The 6 Best Tactile Mechanical Switches - Fall 2024

Personal preference plays a huge role in choosing a keyboard switch, but we recommend the Gazzew Boba U4T (62g) as the best tactile switch for most people. Note that they can be difficult to find in stock from major online retailers, but you'll typically have more success checking specialist distributors like MechMods, RNDKBD, Ringer Keys, or SwagKeys. These switches have somewhat unusual characteristics, with a very short pre-travel distance before the start of the tactile bump that develops in a very rounded, drawn-out way that you ride almost to the bottom of the keystroke. Altogether, these switches are remarkably stable, and light lube from the factory makes them reasonably smooth-traveling for a tactile switch option out of the box. Maybe most importantly, these switches are known for producing that elusive deep and rich 'thocky' sound that so many tactile lovers are hunting for.

Depending on the retailer, you can also buy these switches in several spring weight options, including a slightly lighter 62g spring, which is the model we tested, and more mid-weight 65g or 68g spring versions. Ultimately, this comes down to preference, with lighter spring weights preserving and emphasizing tactile quality. In comparison, higher spring weights add a bit more stiffness and can help cushion out the end of the keypress to avoid an unpleasant bottoming-out sensation for heavier typists. Altogether, these switches come close to delivering what many identify as an ideal tactile experience and sound profile at a surprisingly affordable price compared to comparatively higher-end picks like the Gateron Zealio V2 (67g) below.

If you're ready to splurge on a high-end tactile option, we recommend the Gateron Zealio V2 (67g) switches. While the comparatively less expensive Gazzew Boba U4T (62g) switches above are still our recommendation as the best pick for most people, the Zealio V2s offer a different experience with a much snappier and unmistakable tactile bump. These switches also have a longer, more noticeable pre-travel, which is great if you appreciate the feeling of depressing a key a bit deeper into the keystroke before ramping up into the tactile point. Like the Boba U4Ts above, these switches are available in different switch weights, including 62g, 65g, 67g, and 78g variants. Lower spring weights tend to feel lighter and preserve as much tactility as possible, while heavier weight options add more resistance and cushion to the end of travel.

Ultimately, these are among the most tactile-feeling switches and are ideal if you're put off by the mushy quality that even most good-quality tactile switches exhibit. However, this unmatched tactility also comes at a pretty extreme price point, as these typically cost around $1 per switch. Additionally, while they're quite smooth and reasonably stable right out of the box, to make these switches feel like the premium-priced switches they are, they benefit a great deal if you take the time to film and lube them before rolling them out in your build.

At a mid-range price point, we recommend the Durock Sunflower/POM T1 switches. These switches mix up some of the standout aspects of our top two picks with a relatively immediate pre-travel leading into the bump and a sharp, satisfying tactile action that isn't too heavy-feeling. They also have a widely liked sound profile that most people find is a bit more energetic and high-pitched, with a 'clacky' signature compared to the deeper 'thocky' Gazzew Boba U4T (62g) switches above.

The only downside for these switches is that while they generally have very little stem wobble, some people find they can be slightly wobbly in switch sockets, and there's a slight metallic spring ping aspect to the overall sound profile. That said, the upper housing is made of POM plastic, which does tend to get a bit smoother over time, but the prevailing wisdom is that these switches need a bit of lube to come into their own.

We recommend the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro as a budget pick. These are medium-weight tactile switches with a very early rise into a satisfying tactile bump. They're more expensive than the previous-generation Akko V3 Cream Blue switches, but we think the small jump in price is worth it. Improvements with this version include a new dustproof stem cover that adds a bit of overall stem stability. These switches are also newly lubed from the factory, making a considerable difference in how smooth these feel right out of the box.

Generally speaking, you can always improve on factory lube jobs yourself, but in this case, we'd suggest it isn't necessary, making this switch a great choice for a laid-back build. Just note that these switches are on the louder side and have a slightly higher-pitched, tappy sound signature than many tactile options, which typically aim for a deeper, more resonant sound.

For gaming, we recommend the Kailh Speed Copper switches for most people. These switches have slightly shortened springs, which provide a very lightweight feel. They have virtually no pre-travel, with a more subtle tactile point to overcome right at the beginning of travel compared to other switches on this list, which have a more pronounced tactile event. Ultimately, these characteristics make them ideal for gaming, but you'll benefit from having a lighter touch to get the most out of them.

That said, unlike linear Speed switches, which are typically very easy to accidentally actuate, these tactile Speed Copper switches allow you to comfortably rest your fingertips on the keycaps, ready to strike at a moment's notice without accidentally registering an input when you don't want to. These switches also have a clear upper housing, which won't interfere with your board's RGB lighting. Finally, while these switches are reasonably smooth-feeling out of the box, a little lube goes a long way to balance them out.

If you love tactile feedback while gaming but feel standard tactile options are too loud, we recommend the TTC Silent Blueish White switches. However, keep in mind that no switch is truly silent! These switches aren't as quiet as silent linear options but are still significantly quieter than standard tactile switches. Also note these switches can be more difficult to find from major online retailers, but smaller distributors like Milktooth or Goblintechkeys typically have them more reliably in stock.

These switches have a powder blue stem and bottom housing and a clear top housing, providing good visibility for RGB lighting. Thanks to their double-stage springs, they offer a surprisingly satisfying tactile, medium-weight typing feel with relatively short pre-travel, a soft bottom, and a snappy rebound. They also have a somewhat shallow total travel, so they're best for a lighter touch to avoid feeling an abrupt bottoming-out sensation. Altogether, these switches are your best bet if you're particularly noise-sensitive or live with someone who is.