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A Complete Keyboard Switch Buying Guide

Discover everything you need to know about mechanical keyboard switches.

Read the full guide

Switch Brand Comparison

Compare features and specifications across different keyboard switch brands

Brand Price Range Material Variety Sound Style Stem Wobble Quality
HMX 0.25-0.5 USD/Per Medium to High Clacky / Creamy / Medium Thocky Very Minimum HIgh
Keygeek 0.25-0.45 USD/Per Very High Clacky / Mid Pitched / Deep and Thocky Minimum HIgh
Wingtree 0.25-0.5 USD/Per Low Classic / Clacky / Thocky Medium to Minimum High
Cherry 0.25-0.5 USD/Per Very Low Crispy / Deep / Medium Toned Medium High
Gateron 0.2-0.8 USD/Per Low Clacky / Creamy / Thocky Medium to High High

Keyboard Switch FAQ

1. What's the difference between linear, tactile, and clicky switches?


These are the three core switch types and your starting point for any switch decision. Linear switches (like HMX Macchiato or Cherry MX Black) travel smoothly from top to bottom with no bump or click — preferred by gamers for fast, consistent keypresses. Tactile switches give you a physical bump at the actuation point so you know the key registered without bottoming out — great for typing. Clicky switches add an audible click on top of that bump — satisfying to type on but noticeably loud. If you work in a shared space or office, linear or tactile silent switches are usually the considerate choice.

2. How many switches do I need to buy for my keyboard?


It depends on your keyboard layout. As a general guide: a 60% keyboard needs around 61 switches, a 65% needs ~68, a 75% needs ~82–84, a TKL (80%) needs ~87, and a full-size (100%) needs 104–110. We recommend buying 10–15 extra switches to account for testing, duds, and future replacements. Most switches on UniKeys are sold in packs of 10, 35, 45, or 70 — check the product page to plan your quantity before ordering.

3. Do I need to lube my switches, or are they ready to use out of the box?


Many switches in our collection come factory pre-lubed, meaning they're ready to install immediately with a smooth, refined feel right out of the box — ideal for beginners or anyone who doesn't want to spend hours hand-lubing. Factory lube has improved significantly; brands like HMX, Keygeek, and Gateron now ship with quality lube applied at the factory. If you want to take it further, hand-lubing unlubed switches with something like Krytox 205G0 remains the enthusiast gold standard for linear switches — but it's optional, not required.





4. What does "thocky" mean, and how do I get that sound?


"Thocky" describes a deep, muted, low-pitched sound when typing — the opposite of a high-pitched "clacky" sound. It's one of the most searched-for characteristics in the hobby. Achieving it comes down to a combination of factors: switch material (POM stems tend to sound deeper), spring weight, keyboard case material, and foam dampening. Switches like the HMX series and Leobog variants are frequently praised in the community for their thocky profiles. If you're chasing this sound, look for switches with POM stems and pair them with a gasket-mounted keyboard and case foam for best results.

5. What's the difference between 3-pin and 5-pin switches, and which one do I need?


The pins refer to how the switch mounts to your PCB. 3-pin (plate-mount) switches have two metal legs and one plastic center pin. 5-pin (PCB-mount) switches add two extra plastic pins for a more stable, precise fit. Most hot-swap keyboards accept both, but if your keyboard's PCB only supports 3-pin, you can clip the two extra plastic legs off a 5-pin switch with flush cutters — it takes about 10 seconds per switch and doesn't affect performance. Check your keyboard's product page to confirm compatibility before ordering, or reach out to us if you're unsure.

6. Are these switches compatible with my keyboard? What is MX-compatible?


Almost all switches in our collection use the Cherry MX footprint, which is the industry standard. This means they're compatible with the vast majority of hot-swap mechanical keyboards on the market — including popular boards like the Keychron Q/V series, QwertyKeys, Ticktype, and most custom keyboard kits. As long as your keyboard is hot-swap and MX-compatible, you can simply pull the old switches out and press the new ones in — no soldering needed. If your board requires soldering, these switches will still work; it just requires more effort.

7. What are the best budget switches for beginners in 2025–2026?


The budget switch market has improved dramatically — you no longer have to spend a lot to get an excellent switch. In our collection, the HMX and Keygeek lineups consistently get recommended on r/mechanicalkeyboards for their smooth factory lube, solid build quality, and low price per switch. Akko switches are another strong community favourite for value. For beginners, we suggest starting with a 35–45 pack of a well-reviewed linear or tactile switch to test how it feels in your board before committing to a full set. You can always try multiple types without breaking the bank.