Top Linear Switches of 2024

Overview

Our list of the top switches of 2024:

Top Clacky Switch

Product Details

Name	HMX Xinhai
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PA12
Bottom Housing Material	Modified Nylon
Stem Material	POM
Actuation Force	37g
Bottom Force	45g
Mount	5 pin
Pre Travel	2.0mm
Total Travel	3.4mm
Factory Lubed	Yes

Switch Feel

The HMX Xinhai is consistent with other HMX switches in terms of feel. They feel incredibly smooth out of the box with their factory lube. The HMX Xinhai are smooth, have almost no stem wobble, and have a solid bottom out with a softer top out. 

The HMX Xinhai comes in two different spring weights, 45g, for those who like a lighter spring weight, and 62.5g, for those who like a heavier spring weight. This gives enthusiasts the option to pick and choose their preference for a smooth typing experience.

Switch Sound

HMX switches tend to be on the higher-pitched and clacky end of the sound spectrum. Even among those clacky HMX switches, the HMX Xinhai stands out as the clackiest.

Some might say some HMX switches sound plastic-y or thin, but the HMX Xinhai achieves a bright clacky sound while still producing a full-body sound profile that does not sound thin at all. Similar to the HMX Cheese, the HMX Xinhai also has a sharp and crisp bottom out that accompanies the clacky sound profile. 

Here is a sound test of the HMX Xinhai:

Top Creamy Switch

Product Details

Name	Sarokeys Strawberry Wine V2
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	LY
Bottom Housing Material	Modified PA12
Stem Material	Y3
Operating Force	45g
Bottom Force	52g
Mount	5 pin
Pre Travel	2.0mm
Total Travel	3.6mm
Factory Lubed	No

Switch Feel

The Sarokeys Strawberry Wine V2 feels very smooth. Possibly due to their new materials, the LY top housing and Y3 stem configuration may be the cause of the smoothness.

Switch Sound

The Sarokeys Strawberry Wine V2 has a creamy yet clacky sound profile. There is an underlying bass when typing but a satisfying higher-pitched sound on the upstroke.

Here is a sound test of the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine V2:

Top Thocky Switch

Product Details

Name	HMX SU
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PA12
Bottom Housing Material	PA12
Stem Material	T5
Actuation Force	45g
Bottom Out Force	50g
Mount	5 pin
Pre Travel	1.8mm±0.2mm
Total Travel	3.6mm±0.2mm
Factory Lubed	Yes

Switch Feel

HMX SU is consistent in both feel and sound with their application of factory lube. HMX switches have arguably set the standard for factory lubed switches that do not require any mods but could still benefit from hand lubing or filming based on personal preference. 

In addition to the smoothness, HMX SU has little to no stem wobble. Another reason I would describe HMX SU as "clear" or "clean" is because of its lack of stem wobble and incredible tolerances. Typing on HMX SU enables typists to hear the pure sound of their configuration. The typing experience feels uninterrupted by any unnecessary wobble or chatter that might occur if there were noticeable stem wobble.

Switch Sound

Most of the HMX switches are known to have a "clacky" sound signature. However, there are a few HMX switches that sound relatively deeper or "thocky" in comparison to the rest of the HMX switches. Of those switches, the HMX SU stands out as the thockiest HMX switch. 

HMX SU achieves a clean and clear thocky sound that doesn't sound like they're over-lubed or muffled. The combination of materials that HMX uses for the HMX SU complements each other to create a symphony of thocky notes that is satisfying to our ears. 

As for the volume, most HMX switches are on the louder end of the spectrum, but if you prefer to have a relatively softer volume, the HMX SU is one of the HMX that has a softer sounding bottom out.

Here is a sound test of the HMX SU:

Top Silent Switch

Product Details

Name	TTC Silent Frozen V2
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PC
Bottom Housing Material	PC
Stem Material	POM
Actuation Force	39g
Bottom Out Force	43g
Mount	5 pin
Pre Travel	2.0mm
Total Travel	3.5mm
Factory Lubed	Yes

Switch Feel

TTC Silent Frozen V2 in stock form feels smooth with very little stem wobble, possibly due to its tight housing tolerances and dustproof stem.

Switch Sound

The TTC Silent Frozen V2 is very quiet due to the way it's designed. It has a dampening pad inside the hole where the pole would bottom out and a silicone ring on the stem that creates a quiet top out. The TTC Silent Frozen V2 does its job as a silent switch, however, it has a slight scratch noise when the keypress is off-center but it is not audibly noticeable during normal typing sessions. 

Here is a sound test of the TTC Silent Frozen V2:

Top Mechanical Gaming Switch

Product Details

Name	Akko V3 Silver Pro
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PC
Bottom Housing Material	PA
Stem Material	POM
Actuation Force	40g
Bottom Out Force	45g
Mount	5 pin
Pre Travel	1.0±0.5mm
Total Travel	3.3mm
Factory Lubed	Yes

Switch Feel

As the Akko V3 Silver Pro comes with consistent factory lube, it provides a very smooth typing experience. The Akko V3 Silver Pro exhibits no scratch and negligible stem wobble. The Akko V3 Silver Pro provides a comfortable typing experience straight out of the box. 

Switch Sound

The Akko V3 Silver Pro leans toward the "clacky" high pitched and brighter sound profile mostly due to its long pole stem and housing materials. As a result of the even shorter travel distance, the Akko V3 Silver Pro sounds clean and crispy. The Akko V3 Silver Pro has a loud and solid bottom out due to the short travel distance and long pole stem and a softer top out due to the light spring weight. 

Here is a sound test of the Akko V3 Silver Pro:

Top Magnetic Gaming Switch

Product Details

Name	Gateron Magnetic Jade
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PC
Bottom Housing Material	Nylon
Stem Material	POM
Operating Force	30g
Mount	Magnetic
Total Travel	3.5±0.2mm
Factory Lubed	Yes

Switch Feel

The Gateron Magnetic Jade feels cleaner to type on than any other current magnetic switches in the market. It has significantly less stem wobble than other magnetic switches and significantly tighter housings (possibly because its top housing has two more anchors that latch on to the bottom housing in addition to the typical four latches).

Gateron Magnetic Jade has a more solid feeling bottom out compared to magnetic switches that feature an open bottom housing design.

Gateron Magnetic Jade feels comfortable to type on without worrying about unnecessary fatigue, which is perfect for gamers and seasoned enthusiasts.

Switch Sound

The Gateron Jade has a full and poppy bottom out and a thin and sharp top out. It has a sound profile around the mid-range tones which makes it sound more creamy than clacky or thocky. 

Here is a sound test of the Gateron Magnetic Jade:

Things to Note

Before installing magnetic hall effect switches on your keyboard, check and ensure they are compatible with your keyboard. Depending on the design of the board, incompatible magnetic switches may damage the HE PCB.

The Gateron Magnetic Jade is compatible with the Wooting 60HE, Melgeek Cyber01, IROK ND75, and more.

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Sarokeys Strawberry Wine V2 Linear Switch Review

HMX Cheese Linear Switch Review

HMX Macchiato Linear Switch Review

Cherry MX Black Clear Top  "Nixie" Linear Switch Review

Durock Silent Switches Review | Dolphin, Shrimp, Daybreak Silent Switches

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