The three switch types

Linear. A smooth press from top to bottom with no bump or click. Many gamers like it for double-taps and quick strafing.

Tactile. A bump partway down that tells you the key has registered. It helps typing accuracy and gives clear feedback.

Clicky. A tactile bump plus a sharp click. It sounds loud, so it is rarely a fit for shared rooms.

TravelForce LinearTactileClicky
How the three switch types feel. Force against travel, drawn qualitatively. Linear is smooth, tactile has a bump at the actuation point, clicky adds a sharp click.

Which suits gaming

Neither type is faster. The speed of a switch is set by its actuation distance and your finger, not by its feel. Linear suits rapid repeated presses because there is no bump to push through, and tactile suits people who like confirmation. If you also type a lot, tactile is a safe middle.

Pick based on feel, noise and what you play. A switch tester is the best way to find out, because the difference is physical. If a key ever feels mushy or inconsistent, see why keys feel mushy.

Editorial photograph of a compact mechanical keyboard next to a mouse on a desk mat
A compact keyboard next to a mouse.

Noise, force and travel

Noise comes from the bottom-out hit and the keycaps more than from the switch type, so a clicky switch is the only type that is loud by design. Force (how hard you press) and travel (how far the key moves) vary by switch model. Makers list them, so compare the numbers on the page of the specific board.

Low-profile switches, like the GL switches on the G515, have a shorter travel. Logitech lists a 1.3 mm actuation point on that board.

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Common mistakes when choosing

The biggest mistake is buying on a reputation. Switch feel is personal, so a switch that a friend loves may not suit you. The second is chasing speed claims: a lighter or "faster" switch does not make you click faster. The third is ignoring noise if you share a room, especially with clicky types.

Test and swap

A hot-swap keyboard lets you change switches without soldering, which is the easiest way to try another type. Check what you buy with the Keyboard Tester, which lights keys as they register and flags a key that repeats within 30 ms. A switch tester sampler is a cheap way to try many switches first.