Can you tell we are fans of the Akko V3 Cream Pro line of switches? Akko did a remarkable job with these switches and we\u2019ll gladly recommend them twice in the same article. The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is a tactile variant of the linear Yellow switches with nearly identical specs. The one distinction is the heavily emphasized tangible feedback, guaranteed to satisfy those of you who would have issues with the Speed Copper\u2019s lack of clickiness.<\/p>
The Blue Pro switches don\u2019t come with a price premium over their Yellow counterparts, so these spectacular tactile switches should be fit for any pocket.<\/p> <\/div>
How we created this list of linear and tactile switches<\/h2>
We\u2019ve gone through enough cumulative gaming sessions to know how a quality switch feels, but we couldn\u2019t have done this list without the help of dedicated keyboard switch experts who\u2019ve shared their expertise in dozens of reviews we read through in preparation. The people\u2019s voice was also heard as we looked into how user reviews matched the opinions of the experts. We\u2019re happy to say that the stars aligned easily and our recommendations reflect the consensus between our own experience, the general public\u2019s feedback, and the expert reviews.<\/p>
Key takeaways<\/h2>
Switches in and of themselves do not define whether they are good for gaming or not. It\u2019s all about the feeling. We can give you the best linear switch ever created and your gaming performance could diminish because it doesn\u2019t feel right to you personally. We know it\u2019s cliche, but as our recommended switches show, any switch can achieve dry latency numbers, but not any switch can feel like it. We can recommend a thousand switches, but at the end of the day, you\u2019ll only know what\u2019s your ideal switch after you\u2019ve laid your finger on it.<\/p> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Choosing linear or tactile switches could impact your whole gaming experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2137,"featured_media":1136281,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"gamurs_wordpress_blocks_hide_tags":true,"_is_affiliated":true,"dotesports_deal_href":"","dotesports_featured_video":"","_notify_users":1,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2024-02-14T22:01:02Z","apple_news_api_id":"18bee2ba-9953-4e37-beb4-b268de05edc4","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2024-02-19T08:35:26Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AGL7iuplTTje-tLJo3gXtxA","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[258],"tags":[43952,47364],"invoiceable_action":[46991],"internal-label":[47318,47390,47074],"article_type":[44900],"coauthors":[{"id":2137,"display_name":"Kiril Stoilov","user_login":"kirilstoilov","user_nicename":"kirilstoilov"}],"class_list":["post-1132123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hardware","tag-hide-from-homepage","tag-mouse-keyboards","internal-label-affiliate","internal-label-affiliate-new","internal-label-explainer","article_type-product-best-of"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Which mechanical switches are better for gaming - linear or tactile? We'll explain the differences and recommend the best switches for you.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Choosing linear or tactile switches could impact your whole gaming experience.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dot Esports\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DOTesports\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-02-14T22:00:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-06-20T19:15:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"675\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kiril Stoilov\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@DotEsports\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@DotEsports\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kiril Stoilov\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kiril Stoilov\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/person\/807d8da329439c75aac500997b1895bc\"},\"headline\":\"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-02-14T22:00:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-06-20T19:15:24+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming\"},\"wordCount\":2147,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Hide From Homepage\",\"Mouse & Keyboards\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Hardware\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming\",\"name\":\"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-02-14T22:00:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-06-20T19:15:24+00:00\",\"description\":\"Which mechanical switches are better for gaming - linear or tactile? We'll explain the differences and recommend the best switches for you.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":675,\"caption\":\"Image via Kailh\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/\",\"name\":\"Dot Esports\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Dot Esports\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/05103313\/logo-dot_esports-mark-black.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/05103313\/logo-dot_esports-mark-black.png\",\"width\":300,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"Dot Esports\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DOTesports\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/DotEsports\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dotesports\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCckaIn-3KqLYfppkj4DeTAw\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/person\/807d8da329439c75aac500997b1895bc\",\"name\":\"Kiril Stoilov\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/bf6c690bbf62d3e2675e55e54be967e3\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1c0d9f4239a65a0bbcc1e74ac9d09dfa?s=96&d=mm&r=g&resize=96%2C96\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1c0d9f4239a65a0bbcc1e74ac9d09dfa?s=96&d=mm&r=g&resize=96%2C96\",\"caption\":\"Kiril Stoilov\"},\"description\":\"Dot Esports general gaming writer. Loves writing, games, and writing about games. Began working in the industry in 2018 with esports.com, before moving to earlygame.com, and later joining the Dot Esports staff. Though a single player gamer at heart, he can be seen noobing around CS:GO lobbies.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/author\/kirilstoilov\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?","description":"Which mechanical switches are better for gaming - linear or tactile? We'll explain the differences and recommend the best switches for you.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?","og_description":"Choosing linear or tactile switches could impact your whole gaming experience.","og_url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming","og_site_name":"Dot Esports","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DOTesports\/","article_published_time":"2024-02-14T22:00:42+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-06-20T19:15:24+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":675,"url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kiril Stoilov","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@DotEsports","twitter_site":"@DotEsports","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kiril Stoilov","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming"},"author":{"name":"Kiril Stoilov","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/person\/807d8da329439c75aac500997b1895bc"},"headline":"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?","datePublished":"2024-02-14T22:00:42+00:00","dateModified":"2024-06-20T19:15:24+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming"},"wordCount":2147,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg","keywords":["Hide From Homepage","Mouse & Keyboards"],"articleSection":["Hardware"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming","url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming","name":"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg","datePublished":"2024-02-14T22:00:42+00:00","dateModified":"2024-06-20T19:15:24+00:00","description":"Which mechanical switches are better for gaming - linear or tactile? We'll explain the differences and recommend the best switches for you.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg","width":1200,"height":675,"caption":"Image via Kailh"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/hardware\/news\/linear-vs-tactile-switches-for-gaming#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Linear vs. Tactile Switches: Which is best for gaming?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/","name":"Dot Esports","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#organization","name":"Dot Esports","url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/05103313\/logo-dot_esports-mark-black.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/05103313\/logo-dot_esports-mark-black.png","width":300,"height":300,"caption":"Dot Esports"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DOTesports\/","https:\/\/x.com\/DotEsports","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dotesports\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCckaIn-3KqLYfppkj4DeTAw"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/person\/807d8da329439c75aac500997b1895bc","name":"Kiril Stoilov","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/bf6c690bbf62d3e2675e55e54be967e3","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1c0d9f4239a65a0bbcc1e74ac9d09dfa?s=96&d=mm&r=g&resize=96%2C96","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1c0d9f4239a65a0bbcc1e74ac9d09dfa?s=96&d=mm&r=g&resize=96%2C96","caption":"Kiril Stoilov"},"description":"Dot Esports general gaming writer. Loves writing, games, and writing about games. Began working in the industry in 2018 with esports.com, before moving to earlygame.com, and later joining the Dot Esports staff. Though a single player gamer at heart, he can be seen noobing around CS:GO lobbies.","url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/author\/kirilstoilov"}]}},"raw_content":"The ultimate PC gaming setup cannot be completed without a high-quality keyboard. In turn, how good your keyboard feels is mostly determined by the key switches you\u2019re using. We\u2019ll help you make the right choice between linear and tactile switches and explain the key differences between them. For starters, linear and tactile switches are just two of the three widely spread keyboard switch types. The third type are clicky switches, but we won\u2019t dwell on them too much in this article. All we need to know about clicky switches, for now, is that they are more sturdy and more noisy than linear and tactile switches. Although not the focus of this article's comparison, we should say that clicky switches are also viable for gaming, especially if you\u2019re after a distinct clicky sound for your keyboard. Though clicky switches are an option, linear and tactile switches are usually where the battle for the best gaming switches occurs. There are arguments to be made for both sides and as we go, you\u2019ll see that which ones you choose will boil down to specific personal preferences. That\u2019s not to say these switches aren\u2019t very different from each other, but we can\u2019t talk about these differences without first understanding what linear and tactile switches are. What are linear switches? Linear switches are a type of mechanical keyboard switch geared toward high responsiveness and being extra quiet. Their most distinctive feature is that linear switches do not have any built-in resistance upon pressing a key\u2014neither a physical pushback nor the clicky noise feedback other mechanical switches offer. A linear switch is meant to provide a smooth button press while being much quieter than other popular switch types. Pros of linear switches The lack of tactile feedback and the smoothness of pressing the keys means even the most delicate fingers can go at linear switches for hours without getting tired. These qualities make the switches a staple of quiet keyboards. Linear switches\u2019 low actuation level (when your key press is registered as such) and latency (when the key\u2019s actuation is registered by the keyboard) make them fit for even the most intense reaction-based video games. All of these qualities make linear switches the consensus as the best mechanical keyboard switches for gaming. Cons of linear switches Nothing is without fault, however, and there are factors to consider before jumping on the linear switch train. Linear switches don\u2019t take much to actuate, and with no tactile feedback upon actuation, the possibility of misclicking or your key press not registering is very much present. Linear switches take some getting used to the first time around, and you might encounter some frustration before getting the handle of it. How your keyboard feels and sounds is mostly determined by your switches. Image via Logitech What are tactile switches? Tactile switches are a type of mechanical keyboard switch that provides tactile feedback, hence their name, while remaining relatively quiet. Unlike linear switches, tactile switches provide tangible feedback upon pressing a key, which lets you know exactly if and when your key press has been actuated. At the same time are noticeably quieter than the all-out clicky switches that keep the entire house on alert. Pros of tactile switches Having that feedback at the key\u2019s actuation level deals with the largest weakness of tactile switches\u2014inconsistency. You will know exactly if and when your button press is registered and you won\u2019t have to worry about accidentally pressing a key you didn\u2019t mean to press. Tactile switches are also designed in a way that deals with most of the noise associated with pure clicky switches. These qualities make tactile switches ideal for typing and reliable for gaming, particularly in titles requiring high precision. Cons of tactile switches Tactile switches benefit and suffer a bit from being the middle child. On the one hand, they provide the best of both worlds, on the other, if you are a fan of linear switches\u2019 smoothness or clicky switches\u2019 feedback and reliability, you might as well get one of those. What are the main differences between linear and tactile switches? The one consistent difference between linear and tactile switches is the tangible feedback at a key\u2019s actuation point\u2014tactile switches have it, but linear switches don\u2019t. It\u2019s just one thing, but it completely changes how a keyboard feels. Other frequent differences are that linear switches are generally quieter and tend to have a lower actuation level, though these may differ from model to model. How to choose between linear and tactile switches for gaming Choosing between linear and tactile switches is a case-by-case decision that will be determined by your personal preferences. Because of the differences we outlined earlier, the major choice here is whether you want to receive tangible feedback from your switches. If the answer is yes, pick tactile; if the answer is no, go linear. Other important factors to look at when purchasing keyboard switches are: Their actuation level Their latency Their noise level Generally, linear switches will perform better in these metrics, but certain tactile switches are more than capable of matching their linear brethren, so you shouldn\u2019t feel forced into linear if you\u2019ve developed a preference for tactile switches. In any case, we will help you find the best keyboard switches for you. Our top picks for linear switches Gateron G Pro Yellow A jar full of Gateron G Pro Yellow switches is good news for your keyboard. Image via Gateron Key specs \u2022 Switch type - Linear \u2022 Latency - 1.4ms \u2022 Actuation level - 1.7mm \u2022 Compatibility - 3 pins, MX stem, SMD LED compatible \u2022 Lubed - Yes \u2022 Lifespan - 50 million clicks What we like about it \u2022 Low actuation and latency make in-game actions almost instant \u2022 Keys are smooth out of the box thanks to factory lube \u2022 Low-profile design enables all sorts of LED lighting \u2022 Competitive price What we don't like about it \u2022 Prone to misclicking, particularly for users not experienced with linear switches \u2022 Comparatively low lifespan Today's Best Deals \u2022 View at Amazon ($10)Product Breakdown For Gateron G Pro Yellow Switches The first member of our linear yellow switch brigade is the Gateron G Pro Yellow. These switches are an all-around beast with no weaknesses. They have a low actuation point and low latency to guarantee lightning-quick response times. They are smooth on the fingers right out of the box, meaning you can throw them in your keyboard and start gaming without additional care, and their minimalistic design allows room for any RGB lighting your heart desires. Gateron G Pro Yellow switches have one other outstanding characteristic\u2014they are relatively cheap. There are linear switches two to three times more expensive that won\u2019t feel any better than these yellow assassins. Price isn\u2019t a determining factor in our recommendations, but it doesn\u2019t hurt the Gateron G Pro Yellow\u2019s stock either. Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro The creamy design of these switches gets our stamp of approval. Image via Akko Key specs \u2022 Switch type - Linear \u2022 Latency - 1.5ms \u2022 Actuation level - 2mm \u2022 Compatibility - 5 pins, MX stem with perimeter, SMD LED compatible \u2022 Lubed - Yes \u2022 Lifespan - 60 million clicks What we like about it \u2022 Competitive actuation and latency \u2022 5-pin design for increased stability \u2022 Feels great out of the box thanks to factory lube \u2022 Delightful design that\u2019s easy on the eyes What we don't like about it \u2022 Reduced compatibility due to increased pin count \u2022 While all-around reliable, it doesn\u2019t stand out in any category Today's Best Deals \u2022 View at Amazon ($13)Product Breakdown For Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro Switches The other half of our two-switch wrecking crew is the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro. The creamy coloring of these switches is enough to sell us on aesthetics alone, but these linear switches are more than eye candy. The Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro is another jack-of-all-trades kind of switch that offers a smooth pressing experience leading into quick response from your keyboard thanks to low actuation and latency. Once again, you don\u2019t have to cater to your new switches if you go for the V3 Cream Yellow Pro\u2014they are exceptional from the first press. These creamy linears are no more expensive than the Gateron G Pro Yellow. With the Cream Yellow Pro having a negligibly higher actuation and latency and both switches sounding as awesome as you\u2019d expect from a quality linear switch, the choice pretty much boils down to aesthetics and whether you like your switches bland or colorful. Our top picks for tactile switches Kailh Speed Copper Kailh Speed Copper is the fastest tactile switch in the west. Image via Kailh Key specs \u2022 Switch type - Tactile \u2022 Latency - 1ms \u2022 Actuation level - 1.1mm \u2022 Compatibility - 3 pins, MX stem, SMD LED compatible \u2022 Lubed - No \u2022 Lifespan - 70 million clicks What we like about it \u2022 Extremely low actuation and latency \u2022 Tactile feedback reduces risk of misclicks despite low actuation level \u2022 Very quiet for a tactile switch \u2022 Long lifespan What we don't like about it \u2022 Lack of a distinct clicky sound may be a turn-off for some \u2022 May require manual lubing, though it\u2019s decent out the box Today's Best Deals \u2022 View at Amazon ($40)Product Breakdown For Kailh Speed Copper Switches The Kailh Speed Copper is a linear switch disguised as a tactile switch. The responsiveness you\u2019ll get out of the Coppers can match most switches on the market. Unlike linear switches, the tactile feedback you get here significantly reduces the risk of misclicking while delivering superb actuation speed and latency. We didn\u2019t lie when we said these switches are a linear impostor in the tactile camp. The feedback is there, of course, but it\u2019s not as pronounced as it is in most tactile switches. If you want a model closer to a clicky feel than a linear one, maybe the Kailh Speed Copper isn\u2019t for you. In any other case, you\u2019ll be pleased to find out that the price is once more very manageable, and there\u2019s no reason not to go for these switches. Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches deliver the clicky sound so many desire. Image via Akko Key specs \u2022 Switch type - Tactile \u2022 Latency - 1.5ms \u2022 Actuation level - 2mm \u2022Compatibility - 5 pins, MX stem with perimeter, SMD LED compatible \u2022 Lubed - Yes \u2022 Lifespan - 60 million clicks What we like about it \u2022 Competitive actuation and latency \u2022 Feels great out of the box thanks to factory lube \u2022 Distinct clicky sound What we don't like about it \u2022 Reduced compatibility due to increased pin count \u2022 While all-around reliable, it doesn\u2019t stand out in any category \u2022 High-pitched clicky sound could be a turn-off for some Today's Best Deals \u2022 View at Amazon ($13)Product Breakdown For Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro Switches Can you tell we are fans of the Akko V3 Cream Pro line of switches? Akko did a remarkable job with these switches and we\u2019ll gladly recommend them twice in the same article. The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is a tactile variant of the linear Yellow switches with nearly identical specs. The one distinction is the heavily emphasized tangible feedback, guaranteed to satisfy those of you who would have issues with the Speed Copper\u2019s lack of clickiness. The Blue Pro switches don\u2019t come with a price premium over their Yellow counterparts, so these spectacular tactile switches should be fit for any pocket. How we created this list of linear and tactile switches We\u2019ve gone through enough cumulative gaming sessions to know how a quality switch feels, but we couldn\u2019t have done this list without the help of dedicated keyboard switch experts who\u2019ve shared their expertise in dozens of reviews we read through in preparation. The people\u2019s voice was also heard as we looked into how user reviews matched the opinions of the experts. We\u2019re happy to say that the stars aligned easily and our recommendations reflect the consensus between our own experience, the general public\u2019s feedback, and the expert reviews. Key takeaways Switches in and of themselves do not define whether they are good for gaming or not. It\u2019s all about the feeling. We can give you the best linear switch ever created and your gaming performance could diminish because it doesn\u2019t feel right to you personally. We know it\u2019s cliche, but as our recommended switches show, any switch can achieve dry latency numbers, but not any switch can feel like it. We can recommend a thousand switches, but at the end of the day, you\u2019ll only know what\u2019s your ideal switch after you\u2019ve laid your finger on it.","apple_news_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kailh-speed-mechanical-switches_a0ccef.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1132123"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2137"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1132123"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1132123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1266162,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1132123\/revisions\/1266162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1136281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1132123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1132123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1132123"},{"taxonomy":"invoiceable_action","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/invoiceable_action?post=1132123"},{"taxonomy":"internal-label","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-label?post=1132123"},{"taxonomy":"article_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_type?post=1132123"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dotesports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1132123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} 
