Buying Guide
The Best Tactile Mechanical Keyboard Switches
Tactile switches range from light and subtle to heavy and pronounced. These six span that range.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
A tactile switch has a bump you feel before the key actuates. Force and bump shape vary widely, so the force is the best starting point.
Every listing here states the switch type and force; we compared those with lifespan and pack size.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best First Tactile
Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown SwitchesFactory lubed, 100 million keystroke rating.
Best for: Moving from stock Browns
Check price for Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown Switches on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for a Full Board
Keychron Banana Tactile Switches (110 pack)110-pack with five-pin stems.
Best for: Full-size keyboards
Check price for Keychron Banana Tactile Switches (110 pack) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Pronounced Bump
Gateron Quinn Tactile Switches59gf with a pronounced bump.
Best for: Strong tactile feel
Check price for Gateron Quinn Tactile Switches on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Heavy Bottom-Out
Durock Ice King T1 Tactile Switches68g bottom-out force.
Best for: Heavy typists
Check price for Durock Ice King T1 Tactile Switches on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lightest Tactile
Akko Lavender Purple Tactile Switches40gf force.
Best for: Light typists
Check price for Akko Lavender Purple Tactile Switches on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Cherry Tactile
Cherry MX2A Brown Switches55cN with 100 million keystroke rating.
Best for: Cherry fans
Check price for Cherry MX2A Brown Switches on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best First Tactile1 of 6
Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown Switches
Gateron's G Pro 3.0 Brown is a factory-lubed 55gf tactile rated for 100 million keystrokes.
Best for
- Moving from stock Browns
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Lavender Purple, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It fits 3-pin and 5-pin sockets. Its three-layer pins resist bending, and each switch is rated for 100 million cycles. The tactile brown feel suits typing and gaming.
On actuation force it ties with the MX2A Brown at 55gf. Check that your keyboard has hot-swap sockets for MX-style switches before buying. Check the pack count against your keyboard's key count; a full-size board needs about 104.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Lavender Purple at the time of writing. Its price falls between the MX2A Brown and the Ice King T1, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Switch type
- Tactile
- Actuation force
- 55gf
- Rated life
- 100 million keystrokes
- Pins
- 3-pin and 5-pin
Pros
- 100 million keystroke rating
- Fit in 3-pin and 5-pin sockets
- Factory-lubed design
- Actuation force of 55gf, ahead of the Keychron Banana
Cons
- Costs more than the Lavender Purple at the time of writing
Best for a Full Board2 of 6
Keychron Banana Tactile Switches (110 pack)
Keychron's Banana is a 57gf tactile sold as a 110-pack with five-pin stems.
Best for
- Full-size keyboards
Skip if
- Its rated lifespan is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It is enough for a full-size board. On actuation force it sits mid-pack at 57gf: the Lavender Purple offers 40gf, and the Gateron Quinn comes in at 59gf. Five-pin switches fit five-pin hot-swap boards; on a three-pin board, clip the two plastic side pins first.
Check the pack count against your keyboard's key count; a full-size board needs about 104. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper Lavender Purple and the pricier MX2A Brown, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated lifespan; if that figure matters, the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers 100 million keystrokes.
Key specs
- Switch type
- Tactile
- Actuation force
- 57gf
- Pack size
- 110 switches
- Pins
- 5-pin
Pros
- 110-switch pack
- Five-pin stems
- 57gf force
- Actuation force of 57gf, ahead of the Ice King T1
Cons
- No published rated lifespan
- Costs more than the Lavender Purple at the time of writing
Most Pronounced Bump3 of 6
Gateron Quinn Tactile Switches
Gateron's Quinn is a 59gf tactile with a pronounced bump, rated for 80 million keystrokes.
Best for
- Strong tactile feel
Skip if
- Skip it if actuation force matters most to you; the Lavender Purple offers 40gf.
Why we like it
Its 59gf actuation force is the heaviest in this group; the Lavender Purple leads at 40gf. On rated lifespan it sits mid-pack at 80 million keystrokes: the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers 100 million keystrokes, and the Lavender Purple comes in at 60 million keystrokes. Check that your keyboard has hot-swap sockets for MX-style switches before buying.
Check the pack count against your keyboard's key count; a full-size board needs about 104. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ice King T1 the nearest cheaper option. Actuation force is its weakest area, and the Lavender Purple covers it better at 40gf.
Key specs
- Switch type
- Tactile
- Actuation force
- 59gf
- Rated life
- 80 million keystrokes
- Pins
- Not stated
Pros
- 80 million keystroke rating
- 59gf force
- Pronounced tactile bump
- Rated lifespan of 80 million keystrokes, ahead of the Ice King T1
Cons
- Actuation force trails the Lavender Purple (40gf)
- Costs more than the Lavender Purple at the time of writing
Best Heavy Bottom-Out4 of 6
Durock Ice King T1 Tactile Switches
Durock's Ice King T1 is a 58gf tactile that bottoms out at 68g, in a 90-pack.
Best for
- Heavy typists
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Lavender Purple, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is rated for 60 million keystrokes. On actuation force it sits mid-pack at 58gf: the Lavender Purple offers 40gf, and the Gateron Quinn comes in at 59gf. It matches the Lavender Purple on rated lifespan (60 million keystrokes).
It also comes with a 68g bottom-out force and a 60 million keystroke rating. Check that your keyboard has hot-swap sockets for MX-style switches before buying. Check the pack count against your keyboard's key count; a full-size board needs about 104.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Lavender Purple at the time of writing. Its price falls between the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Gateron Quinn, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Switch type
- Tactile
- Actuation force
- 58gf
- Rated life
- 60 million keystrokes
- Pack size
- 90 switches
- Pins
- Not stated
Pros
- 68g bottom-out force
- 90-switch pack
- 60 million keystroke rating
- Actuation force of 58gf, ahead of the Gateron Quinn
Cons
- Costs more than the Lavender Purple at the time of writing
Lightest Tactile5 of 6
Akko Lavender Purple Tactile Switches
Akko's Lavender Purple is a light 40gf tactile rated for 60 million keystrokes.
Best for
- Light typists
Skip if
- Skip it if rated lifespan matters most to you; the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers 100 million keystrokes.
Why we like it
It suits people who find Browns heavy. Its 40gf actuation force is the lightest here; the G Pro 3.0 Brown comes next at 55gf. On rated lifespan it ties with the Ice King T1 at 60 million keystrokes.
It also comes with a 60 million keystroke rating and Akko's CS series design. Check that your keyboard has hot-swap sockets for MX-style switches before buying. Check the pack count against your keyboard's key count; a full-size board needs about 104.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Keychron Banana was closest. Rated lifespan is its weakest area, and the G Pro 3.0 Brown covers it better at 100 million keystrokes.
Key specs
- Switch type
- Tactile
- Actuation force
- 40gf
- Rated life
- 60 million keystrokes
- Pins
- Not stated
Pros
- Light 40gf tactile force
- 60 million keystroke rating
- Akko's CS series design
- Lightest actuation force of the picks (40gf)
Cons
- Rated lifespan trails the G Pro 3.0 Brown (100 million keystrokes)
Best Cherry Tactile6 of 6
Cherry MX2A Brown Switches
Cherry's MX2A Brown is a 55cN tactile rated for 100 million keystrokes, sold in a 36-pack.
Best for
- Cherry fans
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Lavender Purple cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The improved MX2A switches are pre-lubed with a new spring, rated for 100 million actuations, and ship in plastic-free packaging. On actuation force it ties with the G Pro 3.0 Brown at 55gf. It matches the G Pro 3.0 Brown on rated lifespan (100 million keystrokes).
Check that your keyboard has hot-swap sockets for MX-style switches before buying. Check the pack count against your keyboard's key count; a full-size board needs about 104. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Lavender Purple at the time of writing. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Keychron Banana and the pricier G Pro 3.0 Brown, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Switch type
- Tactile
- Actuation force
- 55gf
- Rated life
- 100 million keystrokes
- Pack size
- 36 switches
- Pins
- Not stated
Pros
- 100 million keystroke rating
- 55cN force
- 36-switch pack
- Actuation force of 55gf, ahead of the Keychron Banana
Cons
- Costs more than the Lavender Purple at the time of writing
How We Chose These Tactile Keyboard Switches
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up six switches on switch type, actuation force, rated lifespan and pack size, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and rated lifespan and pack size are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the G Pro 3.0 Brown to the MX2A Brown, state switch type and actuation force.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Keychron Banana gives no rated lifespan; the G Pro 3.0 Brown, the Gateron Quinn and the Lavender Purple give no pack size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Lavender Purple (under $50) to the Gateron Quinn ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Tactile Keyboard Switch
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much actuation force you need
Here actuation force runs from 59gf on the Gateron Quinn to 40gf on the Lavender Purple, a 32% spread. The Lavender Purple is the pick for actuation force.
Rated lifespan
Across these 5 picks rated lifespan spans 60 million keystrokes (the Lavender Purple) to 100 million keystrokes (the G Pro 3.0 Brown). For less, the MX2A Brown is the runner-up at 100 million keystrokes. The Keychron Banana gives no rated lifespan figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
Pins
The G Pro 3.0 Brown lists 3-pin and 5-pin; the Keychron Banana lists 5-pin.
Extras that separate them
The Ice King T1: a 90-switch pack. The Lavender Purple: a 60 million keystroke rating. The MX2A Brown: a 55cN force.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Lavender Purple, the Keychron Banana, the MX2A Brown, the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Ice King T1; $50 to $100 buys the Gateron Quinn at our last check.
How to Choose a Tactile Keyboard Switch
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Moving from stock Browns | G Pro 3.0 Brown | Factory lubed, 100 million keystroke rating |
| Full-size keyboards | Keychron Banana | 110-pack with five-pin stems |
| Strong tactile feel | Gateron Quinn | 59gf with a pronounced bump |
| Heavy typists | Ice King T1 | 68g bottom-out force |
| Light typists | Lavender Purple | 40gf force |
| Cherry fans | MX2A Brown | 55cN with 100 million keystroke rating |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Lavender Purple leads on actuation force at 40gf, ahead of the G Pro 3.0 Brown at 55gf. "Not listed" marks rated lifespan where the Keychron Banana leaves the figure out.
| Switche | Switch type | Actuation force | Rated life | Pack size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G Pro 3.0 Brown | Tactile | 55gf | 100 million keystrokes | Not listed |
| Keychron Banana | Tactile | 57gf | Not listed | 110 switches |
| Gateron Quinn | Tactile | 59gf | 80 million keystrokes | Not listed |
| Ice King T1 | Tactile | 58gf | 60 million keystrokes | 90 switches |
| Lavender Purple | Tactile | 40gf | 60 million keystrokes | Not listed |
| MX2A Brown | Tactile | 55gf | 100 million keystrokes | 36 switches |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Lavender Purple was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the Gateron Quinn the highest ($50 to $100) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Switches |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Lavender Purple, Keychron Banana, MX2A Brown, G Pro 3.0 Brown, Ice King T1 |
| About $50 to $100 | Gateron Quinn |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the lightest actuation force: the Lavender Purple or the G Pro 3.0 Brown?
Between the top two, it is 40gf on the Lavender Purple against 55gf on the G Pro 3.0 Brown, a 27% difference. The Gateron Quinn closes the ranking at 59gf.
What does the Gateron Quinn add over the Lavender Purple?
On paper it adds rated lifespan (80 million keystrokes against 60 million keystrokes). It does not win everywhere: the Lavender Purple still leads on actuation force (40gf). On our last price check the Lavender Purple was in the under $50 tier and the Gateron Quinn in the $50 to $100 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated lifespan decides your purchase.
Why is the Ice King T1 our Best Heavy Bottom-Out pick?
The label rests on 68g bottom-out force. The price of that: the Lavender Purple, the cheapest pick, still beats it on actuation force (40gf against 58gf). It is aimed at heavy typists.
Do the Keychron Banana and the Ice King T1 differ on pack size?
The Keychron Banana uses 110 switches; the Ice King T1 uses 90 switches; the MX2A Brown uses 36 switches. The G Pro 3.0 Brown, the Gateron Quinn and the Lavender Purple have no pack size listed, so 3 of 6 picks are covered here.
What extras do the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Keychron Banana include?
The G Pro 3.0 Brown: a 100 million keystroke rating. The Keychron Banana: a 110-switch pack. The Gateron Quinn: an 80 million keystroke rating.
Bottom Line
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown is the safe first tactile, factory lubed and rated for 100 million keystrokes. The Keychron Banana covers a full board, the Quinn and Ice King T1 have stronger bumps, the Lavender Purple is the light pick, and the Cherry MX2A Brown is the Cherry option.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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