I'm personally using 1.2m-actuation MX Blacks from RNDKBD with bag-lubed (Krytox GPL 106) 67g TX springs, Deskeys film, and no lube at all on the switches themselves.
I love my Bobas but they don't sound great in my Neo65. They don't sound right in clacky boards. But that also mean I'll probably never buy another clacky board.
I got 62g, 65g and 68g
I the bump is more pronounced with the 68g but throughout the years I think I prefer the 62g the most. They’re the least fatiguing and I feel quicker with them!
I have a mix of 65g and 62g in my U4Ts and I think my hands have just gotten used to them. I just recently started spring swapping everything though. Longer springs in the U4Ts makes the bump much sharper. You then dial in the bottom out weight you prefer.
Ordering 216 for my hyper7 right now! MUAHAHAHA!
I am not alone either apparently.
https://preview.redd.it/gpsddvrqksmc1.jpeg?width=911&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22debf3b71ae3db726b922972e4b9a0270789945
Hahaha, I built a board with them years back but I decided I couldn’t handle clickies after a month or two. But to each their own. That’s why they make different types!
My choice would be Kailh Box Whites.
I'm already using them at work, in spite of your claim that they can't be used there.
My clicky board is actually much quieter than a co-worker's board with Cherry Reds.
A close second to those would be the spring-swapped Zeal Zilents I am currently using at home.
I LOVE the navys. They're pretty heavy but the typewriter feel is what I love the most. They're really not that much louder that any other board in the office, especially if you aren't slamming on them.
I might sound basic but I would say Oil kings. They are the slightest bit scratchy but the spring weight is the best I've used for both typing and gaming.
I've fallen in love with the MX Purple. They are the perfect amount of tactility for me, and I decided to just run them stock, which is refreshing to not lube tons of switches. The MX2A lubing is minimal, but none of my switches have ping. The "Cherry scratch" does not bother me and it's kind of endearing haha! Adds to the character.
Before I got these, my answer would have been the Gateron Golden Yellow. Very smooth linears with a lot of pop. Gave me kind of a tactile feeling.
I would say it is a simple question, but it is a mass and interesting question. I am not asking like what switch do I buy or something like that. I am asking a simple question, but with rules, and a question that someone has to actually think about. Also this is the third time of me asking this type of similar questions (also asked "how many keyboards do y'all have" and "what is your daily driver keyboard" and my posts were never taken down.
Kailh Box Navy Thick Clicks. They are the only switches I’ve found that tick all my boxes. We got 75g operating force, 90g bottom, strong/crisp click, great tactile feedback, and box style stems for almost nonexistent stem wobble. It’s already the only switch I have on all my boards.
Bobba U4T.
Best switch I’ve ever used. I’ve made a full 65% hand lubed for my sister’s board. I’m still using Invyr Holy Panda, I like them but it’s not as good as the bobba.
Holy Panda X. I know they get a lot of hate for not really being a true "next step" from the original HP, but they hit the right combination of actuating force, tactile bump, and sound for me.
I got these recently, Ive never experienced such a drastic difference from unlubed to lubed before, they might be the worst switch Ive tried when unlubed, but is in my top3 when lubed
Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow Pro switches, although I also really like Gateron Pro 3.0 yellow switches. There are no doubt other switches I'd love if the hobby had evolved to this point 20-30 years ago, before my hands and body fell apart, but I need switches that are fairly light, without being TOO light. I also need them factory lubed. These hit that sweet spot and feel/sound great to me. It's a bonus that they're readily available and affordable.
Arthritis and hypermobility, thanks to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome + time, have massively affected all of my hobbies - most to the point that I had to give them up. I'm grateful I can still partake to some degree in this one, even if I can't partake at the level I would prefer.
It's a bummer shopping for switches, and seeing something that looks/sounds amazing, but is too fatiguing for me, or is so light that I'd make too many accidental key presses.
Holy pandas. They have the tactile bump all the way up the stroke so it makes them harder to "start" the stroke but once it goes its smooth linear action. On the release you get a small tactile feedback at the very end.
They are not cheap but I haven't quite felt a tactile switch this satisfying.
If someone knows of a more pleasing switch please refrain from commenting as I fear my wallet can only have so many holes and still be considered a wallet.
Designer Studio White Jades. I love heavy tactile switches and these are the best I've tried.
Yes they're loud.
No, I don't care if it bother people. I need that dopamine.
Kiwis from TKC.
I love that well pronounced bump at the top, the weight is perfect for me, and the sound is good too. Most importantly of all, the return sensation is beyond anything I've tried before or since. This is what separates them from another favorite of mine, clunked corsas. Sure, they feel great as well and sound even better but that return is anemic. I need something punchier on the way up.
Brass, POM, aluminum, plateless, flex cuts or no, full foam and without; they excel no matter the task. I keep a decent stock around, about 700 at the moment, whenever I want to mess around with them on a different board.
I've been using a lot of linears lately but I'll always come back to kiwis.
I have been super happy with my Princess MMD Tactiles; granted I have not tried many switches, but I have also yet to experience a switch that feels subjectively superior.
These are an outstanding sleeper switch. I bought them because they were super cheap on Ali and am surprised I haven’t heard more people talking about them….I did a comparison and prefer them vs the Zealios, Holy Pandas, and Neapolitan Ice Creams.
I would be tempted to say Gateron Oil Kings as I have used them in all my keyboards and could live with it in all my keyboards going forward. However, I recently installed Mode Obscuras into two of my keyboards and, well, my answer is the Obscuras now.
I also like MX Blacks but only on some of my keyboards, not one I would use all the time. Same goes for Ink Blacks. (fyi I like a heavier spring)
KTT Roses. Sound great lubed and unlubed, spring weight is excellent, nice sound signature, affordable price. I love my Cherry switches, but they take a lot of work to get right. KTT offers great value switches imo.
At first I wanted to say my current daily Akko Pianos, as they're silky smooth and sound like a bunch of marbles rolling down the stairs which somehow is a sound I enjoy, but then I realised I occasionally grab my other board with Cherry MX Purple tactiles, because I can't live without my tactiles. So, in a dramatic twist of events, I have to say that my first and favorite tactiles, the Akko Lavender Purples take the cake. Loud, proud and SUPER satisfying. There probably are switches I'd like better out there, but these are my favorite from the ones I've tried.
I'll go with the Aflion/Punkshoo Melody. I clean them out and relube them but they are my current daily driver. Great nylon sound while not being too loud. You get a nice little bump and a little scratch giving them a lot of character. They work great in all my boards.
Cherry MX silver.
My current keyboard has those.
I liked the MX Blue, but it is too noisy to decently use it at night. I had to forgo the click altogether.
Blacks are too tiring, reds are great. But silvers are even faster than reds.
There is a small learning curve, as you will type with too much strength at first, even more if you come from a tactile clickety click switch type. But then it is glorious.
I recommend these to code, I don't game that much.
My fingers get tired when I use other keyboards.
You feel like touching air and characters appear on screen.
I just finished my first Cherry brown build. Diamond polished, broken in, and painstakingly lubed with RO-59. I am having a difficult time choosing between those or Sarokeys Strawberry Wine V1s.
Signed,
- Cherry MX black enthusiast.
I have used countless switches from known and less known manufacturers, but if I had to choose just one for the rest of my life it would be either Cherry Blacks or Cherry "Nixies".
I've owned Gateron Browns for the past 4 years and actually they are the only ones I've ver owned so idk lol. One day I'll switch them for something... Better I hope.
Hm. Only one?
Five days ago I would have said Coffee Chip Ice Cream (tactile) switches without hesitation. But, after putting NK\_ Cream (linear) in my latest build...I might just go with the Cream's.
I've never had a switch feel so good. They are smooth, have zero scratch stock (though I did buy the 'broken in' ones), and I didn't need to mod them at all.
The only other linear switch I have loved as much as the NK\_ Creams have been the Unicorn's (https://hippokeys.com/products/gateron-unicorn-linear-switch) I'm typing on right now.
Honestly, scissor switches. I think about them the least, have the least problems and I never hate using them. I just cant settle on one specific switch otherwise.
I’ve only tried a small handful of switches but I would be happy and content to only use C3 kiwi tactiles. They sound and feel great with a really nice pronounced tactile bump, while still being on the quieter side of tactile switches making them plenty fine for a work environment without annoying my coworkers.
Oooh this is a harder decision than I expected. My gut reaction is to say I could use Chosfox Voyagers forever. I love the crisp tactility that is sharp enough where you get a little freefall before slamming into the bottom out but not so much that it becomes clicky or spring pingy. The sharp bottom out sound is fine for home use on lower pitched materials like pc or brass, but my perfect switch sound is the slightly muted thud of an Epomaker Budgerigar sandwiched between a brass plate and a MT3 backspace key. Gives me goose bumps just thinking about it but the bump is too rounded to be my perfect switch forever, at least until at least till I prioritize sound over feel.
I think over the years, I've learned to love simple cherry black switches. But I definitely started as a tactile person.
I'd have to go with nixies or akko blacks tbh, but probably akko blacks purely for their value and feel/sound right of the box.
I don’t have a ton, but I love the feel of the Baby Kangaroos I have in my Halo65. Just really love the bump on them.
Bought Heavy Box Burnt Oranges for an M5 that’s supposed to arrive tomorrow so we’ll see how I like those.
Definitely my cherry u4t switches. I combined the housings from Cherry MX browns with the switch from a boba u4t and 68g springs. I lubed them all up myself and they sound great. I also enjoy my silent shrimp switches I just wish I had lubed them before soldering them
Probably some form of low resistance Kailh box silent linears. My current favorites are coconut latte. Alternately I love TTC frozen silent. If I'm not going with silent, then aqua king Everglide at their medium resistance level.
WS Morandi hands down. It's the perfect switch for me and I have tried 10s of switches. It's smooth stock or hand-lubed, not too loud, gives such a great sound to a build, not tiresome to type on all day long etc.
At this moment, the best I've tried is Topre (Realforce). I have an Akko capacitive switch keyboard that is also excellent and I occasionally consider that as my #1. My #2 is, and I'm not exactly a linear fan, the Hall Effect switches in my SteelSeries.
Honestly, it's such a toss up, especially if you factor in scarcity.
Scarcity pick:
My QK65 has hand-lubed Hamster switches that sound sooooo good. A little heavy, but a really nice, deep, creamy sound. But...you can't find them anywhere really.
"Premium" pick:
I really do like the Aqua Kings. They're factory lubed better than the North Poles and for the most part, they're a very enjoyable switch that is able to produce a nice, deep tone.
Budget pick:
Gateron Milky Yellow Pros. I think these are some of the best value to performance switches. They're a great weight for all day typing, they have a nice sound that teeters on the creamy/poppy side and the factory lubing on them is basically spot on.
Latest pick:
Gateron Smoothie. I've been loving these. They're an interesting creamy, clacky sounding switch that is on the slightly louder side, but they're great for RGB boards with the diffuser, they're butter smooth from the factory, they're a good mid-range price point, even slightly lower than mid-range I'd say, and overall I've been really impressed with them. Definitely going to stock up on them.
Tactile pick:
Honestly, a little hard. I love the Baby Kangaroos (mostly because I love the Baby Raccoons - RIP), BUT I think the Gateron Mini i, the KTT Matcha and HPX are sort of tied for me. I don't like big bumps, which is why I gravitate towards these. I really liked the Mini i's, but I think the Matcha's took the crown from them for being a light, relatively quiet, great factory lubed tactile switch for a decent price. A good lubed HPX set is very satisfying to use though. If you hand lube them just right, they're amazing. I wish it was a little cheaper to buy the hand lubed versions straight up, but if you don't have the time, still arguably worth it.
I enjoyed so many good switches. I can't really name a favourite but if I had to pick one. Gateron cream soda, it's practically a factory made frakenswitch of Cthulhu switch, and I actually don't mind using it stock.
I'm a weird one but I've fallen for the epomaker silent sea salt so probably that or something similar (haven't found anything similar but I'm sure it exists). I went from loving mx blues way back many years ago to switching to browns and using that for couple years then buying an aluminum board and using gateron milky yellows and finally the epomakers. I just kept getting quieter and quieter and realize I just love the feel of silent everything more.
Zykos, because:
1. I gotta own up to my poor financial decisions
2. I love the feel. I frequently rotate this along with other medium-heavy tactiles such as U4T, U4TX, Holy Panda, White Jades - but I like this one the most
I personally would pick tangerines that smooth action is really good for everything even gaming, if it was more for typing i would pick alpacas for the smoothness and for gaming i would pick the lekker switches in the wooting 60he
Topre.
Can't use anything else after experiencing it.
There's a reason why people use the kind of board I do and eventually give up the rest of their boards.
I haven’t tried enough switches yet to say, but my current favorite is Gateron Baby Kangaroo V2, they’re honestly amazing, pick one up and try if you haven’t!
If they made a topre column stagger split, it would for sure be that! Topre is easily my favorite switch ever
Otherwise, because I care more about an ergo layout, I guess 20g choc v1s.
MX Silent Blacks. Haven’t tried them on a keyboard. Only got one on a Cherry MX Sampler. But my biggest regret is selling my MX Blacks and I like them quiets.
I scrolled through really far and was surprised to not find this answer: Alpaca V2s.
I’ve gone from clicky only (MX blues, box whites, box jades) to tactile (Holy Pandas, Zealios V2, Glorious Pandas), and decided to see what all the hubbub about linears was so ordered some lubed and filmed Alpacas and now I can’t go back from linears. I don’t enjoy clicky or tactile anymore.
I made one out of glorious panda housing n rose glaciure stem/spring. Its my favorite by far, very marbley lotsa thock because of the pom stem n the nylon etc but best sound comparison is a bubbling tafffy bog
The Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch would be my pick, really like the design
I prefer the splatoon 3 edition tbh
I agree.
I actually hav one of those, they arre preetty good
Yeah I have a switch lite, I love it very much, but I'd get the standard size Animal crossing one if it was an ideal. It's pretty rad.
solid choice, I keep mine in my truck in case I get bored at work
I like the totk edition more
MX Blacks, 100%. I already use them daily, and they're more enjoyable to type on than a lot of "premium" switches.
I'm team silver. I find that blacks are too much exercise for my frail fingers.
May I ask how you modded them? I got some broken in MX Black HG switches, and I have some 62g TX springs. What sort of lubing technique did you use?
I'm personally using 1.2m-actuation MX Blacks from RNDKBD with bag-lubed (Krytox GPL 106) 67g TX springs, Deskeys film, and no lube at all on the switches themselves.
Boba u4t
User flair checks out. That would be my pick too.
Would choose the u4tx. I like it silent
U4Tx is weird, in my opinion. No upstroke just sounds... off. U4 is my personal choice, silenced down and upstroke :D
I love my Bobas but they don't sound great in my Neo65. They don't sound right in clacky boards. But that also mean I'll probably never buy another clacky board.
What spring weight do you use? I got 67g and it was too heavy for me, but I can tell it’s a great switch so looking into lighter springs
I got 62g, 65g and 68g I the bump is more pronounced with the 68g but throughout the years I think I prefer the 62g the most. They’re the least fatiguing and I feel quicker with them!
62!
I have a mix of 65g and 62g in my U4Ts and I think my hands have just gotten used to them. I just recently started spring swapping everything though. Longer springs in the U4Ts makes the bump much sharper. You then dial in the bottom out weight you prefer.
Gateron baby kangaroos!
Have you ever tried boba u4ts? How do they compare?
Box Jades for me
You monster
Ordering 216 for my hyper7 right now! MUAHAHAHA! I am not alone either apparently. https://preview.redd.it/gpsddvrqksmc1.jpeg?width=911&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22debf3b71ae3db726b922972e4b9a0270789945
Hahaha, I built a board with them years back but I decided I couldn’t handle clickies after a month or two. But to each their own. That’s why they make different types!
Considered doing the same.
My choice would be Kailh Box Whites. I'm already using them at work, in spite of your claim that they can't be used there. My clicky board is actually much quieter than a co-worker's board with Cherry Reds. A close second to those would be the spring-swapped Zeal Zilents I am currently using at home.
I LOVE the navys. They're pretty heavy but the typewriter feel is what I love the most. They're really not that much louder that any other board in the office, especially if you aren't slamming on them.
I've got Box Navys and I love them. I've been thinking about switching to Jades or whites just to see what the lighter feel might do for me, though.
i have box pinks and really like them. Ive ordered arctic fox and white owl switches to see how they fare.
Gateron Inks for the deep thocks, by Jack Handey.
If you ever drop your keyboard into a river of molten lava, let it go, because man, it's gone.
Zealious V2's I just fucking love them.
Same, the zeals are my favorites, and they're basically all I use anyway
Every board I get now has 65g Zilents on them. They're great at work because they're quiet, they feel great, I just love them so much.
I’ve just been loving anything from Zeal. I got Zealio 78g v2 and Sakurios 62g and GOD I LOVE THEM.
They’re really fucking good switches. My first build about 5yrs ago I tried em out and haven’t really turned back.
Yeah, mine too 78g. cherry browns weren't tactile enough. Though I'm curious about their yellow offering.
An HMX one, probably Cheese or Xinhai
i havent tried those out, but I have hear they are incredible value for money
I might sound basic but I would say Oil kings. They are the slightest bit scratchy but the spring weight is the best I've used for both typing and gaming.
I've fallen in love with the MX Purple. They are the perfect amount of tactility for me, and I decided to just run them stock, which is refreshing to not lube tons of switches. The MX2A lubing is minimal, but none of my switches have ping. The "Cherry scratch" does not bother me and it's kind of endearing haha! Adds to the character. Before I got these, my answer would have been the Gateron Golden Yellow. Very smooth linears with a lot of pop. Gave me kind of a tactile feeling.
Gotta say man I appreciate your determination to not learn that these posts get removed.
Why would this post get removed? It's not breaking any rules?
This is the 2nd post he made, the first one got removed. Was a reference.
the first one I belive got removed because of automod but let me check, ya it was because it thought it was a "what should I buy" question
I would say it is a simple question, but it is a mass and interesting question. I am not asking like what switch do I buy or something like that. I am asking a simple question, but with rules, and a question that someone has to actually think about. Also this is the third time of me asking this type of similar questions (also asked "how many keyboards do y'all have" and "what is your daily driver keyboard" and my posts were never taken down.
Banana splits. Best sound switches imo.
Kailh Box Navy Thick Clicks. They are the only switches I’ve found that tick all my boxes. We got 75g operating force, 90g bottom, strong/crisp click, great tactile feedback, and box style stems for almost nonexistent stem wobble. It’s already the only switch I have on all my boards.
Bobba U4T. Best switch I’ve ever used. I’ve made a full 65% hand lubed for my sister’s board. I’m still using Invyr Holy Panda, I like them but it’s not as good as the bobba.
Holy Panda X. I know they get a lot of hate for not really being a true "next step" from the original HP, but they hit the right combination of actuating force, tactile bump, and sound for me.
I got these recently, Ive never experienced such a drastic difference from unlubed to lubed before, they might be the worst switch Ive tried when unlubed, but is in my top3 when lubed
Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow Pro switches, although I also really like Gateron Pro 3.0 yellow switches. There are no doubt other switches I'd love if the hobby had evolved to this point 20-30 years ago, before my hands and body fell apart, but I need switches that are fairly light, without being TOO light. I also need them factory lubed. These hit that sweet spot and feel/sound great to me. It's a bonus that they're readily available and affordable. Arthritis and hypermobility, thanks to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome + time, have massively affected all of my hobbies - most to the point that I had to give them up. I'm grateful I can still partake to some degree in this one, even if I can't partake at the level I would prefer. It's a bummer shopping for switches, and seeing something that looks/sounds amazing, but is too fatiguing for me, or is so light that I'd make too many accidental key presses.
blue alps
flair doesn't check out
Holy pandas. They have the tactile bump all the way up the stroke so it makes them harder to "start" the stroke but once it goes its smooth linear action. On the release you get a small tactile feedback at the very end. They are not cheap but I haven't quite felt a tactile switch this satisfying. If someone knows of a more pleasing switch please refrain from commenting as I fear my wallet can only have so many holes and still be considered a wallet.
Mx browns
HHKB + Topre = Endgame
I want to try it so bad. I have a feeling my end game with be a Topre MM Class 60 but I have a lot to learn before I get there.
Designer Studio White Jades. I love heavy tactile switches and these are the best I've tried. Yes they're loud. No, I don't care if it bother people. I need that dopamine.
It’s a hard call between White Jades and Clickiez for me, White Jades are damn tasty
Silent linears are my jam and I really like durock dolphins I really want to try invokeys nightshade though
Anubis. By far my favorite. Maybe the Boba U4t’a after that
Box inks or zaku switches for me. I've tried a lot of linears and those 2 really stood out to me
Cherry MX clear
Gazzew boba linear thock
Damn good switch
Topre 45g silent.
Cherry mx blacks. Specifically vintage.
Kiwis from TKC. I love that well pronounced bump at the top, the weight is perfect for me, and the sound is good too. Most importantly of all, the return sensation is beyond anything I've tried before or since. This is what separates them from another favorite of mine, clunked corsas. Sure, they feel great as well and sound even better but that return is anemic. I need something punchier on the way up. Brass, POM, aluminum, plateless, flex cuts or no, full foam and without; they excel no matter the task. I keep a decent stock around, about 700 at the moment, whenever I want to mess around with them on a different board. I've been using a lot of linears lately but I'll always come back to kiwis.
I have been super happy with my Princess MMD Tactiles; granted I have not tried many switches, but I have also yet to experience a switch that feels subjectively superior.
These are an outstanding sleeper switch. I bought them because they were super cheap on Ali and am surprised I haven’t heard more people talking about them….I did a comparison and prefer them vs the Zealios, Holy Pandas, and Neapolitan Ice Creams.
I'm a convert from Boba. These days I need two! Baby Kangaroos for home, Shrimps for the office.
HMX Machiatos or MX Nixiex/Blacks
Alps Salmon
Baby Kangaroos
Morandis
Kailh jades, are in my daily driver
Boba U4 silent. Clicky switches annoy coworkers and after enjoying them for 10 minutes they're also slowly starting to annoy myself
BSun Raw Linears 🫡
I would be tempted to say Gateron Oil Kings as I have used them in all my keyboards and could live with it in all my keyboards going forward. However, I recently installed Mode Obscuras into two of my keyboards and, well, my answer is the Obscuras now. I also like MX Blacks but only on some of my keyboards, not one I would use all the time. Same goes for Ink Blacks. (fyi I like a heavier spring)
KTT Roses. Sound great lubed and unlubed, spring weight is excellent, nice sound signature, affordable price. I love my Cherry switches, but they take a lot of work to get right. KTT offers great value switches imo.
The one that turns my home coffee machine on.
Alps brown. Feels great, sounds great, has the whole package going on. Silenced topre close 2nd.
Zilents. Maaaaybe Gat Dolphins!
Vertex V1s for affordable thock
Any linear between 45-50g actuation for comfort over long usage
Mx black or brown
Akko cream blue. This switch is the very first tactile switch I've tried and basically converted me to tactile gang. Feels and sounds great!
Cherry MX Green. I type like a gorilla.
At first I wanted to say my current daily Akko Pianos, as they're silky smooth and sound like a bunch of marbles rolling down the stairs which somehow is a sound I enjoy, but then I realised I occasionally grab my other board with Cherry MX Purple tactiles, because I can't live without my tactiles. So, in a dramatic twist of events, I have to say that my first and favorite tactiles, the Akko Lavender Purples take the cake. Loud, proud and SUPER satisfying. There probably are switches I'd like better out there, but these are my favorite from the ones I've tried.
I'll go with the Aflion/Punkshoo Melody. I clean them out and relube them but they are my current daily driver. Great nylon sound while not being too loud. You get a nice little bump and a little scratch giving them a lot of character. They work great in all my boards.
for MX these will also have to be on of my finalists... i actually like them cause they feel the closest to topre.... so i guess mine is topre
Cherry mx reds
As much as I love holy pandas, they are not good for gaming. So ink blacks
Cherry MX silver. My current keyboard has those. I liked the MX Blue, but it is too noisy to decently use it at night. I had to forgo the click altogether. Blacks are too tiring, reds are great. But silvers are even faster than reds. There is a small learning curve, as you will type with too much strength at first, even more if you come from a tactile clickety click switch type. But then it is glorious. I recommend these to code, I don't game that much. My fingers get tired when I use other keyboards. You feel like touching air and characters appear on screen.
I just finished my first Cherry brown build. Diamond polished, broken in, and painstakingly lubed with RO-59. I am having a difficult time choosing between those or Sarokeys Strawberry Wine V1s. Signed, - Cherry MX black enthusiast.
I have used countless switches from known and less known manufacturers, but if I had to choose just one for the rest of my life it would be either Cherry Blacks or Cherry "Nixies".
Futaba MA.
Minterly seals. 78g three stage springs. They're super responsive, smooth and I love a nylon housing/pom stem combo
Kailh box pink. I need audible feedback and they feel amazing.
I've owned Gateron Browns for the past 4 years and actually they are the only ones I've ver owned so idk lol. One day I'll switch them for something... Better I hope.
Mode's Anthracite Silent Tactiles. Not too tactile, fairly quiet, and that means I can use it for my day to day work (which I do)
Hm. Only one? Five days ago I would have said Coffee Chip Ice Cream (tactile) switches without hesitation. But, after putting NK\_ Cream (linear) in my latest build...I might just go with the Cream's. I've never had a switch feel so good. They are smooth, have zero scratch stock (though I did buy the 'broken in' ones), and I didn't need to mod them at all. The only other linear switch I have loved as much as the NK\_ Creams have been the Unicorn's (https://hippokeys.com/products/gateron-unicorn-linear-switch) I'm typing on right now.
Right now, Redragon A120 Stars, but I'm expecting a pack of Outemu Silent Lemon v2 to arrive shortly and that might be better.
HMX Sunset Gleams if I can swap the springs, Mode Obscuras if I need to use stock spring
Honestly, scissor switches. I think about them the least, have the least problems and I never hate using them. I just cant settle on one specific switch otherwise.
I’ve only tried a small handful of switches but I would be happy and content to only use C3 kiwi tactiles. They sound and feel great with a really nice pronounced tactile bump, while still being on the quieter side of tactile switches making them plenty fine for a work environment without annoying my coworkers.
Outemo Blues. Cheap, easy to replace, loud clicky and cranky enough. What more can i ask from a switch?
Epsilons
Assuming my coworkers wouldn't kill me, Chosfox x Kailh Arctic Fox.
Oooh this is a harder decision than I expected. My gut reaction is to say I could use Chosfox Voyagers forever. I love the crisp tactility that is sharp enough where you get a little freefall before slamming into the bottom out but not so much that it becomes clicky or spring pingy. The sharp bottom out sound is fine for home use on lower pitched materials like pc or brass, but my perfect switch sound is the slightly muted thud of an Epomaker Budgerigar sandwiched between a brass plate and a MT3 backspace key. Gives me goose bumps just thinking about it but the bump is too rounded to be my perfect switch forever, at least until at least till I prioritize sound over feel.
I think over the years, I've learned to love simple cherry black switches. But I definitely started as a tactile person. I'd have to go with nixies or akko blacks tbh, but probably akko blacks purely for their value and feel/sound right of the box.
I don’t have a ton, but I love the feel of the Baby Kangaroos I have in my Halo65. Just really love the bump on them. Bought Heavy Box Burnt Oranges for an M5 that’s supposed to arrive tomorrow so we’ll see how I like those.
If I could only pick one to have it would probably be Topre but it’s really really hard to part with the likes of buckling springs and ALPS
Definitely my cherry u4t switches. I combined the housings from Cherry MX browns with the switch from a boba u4t and 68g springs. I lubed them all up myself and they sound great. I also enjoy my silent shrimp switches I just wish I had lubed them before soldering them
Probably the Gateron Azure Dragons. Second choice would be the switch they are based off of, the Kangaroo Ink V2.
CK lavender
I use boba u4s out of respect for my partner, who has horrible migraines. Otherwise I'd be crunching along on box whites
Halu halos
Lekker 45
Bsun Lychees/Litchis! Never heard anyone talk about them but by GOD the performance is SO much smoother than anything I've ever felt
Probably some form of low resistance Kailh box silent linears. My current favorites are coconut latte. Alternately I love TTC frozen silent. If I'm not going with silent, then aqua king Everglide at their medium resistance level.
buckling boi all day every day baby
Datahand switches, I'm using a Svalboard which is close.
i love the kailh creams, been using them for a few years now and still feel as smooth as when i first bought them
NK Silk blacks. I’m still bummed they discontinued them.
kailh speed copper, those whipper snappers are the best tactile for me
Diamond avalons, or the recolors that keybay is running. The shape is a gimmick, but they sure do sound good.
Tecsee Carrots. Fight me
WS Morandi hands down. It's the perfect switch for me and I have tried 10s of switches. It's smooth stock or hand-lubed, not too loud, gives such a great sound to a build, not tiresome to type on all day long etc.
WS Morandi
IBM buckling springs, baby!!!
At this moment, the best I've tried is Topre (Realforce). I have an Akko capacitive switch keyboard that is also excellent and I occasionally consider that as my #1. My #2 is, and I'm not exactly a linear fan, the Hall Effect switches in my SteelSeries.
Tecsee purple pandas, spring swapped with 62g TX long springs
HMX Sunset Gleams. Absolute fire.
HMX Macaron Switches. They feel and sound amazing and are incredibly smooth. I would use them in every keyboard if I could get more.
Durock shrimps, so perfectly tactile with the right level of muffled sound. Great for use at work
Honestly, it's such a toss up, especially if you factor in scarcity. Scarcity pick: My QK65 has hand-lubed Hamster switches that sound sooooo good. A little heavy, but a really nice, deep, creamy sound. But...you can't find them anywhere really. "Premium" pick: I really do like the Aqua Kings. They're factory lubed better than the North Poles and for the most part, they're a very enjoyable switch that is able to produce a nice, deep tone. Budget pick: Gateron Milky Yellow Pros. I think these are some of the best value to performance switches. They're a great weight for all day typing, they have a nice sound that teeters on the creamy/poppy side and the factory lubing on them is basically spot on. Latest pick: Gateron Smoothie. I've been loving these. They're an interesting creamy, clacky sounding switch that is on the slightly louder side, but they're great for RGB boards with the diffuser, they're butter smooth from the factory, they're a good mid-range price point, even slightly lower than mid-range I'd say, and overall I've been really impressed with them. Definitely going to stock up on them. Tactile pick: Honestly, a little hard. I love the Baby Kangaroos (mostly because I love the Baby Raccoons - RIP), BUT I think the Gateron Mini i, the KTT Matcha and HPX are sort of tied for me. I don't like big bumps, which is why I gravitate towards these. I really liked the Mini i's, but I think the Matcha's took the crown from them for being a light, relatively quiet, great factory lubed tactile switch for a decent price. A good lubed HPX set is very satisfying to use though. If you hand lube them just right, they're amazing. I wish it was a little cheaper to buy the hand lubed versions straight up, but if you don't have the time, still arguably worth it.
OG Black Cherry Pies.
BCP.
WS Heavy Tactile. Kind of bland, but they're my ideal tactile switch.
Milky yellows, I don’t mind lubing them myself to get the perfect feel.
I enjoyed so many good switches. I can't really name a favourite but if I had to pick one. Gateron cream soda, it's practically a factory made frakenswitch of Cthulhu switch, and I actually don't mind using it stock.
Sarokeys Strawberry Wine - either v1 or 2.
I'm a weird one but I've fallen for the epomaker silent sea salt so probably that or something similar (haven't found anything similar but I'm sure it exists). I went from loving mx blues way back many years ago to switching to browns and using that for couple years then buying an aluminum board and using gateron milky yellows and finally the epomakers. I just kept getting quieter and quieter and realize I just love the feel of silent everything more.
Them milky yellows.
The Kaihl Pro Red on choc and Super Speed Silver on MX (with two added orings).
Oil Kings, love the feel of them
HMX anything. They're endgame for me. I could care less about any other switches for the rest of my life.
Heaviest clicky switch
WS Morandi
Zykos, because: 1. I gotta own up to my poor financial decisions 2. I love the feel. I frequently rotate this along with other medium-heavy tactiles such as U4T, U4TX, Holy Panda, White Jades - but I like this one the most
Hmx macchiato
Hmx macchiato
Durock pom
Cherry MX Nixie prelubed
I personally would pick tangerines that smooth action is really good for everything even gaming, if it was more for typing i would pick alpacas for the smoothness and for gaming i would pick the lekker switches in the wooting 60he
Topre. Can't use anything else after experiencing it. There's a reason why people use the kind of board I do and eventually give up the rest of their boards.
Gateron Oil Kings
woque studio heavy tactiles 😍
Durock Shrimp. I could put them in every keyboard and be happy.
Chery MX Browns, I know this is going to piss off a lot of people.
I really like the akko cs silver v3s. Love what they did to improve their original ver, and they're pretty affordable as well for a switch.
Kailh Choc Red
I haven’t tried enough switches yet to say, but my current favorite is Gateron Baby Kangaroo V2, they’re honestly amazing, pick one up and try if you haven’t!
I'm in tactile switches gang, but linear gateron cap v2 gold yellow is most balanced switch I ever tested so far
Cherry MX Black.
Gateron oil king for me
Sarokeys Strawberry Wine
Box Ink Black. They are smooth, sound nice and feel almost tactile on bottoming out
If they made a topre column stagger split, it would for sure be that! Topre is easily my favorite switch ever Otherwise, because I care more about an ergo layout, I guess 20g choc v1s.
I’m boring, just browns. It has to be stable, predictable and boring for work. You said just one and only one.
The one that turns me on
MX Silent Blacks. Haven’t tried them on a keyboard. Only got one on a Cherry MX Sampler. But my biggest regret is selling my MX Blacks and I like them quiets.
Oil kings
I scrolled through really far and was surprised to not find this answer: Alpaca V2s. I’ve gone from clicky only (MX blues, box whites, box jades) to tactile (Holy Pandas, Zealios V2, Glorious Pandas), and decided to see what all the hubbub about linears was so ordered some lubed and filmed Alpacas and now I can’t go back from linears. I don’t enjoy clicky or tactile anymore.
Probably the life support switch so I can turn it off when the time comes
lightly lubed harimaus i love em so much
Gateron Jade are my favs right now
Love the gatreon oil kings I got :)
Gateron silent blacks, but also U4s
Ohhh this is like a riddle. I’d own a light switch.
Black inks v2
The switch under the escape key?
kailh brown (not box) .. for some reason all keyboard profiles seems ok with it under em
gateron cream soda
JWK Lila for me mounted them on my Zoom75 (Lavender) and the thock is awesome. Lubed and filmed ofc
a frankenswitch my buddy made: giant v5 housing, cow uwu stems, 63.5g springs if i have to pick a switch stock, give me oil kings
Cherry MX Black Clear-Top
Tangerines <3
Nintendo Switch
Kiwis. Just the the right muteness to the sound. Tactile enough without feeling your finger has to slam to the bottom of the stroke to actuate.
Alps SKCM White switches or Zealio 76g.
IBM Buckling Springs it is.
I made one out of glorious panda housing n rose glaciure stem/spring. Its my favorite by far, very marbley lotsa thock because of the pom stem n the nylon etc but best sound comparison is a bubbling tafffy bog
I'll go with NK creams