Choosing Between Linear, Tactile, and Clicky Switches

If you are new to the hobby, finding the right keyboard switches for you can sound very intimidating when there are so many options to choose from, but don’t worry, today I'll be going over the 3 main categories of switch types and some recommendations for each!

Clicky Switches

The first switch category I want to go over is clicky switches. These are known to be VERY loud, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend them in any office environment or home environment unless your peers won’t mind the noise. They have a nice bump to them and an audible click sound to them due to them having a physical click bar or click jacket that is in the switch that gives it that super loud, sometimes annoying, clicking sound. A lot of people like these and they are very common in a lot of gaming keyboards, but Razer Green and Cherry MX Blue switches are really bad clicky switches, so here are a few of my recommendations. All of them are manufactured by Kailh and they are the Box Jades, the Box Navies, and the Box White switches. All of these are great recommendations as they still have that nice audible click, but without that scratch or ping that Cherry MX Blues/Razer Greens have. To summarize, clicky switches have a nice audible click to them and also have a nice tactile bump as well so they feel good to type on, but can be very loud and might get annoying to you or to those around you.

Tactile Switches

Tactile switches are very similar to clicky switches as in they both have tactile bumps, but the main difference is that tactile switches don’t have that click bar we talked about earlier making it have no audible click, and as a result, being a bit quieter. Tactile switches can have a small tactile bump or a large one, so it honestly just depends on how much you want to actually feel the switch as they provide great feedback more so than their counterparts. I recommend tactile switches if you are typing a lot for work or school as they provide, in my opinion, the best typing experience because of that bump. Some great options to choose from are the WS Brown switches for a lighter tactile bump, and the WS Heavy Tactile switches for a heavier tactile bump. If you wanted to go the silent route, Wuque also offers their WS Silent Tactiles as a great option as well. Overall, tactile switches are great for long typing sessions and have a nice bump to them, but some people don’t like the tactile bump as it feels weird to them, so it all comes down to whether or not you would like the feedback they provide on each key press.

Linear Switches

Lastly, let's talk about linear switches. Linear switches are probably the most popular option among the three switch types because they provide a very smooth, consistent experience without having a tactile bump present like tactiles and clickies have. They are usually the smoothest out of the three as well and are used a lot by gamers as well due to their consistency throughout the keystroke. To get the best experience you do have to apply lube because usually if they aren’t lubed, they do have a noticeable scratchy feeling to them when typing, or you can just buy some factory-lubed linear switches to get rid of this problem as well. There are plenty of great linears out there, but if you are on a budget, and don’t want to lube them, Wuque Studios offers two great options to choose from that are factory-lubed as well. The WS Red Switch for a heavier bottom-out force, and the WS Yellow switch for a lighter bottom-out force. Kinetic Labs also offers a great factory-lubed linear switch called the Moon V2, if you are interested in those as well. Linear Switches provide a great typing experience and feel buttery smooth when lubed, but most of the time, their stock performance is usually a lot scratchier than tactiles are.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you want in a mechanical keyboard switch, but hopefully, this helped you better understand what each type of switch feels and sounds, and a few options for you to check out as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions I've received with regards to choosing between linear, tactile, and clicky switches for mechanical keyboards.

What is better: linear, tactile, or clicky?

Ultimately, choosing between linear, tactile, or clicky comes down to personal preference, but if you're new here's a rule of thumb: linear for gaming, tactile for work, and clicky for casual browing and typing.

Is tactile or linear better for gaming?

At the professional level, e-sport gamers tend to prefer linear switches due to their shortened actuation distance and smooth travel.

Do gamers like clicky keyboards?

Generally speaking, gamers at the e-sports professional level prefer linear switches due to their short actuation distance and smooth travel, but clicky switches are fine for casual play.

What switches are best for gaming?

At the professional level, e-sport gamers tend to prefer linear switches due to their shortened actuation distance and smooth travel.

Are linear switches bad for typing?

Linear switches are a great choice for typing, gaming, and professional work. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference.

Why do you prefer linear switches?

Many people prefer linear switches because of their smooth travel, which makes them ideal for long typing sessions.

Why do people like clicky keyboards?

Many people enjoy clicky keyboards because they make a satisfying sound that is reminiscent of old-school typewriters.

Are tactile switches bad for gaming?

At the professional level, e-sport gamers tend to prefer linear switches due to their shortened actuation distance and smooth travel. Tactile switches are still good choices for casual play and work, though.

What are the cons of tactile switches?

Depending on the level of tactility of your switches, tactile switches can tire your fingers over long periods of time. For that reason, I recommend ergo tactile switches such as Penguin switches, or linear switches for long typing sessions.

What are the best uses for tactile switches?

Tactile switches are great for typing, working, and even gaming. Many find the tactile bump to be satisfying when typing, although the steepness of the tactile bump can tire your fingers over long periods of typing.