In the modern PC gaming community, clicky switches are highly controversial. If you join a Discord call with an open microphone while typing on a clicky keyboard, you will almost certainly be muted by your teammates.
However, for solo typists, writers, and retro computing enthusiasts, the sharp, high-pitched “click” of a mechanical switch is incredibly satisfying.
The best clicky switch overall is the . Instead of a traditional click jacket, it uses a thick “click bar” mechanism that produces an incredibly crisp, tactile, and loud keystroke that puts standard Cherry MX Blues to shame.
If you work from a private home office and want maximum auditory feedback with every keystroke, here are the top 5 clicky switches available this year.
Why Gamers Hate Clicky Switches (And Why Typists Love Them)
A clicky switch is essentially a tactile switch with a built-in noisemaker. When you press the key down, you feel a physical “bump,” followed immediately by a sharp, audible click.
- The Problem for Gaming: The mechanism that creates the click adds a massive amount of friction to the keystroke. Furthermore, the reset point of the switch is often higher than the actuation point (known as hysteresis). This makes rapidly double-tapping a key in fast-paced games like Valorant or Apex Legends incredibly difficult. (If you want pure gaming speed, read our guide to the Best Linear Switches for Gaming).
- The Benefit for Typing: That same friction and loud noise is exactly what makes them great for typing. The audible click tells your brain that the keystroke was registered perfectly, allowing you to establish a fast, rhythmic typing cadence without ever looking at the screen.
At a Glance: Top Clicky Switches
| Best For | Switch Name | Actuation Force | Click Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall (Crisp) | Kailh Box Jade | 50g | Thick Click Bar |
| Best Heavy Click | 60g | Thick Click Bar | |
| Best Entry Level | 60g | Click Jacket | |
| Best Budget Clicky | 50g | Click Jacket | |
| Best Speed Clicky | Kailh Speed Bronze | 50g | Click Bar |
1. Best Overall: Kailh Box Jade
If you are going to buy a clicky switch, you should buy one with a “Click Bar.” Traditional switches use a plastic click jacket that slides up and down the stem, resulting in a somewhat rattly, cheap sound.
The Kailh Box Jade uses a tiny metal bar inside the housing. When the stem pushes past it, the bar snaps back and hits the plastic housing. This creates an incredibly sharp, crisp, and tactile click that sounds like a premium vintage typewriter. It is the undisputed king of modern clicky switches.
2. Best Heavy Click: Kailh Box Navy
If you love the crisp sound of the Kailh Box Jade but have heavy hands, the Kailh Box Navy is your perfect match.
It uses the exact same thick click bar mechanism, but it features a significantly heavier spring (60g actuation, 90g bottom-out). This means you have to press the key with deliberate, intentional force. It is fantastic for heavy-handed typists who want to completely eliminate accidental typos.
3. Best Entry Level: Cherry MX Blue
The Cherry MX Blue is the most famous clicky switch in the world. It is the switch that introduced millions of people to mechanical keyboards over the last decade, and it remains the default option on many pre-built boards.
While enthusiast switches like the Box Jade have surpassed it in sound quality, the Cherry MX Blue is still incredibly reliable. It uses a traditional click jacket mechanism and is rated for over 50 million keystrokes. (If you want a quieter version of this switch without the click, read our guide to the Best Tactile Keyboard Switches).
4. Best Budget Clicky: Outemu Blue
If you just bought a $30 mechanical keyboard on Amazon, it likely came with Outemu Blue switches.
While they are the cheapest switch on this list, they perform exceptionally well for the price. They are incredibly loud and provide a sharp tactile bump. However, you must be careful if you plan to upgrade them later, as Outemu switches use very narrow metal pins that only fit into specific “Outemu Hot-Swap Sockets.” (Learn more in our full breakdown of The 5 Best Outemu Switches).
5. Best Speed Clicky: Kailh Speed Bronze
Most clicky switches are terrible for gaming because of their long travel distance and hysteresis. The Kailh Speed Bronze attempts to solve this.
It features an incredibly short actuation point (1.1mm) compared to standard switches (2.0mm). This means the click happens almost instantly when you touch the key. While it still isn’t recommended for professional esports, it is the best clicky switch available for gamers who refuse to switch to linear options.
Purchasing Advice: Performance vs Price
When selecting clicky switches, your preferences in typing feel and acoustics are main drivers of your choice, but budget is a major factor. Aside from individual switch prices, consider the quantity needed—you will need around 70 switches for a compact keyboard and up to 110 for a full-sized variant.
Here is a brief breakdown of popular clicky switches and their general price range:
- Outemu Blue: Often the most budget-friendly, at about $0.10 to $0.30 per switch.
- Gateron Blue: These can be found for around $0.20 to $0.40 per switch.
- /Jade: Usually costs between $0.30 to $0.70 per switch.
- Cherry MX Blue: Typically around $0.50 to $1.00 per switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are clicky switches bad for streaming?
Yes, absolutely. The sharp, high-pitched noise of a clicky switch cuts directly through most noise-gate filters on microphones like the Blue Yeti or Shure SM7B. If you use clicky switches while streaming on Twitch or talking on Discord, your audience will hear every single keystroke loudly and clearly.
Can I lube a clicky switch?
No. You should never apply lubricant to the internal mechanisms of a clicky switch. If you get lube on the click jacket or the click bar, it will dampen the mechanism and completely ruin the “click” sound, turning it into a very scratchy, mushy tactile switch.
What is the difference between a Click Jacket and a Click Bar?
A Click Jacket is a two-piece plastic stem design (used by Cherry MX and Outemu). When you press the key, the outer plastic jacket slides down and snaps against the bottom housing to create the click. A Click Bar is a single-piece stem that snaps a tiny metal wire inside the housing (used by Kailh). Click bars generally produce a cleaner, crisper sound in both directions (when pressing down and when the key springs back up).
