Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What are Mechanical Keyboard Switches?
- Why Should You Make Your Mechanical Keyboard Loud?
- Benefits of Loud Mechanical Keyboard Switches
- 5 Keyboards With The Loudest Mechanical Keyboard Switches For Gaming
- Factors to Consider When Choosing a Loud Mechanical Keyboard Switch
- Recommendation
- Final Words
Introduction
If you are professional typist or a hardcore gamer, you must know that the average keyboard just doesn’t make the cut. When you are working professionally, every device in your set-up works to increase your efficiency. You may think that your typing speed comes from your own capabilities and it’s not possible for tiny keyboard switches to enhance your performance, but that is not the case. Even the slightest change in features will have a long-lasting effect, be it negative or positive. We have prepared a quick guide on the loudest mechanical keyboard switches available to help you choose the best one.
Latest update on 2022-12-07 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API
What are Mechanical Keyboard Switches?
Mechanical keyboards feature unique switches that hide behind their keys, just like in typewriters back in the days. Each switch is correlated to a unique binary code that lets us type what we want, but the reason mechanical ones are preferred over the more common membrane keyboards is due to their ability to make typing easier on the fingers; this is especially important for those who type for hours on end. Mechanical switches offer instant feedback through sound and feeling, so an experienced user can type without even looking away from the screen. They are also perfect for gamers who have to stay constantly alert.
Why Should You Make Your Mechanical Keyboard Loud?
Loud mechanical switches are also known as being “clicky”, which is due to their unique clicking sound that gives audio feedback to the user. The feedback may seem like a very little thing to improve typing but subconsciously our mind registers and recognizes the sound from each key press; this can even double your productivity because it increases workflow and reduces mistakes like typos. The clicking sound is also highly satisfying to our acoustic senses.
Benefits of Loud Mechanical Keyboard Switches
Mechanical keyboards provide a more accurate and satisfying experience. They are used to speed up your typing and the unique feel of each key improves accuracy as well. The spring present underneath each key makes it far easier to press them as compared to the average keyboards in the market. The noise is an added benefit that helps our subconscious manipulate our fingers to give instructions to the keyboard without even looking away from the screen – you will be confident that you aren’t making any mistakes.
5 Keyboards With The Loudest Mechanical Keyboard Switches For Gaming
Cherry MX Blue - CORSAIR K70 RGB MK.2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Cherry MX is one of the most popular brands on the market right now, and it was the pioneer of mechanical switches. Only up to a few years ago, there was close to no competition for these switches and they remain the undefeated market leaders. The Cherry MX Blue is easily identifiable due to its unique blue color coded top and it is one of the loudest switches available. It is a tactical switch which has a total travel distance of 4mm but will be actuated at the half-point of only 2mm. You only need to press with the minimum pressure of only 60g to hear the satisfying click. However, the Cherry MX Blue switches have a relatively short lifespan of only 50 million keystrokes per key.
Pros
- Trusted brand
- Distinct clicking sound
- Tactile switch
- Include an LED option
Cons
- Short lifespan
- Old model
Verdict
If you are looking for a trusted brand, then the Cherry MX Blue is one of the best. Along with their guaranteed lifespan, Cherry MX will provide you with the ideal typing experience; however, there are many cheaper and more ergonomic switches available in the market now too.
LK Libra Orange - B945 Light Strike Optical Gaming Keyboard
The LK Libra Orange is a unique switch made specifically for faster use because it only requires a very light 45g force to be activated and has an actuation point at a travel distance of only 1.5mm; however, while the distance to activate the key is decreased, so is its total travel distance, which means even slightly more pressure than needed can dislodge or harm the switch. It also boasts an astonishingly long lifespan of 100 million keystrokes.
Pros
- Long lifespan
- Minimum actuation force required
- Short actuation distance
- Backlighting effects
Cons
- Short total travel distance
- Not durable enough
Verdict
If you are looking for a highly responsive switch that will activate at the slightest touch, LK Libra Orange is the one for you; however, if you are someone who tends to hit the keys with extensive force, then stay away from these keys because they will easily get dislodged and become useless to you despite their long lifespan.
Razer Green - Razer BlackWidow Ultimate
Razer is a company known for its gaming equipment so it goes without saying that they will have manufactured their own loud mechanical switches for the ideal gaming experience. The Razer Green switches are used in their popular Black Widow Keyboards; if you are a gamer, you will know how well this keyboard works to enhance your abilities. Although these are tactile switches, they have an actuation point slightly above the hallway point which means that not only do you need less force to hit the controls, it will take lesser time as well. These switches have a long lifespan of 80 million keystrokes!
Pros
- Large lifespan
- Chroma RGB lighting
- 2-year warranty period
- Minimum actuation force required
Cons
- Low actuation point results in double clicks
- Only available pre-installed in Razer keyboards
Verdict
The Razer Green switches will be perfect for a gaming keyboard. They will even work well for people who work long hours and will barely require replacement thanks to their long life. However, these switches have a slight learning curve as the extra speed may result in accidental double clicks.
Razer Opto-Mechanical - Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard
The Opto-Mechanical switches by Razer let your hands move with lightning speed across the keyboard. This is a light switch that requires a very low force of 45g to be activated; this is especially astonishing compared to the average 60g of pressure needed. The switch has a uniquely long lifespan of a 100 million keystrokes (double that of the Cherry MX Blue) which makes us all immediately want it for ourselves. Unfortunately, it is very rare to find this switch on the market and it is currently only being sold in specific Huntsman Razer Keyboards.
Pros
- Long lifespan
- Minimum actuation force required
- Fast switches
- Very durable
Cons
- Difficult to find
- Only available in pre-installed Razer keyboards
Verdict
The Razer Opto-Mechanical switches are one of the fastest available in the market right now. If you are a gamer who relies on the fast response of your keys, you will love this.
GX Blue - Logitech G513 RGB Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The GX Blue is very similar to the Cherry MX Blue, of course with some additional features. While GX is a relatively unknown brand and there are very few users out there who can vouch for its products, their GX Blue switch is definitely a showstopper. With the same specs as a Cherry MX Blue and a longer lifespan of 70 million keystrokes, this definitely is a great option if you want an upgrade but also want to retain the traditional feel.
Pros
- Distinct clicking sound
- Tactile Switch
- Large Lifespan
- Backlighting
Cons
- Unknown company
- No warranty
Verdict
We always recommend buying guaranteed products from a renowned company especially when it comes to your professional equipment. If you are a risk taker, then the GX Blue may be the perfect switch for you.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Loud Mechanical Keyboard Switch
While a switch may seem like a small and insignificant device, barely larger than a third of your little finger, you will be shocked to find that despite its trivial exterior, these switches are very functional. We have included a quick rundown of all the features you should look for before making a final decision for your keyboard selection.
Categories of Switches
When you search the market for the loudest mechanical keyboard switches, you will find that they are divided into two major types. Each type has its own perks and drawbacks so you must pick the switch that is more suited to your needs.
Linear Switches
Linear switches are the most common type found in the market. To activate a linear switch, you will have to press the key all the way down; while this is more time-consuming, it also means that the key will produce a relatively more distinct sound and there will be less typos.
Tactile Switches
Tactile switches are more ergonomic than the linear switch because they will activate at about half the distance. Although there will be less force and time wasted, your fingers may skim over some keys in a hurry and double press on others. Although tactile switches are great for experienced typists who make less mistakes, beginners might take some time to get used to this style.
Features of Switches
Force Needed
Each switch is different from others and that is especially relevant to the amount of force it takes to press the key. This force is measured in terms of grams of pressure and it is obvious that the lighter the pressure needed to be exerted, the faster your typing speed will be. Most switches require an average pressure of 60g to be activated.
Auditory Feedback
When you are concentrating on the screen and don’t have time to look down at the keyboard, the sounds emitting from your fingers will reassure you that you are pressing the right key. This unique auditory feedback is what puts loud mechanical keyboard switches above the more common silent keyboards.
Travel Distance and Actuation Point
You may think that, if your keyboard has linear switches, your finger needs to press the key all the way down and they only need to be pressed halfway if your keyboard has tactical switches; however, that is not so. When you go to buy a switch, you will be surprised to find two distinctions the specifications i.e. travel distance and actuation point.
The travel distance is the entire distance your finger can travel when pressing a key – this should be as long as possible so if you manage to hit the key very hard by mistake, the switch will not get dislodged from its position because it will still be in the travel distance’s capacity. On the other hand, the actuation point should be as low as possible because you would want even the slightest touch of your finger to send instruction to the operating system. The smaller the actuation distance, the faster your typing speed.
Lifespan
A switch is not immortal and you will find yourself replacing these switches quite often; this is because switches tend to dislodge from behind the keys and show wear from continuous use. You can avoid dislodging the switches by avoiding hitting the switches with greater force than they can handle. The quality of its material and its build determines how durable it is. A switch can take many million keystrokes per key before it becomes unusable and you need to replace it. The highest quality switches can be used for more than a hundred million keystrokes.
Recommendation
For our top pick, we recommend the Razer Green. It comes from a highly appreciated brand with a strong guarantee and is made for fast typists and gamers. It offers a great middle ground for being activated by a minimum pressure without being dislodged from its position if a little more force is applied. Of course, the audible feedback from all the switches is ideal.
Final Words
While a mechanical keyboard switch may seem like a small part of your entire setup, it can play a huge role in how efficiently you do your work. With our rundown of the best loud switches, you can easily pick one that offers premium speed and optimum audio feedback; this will help you work at a fast speed without even having to look away from the display. Although we are sure that all of the above-mentioned loud mechanical switches will work great for you, we would recommend getting whichever one suits your needs the best.
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