Mechanical Switches

Mechanical keyboards are widely popular and have a number of applications. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, wired or wireless, with fancy RGB lights. However, the keyboard switch is the most significant thing to consider while purchasing a mechanical keyboard.

Selecting the right keyboard switch can make a significant difference. Mechanical switches are efficient and provide a more personalized experience by varying feedback and travel time depending on which one you select. Mechanical keyboard switches also have a far longer lifespan, enduring millions of keystrokes.

Akko has one of the world’s most diverse options of mechanical keyboard layouts.

It is committed to providing customers with a wide selection of keyboard size options, including:

• 108-Key (Full Size),
• 98-Key
• 100-Key
• 87-Key
• 84-Key
• 68-Key and 61-Key

Their aim is to ensure that every user may find the exact color, layouts, and switches that one desires.

What is a Mechanical Keyboard Switch?

Each key on a mechanical keyboard has its own complete switch mechanism, which includes a casing, a spring, a stem, and several other components such as click bars.

Variations in these components can exist, which result in a number of alternatives. These varying attributes may include the amount of pressure required to actuate, the amount of pressure to bottom out, the sound produced, the travel distance, and much more.

It is a general feature of all mechanical keyboards to allow easy removal of the keycaps. In addition, several keyboards allow you to swap out the switch mechanisms. If this swapping of switch mechanism is not provided to the user, the keyboard switch type needs to be decided at the time of purchase.

While selecting a keyboard, knowledge and understanding of many types of mechanical switches are essential to purchase the best fit for your desired purpose.

 

Types of Mechanical Switches

Several types of mechanical keyboard switches include:

• Linear mechanical switches
• Tactile mechanical switches
• Clicky mechanical switches

Linear Switches

Linear switches are typically smooth and provide consistent actuation without tactile feedback. A key press is actuated or registered when it bottoms out, and because there are no bumps in between, linear switches glide down relatively easily. Many gamers choose to buy keyboards with linear switches. Akko has a wide range of linear mechanical switches for gamers.

Tactile Switches

Tactile switches contain a bump down the key’s downward journey. This bump is the actuation point, indicating that a key press is recorded before it completely bottoms out. This allows for satisfying feedback for typists or gamers if they prefer a response during typing.

Clicky Switches

Clicky switches work on the same principle as tactile switches which means they are bumpy and louder in design. These key switches provide a bump as well as additional audible feedback, which are rather nice and recall an old typewriter. However, this can be frustrating for others, especially when you are working in an office. Akko has blue colored clicky mechanical switches available for purchase.

Akko’s Color Coding in Mechanical Switches

All OEMs classify their switches on the basis of their defined color codes. Similarly, Akko has a wide range of colors in  mechanical switches as well:

Linear Mechanical Switches

• Pink
• Rose Red
• Matcha Green
• Radiant red
• Vintage white
• Jelly pink
• Jelly white
• Jelly black

Tactile Mechanical Switches

• Orange
• Ocean blue
• Lavender purple

Clicky Mechanical Switches

• Blue

For Membrane Switches, please check this.