Overview
Following the wave of affordable switches, like HMX, BSUN, Haimu, Huano, etc, let's not forget about the tactiles. These tactile switches are available at a budget friendly price but still punch way above their bracket in terms of feel, sound, and quality of materials. Here are some of the budget tactiles that stand out in our community.
| MMD Princess V4 Tactile |
| Durock Chocolate T1 |
| Gateron EF Grayish |
| Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro |
| Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro |
| Wuque WS Brown |
| Gateron LongJing Tea |
MMD Princess V4 Tactile
Product Details
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|
| Name | MMD Princess V4 Tactile |
| Switch Type | Tactile |
| Top Housing Material | PC |
| Bottom Housing Material | PC |
| Stem Material | POM+PTFE |
| Actuation Force | 48g / 60g |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Pre Travel | 2.0mm |
| Total Travel | 3.1mm |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
The MMD Princess V4 Tactile has a pronounced tactile bump with a slight linear post-travel. It feels clean and snappy to type on with no noticeable scratch or stem wobble. I would describe the MMD Princess V4 Tactile as having a large, rounded uppercase "P" shaped tactile bump. It creates a very responsive bottom out where you can feel the tactility almost throughout the entirety of the keypress. The short travel distance could play a role in how responsive and snappy the MMD Princess V4 Tactile feels. The MMD Princess V4 Tactile feels very similar in terms of feel to the Boba U4T. They have a similar feeling bump and a similar feeling snappiness to each bottom out and top out thanks to their crisp tactile bumps.
Switch Sound
The MMD Princess V4 Tactile is also comparable to the Boba U4T in terms of sound. They have a similar sound profile, but the MMD Princess V4 Tactile has a slightly brighter and clackier bottom out and a bolder volume. The difference in materials used and the short travel distance could be a factor in why the MMD Princess V2 Tactile has a louder and higher pitched sound. The MMD Princess V4 Tactile has a very crisp tactile bump that creates an emphasized bottom out and a very poppy top out also due to the tactile bump on the upstroke.
Here is a sound test of the MMD Princess V4 Tactile:
Durock Chocolate T1
Product Details
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|
| Name | Durock Mocha Chocolate T1 |
| Type | Tactile |
| Top Housing Material | POK |
| Bottom Housing Material | POK |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Actuation Force | 55g |
| Bottom Out Force | 62g |
| Pre Travel | 2mm |
| Total Travel | 3.8±0.2mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Factory Lube | Yes |
Switch Feel
The Durock Mocha Chocolate provides a sharp and distinct tactile feedback while typing, reminiscent of a sharp and sudden sugar rush you might experience after consuming chocolate. It comes lightly factory lubed on the entire rail-side of the stem. The factory lube appears to be evenly applied with a mixture more resembling a thinner oil rather than a thicker lubrication. The Durock Mocha Chocolate has a comfortable spring weight that is more similar to the bottom out force of traditional switches. This make the Durock Mocha Chocolate an attractive choice for those who are used to a more traditional typing feel.
There is some slight stem wobble in the E/W direction while the N/S has very tight housing tolerances, however this does not affect the Durock Mocha Chocolate performance during typing. These tolerances help the Durock Mocha Chocolate to achieve a clean typing experience that is focused on the tactile feel.
Switch Sound
The Durock Mocha Chocolate has a sharp and full-bodied bottom out that produces a sound in the mid to lower tones. On key returns, the Durock Mocha Chocolate creates a soft and muted sound in the mid tones. This gives the Durock Mocha Chocolate a versatile range of sound, although it does seem to favor a solid and thocky sound profile.
There is a slight spring ping when activating the Durock Mocha Chocolate at very slow speeds and at ear level and at very off center presses. Hand lube will help reduce the spring ping. During normal typing, it has a refined tactile sound without any unnecessary noises like rattle.
Here is a sound test of the Durock Mocha Chocolate T1 Tactile:
Durock Mocha Chocolate Features
The Durock Mocha Chocolate features a long pole stem that has a unique shape for the tip of the stem pole. It has a small, rounded protrusion comparable to the shape of a ball point pen. This design may have an effect on why the Durock Mocha Chocolate sounds the way it sounds. The Durock Mocha Chocolate also features a removable LED light diffuser similar to some other Durock switches like the Durock Black Lotus.
Gateron Grayish
Product Details
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|
| Name | Gateron Grayish |
| Type | Tactile |
| Top Housing Material | PC |
| Bottom Housing Material | Nylon |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Actuation Force | 59g |
| Pre Travel | 2.0mm |
| Total Travel | 3.4mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
The Gateron Grayish has a heavy tactile bump near the top of the keypress and a slight post-bump linear at the end of the keypress. I would compare the tactile bump to other tactile switches that have a similar "P" shaped tactile bump. Boba U4T for example has a pronounced tactile bump that I would describe as an upper case "P" while the Gateron EF Grayish has a tactile bump that is more like a lower cased "p."
Switch Sound
The Gateron EF Grayish has a soft and relatively muted bottom out due to the nylon bottom housing and a hard and poppy top out due to the PC top and the tactile bump. The Gateron EF Grayish leans towards the mid to high end in terms of pitch which I would describe as sounding "poppy." There is no noticeable scratch or spring ping, but there is some leaf ping when the tactile bump makes contact with the metal leaves which can be remedied through hand lubing the switch.
Here is a sound test of the Gateron Grayish:
Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro
Product Details
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|
| Name | Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro |
| Type | Tactile |
| Top Housing Material | PC |
| Bottom Housing Material | Nylon |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Spring | 20mm |
| Actuation Force | 45g |
| Bottom Out Force | 55g |
| Pre Travel | 2.0±0.6mm |
| Total Travel | 3.3mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Factory Lube | Yes |
Switch Feel
The Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro is on the lighter side for tactile switches, but they still retain a distinct tactile bump, providing a comfortable and responsive typing experience. The tactile bump lies within 0.1mm into the actuation of the Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro. The Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro would be enjoyable for those who like the typing experience of a light tactile with a tactile bump at the top of the actuation.
Switch Sound
The Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro has a mid toned bottom out and a poppy top out. With hand lubrication the Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro can go from creamy to thocky. Like the Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro, the Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro has no noticeable spring ping or leaf ticks compared to its previous iterations.
Here is a sound test of the Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro:
Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro
Product Details
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|
| Name | Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro |
| Switch Type | Tactile |
| Top Housing Material | PC |
| Bottom Housing Material | PA |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Actuation Force | 40±5g |
| Bottom Out Force | 55±5g |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Pre Travel | 1.9mm |
| Total Travel | 3.8mm |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
The typing feel of the Akko V3 Lavender feels as smooth as a polished surface. There is no noticeable scratch and it feels very light and comfortable to type on. I would describe the tactile bump of the Akko V3 Lavender as lowercased "p" shaped since the tactile bump is not as pronounced and there is a good amount of linear post-travel. These switches shine in its tight housing tolerances and its comfortability as a light tactile switch.
Switch Sound
The Akko V3 Lavender has a bright and clacky sound profile. It has a soft and creamy bottom out and a hard a clacky top out. Since most of the well known switches tend to be on the thockier side, the Akko V3 Lavender stands out as a bright sounding tactile. It would be a great option for enthusiasts who enjoy tactile switches but also enjoy a high pitched clacky sound profile.
Here is a sound test of the Akko V3 Lavender:
Wuque WS Brown
Product Details
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|
| Name | Wuque WS Brown |
| Type | Tactile |
| Top Housing Material | Nylon |
| Bottom Housing Material | Nylon |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Bottom Out Force | 55g |
| Tactile Force | 63±10g |
| Spring | 22mm double-staged |
| Pre Travel | 2.0±0.5mm |
| Total Travel | 3.8±0.3mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
The Wuque WS Brown is defined by its medium, smooth tactile bump that appears early in the keystroke. The bump is noticeable and pronounced, offering a satisfying feedback to make it easy to feel when the switch has been actuated without being overly aggressive. This makes the Wuque WS Brown Tactile a great switch for those who prefer a pronounced tactile bump right at the top of each keypress, with a sharpness comparable to more premium tactile switches. The actuation force is moderate, offering just the right amount of resistance to ensure you don’t accidentally bottom out while still being easy to press. The switch feels smooth throughout the entire travel, without any noticeable wobble but with a little bit of scratch. The Wuque WS Brown Tactile switch is a great option for those that want to try a medium spring weight and sharp tactility for an entry level price.
Switch Sound
The sound of the Wuque WS Brown is relatively clacky when actuated compared to other tactile switches that sound more thocky, however it still produces a satisfying "thock" when bottoming out. The sharp tactile bump is accompanied by a short linear post-actuation to provide a comfortable cushion for each keypress. The Wuque WS Brown tactile creates a sharp yet thin sound, allowing users to have a satisfying auditory experience without having to worry about typing too loudly.
Here is a sound test of the Wuque WS Brown:
Gateron LongJing Tea
Product Details
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|
| Name | Gateron LongJing Tea |
| Type | Tactile |
| Top Housing Material | POM |
| Bottom Housing Material | POM |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Actuation Force | 48±5g |
| Bottom Out Force | 55±5g |
| Pre Travel | 2.0mm |
| Total Travel | 4.0mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
The design of the Gateron LongJing Tea tactile switch creates a typing feel that is reminiscent of the classic typing feel of a Cherry MX Brown tactile switch. It has a total travel distance of 4.0mm with a rail bottom out and a light tactile bump. Although the Gateron LongJing Tea tactile is comparable to the feel of a Cherry MX Brown in terms of the full travel distance and tactility, it has clear improvements like the full POM housing and stem construction and the evenly applied factory lube which produces a smooth typing experience with no scratch.
Switch Sound
The Gateron LongJing Tea tactile switch has a slightly deeper bottom out sound due the full POM construction, while the top out has a soft poppy characteristic. There is no scratch or spring ping, but there is some slight hollowness that could be remedied with hand lubrication. Keeping a consistent comparison, the Gateron LongJing Tea has a slightly lower tone sound profile than a Cherry MX Brown. The Gateron LongJing Tea tactile switch would be a great choice for you if you enjoy a Cherry MX Brown with a little bit more thock.
Here is a sound test of the Gateron LongJing Tea:
coming soon
👉 You can buy these switches on our site:
Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know if you have any questions!
- MMD Princess V4 Tactile
- Durock Chocolate T1
- Gateron EF Grayish
- Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro
- Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro
- Wuque WS Brown
- Gateron LongJing Tea
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