Switches Guide

find whats right for you.

NOT EVERY SWITCH IS BUILT EQUAL.

Keyboard switches are what determine the sound, feel, performance and typing experience on your custom keyboard.

Different mechanical keyboard switches can make your keyboard loud and 'thocky', clicky, completely silent and everything inbetween - but its also about how it feels. Actuation forces (the force required when pushing down a switch) can differ between different types of switches, giving unique feel to every keypress.

WE'LL SIMPLIFY IT FOR YOU.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SO COMPLICATED.

Mechanical keyboard jargon can put off newcomers to the custom keyboard space, but it doesn't always need to be so complex, and often, it isn't all that confusing in reality.

We offer a variety of switches that cover budget to premium, newcomer to hobbyist, and so much more. Linears, tactiles, silents- they all will affect the sound and feel of your build. Click the video to listen to a short example sound test of the difference between linear and tactile.

  • Linear Switches

    Linear switches have a smooth travel, without any physical feedback when they actuate (when a press is registered) They are faster to respond and quicker to return to their initial state.

  • Tactile Switches

    Tactile switches have a bump at the point of actuation (when the key is pressed) - that means you can physically feel when the keystroke is registered.

  • Clicky Switches

    Clicky switches produce an audible “click” (hence the name!) and also have a small tactile bump when pressed. These switches are an old classic favourite with gamers

GATERON - LINEAR SWITCHES

Milky Pro Yellows 

  • Switch Type: Linear
  • Actuation force: 50g 
  • Top housing: Nylon
  • Bottom housing: Nylon
  • Stem Material: POM
  • Lube: Krytox 205g0 and 105 Oil
  • Films: TX Films
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro Switches - Ascend Keyboards
GATERON - LINEAR SWITCHES

G-Pro 2.0 Blacks 

  • Switch Type: Linear
  • Actuation force: 60g
  • Top housing: Polycarbonate
  • Bottom housing: Nylon
  • Stem Material: POM
  • Lube: Krytox 205g0 and 105 Oil
  • Films: TX Films
Gateron (G Pro 2.0) Black Switches - Ascend Keyboards
GATERON - TACTILE SWITCHES

G-Pro 2.0 Browns 

  • Switch Type: Tactile
  • Actuation force: 55g
  • Top housing: Polycarbonate
  • Bottom housing: Nylon
  • Stem Material: POM
  • Lube: Tribosys 3203 and 105 Oil
  • Films: TX Films
Gateron (G Pro 2.0) Brown Switches - Ascend Keyboards
GATERON - LINEAR SWITCHES

Gateron Oil Kings 

  • Switch Type: Linear (Clacky/Thocky)
  • Actuation force: 55g
  • Top housing: Nylon
  • Bottom housing: Ink Housing Material
  • Stem Material: POM
  • Lube: Krytox 205g0 and 105 Oil
  • Films: TX Films
Gateron Oil Kings - Ascend Keyboards
GATERON - LINEAR SWITCHES

Gateron Ink Blacks 

  • Switch Type: Linear (Thocky)
  • Actuation force: 60g
  • Top housing: Ink Housing Material
  • Bottom housing: Ink Housing Material
  • Stem Material: POM
  • Lube: Krytox 205g0 and 105 Oil
  • Films: TX Films
Gateron Silent Black V2 Switches - Ascend Keyboards
  • GATERON - LINEAR SWITCHES

    Milky Pro Yellows 

    • Switch Type: Linear
    • Actuation force: 50g 
    • Top housing: Nylon
    • Bottom housing: Nylon
    • Stem Material: POM
    • Lube: Krytox 205g0 and 105 Oil
    • Films: TX Films
    Gateron Milky Yellow Pro Switches - Ascend Keyboards
  • GATERON - LINEAR SWITCHES

    G-Pro 2.0 Blacks 

    • Switch Type: Linear
    • Actuation force: 60g
    • Top housing: Polycarbonate
    • Bottom housing: Nylon
    • Stem Material: POM
    • Lube: Krytox 205g0 and 105 Oil
    • Films: TX Films
    Gateron (G Pro 2.0) Black Switches - Ascend Keyboards
  • GATERON - TACTILE SWITCHES

    G-Pro 2.0 Browns 

    • Switch Type: Tactile
    • Actuation force: 55g
    • Top housing: Polycarbonate
    • Bottom housing: Nylon
    • Stem Material: POM
    • Lube: Tribosys 3203 and 105 Oil
    • Films: TX Films
    Gateron (G Pro 2.0) Brown Switches - Ascend Keyboards
  • GATERON - LINEAR SWITCHES

    Gateron Oil Kings 

    • Switch Type: Linear (Clacky/Thocky)
    • Actuation force: 55g
    • Top housing: Nylon
    • Bottom housing: Ink Housing Material
    • Stem Material: POM
    • Lube: Krytox 205g0 and 105 Oil
    • Films: TX Films
    Gateron Oil Kings - Ascend Keyboards
  • GATERON - LINEAR SWITCHES

    Gateron Ink Blacks 

    • Switch Type: Linear (Thocky)
    • Actuation force: 60g
    • Top housing: Ink Housing Material
    • Bottom housing: Ink Housing Material
    • Stem Material: POM
    • Lube: Krytox 205g0 and 105 Oil
    • Films: TX Films
    Gateron Silent Black V2 Switches - Ascend Keyboards
Ascend Rotary Knob [GB] - Ascend Keyboards

PERFECT PAIRS

Switches won't only change the sound and feel, but they compliment the look of your keyboard. Switches with non-transparent top housing will bleed less RGB underglow than those with transparent top housing.

PERFECT PAIRS

Switches won't only change the sound and feel, but they compliment the look of your keyboard. Switches with non-transparent top housing will bleed less RGB underglow than those with transparent top housing.

Clear Grey Glacier Keycaps Set - Ascend Keyboards

  • PERFORMANCE.

    Build your keyboard for a performance gaming setup. Response time, actuation force and speed are the most prominent factors in switches for customers looking to take every possible advantage with their custom builds.

    Build a Performance Keyboard

  • PRACTICALITY.

    There are no right or wrong options when it comes to mechanical keyboards. Practicality can come hand in hand with accessibility- switches and keyboards with a more tactile feel can be helpful for those with sensory issues.

    Build a Practical Keyboard

  • PROFESSIONAL.

    Custom mechanical boards aren't only reserved for gamers. Professional use through silent switches to dampen the sound provides a premium, satisfying typing experience without the compromise of loud acoustics.

    Build a Professional Keyboard
Blue Wave Collection - Ascend Keyboards

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