As a passionate writer, I’ve come to appreciate the benefits of light mechanical keyboard switches for their effortless and speedy keystrokes. Ideal for gaming and high-speed applications, these switches offer quick responsiveness and an excellent typing experience. However, with over 400 switch options on the market, choosing the right one can be daunting. In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the lightest mechanical keyboard switches, with linear, tactile, and clicky options to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.
- Kailh Box Red Pro – The Lightest Linear Switches
- Hako Violet – The Lightest Tactile Switches
- Zeal Clickiez 75g – The Lightest Clicky Switches
Kailh Box Red Pro - Lightest Linear Switch
$0.56 Per Switch
Switch | Kailh Box Red Pro |
|---|---|
Mount Type | 3-pin Plate Mount |
Travel distance | 3.6 mm Total Travel | 1.8mm Pre Travel |
Force | 35 g Actuation Force |
Price | $0.56 per switch [Price may differ] |
The Kailh Box Red Pro is an exceptional linear switch that stands out as the lightest option on the market today.
Its 35g actuation weight makes it an excellent choice for users who prefer a gentle touch while typing or gaming. Furthermore, its crosspoint technology with 18k gold contacts ensures a smooth and responsive feel with each keystroke, contributing to a better overall typing experience.
Apart from its lightweight design and responsive feel, the Kailh Box Red Pro also boasts an impressive IP56 rating, which makes it resistant to dust and moisture. Its box design around the cross-stem helps prevent debris buildup and corrosion, providing added protection to the contact plate and leaf. This feature makes the Kailh Box Red Pro a reliable option for users who demand high levels of durability and protection from their keyboard switches.
Another great feature of the Kailh Box Red Pro is its compatibility with the Cherry MX form. This compatibility allows users to switch to Kailh Box Red Pro without having to sacrifice their existing keycap collection. The MX-compatible stems of this switch ensure a secure fit for any keycaps, PCBs, or plates you might want to assemble, although it should be noted that the switch is only compatible with SMD-led and not with switch LED.
As far as materials go, the Kailh Box Red Pro switch is made of:
- PC for the top housing
- PA66 for the bottom housing
- POM for the stem
Finally, the Kailh Box Red Pro has an impressive lifespan of around 80 million keystrokes, making it one of the longest-lasting switches on the market. This long lifespan is due to the switch’s high-quality construction and its ability to withstand heavy usage over an extended period.
The Kailh Box Red Pro is an outstanding choice for users looking for a linear switch that offers a light touch, durability, and longevity. Its lightweight design, responsive feel, IP56 rating, Cherry MX compatibility, and long lifespan make it an ideal option for users who demand the best from their keyboard switches.
Hako Violet - Lightest Tactile Switch
$0.65 Per Switch
Switch | Hako Violet |
|---|---|
Mount Type | 3-pin Plate Mount |
Travel distance | 3.6 mm Total Travel | 1.88mm Pre Travel |
Force | 28g Actuation Force | 50g Bottom Out Force |
Price | $0.65 per switch [Price may differ] |
The Hako Violet switch is an excellent option for users seeking the lightest tactile switch available on the market. Designed by Input Club and NovelKeys, this switch combines elements from Hako and Royal switches to create a unique and responsive typing experience.
With an actuation force of only 28g, the Hako Violet switch delivers an incredibly light and effortless keystroke. Despite its light feel, the switch has been carefully designed to provide a gentle and soft touch, similar to the Gateron-Brown switch, with a perfectly trimmed pretravel and bump.
This switch is versatile and can be used for both gaming and typing thanks to its lighter springs and lower resistance, which make for a smooth and responsive experience.
The Hako Violet switch’s longevity is impressive, with an estimated lifespan of 80 million keystrokes, which is longer than many other switches on the market. Its bespoke slider design also eliminates wobble, making it highly stable, while its box switch construction offers superior protection against contaminants.
One unique feature of the Hako Violet switch is the 10-gram post-tactile cushion in the form of a resistance ramp, which reduces bottom-out harshness, making for a more comfortable typing experience.
The Hako Violet uses:
- PC for the top housing
- PA66 for the bottom housing
- POM for the stem
Overall, the Hako Violet switch is an exceptional choice for users looking for a light and responsive typing experience. Its low actuation force, light touch, tactility, longevity, and stability make it a standout option for anyone in need of a high-quality and versatile switch.
Zeal Clickiez 40g - Lightest Clicky Switch
$1.29 Per Switch
Switch | Zeal Clickiez 75g |
|---|---|
Mount Type | 5-Pin PCB Mount |
Travel distance | 2.0mm Pre Travel | 4.0mm Total Travel |
Force | 32g Actuation Force | 40g Bottom Out Force |
Price | $1.29 per switch [Price may differ] |
The Zeal Clickiez switches, with the green stem, are currently the lightest clicky switches on the market, providing a satisfying clicking experience while also being extremely light.
These switches are revolutionary and offer exceptional versatility and customization options. They are the world’s first 3-in-1 MX switch that can transform into three different MX-style switches with a non-permanent modification to the leaf.
The Clickiez switch has a patent-pending multi-mode click leaf design that can be changed from Clicky to Ultra High Tactile to super smooth Linear switch modes by moving the secondary switch leaf within the housing. These switches are compatible with Cherry profile keycaps and are available in two versions:
- Clickiez 40g version with a green stem (light version)
- Clickiez 75g version with a yellow stem
Designed with the latest Gateron CAP series, the Zeal Clickiez switches offer added stability to the stem, making them more lube-friendly, and the use of environmentally friendly ABS material ensures a comfortable feel. These switches are also constructed with high-quality materials for durability and practicality.
They are made of:
- PC for the top housing
- PA66 for the bottom housing
- POM for the stem
Note that the Zeal Clickiez switches are not compatible with Costar stabilizers, only with Cherry stabilizers.
In conclusion, the Zeal Clickiez switches are an exceptional choice for anyone seeking a versatile and customizable clicky switch and are a must-have for any keyboard enthusiast’s collection. They are by far one of the best clicky switches in general, while being the lightest out there.
Conclusion
To sum up, the world of keyboard switches offers a vast range of options, each designed to suit various preferences and requirements. If you’re after a light linear switch, the Kailh Box Red Pro is an excellent choice.
Those seeking the lightest tactile switch may prefer the Hako Violet. Meanwhile, the Zeal Clickiez switches are a great option for those who desire a clicky switch with an extremely light feel.
No matter which switches you choose, the lightest switches deliver fast, effortless, and satisfying keystrokes, making them suitable for both gaming and typing, especially for people with a soft touch and light hands.
Ultimately, selecting the ideal switch depends on your individual needs, and exploring the various options can be a fun and rewarding experience for keyboard enthusiasts.