Switches

The JWK Alpaca and JWK Mauve are two of the most well-known JWK/Durock linears that for years have been considered “safe picks” if you want a smooth, consistent linear. Still, they are not identical: Alpaca is often associated with a deeper, softer and “buttery” experience, while Mauve is typically described as slightly tighter, slightly brighter and a bit “crisper” in both feel and sound. In this comparison, you’ll discover which one better fits your preferences and your build. 1. Construction & Materials JWK Alpaca – Classic JWK linear with a focus on extreme smoothness and a deep, muted profile. The...

On paper, Asus ROG NX Red and Cherry MX2A Red both look like “just” linear reds, but in practice they target a different type of user. NX Red is built with a clear focus on fast input and gaming response, while MX2A Red is about classic Cherry consistency with a more modern finish than older MX generations. In this comparison, you’ll discover which of the two fits your typing and gaming style best. 1. Construction & Materials Asus ROG NX Red – Modern gaming linear that is often supplied with factory lube on contact points for a smoother out-of-the-box feel....

Both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Gateron Quinn are modern tactile switches that are popular among enthusiasts who want clear feedback. Still, they differ greatly in how that feedback feels: Baby Kangaroo is all about a deep, firm bump with a “thocky” character, while Quinn is known for a rounder, more controlled tactility that is often experienced as more comfortable during long sessions. In this comparison, you’ll discover which one fits your typing and gaming style best. 1. Construction & Materials Gateron Baby Kangaroo – Modern tactile with a firm, deep bump and a full “tactile thock”. Often supplied...

Although both the Cherry MX Black Clear-Top “Nixie” and the Cherry MX Black Hyperglide are linear Cherry switches, they represent two completely different eras and philosophies. The Nixie is known for its vintage character, raw feel and unique sound, while the Hyperglide focuses on modern consistency, improved molds and reliability. In this comparison, you’ll discover which Cherry Black best fits your preference. 1. Construction & Materials Cherry MX Black Clear-Top “Nixie” – Vintage Cherry Black from older production runs featuring a transparent clear-top housing. These switches are known for their unique material combination and older molds, resulting in a characteristic,...

Although both HMX Blue Topaz and HMX Deep Navy are linear switches, they cater to very different preferences in typing feel and sound profile. Where Blue Topaz is known for its snappy, lively response, Deep Navy focuses on calmness, depth and control. In this comparison, you’ll discover which HMX linear best fits your setup and usage. 1. Construction & Materials HMX Blue Topaz – Modern linear switch focused on speed and clarity. A nylon housing combined with a POM stem and a relatively light spring delivers fast return and an energetic keystroke. The sound is often higher-pitched and clean, depending...

The difference between linear and tactile switches does not always have to be extreme — often it comes down to nuance in feel, feedback and character. In this comparison, we place the Gateron Azure Dragon V4 — an ultra-smooth linear focused on fluid travel — against the Gateron Type R — a modern tactile switch with a sharp, poppy bump. Discover which switch best suits your typing and gaming style. 1. Construction & Materials Gateron Azure Dragon V4 – Linear switch with tight manufacturing tolerances, smooth travel and refined factory finish. PC top housing, nylon bottom and a POM stem...

With ultra-light linears, small differences in spring weight, travel and housing materials can dramatically affect control and comfort. Huano Sakura V2 and Gateron Clear are among the lightest linear switches available and are often chosen by users who want minimal resistance. Despite similar force numbers, they feel clearly different in stability, sound and overall typing confidence. 1. Construction & Materials Huano Sakura V2 – An ultra-light modern linear with improved stability compared to V1. A nylon housing, POM stem and very light spring create extremely low resistance while maintaining a surprisingly controlled keystroke. Designed for comfort and consistency during long...

Small differences in tactile bump shape, weight and travel can have a big impact on how a keyboard feels. HMX Bruise and HMX Frog are both modern tactile switches with a relatively mild, fast bump (not a heavy “Holy Panda”-style wall), but they deliver clearly different typing experiences. 1. Construction & Materials HMX Bruise – A light tactile with a short, mild “p-shaped” bump and 3.8mm total travel. Nylon top & bottom housing, POM stem, usually factory-lubed. The overall feel is subtle and controlled, with a clean and restrained sound. HMX Frog – Known for its snappy and direct tactile...

HMX Sonja and HMX Snow Crash are two popular modern linear switches that both focus on tight tolerances and a “premium” feel. On paper they look similar (PA66 housing, POM stem, 22mm long spring), but in practice they aim for different experiences: Sonja is intentionally more textured/scratchy due to the top housing, while Snow Crash is known for a clean, stable rail bottom-out feel with a calmer bottom-out character. 1. Construction & Materials HMX Sonja – Rail bottom-out linear with an intentionally textured top housing that adds a recognizable “scratch” sensation. Typically factory-lubed, which can vary by batch/vendor. HMX Snow...

The Haimu Snow Silent HE Magnetic Switch is a modern Hall Effect (HE) linear switch focused on maximum silence, precision and smoothness. Thanks to magnetic actuation, this switch operates without physical contact points, resulting in extremely consistent input, minimal wear and a whisper-quiet typing experience. Specifications Type: Silent Linear (Hall Effect / magnetic) Actuation: Magnetic (adjustable on HE-compatible keyboards) Total travel: approx. 4.0 mm Sound level: Extremely quiet Materials: Nylon housing, POM stem, magnetic sensor Lifespan: Practically unlimited (no physical wear point) Performance & Feel The Haimu Snow Silent HE is known for its ultra-smooth and silent linear travel. Because...

The Haimu Midnight Switch is a high-quality linear switch focused on smoothness, stability and a deep, calm sound. This switch is designed for users who want a consistent, no-nonsense linear keystroke without excessive resistance or sharp acoustics. The Midnight feels controlled, refined and comfortable — perfect for long typing and work sessions. Specifications Type: Linear (no tactile bump, no click) Operating force: approx. 45–50 cN Pre-travel: approx. 2.0 mm Total travel: approx. 4.0 mm Materials: Nylon housing, POM stem, quality spring Factory lube: Light (batch dependent) Lifespan: Up to 80 million keystrokes Performance & Feel The Haimu Midnight is known...

The Gazzew U4T Tactile Switch is one of the most popular tactile switches within the custom keyboard community. This switch is known for its pronounced, immediate tactile bump combined with a deep, characteristic “thock” sound. The U4T is designed for users who want clear feedback without a click mechanism, but with a full and satisfying keystroke. Specifications Type: Tactile (strong, immediate bump) Operating force: approx. 62–65 cN Pre-travel: approx. 2.0 mm Total travel: approx. 4.0 mm Materials: Boba housing (proprietary blend), POM stem Factory lube: Light (batch dependent) Lifespan: Up to 80 million keystrokes Performance & Feel The Gazzew U4T...