Want a fast & smooth switch that both clicks AND works for gaming?
This is my thorough review of the Kailh Speed Gold Clicky switches.
My bottom line: Although the Kailh Gold speed switches use a “click jacket” to produce the clicking noise (similar to Cherry MX Blues, etc), the sound is less annoying (more muted and pleasant) than most clicky switches! The Speed Golds feel great, but the faster activation time is hardly noticeable.
If you like the sound of clicky switches (and enjoy the tactile bump), but also want a slight competitive edge for gaming, then these are the switches for you!
Here are some related switch reviews:
- Kailh Box Jade (clicky, much louder and thicker)
- Kailh Box Pink (clicky, slightly more subtle)
- Akko Speed Silver (linear, but fast and smooth)
- Kailh Box vs Gateron switches, which is better?
- Gateron Milky Yellow (linears)
Kailh Speed Gold Sound Test:
These are definitely one of the more muted clicky switches I’ve used. There’s still a nice “click” sound, but it’s not as jarring or annoying as some other switches (let’s be honest–the mechanical keyboard community HATES Cherry MX Blues).
Kailh Speed Gold Switch Details:
Let’s dive into what sets these switches apart from other Kailh offerings:
| Type | clicky (meaning there’s a tactile bump AND a small click noise) |
| Operating Force | 50g (medium resistance) |
| Travel Distance | 1.4mm pre-travel (short) and 3.55mm total travel (short). This is what makes the Speed Golds a “gaming” switch |
| Price | Under $0.40 each on Amazon |
| Sound | A muted clicky. Not too loud! |
| Feel | Mostly “normal.” The tactile bump is very subtle, and they’re not overly fast or smooth |
There are really two things that make the Kailh Golds unique:
- They’re a gaming clicky switch (that’s rare). This is due to the shorter activation pre-travel of 1.4mm (compared to the usual 1.6mm or 2mm of most switches).
- This switch uses a standard “click jacket” mechanism to create the clicking noise (as opposed to the click bar mechanism that the Kailh box switches use).
The Kailh Box Jades, Pinks, and Navys are probably the most popular clicky switches of ALL TIME, and they use a “click bar” mechanism (which produces a crunchier & more metallic click).
Kailh Speed Gold Pricing
- 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
You can find the Kailh Speed Golds between $0.30 and $0.40 per switch (or roughly $25 for a pack of 68 switches).
This puts them right in line with most “budget” switches (and slightly cheaper than the Kailh Box clicky switches):
- Akko Speed Silver: $0.40 per switch
- Kailh Box Jade: $0.50 per switch
- Cherry MX switches: $0.75 – $1.00 per switch
They’re totally affordable!
Kailh Gold Pros and Cons:
PROS ✅
- They’re affordable ($0.35 per switch).
- Low travel-time MIGHT lead to a tiny gaming competitive edge (but see note below)
- A nice muted click sound
- They feel good (not fantastic)
CONS ❌
- They feel good (not fantastic)
- You probably do NOT need to lube these (I wouldn’t! It might take away the click noise & tactility)
- The click isn’t as prominent as other clicky switches (ESPECIALLY the click bar switches)
- The tactile bump is fairly small (could be a pro?)
All in all, I think the Kailh Speed Golds are mostly for gamers who enjoy a tiny bit of click, and a tiny tactile bump. It’s almost a linear switch in terms of sound & feel.
See here for our full guide to lubing mechanical switches.
NOTE: Are “speed switches” actually faster?
This is a heated debate in the mech world…and personally, I can’t actually tell a difference!
The actuation force (50g) is on the lighter end, and the pre-travel distance is slightly shorter (1.4mm), but we’re still talking about fractions of a second!
Though they might technically be a tiny bit faster, I really don’t think it makes a difference in actual use.
Kailh Speed Gold Sound & Feel
I’ve typed on 75+ sets of switches at this point, so here’s what I think of the Speed Golds.
Sound
In a few words, they sound “muted with a tiny click.”
They are RIGHT in the middle between…
- Cherry MX Blues (and Gateron Blues): a louder, higher-pitched, “tappy” clicky switch
- Kailh Box Jades, Pinks, White, Navy, etc: a louder, more crunchy, metallic click
The mechanical keyboard at large generally prefers the sound of Kailh Box switches, but there are some who still enjoy the “click jacket” sound (higher and more tappy).
But the Kailh Speed Gold switches have a VERY muted & subtle click.
If you want a little click, but not an overpowering Kailh Box switch, the Speed Golds are it.
Feel
They feel “normal.”
When you type on a Kailh Box Jade, for example, you KNOW you’re typing on a Kailh Box Jade! It’s hard not to notice the sharpness and crunchiness!
The Speed Golds just feel like a “normal” tactile switch. The tactile bump is there, but it’s not super pronounced.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing! It just means you won’t be AS aware that you’re typing on a tactile switch.
Alternatives to the Kailh Speed Gold
You might want to read our “best clicky switches” guide here as well.
Here are some similar switches that you might want to check out:
Kailh Speed Copper
This is almost the exact same switch, minus the click mechanism!
But given how subtle the click is on the Speed Golds, I honestly think many people wouldn’t be able to tell a difference between the Gold and Copper switches. 😎
Kailh Box Jade
If you’re looking for a MUCH more satisfying (and louder) click, try the Kailh Box Jades.
The “click bar” mechanism produces a very pronounced & satisfying click (sounds “crunchy” and feels “metallic”).
I personally would NOT recommend the Box Jades for gaming though–your fingers might get tired!
Kailh Box White
The Kailh Box White switches also use the “click bar” mechanism, but these are much lighter and more subtle than the Box Jades or Box Pinks.
If you just HAD to pick a Kailh Box clicky switch for gaming, I’d say go with the Whites.
Akko Speed Silver
No, these aren’t a clicky switch (they’re linear), but they are probably the most “gaming switch” I’ve typed on. They’re noticeably lighter, faster, and more smooth than most gaming switches.
They definitely feel faster than the Kailh Speed Golds!
In fact, these are one of my favorite switches period. They’re even pretty comfortable for typing over a long period (most linear switches aren’t the best for this).
Bottom Line: Should you purchase the Kailh Speed Golds?
If you’re into clicky switches, but want something a little more subtle & slightly faster, I think the Kailh Speed Golds are a great option!
They won’t be as pronounced or “clicky” as the Kailh Box switches, but they’re still a very solid tactile switch (and you don’t need to lube them)!
And at under $0.40 per switch, they’re a great deal.
Click here to grab the Kailh Speed Golds on Amazon, and happy clicking!
Kailh Speed Gold F.A.Q.s
Should you lube Kailh speed switches?
Although lubing might make Kailh Speed switches a bit more smooth, they sound & feel just fine without it. And if you choose a tactile or clicky switch (like the Kailh Speed Copper or Speed Golds), you’ll need to be extra careful not to lube the tactile bump (else you might as well purchase a linear switch). It’s for this reason that I don’t recommend lubing Kailh Speed tactile switches.
Are Kailh speed switches good for gaming?
The Kailh Speed switches are great for gaming, but it’s worth noting that the speed increases are actually quite small (and just barely noticeable, if at all). The shorter pre-travel distance (to activate the key press) and lighter actuation force (45-50g of force needed to activate the switch) are technically faster than non-gaming switches, but we’re still referring to fractions of a second and only a few millimeters.
Are Kailh Speed Golds clicky switches?
Yes, the Kailh Speed Golds are clicky switches. They use the “click jacket” mechanism (similar to the Cherry MX Blue), which produces a subtle & quiet click.