Switches

When looking at the specifications of mechanical keyboard switches, you will regularly see terms such as POM housing, nylon housing and polycarbonate housing. These materials are used for the top housing, bottom housing or sometimes for almost the entire switch. But what is actually the difference between POM, nylon and polycarbonate? And more importantly: can you predict how a switch will sound and feel from the housing material? To a certain extent, yes, but material never tells the complete story. The exact plastic blend, housing shape, wall thickness, stem, pole design, lubrication and the keyboard itself also have a major...

When searching for a deep or thocky keyboard sound, people often look at the material used in a switch. Nylon, POM, polycarbonate and different proprietary blends are all associated with certain sound signatures. But which switch material actually gives the deepest sound? There is no material that automatically always sounds the deepest. Of the commonly used switch materials, nylon is often most strongly associated with a lower, warmer and fuller sound, but housing shape, wall thickness, stem design, bottom-out, keycaps and the keyboard itself can make just as much difference. Quick explanation Nylon housings are often associated with the deepest...

You buy a set of switches because you love a sound test, install them in your own keyboard and then notice that they sound completely different. That is completely normal. The switch is only one part of the complete keyboard sound. The same switches can sound noticeably different in different keyboards in terms of pitch, volume, resonance, bottom-out and top-out. This is because the plate, case, keycaps, mounting style, foam, PCB, stabilizers, desk mat and even the way you type all affect how the vibrations from a switch are transferred. Quick explanation A switch creates sound, but the keyboard shapes...

With mechanical keyboards, the word creamy is often used for a sound that feels smooth, soft and relatively consistent. But what actually makes a keyboard switch sound creamy? Does it come from lubrication, the housing material, the stem, keycaps or mainly the complete keyboard? The answer is: a creamy sound is usually created by a combination of multiple factors. A switch can sound smooth and relatively soft by itself, but the final sound is strongly determined by the switch, keycaps, plate, case, foam, mounting style, stabilizers and typing style. Quick explanation A creamy keyboard sound is usually smooth, soft, full...

When you get into mechanical keyboards, you quickly come across words such as thock, clack, poppy, creamy and marbly. Of all these terms, thock and clack are probably used most often. But what exactly is the difference between a thocky and a clacky keyboard? Thock usually refers to a deeper, lower and fuller sound, while clack generally describes a brighter, sharper and higher-pitched sound. However, the final sound is never determined by one component alone. Switches, keycaps, plate, case, mounting style, foam, stabilizers, desk mat and even your typing style all have an influence. Quick explanation Thock = deep, low...

With mechanical keyboards, the word clacky is often used to describe a bright, sharp and relatively high-pitched sound. But what actually makes a keyboard switch sound clacky? Does it come from the material, the stem, long-pole design, the spring or mainly the keyboard in which the switch is used? The answer is: multiple components play a role at the same time. A switch can sound relatively bright by itself, but the final sound is strongly determined by the combination of switch, keycaps, plate, case, mounting style, foam and even the surface the keyboard sits on. Quick explanation A clacky switch...

With mechanical keyboards, the word thocky is often used to describe a deep, full and relatively low-pitched sound. But what actually makes a keyboard switch sound thocky? Does it come from the material, the stem, the spring, lube or simply the keyboard in which you install the switch? The answer is: all of these factors can have an influence. A switch can sound relatively deep by itself, but the final sound is strongly determined by the combination of switch, keycaps, plate, case, mounting style, foam and even the surface the keyboard sits on. Quick explanation A thocky switch usually sounds...

With mechanical keyboards, you will regularly come across the terms north-facing and south-facing switches. But what do they actually mean? And does it really make a difference to how your keyboard feels, sounds or which keycaps you can use? Yes, sometimes. North-facing and south-facing mainly refer to the orientation of the switch and LED on the PCB. The biggest practical difference is usually RGB lighting and possible interference with certain Cherry-profile keycaps. Quick explanation On a north-facing keyboard, the LED is usually positioned at the top side of the switch, toward the top of the keyboard. On a south-facing keyboard,...

A hot-swap keyboard makes it very easy to replace switches without soldering. But does that also mean you can simply install any keyboard switch? No. A hot-swap keyboard only accepts switches that are compatible with the socket, footprint and switch technology being used. A standard MX mechanical hot-swap keyboard often supports many different switches, but optical, Hall Effect, low-profile and proprietary switches are not automatically compatible. Quick explanation You cannot use every switch in every hot-swap keyboard. First check whether the keyboard uses standard MX mechanical, optical, Hall Effect, low-profile or a proprietary system. Then check the footprint, 3-pin/5-pin support...

With mechanical keyboards, you will often see the term hot-swappable. But what exactly does that mean? And is a hot-swappable switch actually a special type of keyboard switch? No. Hot-swappable mainly refers to the keyboard and the socket on the PCB. It means that you can remove and replace compatible switches without soldering. Quick explanation A hot-swappable keyboard uses sockets on the PCB into which switches can be installed directly. This allows you to pull out a compatible switch and replace it without a soldering iron. The switch itself does not have to be specially “hot-swap”; it mainly needs to...

You have found new keyboard switches, but before ordering them you naturally want to know whether they will actually fit your keyboard. How do you check that? The appearance of a switch alone is not enough to determine compatibility. You need to look at switch technology, footprint, 3-pin or 5-pin mounting, PCB, plate and hot-swap system, among other things. Quick explanation First check which switch type your keyboard uses. If it supports standard MX-style mechanical switches, many Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, TTC, HMX and similar switches will fit. Then check whether the PCB supports 3-pin or 5-pin. Optical, Hall Effect, low-profile...

If you want to buy new switches for a mechanical keyboard, it can sometimes seem like you can simply put any switch into any keyboard. After all, many switches look almost identical. But are all mechanical keyboard switches universal? No. Many standard MX-style switches are interchangeable, but not all keyboard switches use the same dimensions, mounting, electrical connection or technology. Quick explanation Many traditional MX-style mechanical switches are interchangeable if the keyboard supports the same footprint and mounting. But low-profile, optical, Hall Effect and proprietary switches can use completely different connections. Always check the switch type, PCB, 3-pin/5-pin support and...