the keystroke.
Which is Better?
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what you plan on using your keyboard for. If you’re looking for a quiet typing experience with quick response times, linear switches may be best suited.
On the other hand, if you want more feedback from your keystrokes, tactile switches may be more suitable for your needs.
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Conclusion
Tactile switches are a great choice for those who want to enjoy the tactile feedback of a mechanical keyboard without the loud, clicky sound. The best tactile switches offer unique features and benefits that make them stand out.
For example, Glorious Panda is snappy and responsive, while Durock T1 is an all-around tactile switch. Boba U4T is silent, while Boba U4 is more affordable. Lastly, Zilent offers a smooth typing experience with minimal noise.
Many options are available today for finding the best tactical switches for your keyboard setup. It’s important to consider your needs and preferences before purchasing to find the perfect switch for your gaming or typing needs. With so many choices available, you will find one that meets your requirements!
