Choosing the best keyboard switches boils down to your needs and preferences. There isn't a 'best keyboard switch' for all people and all situations. We've tested 101 switches and narrowed down eight recommendations for different switch feelings, different price points, and different uses.

If you're new to the hobby and are confused about some of the terms, we'll quickly examine the different kinds of mechanical switches in the Additional Details section. Also, note that the pricing of keyboard switches can vary quite a bit depending on the quantity you purchase and the website you buy them from. It might be worth shopping around a little!

If you're looking for more specific 'best switches' recommendations, see our picks for the best linear switches, the best tactile switches, the best clicky switches, and the best gaming switches.

Best Tactile Switch

Gazzew Boba U4T

While keyboard switch preferences are hard to pin down for everyone—we recommend the Gazzew Boba U4T (62g) as the best tactile switch for most people. Note that they can be difficult to find in stock with major online retailers, but it's worth checking specialist distributors like MechMods or KEYGEM. These switches have minimal pre-travel before ramping into a pronounced and rounded tactile bump that you ride along its long stem throw nearly to the bottom of the keystroke. Typing on these switches is also remarkably stable with very tight stem tolerances, and they come with light lubing from the factory, so they're fairly smooth-moving right out of the box. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, these switches have a reputation for producing a deep and satisfying 'thocky' sound that's highly sought after.

You can buy these switches in several different spring weight options, depending on the retailer. We tested the slightly lighter 62g spring variant, but there are also more medium-weight 65g and 69g variants. Simply put, this all boils down to preference. Lighter springs do a great job of preserving the overall tactility. In contrast, higher spring weights add a bit of cushion towards the bottom of the keypress, which can be a boon for heavier typists to avoid bottoming out too hard.

Best Linear Switche

Gateron Ink Black V2

The best linear switches we recommend for most people are the Gateron Ink Black V2. These switches are an enduring favorite among custom keyboard enthusiasts, and it's not hard to understand why. Much of what draws people to linear switches is their completely fluid actuation feel, and these switches are some of the smoothest switches you can find right out of the box. They also have a much-admired sound profile that's quite deep and rich but on the quieter side, making these a great option if you're looking to avoid bothering those around you.

The standout weakness these switches are known for is they tend to be a bit wobbly to type on despite having a five-pin design, which typically adds stability. Thankfully, you can easily add switch films when building your board, which go a long way in addressing the stability issues and really can elevate this switch's overall typing experience.

Best Clicky Switch

Kailh Box Jade

For clicky devotees, we recommend Kailh Box Jade switches. Note that the pricing for these switches can really depend on how many switches you're buying at a time, but we recommend shopping around as they're at their best value for around $0.50 per switch. These switches have a snappy tactile action and a click bar design that creates a loud and deeply resonant 'click' on the downstroke as well as the upstroke. These switches also have a dustproof stem design, providing good stability to the overall switch system.

While these sound and feel great out of the box, lubing them yourself can dampen some of this switch's ping and higher-pitched notes. Be sure to note that these switches are also decidedly heavy-feeling. While this is a major reason why some people adore these switches, they won't be for everyone. If you're concerned about your fingers tiring out, you may want to check out the noticeably lighter-feeling Kailh Box White V2 switches, our best budget clicky pick below.