Testing 12 Popular Switch Brands: What We Discovered Will Change Your Typing Experience
By Ethan Brooks•Published on May 08, 2025
Switch Types
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Mechanical keyboard switches form the foundation of your typing experience. After testing dozens of switches from 12 major manufacturers, I've compiled this comparative review to help you navigate the increasingly crowded switch market.
Whether you're building your first custom keyboard or looking to upgrade your current setup, understanding the differences between switch brands can save you time, money, and potential disappointment.
The mechanical switch landscape has evolved dramatically over the past decade. What was once dominated by a single manufacturer now features numerous competitors, each with their own innovations and design philosophies.
Cherry MX switches remain the benchmark against which others are measured. Their consistent quality control and widespread availability make them a safe choice for newcomers.
Cherry's MX Brown remains one of the most recommended tactile switches for office environments, though many enthusiasts have moved on to more pronounced tactile options. For a deeper understanding of switch colors and what they mean, check out our guide on mechanical keyboard switch colors explained.
Gateron has earned a reputation for smooth linear switches at competitive prices.
The Gateron Yellow has become legendary in the community as perhaps the best value linear switch available today, offering a typing experience that rivals switches twice its price.
Kailh has transformed from producing Cherry clones to becoming a leading innovator with their Box and Speed switch lines.
Their Box Jade switches offer one of the most satisfying clicky experiences available, while their Speed switches cater to gamers seeking faster actuation. If you're curious about speed switches, read our analysis on whether speed switches are really faster.
Durock has quickly become a favorite among keyboard enthusiasts for their smooth linears and pronounced tactiles.
Akko has disrupted the market with high-quality switches at surprisingly affordable prices.
Outemu switches are often found in entry-level mechanical keyboards.
Zeal switches command premium prices but offer some of the most refined experiences available.
Known for their visually striking switches with solid performance.
In our testing, the smoothness hierarchy generally follows:
For budget options, Gateron Yellows deliver exceptional smoothness that rivals much more expensive switches.
For tactile feedback, our testing revealed this general ranking:
If you're trying to decide between different switch types, our guide on understanding tactile vs linear switches provides a comprehensive breakdown.
Sound is highly subjective and depends greatly on keyboard construction, but some general patterns emerged:
Ranking switches by value (performance relative to price):
For a more comprehensive breakdown of gaming-oriented switches, see our article on exploring various switch types for mechanical keyboards.
