The 5 Best Clicky Switches for Your Keyboard (2023)

Want your neighbors to hear you typing? Love the way typewriters sound? You need a clicky switch!

Sadly, GOOD clicky switches are harder to find than linears or tactiles (But even if you DON’T want the constant click, did you know there are plenty of clicky switches that aren’t insanely loud? That can be great for gaming or everyday use?

Here are my recommendations for the best clicky switches:

  • Kailh Box Pink (Best Overall)
  • Kailh Box Jade (Loudest & Thickest)
  • Kailh Speed Gold (Best for Gaming)
  • Kailh NK Sherbet (Best Premium clicky switch)
  • Cherry MX Blue (Best “tappy” and light clicky switch)

Having typed on ALL of these switches, I’m going to go ahead and label myself a clicky switch enthusiast at this point.

Best Overall
Kailh Box Pink
Loudest
Kailh box Jade
Best for Gaming
Kailh Speed Gold
Premium Pick
NK Sherbet
Wholesales Kailh Crystal Box Royal Navy Jade Pink Heavy Box 5 pin Switches IP56 Water-Proof Compatible Cherry MX...
10 Pack Kailh Box Switch Jade RGB SMD for Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 3 pin Switches IP56 Water-Proof Compatible...
KAILH Cream Speed Pro MX SMD 3 Pin RGB Switches for Backlit Mechanical Gaming keyboard (Speed Gold,68 pcs) (Speed...
KPREPUBLIC NovelKeys x Kailh Sherbet Switch 3pin 2pin RGB SMD Clickbar Orange 45g Force mx stem Switch for Backlit...
Price not available
$10.99
$26.00
Price not available
Clicky switch?
KeebNews Notes!
Crunchy clicks, satisfying
Super crunchy and metallic. LOUD.
More muted & fast
A community favorite
Best Overall
Kailh Box Pink
Wholesales Kailh Crystal Box Royal Navy Jade Pink Heavy Box 5 pin Switches IP56 Water-Proof Compatible Cherry MX...
Price not available
Clicky switch?
KeebNews Notes!
Crunchy clicks, satisfying
Loudest
Kailh box Jade
10 Pack Kailh Box Switch Jade RGB SMD for Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 3 pin Switches IP56 Water-Proof Compatible...
$10.99
Clicky switch?
KeebNews Notes!
Super crunchy and metallic. LOUD.
Best for Gaming
Kailh Speed Gold
KAILH Cream Speed Pro MX SMD 3 Pin RGB Switches for Backlit Mechanical Gaming keyboard (Speed Gold,68 pcs) (Speed...
$26.00
Clicky switch?
KeebNews Notes!
More muted & fast
Premium Pick
NK Sherbet
KPREPUBLIC NovelKeys x Kailh Sherbet Switch 3pin 2pin RGB SMD Clickbar Orange 45g Force mx stem Switch for Backlit...
Price not available
Clicky switch?
KeebNews Notes!
A community favorite

(I’ll also share some runner-ups in each category below!)

What are Clicky Switches?

All switches fall under 3 broad categories:

  • Linear: The simplest type. Pressing them is a straight, smooth path from the top to the bottom. There’s no tactile or auditory feedback when you press them, and they require the least amount of force to actuate.
  • Tactile: These switches provide a tiny “bump” when you press them (generally around the actuation point). This “tactile feedback” helps your fingers feel when the key has actually been registered.
  • Clicky: These are a sub-type of tactile switches. There’s the tiny bump, but with the addition of a small audible “click.” These are generally louder.
mechanical switches

While all mechanical switches will make a “click, clack, or thock” noise when pressed, clicky switches are made to produce an additional higher-pitched “click.”

Check out our related guides here 👇

Common clicky switch “colors”

Switches are often referred to in terms of colors (which will usually match the actual color of the switch stem)

my favorite clicky switches
  • Blue (most common clicky color)
  • Green (Usually heavier than blues)
  • Any variation of blue and green (jade, navy, etc)

There are tons more clicky switch variations, but if you see “blue” or “green,” you can be reasonably sure it’s a clicky switch.

How Do Clicky Switches Work?

There are two ways that clicky switches produce the additional “click.”

  1. Click jacket (most common but least popular)
  2. Click bar

Click Jacket

Most clicky switches use the click jacket design (Cherry MX Blues, Gateron Blues, Outemu Blue, Razer Greens, etc).

The switch is designed to make the “click” on press down, with no noise on release. They tend to sound “tappier” and less substantial. And for whatever reason, these clicky switches are far less popular these days.

Click Bar

what is a click bar (Kailh Box clicky switch)

These switches feature a completely separate mechanism within the switch housing (literally a little bar) that produces the click noise (on key press AND on release!). Most Kailh clicky switches (below) use click bars.

The click bar switches sound heavier, crunchier, more metallic, and in my opinion, way more satisfying!

The Best Clicky Switches for Your Keyboard:

I own all of these, and generally recommend them! But depending on how you use a keyboard (gaming? work typing? both?), I’ll give you the best option!

Kailh Box Pink – Best Overall

Wholesales Kailh Crystal Box Royal Navy Jade Pink Heavy Box 5 pin Switches IP56 Water-Proof Compatible Cherry MX...
  • Crystal Jade /Navy /Pink /Royal is clear cover which is better for SMD switch RGB.Crystal switches are all 5 pin.If you only want to use 3 pin,just cut the plastic pin yourself is ok
Click mechanismClick bar
Actuation Force55g
SoundCrunchy and metallic
FeelMedium tactile, satisfying!

You’re probably going to see a ton of Kailh clicky switches in this article, and for good reason: the click bar produces amazing sound & feel without being annoying.

And the Kailh Box Pink is probably the perfect balance of weight, resistance, sound, and feel!

Kailh Box Pink Sound Test

They produce a satisfying “crunchy” feel, but are slightly lighter than the Kailh Box Jades (and therefore easier to type on for long periods of time).

Click here to read our Kailh Box Pink review (or check out our review video below):

Oh, and they’re affordable! $0.35 per switch is a fantastic price.

If you’re looking for a satisfying “crunchy” clicky switch, with a bit less resistance, the Kailh Box Pinks are my top recommendation!

Kailh Box Jades – Loudest clicky switch

10 Pack Kailh Box Switch Jade RGB SMD for Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 3 pin Switches IP56 Water-Proof Compatible...
  • Kailh Box Jade Switch: Operating force: 50 gf (+/-10 gf) Tactile force: 55 gf (+/-10 gf) Pretravel: 1.8 mm (+/- 0.3 mm) Pressure point: 1.7 mm Total travel: 3.6 mm (+/- 0.3 mm) Reset point: 1.8 mm
  • Easy to Use: Utilizing the already popular Cherry MX form, Kailh switches provide an easy transition so you don’t have to let go of your existing keycap collection; The MX-compatible stems provide a...
  • IP56 Water-Proof and Dirt-Proof: Kailh Box switches are IP56 rated to keep dust and moisture out
Click mechanismClick bar
Actuation Force50g
SoundLOUD, Crunchy and metallic
FeelSuper crunchy, almost scratchy

The Box Jades are like the bigger & louder brother to the Box Pinks and Box Navys (below).

They’re MORE metallic, thick, and even scratchy.

And while I personally LOVE the thick feeling and loud sound, this might turn some people off (especially if you work in an office setting where loud clicks might annoy people).

Kailh box Jade sound test

Granted, it’s a small increase in noise compared to other click bar switches–but it IS louder.

Also, if you type a LOT, you might find the Box Jades more uncomfortable to type on for long periods of time. While the spring isn’t technically that much heavier than the Box Pinks, most of the mechanical keyboard community can agree that the Box Jades feel the thickest and heaviest.

Click here to read our review of the Kailh Box Jades (and listen to a sound test!)

Also, you see this article about the best Kailh Box switches.

Kailh Speed Gold (Best for Gaming)

KAILH Cream Speed Pro MX SMD 3 Pin RGB Switches for Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Speed Gold,68 pcs) (Speed...
  • These new speed switches are made with 3.5 millimeters of total travel with 1.1 - 1.4 millimeters of pre-travel.
  • They also boast a 70 million lifetime click rating Cherry clear which is tactile switches
  • Copper switches: Tactile, 40 g springs - 1.1mm +/- 0.3 mm in pre travel,Silver switches: Linear, 40 g springs - 1.1mm +/- 0.3 mm in pre travel
Click mechanismClick jacket (normal clicky switch)
Actuation Force50g (but a shorter 1.4mm actuation distance)
SoundMuted and “crackly”
FeelMedium, normal (not in a bad way), MAYBE a bit faster and lighter

So while the Box Jades and Box Pinks above feature the click bar mechanism, the Kailh Speed Golds don’t. They click via a “normal” click jacket, and only on key press (not on release).

Yes, click bars are generally preferred, but the Speed Gold has different characteristics that are great for gaming (and honestly anyone).

  • They’re more muted (less loud and annoying)
  • They’re technically a “speed switch,” which basically means the switch travels a fraction of a millimeter SHORTER to activate the switch.

Most switches have an activation distance of 1.8mm – 2.0mm. The Kailh Box Gold only travel 1.4mm to activate the key.

Kailh Speed Gold sound test

To be honest, most people can’t tell a huge difference in “speed” switches, for gaming or otherwise.

But the Kailh gold switches sound nice (crackly and muted), and feel pretty light! They’re a fun clicky switch to game or type on!

Read our full review of the Kailh Speed Gold switches here.

Runner-ups: Kailh Speed Bronze and Kailh Speed Copper (Tactile)

First, the Kailh Speed Copper switches are NOT clicky switches! They are a simple tactile switch (several websites on the internet have this wrong). That said, they’re similar to the Speed Gold switches, less the additional click.

The Kailh Speed Bronze are a clicky switch that is exactly like the Golds in every way, except the travel distance to activation is only 1.1mm. Even faster, technically (but again, most people could never tell a difference!). They still found and feel great.

NovelKeys (NK) Sherbet (Best Premium Clicky Switch)

KPREPUBLIC NovelKeys x Kailh Sherbet Switch 3pin 2pin RGB SMD Clickbar Orange 45g Force mx stem Switch for Backlit...
  • Clickbar | 4.0mm travel | 83g Peak Force | 45g Actuation | 70g Bottom Out | Plate Mount
  • Pls pay attention: Kailh Switch only, not including other things.
Click mechanismClick bar
Actuation Force65g (medium-heavy)
Sound“medium metallic,” less than Box Pink or Box Jade
Feelsomehow crunchy and smooth. heavy!

You’ll see the NK Sherbet switches recommended a lot, but it’s interesting to note that this is still a Kailh switch!

It features a click bar mechanism (meaning it clicks on keypress AND release), WITHOUT the “box” design of the Kailh Box switches.

It’s produced by NovelKeys, and these switches have a slightly longer travel distance and a lower actuation force. However, the spring resistance near the end of the stroke is quite strong, resulting in a lighter first half and a heavier second half (of the keystroke).

Also, they are more expensive (between $0.50 and $0.70 depending on quantity).

If you prefer the “double-click” crunchy sound (similar to Box Jades and Box Pinks), but have heavier fingers–check out the NK Sherbets.

Click here for our NK Sherbet Review & Sound Test.

Cherry MX Blue (Best “tappy” and light clicky switch)

Click mechanismClick jacket (normal clicky switch)
Actuation Force60g (medium)
Soundlight, “tappy,” higher pitched
Feelmedium tactile

Cherry has always been the gold standard for switches, and the Cherry blues are the quintessential clicky switch–that many people dislike. 🤷‍♂️

They’re going to have a COMPLETELY different sound and feel than all the switches above.

  • Tappy and high-end sound
  • Light and airy feel
  • Click Jacket (no click bar)
  • Available in see-through clear housing (for RGB) and opaque black

Here’s a quick sound test:

Cherry Blue sound test

Although the die-hard mechanical keyboard community has moved AWAY from standard clicky switches like this, I still don’t mind them (and if you enjoy the sound, hey, why not?? They’re also quite affordable.

Gateron Blue (and other Cherry MX clones): Best Budget clicky switches

There are loads of companies making switches nearly identical to Cherry, and we call these “clones.”

  • Gateron Blues
  • Gateron Greens (a bit heavier than blues)
  • Outemu Blues
  • Razer Green

These are all going to sound and feel MOSTLY like the Cherry MX blues, etc–but often made with slightly cheaper materials, etc.

gateron green clicky switch
I picked up some Gateron Greens for dirt cheap

My first mechanical keyboard had Gateron Blues, and I actually quite liked them.

I HIGHLY recommend checking out some sound tests–and going with your instincts! Just because you saw some YouTuber trashing Cherry Blues, etc, doesn’t mean they’re not for you.

(But that said, all the switches with the click bar mechanism ARE a lot more satisfying to type on, even though they’re pricier.)

Honorable Mentions: Kailh Box Pale Blue, Kailh Box White, Kailh Box Navy

These switches are all going to be very similar…

  • Kailh box design (dustproof and water-resistant to a degree)
  • Click bar mechanism
  • Good quality
  • Decent price
SwitchNotes
Kailh Box Pale Blue60g actuation force (medium heavy, slightly more than Jades and Pinks)
Kailh Box White45g actuation force (the lightest out of the bunch!)
Kailh Box Navy75 actuation force. The heaviest of the bunch! And 90g bottom-out, that’s quite stiff!)

And while I think the Box Pinks and Box Jades are probably “better,” the difference is really small–and some people prefer the sound and feel of these!

Should you use clicky switches?

If you’re new to the mechanical keyboard world, you might be wondering…should I REALLY go with a clicky switch? Will I hate it?

But clicky switches have some nice benefits:

PROS ✅

  • The click helps you hear when the key has been activated. Great for typing.
  • The click bar switches are REALLY unique and satisfying
  • You can totally find more MUTED clicky switches that won’t annoy (Kailh Speed Gold, Kailh Box Pink)
  • If you DO love loud keyboards, clicks are for you!

CONS ❌

  • Yes, most clicky switches are louder
  • If you do a ton of gaming, you’ll want to avoid the heavier, louder clicks probably
  • If you enjoy “normal” clicky switches like Cherry MX Blue, Gateron Blue, etc, you might be judged by other keyboard enthusiasts

That last one is dumb, for sure, but it WILL happen.

The bottom line: I recommend you check out a few sound tests for the clicky switches you’re thinking about buying–and just try them out! You can always order a SMALL packet (10 switches, etc, if you can find it) to save money before you purchase 100+ switches!

Conclusion: Which clicky switch should you get?

If you enjoy the tactile bump and want a distinct sound, clicky switches are for you.

I hope that helps!

Clicky switches can be some of the most satisfying switches to type on–as long as you do your homework and find what works best for you!

Click Switch F.A.Q.s

Which clicky switch is the best?

This will depend on your preferences as a user! If you enjoy louder clicks and a more satisfying “crunchy” feel, check out the Kailh Box clicky switches (Kailh Box Jade, Pink, or Navy). If you want a muted sound and “fast” feel for gaming, check out the Kailh Speed Gold (or Speed Bronze). If you want “tappy and light” that sounds like an old-school typewriter, stick with Cherry MX Blue switches (or Gateron Blue).

Are clicky switches better?

Not necessarily. There will always be pros and cons between clicky, tactile, and linear switches–depending on your needs! Clicky switches are NOT inherently better for some reason, just DIFFERENT. If you prefer to hear every keypress and literally “feel” when the keys have been activated a little easier, a clicky switch can be perfect for you. Just know that MOST clicky switches are a bit louder (and can annoy coworkers or your spouse).

What are the fastest clicky switches?

If you’re looking for a “fast” clicky switch, I recommend either the Kailh Speed Gold or Kailh Speed Bronze. Both of these switches offer a medium-light spring resistance (50g), as well as shorter activation distances (Speed Gold is 1.4mm to activate, Speed Bronze is 1.1mm). Although the actual speed difference is going to be small, every little bit helps when you’re trying to type or game fast! The Kailh speed switches also have a pleasant “muted clicky” sound, which is why I recommend them over other brands (like Cherry, Gateron, or Razer).

Are clicky switches good for gaming?

Although most gamers prefer linear switches (which can be smoother and faster), there are several clicky switches that perform quite well for gaming! The Kailh Speed Gold and Kailh Speed Bronze are both “fast” clicky switches with short activation distances, making them great for gaming. (they’re quite muted too, which is more similar to standard linear switches). But we generally do NOT recommend other clicky switches for gaming, as they’re generally less responsive, fast, and smooth–and the added “click” noise could be annoying when gaming.

What is the loudest and clickiest switch?

In our testing, the Kailh Box Jade switches were the loudest. The click bar mechanism produces a “click” both on the keypress AND release, giving them a “crunchy” and “metallic” sound. And while the Kailh Box Pink and Kailh Box Navy switches also have this mechanism, the Box Jades still felt the loudest (and most satisfying to type on)!

How do clicky switches feel?

Technically, click switches are simply tactile switches with an added “click.” The “click” function doesn’t really alter the feel of typing or gaming. These tactile switches (both with the click and without) offer a tiny “bump” on keypress that lets your fingers know that the key has been activated. If you’re new to mechanical keyboards, you might not even notice the bump at first! It depends on how hard you type, and how fast. It’s only when directly comparing tactile and clicky switches to LINEAR switches that you can start to notice the distinct “tactile feedback.” Linear switches are completely smooth, and clicky and tactile switches have the tiny bump.