When choosing a keyboard switch, the most important thing is whether you actually enjoy typing or gaming on it. Some switches are faster than others because of their lower latency, which can make a difference if you play competitive games. If you’re just using the keyboard for casual gaming or everyday typing, comfort and feel might matter more than speed. Everyone has their own preference, so it’s worth trying a few switches before deciding which one fits your needs best.
Take a look at our list of switches and pick the one that matches your needs. Each switch feels different, so think about whether you want something fast for gaming, quiet for office use, or comfortable for long typing sessions. Choosing the right switch will make your keyboard experience much better.
List of best keyboard switches for gaming
1. Akko V3 Silver Pro
The Akko V3 Silver switches are budget-friendly gaming switches. In my opinion, they are great for gaming. These are linear switches with a light 40g operating force, 3.3 mm total travel distance, and only 1 mm pre-travel. The short pre-travel makes them very fast compared to most switches, which usually have 2 mm pre-travel and 4 mm total travel. That speed gives you an edge in games like Valorant, rhythm games, or anything that needs quick and precise inputs.
They also have a long-pole stem and smooth rails, which makes the typing feel clean and consistent. For mechanical switches, these are one of the best options if you want speed. Of course, magnetic 60HE switches are even faster, but that’s a different category.
One thing to keep in mind: if you type heavily or press too hard, these might not be the best choice. They’re extremely sensitive, so even a light touch will register. But if speed and responsiveness matter most to you, the Akko V3 Silver switches deliver.
| Feature | Detail |
| Type | Mechanical, Linear |
| Mount | 3-pin (plate mount) |
| Material | PC top, Nylon bottom, POM stem |
| Spring | Steel, single-stage |
| Durability | 60 million presses |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
| Pre-Travel | 1.0 mm |
| Total Travel | 3.3 mm |
| Actuation | 40 g |
| Bottom-Out | 45 g |
| Sound | Quiet, non-clicky |
| Use Case | Gaming, fast typing |
Pros
Cons
2. Akko Rosewood
Let’s talk about the materials used in these switches. Each one has a custom Nylon Pro MX-style stem, a 22mm spring, and a PA12 top housing. They also come with a dust-proof stem. These are 5-pin switches, which makes them stable, but if your keyboard only supports 3-pin switches, you can simply clip off the extra plastic legs to make them fit.
The switches have a total travel distance of 4mm, which gives them a nice, standard typing feel with a long range of motion. I personally enjoyed typing on them. If you’re looking for pure gaming switches and prefer something like Hall Effect, these may not be the best choice, but for general use they’re solid.
The Rosegolds and Rosewoods both come with a light coat of factory lube, which makes them feel and sound buttery smooth. They’re also on the lighter side, so pressing them doesn’t require much effort, making them comfortable for long sessions.
| Feature | Detail |
| Type | Mechanical, Linear |
| Mount | 5-pin (clippable to 3-pin) |
| Material | PA12 top housing, Nylon Pro stem |
| Spring | 22mm, stainless steel |
| Factory Lubed | Yes, light coat |
| Durability | 50 million presses |
| Pre-Travel | 2.0 mm |
| Total Travel | 4.0 mm |
| Actuation | 43 g |
| Bottom-Out | 50 g |
| Sound | Smooth, quiet |
| Use Case | Typing, general use |
Pros
Cons
3. Kailh Speed Silver
These switches feel pretty smooth, with only a little scratchiness. Their latency is almost the same as Cherry switches, which is impressive. They have an actuation force of 40g, a pre-travel of 1.1mm, and a total travel of 3.5mm. On paper that sounds light, but in actual use they feel a bit heavier than the specs suggest.
When it comes to gaming, which is what they’re mainly designed for, they can be a mixed bag. They’re very sensitive and light, so if you like fast reactions, you’ll probably enjoy them. But for me, they were a little too sensitive I often triggered keys by accident just from resting my fingers or leaning on them.
| Feature | Detail |
| Type | Mechanical, Linear |
| Mount | 3-pin MX style |
| Spring | Stainless steel |
| Durability | 70 million presses |
| Factory Lubed | Lightly lubed (varies) |
| Actuation | 40 g |
| Pre-Travel | 1.1 mm |
| Total Travel | 3.5 mm |
| Bottom-Out | 60 g |
| Sound | Quiet, soft |
| Best For | Gaming, fast inputs |
Pros
Cons
4. Kailh Box White V2
The Box White V2 switches are a little lighter than the originals, with a 45g operating force compared to 50g on the V1. Unlike the first version, I don’t get accidental key presses with these. That’s because the V2 uses a golden long spring, which starts off a bit heavier and keeps the switch more controlled than the standard springs in the V1.
The bottom housing is made of nylon, which gives the switch a slightly talkier sound. The actuation distance is the same as the original at 1.8mm, and the total travel distance is 3.6mm good for both gaming and everyday typing. The top housing is still polycarbonate, but this time it comes with a black tint, while the original V1 had a clear one.
| Feature | Detail |
| Type | Mechanical, Clicky |
| Mount | MX-style, 3-pin |
| Spring | Golden long spring |
| Durability | 80 million presses |
| Pre-Travel | 1.8 mm |
| Total Travel | 3.6 mm |
| Operating Force | 45 g |
| Bottom-Out | 60 g |
| Sound | Crisp click, talky bottom |
| Best For | Typing, light gaming |
Pros
Cons
5. GATERON Magnetic Jade
These are linear switches that sound and feel very similar to Mahjong switches. They use the same materials as the Lekker switches: a palm stem, nylon bottom housing, polycarbonate top housing, and a custom spring with a magnet at the bottom. The magnet’s housing is covered, which shortens the travel distance compared to the original Lekker switches. This gives a solid tapping feel when bottoming out, unlike the Wooting switches.
The stem wobble is much improved over Wooting switches they feel very stable. Gateron also did a great job with the factory lubing. These switches have a slightly higher-pitched clack when bottoming out, but still give a smooth, thocky feel under your fingers. If you use them unlubed, the sound is even higher pitched and less smooth, but they still hold up well.
Overall, if you want a switch that’s stable, pre-lubed, and ready to use without extra work, these are a solid choice.
| Feature | Detail |
| Type | Linear, Magnetic |
| Material | Palm stem, Nylon bottom, PC top |
| Actuation | Hall effect (magnetic sensing) |
| Pre-Travel | 1.6 mm (shortened) |
| Total Travel | 3.2 mm |
| Spring | Custom spring with magnet |
| Factory Lube | Yes |
| Durability | 100 million presses |
| Sound Profile | Higher-pitched clack, thocky feel |
| Best For | Gaming + typing |
Pros
Cons
6. Kailh Copper
The Kailh Speed Copper isn’t just a gaming switch it’s actually marketed as a tactile gaming switch, which is rare. In fact, it’s the only one of its kind that I know of. Kailh has also released an updated version called the Super Speed Copper, which comes with factory lubing, a longer spring, and slightly different specs.
When pressed directly in the center, the switch feels fairly smooth, though there’s still a bit of scratchiness. Off-center presses feel much rougher, with noticeable binding even during normal typing.
On paper, Kailh lists these switches with a 40g actuation force at 1.1mm, a peak tactile force of 50g, and a total travel distance of 3.4mm. In practice, they feel light and sensitive, but the tactile bump is very subtle much weaker than the force curve suggests. The tactility is about as faint as what you’d get from a Cherry MX Brown.
Sound-wise, they’re clacky, but also a little hollow and scratchy, which might not appeal to everyone.
| Feature | Detail |
| Type | Tactile, Speed switch |
| Actuation Force | 40g at 1.1 mm |
| Peak Force | 50g |
| Total Travel | 3.4 mm |
| Pre-Travel | 1.1 mm |
| Mount | MX-style (3-pin / 5-pin) |
| Durability | 70 million presses |
| Sound | Clacky, slightly hollow |
Pros
Cons
7. GATERON North Pole 2.0
The Gateron North Pole 2.0 is a linear switch that offers a uniquely smooth typing feel, strong RGB support, and a bouncy bottom-out. At first glance, it might seem like only a small upgrade from the original North Pole 1.0, since they look almost identical.
The difference is more noticeable in sound. The 1.0 has a higher-pitched bottom-out, while the 2.0 feels more subdued. It’s semi-silent, meaning it only makes sound on the upstroke, not both ways like most switches. The result is a poppy, pleasant sound profile that stands out.
Performance-wise, these switches are excellent, especially for latency, making them great for gaming as well as typing. The main downside comes from the polycarbonate material, which adds a bit of scratchiness to the overall feel. However, applying lube can smooth this out and make the switches feel much better.
| Feature | Detail |
| Type | Linear |
| Housing | Transparent polycarbonate |
| Stem | POM |
| Actuation Force | 50g |
| Pre-Travel | 2.0 mm |
| Total Travel | 4.0 mm |
| Mount | MX-style (5-pin) |
| Durability | 80 million presses |
| Special | Designed for RGB passthrough |
Pros
Cons
For an in-depth look at the best Switches For Mechanical Keyboards and how to choose the perfect feel for your setup, be sure to dive into our complete guide.
Conclusion
These are the switches I think work best for gaming. They’re fast, responsive, and designed to give you an edge during gameplay. That’s why we recommend them, so be sure to check them out if you’re looking to upgrade your setup. The smooth keypress makes long gaming sessions more comfortable, while the quick actuation helps you react instantly in high-pressure moments. They’re also durable enough to handle hours of use every day without wearing out too quickly. If you’re serious about gaming and want something reliable, these switches are definitely worth considering.
FAQ’S
What type of keyboard switch is best for gaming?
Linear switches have an edge over other switches because they’re very light to press. This means you can react faster, which makes them one of the best options for gaming.
Are creamy switches quiet?
Linear switches produce very little sound because they don’t have a tactile bump or click. This makes them a good choice for quiet environments like offices or shared spaces.
What color switches sound the best?
Most people like blue switches because of their tactile feedback and the clicky sound they make. Each keypress gives both an audible click and a noticeable bump, which many users find satisfying and enjoyable.
Is a brown or red switch better for gaming?
Red switches are mostly used for rapid key presses, and they are also quiet. Brown switches, on the other hand, are for people who like some feedback when typing, but they aren’t as loud as blue switches.
Are grey switches loud?
Cherry MX Grey switches have an 80g actuation force and a 120g bottom-out force. This means you can rest your fingers on them without pressing by mistake. They give a strong tactile bump but don’t make too much noise, so the sound won’t bother you.
