Mechanical Keyboard Enthusiast Switches Tier List
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- I bought a switch tester from kimdi-keys.com, filled with enthusiast mechanical key switches. With good ole tiermaker.com, I ranked these switches during a live stream, solely based on my personal opinion and preferences. We covered linear, tactile, clicky, and some frankenstein switches.
They were ranked stock-no lube, no film, no spring swap (besides frankenstein options). This is to have a baseline because when you mod a switch, there are so many variations that could turn a switch into something completely different, which makes ranking different switches kinda pointless.
Not a totally scientific test by any means, I'm going off my impressions. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Some thinks I look for in a switch: spring, smoothness, price, sound, stem wobble. And with tactiles, the feeling of the bump, obviously.
Full stream VOD:
• Let's Rank Popular Mec...
0:00 Intro
0:37 Linear Switches
16:48 Tactile Switches
27:40 Clicky Switches
28:24 Frankenstein Switches
35:05 Channel Updates
✨Check out CannonKeys for your keyboard needs
They recently stocked the Dark Amber T1 switch, full nylon housing w/ POM stem and 65g springs.
cannonkeys.com/collections/fe...
⌨️Linear Switches
Alpacas
Silent Alpacas
Banana Split
Novelkeys Creams
Everglide Tourmaline V2.5
Gateron Black Ink
Gateron Silent Ink
Gateron KS3 Yellow
Healios V2
Hyperglide Black
Marshmallow
Tangerine
Turquoise Tealios
NOS Vintage Black
⌨️Tactile Switches
Aliaz
Boba U4
Boba U4T
Box Royal
Novelkeys Blueberry
Dragonfruit
Everglide Dark Jade Black (Moyu)
Glorious Pandas
Drop x Invyr Holy Panda
⌨️Clicky Switches
Novelkeys Sherbet
BOX Pale Blue
BOX Pink
BOX Jade
⌨️Frankenstein Switches
Pandelios
MX Zilent
Creamsicle
Zykos
Blueberry + T1
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#mechanicalkeyboard - Věda a technologie
Just remember switches are preference. It took me a while to find a switch I truly loved.
Just example most people don't like NK_Blueberry switches because of the weight and double bump. But I loved them once I spring swapped them and very lightly lubed the stems to smooth out the double bump just a little bit.
Yeah blueberries were some of my favorite until I had issues with nk. I’m surprised at how little people like them, but in a way smirking cause nk deserves it lol
@@mdmaxson NK no longer sells these switches, and are sold on other sites as Kailh Blueberry switches. NK's replacement for this isn't as tactile imo.
@@BamboozlingJester What springs did you use for the spring swap? I have some blueberries but they feel heavy for me, quite fatiguing after a while
@@vaur5999 try using a lighter tactile switch or linear instead
For the leaf noise on the black ink is it the v1 or the v2s?
Thank you so much!
Nice review and summary!! Any plans to check out the Penguin switch from Kinetic Labs? Curious on your opinion of those, since they have a small bit of pre-travel and people say they feel similar to Ergo Clears.
No plans atm, but those look interesting! Hard to keep up with all the switches that are becoming available
I ordered alpacas for my first board (voice65) yesterday, nice to see them in S tier for your video! :D
Nice first board!
Same on my side for the new gmmk pro can’t wait to make my first custom build
@Kevin TAM akko cs rose
Do marshmallow switches work with rgb lighting???
I redid the mode 80 Pom to an fr4 with Original Aspiration switches and stabs OMG is it nice 👍
what do you think of the durock lavenders and where would you put them in the linear tier list?
lavenders are god tier. Biggest problem is if you're gonna lube them, it's very easy to overlube
It makes no sense to judge an enthusiast switch without lube as every enthusiast would go lube their switches. There have been versions of these switches released pre-lubed of which enthusiast complained because they wanted to lube it themselves.
For that test to make sense I would have to use every type of lube on each switch. And some people like to leave the legs unlubed on the stem legs, some like to have them lubed. Too many variables into something that’s already very subjective
I would also argue against the point that every enthusiast would lube their switches. Many do for sure, but there are also some who don’t, could depend on the switch. I keep my bobas unlubed.
@@jimmynguyen973 Use Krytox 205g0 or Tribosis 3203 (ie the industry standards and by the more popular lubes). That solves the lube dilemma that you made up. As for the legs, that's only for tactile switches and the whole point for tactile is to maintain the tactility so don't lube the legs and you know that. So that's another point that you made up sorted too. As for bobas they're factory lubed already and that's why you (personally) don't bother lubing them... and again, you know that too. You're making up lame excuses. Your last point was your weakest... it's like a rite of passage to spend hours lubing your own switches (ie what an enthusiast would do over the average keyboard buyer). Again I reiterate many of these enthusiast switches that are amazing when lubed come unlubed just because of the enthusiast market wanting to lube it themselves.
Your arbitrary choice to not lube the enthusiast switches skewed your results meaning that you ranked the switches that were factory lubed or perform well without lube higher.
@@quokkaokka3473 With your first two rebuttals, you're missing my main point in that its all personal preference in the end. I choose to use 3203, someone is going to say I should've used 205g0 to make the switch smoother. If I use 205g0 (which would be my choice if I were to do this), someone is going to say I should've used 3203 on x,y,z switches instead.
"As for the legs, that's only for tactile switches and the whole point for tactile is to maintain the tactility so don't lube the legs and you know that." I lightly lube the legs and/or leaf for some tactile switches, because that's my preference. If I were to lube the legs on some switches and not others, then the tier list becomes less about the switch and even more about my preferences.
As for your last point about lubing, I don't support gatekeeping the hobby by saying everyone must spend hours lubing their switches. I like to lube my switches, many people do, not everyone does. But this last point isn't the main reason why I chose to go unmodded for this tier list-it's to reduce as many variables as possible.
@@quokkaokka3473 I didn't address your last point about skewed results w/ factory lube. I don't think it did, considering I ranked Marshmallow switches as #1. And while Gateron Yellows have light factory lube, they're still not the smoothest stock, but I still gave it S tier. This is because I really like the springs they come with.
As for the tactiles, I was mostly talking about the tactile bump, spring weight, and sound.
In the end, the push feel matters way more to me vs whether a switch came with factory lube or not.
Awesome tier list. I recommend you to try out some Durock POM linear and even their silent linear switches. Would love to see where you would put them on the tier list 👀
Unfortunately I haven't tried Durock POMs, but I've heard good things! If I had to guess, probably somewhere around A
What is the song at 30:00?
Great to see the marshmallows up there at the top....90x are coming in the mail for me soon!😁
Where would you rank Outemu Skies if you had to?
Cool video! I wanted to buy and build my first custom keyboard but I can't find the right Keycaps anywhere. I am from germany so I need ISO-DE but every set I find is either ANSI, ISO-GB or sold out. Do you know any online shop where I could by some keykaps? Thanks!
Unfortunately not, that’s a hard kitting to find. Best bet is to either wait for restock or join a group buy with the appropriate kitting...and wait many months for it
Do you have legit tackits? I can upload a video of mine. Stock. They’re inaudible. Like I can be in the same room as someone and they can’t hear me typing.....
i wonder where the new box black inks would fit in to this list, ii haven't seen too much content with the box blacks
Damn, how have you tried so many of these? Meet-ups? Friends? RIP your wallet? I envy your experience.
he states in the description, tried em in a tester
@@dillston4016 I think trying only one diminishes the experience of switches. The first thing I noticed when I got into this hobby was I was underwhelmed when I tried one switch alone whether it was lubed or not but when I did a full typing test is when I was truly impressed with feeling and sound. Also, the difference that comes with broken in switches. You can't get that with just a tester.
@@rks5457 yeah, this is exactly the same bummed feeling I experienced with my first tester pack recently. Then I got a huge bundle pack of switch parts & assorted aftermarket springs, and put together a bunch of different switches/frankenswitches so I had enough to toss them into a 40% and test out whole + alpha sets.
COMPLETELY differen't experience, to the extent it might as well be like 2 different switches when single-vs-full board. The acoustics/packing dynamics of a real, fully assembled case vs loose & unmounted, individual different switches on a single acrylic plate make totally different sound profiles.
where would you place cherry mx black hyperglides when lubed and filmed?
Is that really fair to put a lubed and filmed switch anywhere amoung a list of only stock switches ? Just saying.
ok so lets just say price wasn't really a factor for me and I'm gonna hand lube my switches anyways, what would you say in your opinion would be the best switch?
linear or tactile? if linear, preferred spring weight? if tactile, preferred bump feeling? what kind of sound are you going for?
@@jimmynguyen973 I’m in the same situation. I prefer deep, linear switches. I’m running tangies rn for the smoothness but I would def prefer a deeper sound
@@annied3786 black inks are generally the switch people go to for a deep sound, but ive found them not as smooth (lube does help). you can also look into pom switches like the Durock POM linear switches
@@jimmynguyen973 thank you so much :) just placed an order for black inks, i care about the sound more than the feeling tbh
Hi, your channel is great, a lot of helpful information!!
I read that heavier spring make tactile less noticeable and reduce the sound, is this true? Can you tell if the Boba U4T 62 gram or 68 gram has less tactile and easier to type on for people with weak hands like me?
Thanks!!
Glad you're finding the videos helpful! From my experience, a heavier spring will result in a more tactile feeling. I would recommend the 62g U4Ts, but the tactile bump on the U4Ts is on the stronger end of the spectrum in general, so if they're still tiring you can consider a switch with a softer bump (pewters would be the softest, mimicking a brown switch, Durock Cerulean/Kinetic Labs Penguin are similar to ergo clears, any of the holy panda variants like Tecsee Purple Pandas for a holy panda feeling).
As for the sound, I think a heavier spring may result in a louder sound because of the snappier upstroke from the spring uncompressing.
@@jimmynguyen973 I watched your videos about Tecsee Purple Pandas, I ordered some and they are on the way.
I heard that Ergo Clear is nice, but I need to sacrifice the RGB. Drop has the RGB version of Cherry Clear but they are pricey and I don't think it is wroth the price.
This is the first time I heard about Penguin and Cerulean. I read that Outemu Sky, Dragonfruit, Lilacs and Naevy are similar to Ergo Clear. How do they stack up against Penguin and Cerulean? I don't see a lot of article comparing them together. Maybe I should try all? :)
@@phanbui107 Haven't tried Penguin, but hear good things about them. I dont know much about Outemu Sky. I think the initial batch of dragonfruits had some issues (stem wobble, leaf pings), but those may have been resolved, something to look into. Lilac tactile are more similar to T1s than ergo clears so not really comparable, and you can read about Naevies here www.theremingoat.com/blog/naevy-v15-switch-review
I'm trying out Cerulean right now and will create a video on them. The biggest difference I would say, without having trying all of these other options, is that they come factory lubed with a thin oil, and they're a pretty good stock switch.
what do you think of the Everglide Aqua King and the TTC gold pinks?
Dont know much about the aqua kings, but ive heard bad things about TTCs, better to just go with akko cs /jwick / tecsee / durock / jwk
aight thanks gonna break down creams for a whole year
what if someone starts selling broken-in creams 🤔 or in the future...vintage creams
that'd be the god switch
@@jimmynguyen973 Yeah, nut no one has patience fo that. The only way that will happen is if enthusiast switches start being used outside of this hobby.
@@jimmynguyen973 www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/mg1wpl/usca_h_400_year_creams_mechanically_brokenin/
nvm
rndkbd
What's your opinion on Durock pom switches?
Never tried them, but I've heard good things, especially if you're looking for a deeper sound.
The only silent switches I use for their own sake are Boba U4s; super satisfying in their own way. As for noisy Silent Ink Blacks - it's totally the top housing, and filming pretty much fixes it.
Whaddya think of the YOK Holy Pandas?? I have those and I wonder how they compare to the OG holy pandas
I think yok holy pandas are good, but I prefer U4T these days over holy pandas
@@jimmynguyen973 Oh, ok, are there any major differences between yok holy pandas and the OG's?
WAIT, what would you lube your u4t’s with?
prob 205g0, i used that for almost everything
some interesting choices there... some things some people like, I actually dont like... like the aliaz for example, I love that they are a silent switch, have the bump not immediately and come in different weights( if they are too light, maybe switch to a heavier one?), in general I like heavier switches better, i.e. Gat Blacks over Gat Yellows for example. I personally have no experience with most switches in there, but would like too, lol. typing on a keyboard and a switch tester are still different playgrounds although a switch tester can already be a good pre-selection tool. In general I love T1-style tactiles and tactiles in general over clickies and linears, although come to like linears more, if I get the corret ones. I also tried NK creams and have the same issue with them: they are pretty scratchy, even a little after lubing. Heard a lot of good things, bought them, was not very satisfied.
Nk creams are scratchy because it's full pom which means when pom is touching pom it will be scratchy if you don't break them in first. I recommend to break in Nk creams for a smoother experience. (You have to break in before lubing)
wondering, for a guy who doesnt know anything about building keyboards... is there any keyboards that come with the S or A tiers?
Not really, but since most keyboards these days worth buying come with hotswap sockets, it's super easy to change out the switches
Banana splits are more like Alpacas but with different material for the housing. I would but them at S tier since they are so similar to Alpacas. Everything else on the list is spot on imo
I like t1 housing swapped with zeal stem and 16mm, hope u can give it a try :D
I would switch banana splits with tangerines personally but everything else is spot on
Hey Jimmy, are there any venders that sell marshmallow switches?
I believe ThicThock will be selling extras from the most recent run but im not sure of the date. fulfillment timeline for the most recent run was Q3, so seems like it should be soon
@@jimmynguyen973 tysm
Please rate Outemu Peach and Outemu Lime - they are both silent :)
hello, if anyone reading this comment likes the sound of creams but dislikes the scratchiness of them, i would Highly recommend cream housing with tealios v2 stem and spring of your choosing. They sound nice and thocky and are the smoothest switch I've ever felt lubed.
I found Kailh Box Royals a month ago and ordered a full set, by far the best switch I've ever used in terms of feel.
i have wanted to try creams just because they are super overhyped and i hear a ton of different opinions about them. i might end up trying pom jwk switches instead because i have heard they are smoother and they sound nice from what i have heard. personally im much more of a tactile guy though, im using yok holy pandas right now.
edit: I feel like zeal switches are kind of like supreme merch in the keyboard world. im not a hypebeast, but like its overpriced and super limited XD. also, i really like frankenswitches because i would consider myself a collector, and they are nice to have if you dont go overboard :)
zeal switches aren't like supreme merch at all lol. Sure they're overpriced but not "super limited" by any means
I hate that i love how silent cherry mx browns are, i have not found a proper alternative yet:(
Have you tried zilents?
I would specify that this is ranking is for stock switches in the thumbnail/title. Nice vid though.
So you are saying brown switch’s are doodoo?
Poorly represented clickies after I got so excited. Man I'm hurt
You are a smothaholic me idk about scratch I'm a bit old-school I'm used to the scratch I still love my vintage and retooled blacks lol so for me it's only sound and yes I think scrstchy switches with alot of pop sound great actualy amazing almost like an extra gasket sound ahha idk how to explain it but I love op blacks also jwick and h1 switches and yes cherry pies haha I like alot of switches tbh I like trying them all and I use alot of builds on my boards going through all sorts of switches to find the one that works best in each board this way I also have something to do at all times I'm probably going to start doing sound tests tbh just because it would be worth it with how much time I spend on this stuff haha I may be the only person left who truely enjoys luring switches lol
Where are Gateron Reds?
Durok t1 ?
the same as the t1s shown in the video @ 21:33
as a creams fan, seeing creams at D tier took me for surprise a little.
i've heard many people say that they are scratchy stock, but better when lubed.
Its totally unsurprising. They suck stock. Super scratchy and that scratch is super audible. They're great lubed though. Super clacky.
Well he was rating them as stock switches. Broken in and lubed tho they are noice 👌
He clarified at the beginning he will be grading them stock, and if your a creams fan, you should know that creams are scratchy af stock.
Now that I read my comment, I didn't mean to shit so hard on your tastes lmao. My bad
What about bobagums?
Stock black inks should be c tier but filmed and lubed with long 65g tx springs is S tier for me.
21:34 Switch Name Please?
www.primekb.com/products/tactile-switches
@@jimmynguyen973 Thanks a lot Sir.
I bought tangerines off Mech market and I actually can’t stand them, I might have gotten sent a bad batch because they all have awful leaf ping and just sound rattly even after lubing
oof that's unfortunate. seems like consistency is an issue for some switches. that is something cherry does well vs other manufactures.
@@jimmynguyen973 yeah it really turned me off them I don’t think I’ll ever buy them again. Banana splits however are awesome I bought some when they were in stock and damn are they nice
Depending on what batch they are from , The Key Company recalled a fairly recent batch of tangies and i think kiwis too. (Like within the past 3-4 months ish).
I have tangies from the 1st second and third runs, and Kiwis on the first run and they are all god tier. The person you bought them from might have sold them because there was actually something wrong with them (not his fault or anything) without knowing they were replacing the bad batch. Might want to ask him which run or batch they were and then check the key co website. 👍 I just happened to read about this on the key co website and email newsletter updates , but I don’t actually own any of the more recent runs.
don't know why but I create a franken switch with HB housing and Cream stem, Cream housing and HB stem =))). After 1 month, it's pretty good =D
Anh học tiếng anh ở đâu vậy ạ?
Người ta đẻ ở Mỹ mà the hell
Are u related to Andy Nguyen ?
this is not a T1, it's a durock light tactile
I got linear ones on my keyboard bc i looked it up and it said "reds: no click at all" Lets gooooo!
best thocky smooth linears?
w least stem wobble? if that narrows it down?
i will lube and film these too
Tangerines are the definition of smooth but they aren't thocky
@@ErrolYTER the feel lubed vs unlubed are very different I tried tangerines and other switches but in my case the tangerines felt the least different lubed.
@@Lol-wf2bd Yea it was a very slight difference for me when I lubed and filmed mine especially since I used tribosys 3204 but you still want to relube it bc the factory lubing on stock tangerines is inconsistent
Banana splits are my personal favorites
Cherry mx browns
Why the clicky hate lol they are solid
*unsubscribes in box jades*
lol jk
I’m actually unsubscribing. I know everyone’s preference is different, but this tier list is too different from my experience, so yea. No hard feelings though.
PS. My list
S tier: Dogikon, Tangerines, Gateron Ink Yellow V2
Alpaca is at most A or even B. Just to start the sound has no signature. The smoothness, well, what is not smooth these days. And lastly, some of them are scratchy too, which makes it never a S tier.
@@Edwin-mk2nz Considering Dogikon are a JWK v2 linear like Alpacas, your list doesn't seem too different from mine.
are you andys brother?
i think he just got a bad batch for vb or got the overpriced one
there is no preference Gateron black ink is best
novelkey creams are just the cherry reds of the enthusiast scene, every one just says there the best because thats what people have said in the past
Creams arn't bad you just need to break them in for a month and lube them. They have a unique sound signature that no other switches.
22nd... is that even an accomplishment?
no way the c3 tangerine is in A tier :(
Even the gateron ink black v2 :( Whyyy
Which is the most thoccy?
For linears, that would be creams. As for tactiles, tactile switches aren’t usually thocky, but the U4T are a good choice. But there are a lot of other factors too such as lube, keycaps, and film (but U4T does not need film, not sure about Creams).
PBT keycaps tend to be more thocky than ABS as long as they’re thick (1.5mm), and higher profile keycaps like KAT, SA, and Mt3 will add to the thock
really dumb take on clicky switches. the clickbar switches and especially jades are an s tier switch if you get the right case and keycaps to give them a bassier sound and they also have among the best tactility of any switch currently on the market
Yeah first for everything
Healios D tier? gat Yellows S tier? Yeah this list is wrong lol idc if it’s your opinion.
I think mixing switch prices in the comparison is a bit problematic. Some switches are of course great value, but the point usually is if it's worth paying more money for more quality, feel, brand loyalty or whatever. And that depends on budget of the project for one. If a .50 switch tops more expensive switches because of value, it goes unanswered if the switches under could be better than it, other than in value.
Just like RTX 3090 is horrible value for what performance you're getting out of it in games, compared to RTX 2060. It's still in all the ways the better card out of the two. It's about if getting it is worth for you and your wants and needs compared to the other.
While I did mention price, my opinions isn't heavily weighted towards price. The stock spring & smoothness def played a bigger role for linear switches, and for tactile switches, it's mainly about the tactile feeling. Price hurts Zeal switches the most, but nothing justifies the price tag of Zeal switches for me.
@@jimmynguyen973 I'd find it interesting to know if there is anything to be gained for paying the Zeal extra price, no matter how trivial that something is compared to its value. Likewise if Gateron Yellows would be not only better, but also cheaper than the lesser tier switches.
That said, at heart this is just a bit of subjective fun, and there's merit in valuing value. Thanks for the video, it was interesting!
this is the least informative switch video I have ever seen on youtube, its all preference.... let us hear the switches or whats the point????
Royal's are so bad. What a waste of money those were.
u vietnamese brudda?? #vietcong
I disagree with so much stuff here