Overview
Top 10 best sounding thocky switches going into 2025:
| Gateron Oil King |
| Prevail Nebula |
| Everglide Aqua King |
| Keygeek Keylin |
| HMX x BCKeys Gulf |
| Gateron Green Apple |
| MMD Vivian |
| TTC Neptune |
| Durock Ice King |
| Gazzew Boba U4T V2 |
Gateron Oil King
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | Gateron Oil King |
| Type | Linear |
| Top Housing Material | Nylon PA66 |
| Bottom Housing Material | Black ink housing |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Actuation Force | 55g |
| Bottom Out Force | 65g |
| Travel | 4mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
The Gateron Oil King, with their consistent factory lubing, is as smooth stock as oil is slick. There is a thick layer of lube on the rails of the stems which helps provide the smooth stock experience.
Switch Sound
The Gateron Oil King, with their ink bottom housing, is consistent with the solid bottom out that their KS-3 nylon bottom housings provided. When bottoming out, the Gateron Oil King produces a solid deep sound profile. And when topping out, the Gateron Oil King produces a slightly thinner and medium pitched sound profile. Differences in the bottom out and top out sounds could possibly be due to the ink bottom housing and nylon top housing.
Here is a sound test of the Gateron Oil King:
Prevail Nebula
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | Prevail Nebula |
| Type | Linear |
| Housing Material | Nylon |
| Stem Material | LY |
| Bottom Out Force | 62g |
| Travel | 3.5mm |
| Spring | Gold plated long progressive spring |
| Mount | 5 pin |
Switch Feel
The Prevail Epsilon feels slippery smooth to type on. The Prevail Epsilon comes lightly factory lubed which provides a consistent typing experience even on off center keypresses. The Prevail Epsilon has a short travel distance for those who prefer a faster actuation, and a more responsive bottom out feel. The Prevail Epsilon provides a comfortable typing experience for everyday users as well as a responsive typing experience for gamers.
Switch Sound
The Prevail Epsilon is one of the deeper and thocky sounding linear switches. It's short travel creates a sharper sound, but the tone of the Prevail Epsilon when bottoming out is deep and thocky even stock. On keyup, the Prevail Epsilon produces a deep and poppy sound contrasting the hard bottom out. The Prevail Epsilon would be a good option for those looking for a deep and thocky switch that has a sharper sound.
Here is a sound test of the Prevail Nebula:
Everglide Aqua King
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | Everglide Aqua King V3 |
| Type | Linear |
| Housing Material | Polycarbonate |
| Stem Material | Polycarbonate |
| Actuation Force | 55g, 62g, 67g |
| Travel | 4mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
Switch Feel
The Everglide Aqua King V3 feels smooth with minimal stem wobble. They were pretty good factory lubed, but hand lubing them takes them to a whole another level! The Everglide Aqua King V3 has a soft feeling bottom out and a snappy feeling top out.
Switch Sound
The Everglide Aqua King V3 has a soft, muted, and relatively deeper sounding bottom out. On the top out, the Everglide Aqua King V3 has a relatively higher pitched and harder sound. Stock, the Everglide Aqua King V3 produces a creamy sound within the mid tones but after hand lubing the Everglide Aqua King V3 has a more lower pitched and thocky sound signature.
Here is a sound test of the Everglide Aqua King:
Keygeek Keylin
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | Keygeek Keylin |
| Type | Linear |
| Top Material | Nylon |
| Bottom Material | Nylon |
| Stem Material | UPE |
| Actuation Force | 38g |
| Bottom Out Force | 48g |
| Pre Travel | 2.0mm |
| Total Travel | 3.6mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
Switch Feel
The Keygeek Keylin enables smooth keypresses even in its stock form with the light factory lube. The Keygeek Keylin also has minimal stem wobble creating a stable typing experience. The bottom of the pole on the stem of the Keygeek Keylin has a rounded mold compared to traditional stem poles which have a flat bottom. This rounded bottom could create a different typing feel for those curious in experimenting.
Switch Sound
With a nylon bottom housing combined with some fiberglass, the Keygeek Keylin produces a deeper and thocky sound profile when bottoming out. The Keygeek Keylin also has a nylon top housing, producing a soft and low pitch sound on the upstroke. Overall, the Keygeek Keylin has a sound profile that lies inbetween the mid tones and low tones creating a satisfying thocky typing sounds.
Here is a sound test of the Keygeek Keylin:
HMX x BCKeys Gulf
Product Details
|
|
| Name | HMX x BCKeys Gulf |
| Type | Linear |
| Bottom Material | P5 |
| Stem Material | P2 |
| Actuation Force | 50±2g |
| Bottom Out Force | 58±2g |
| Spring | 21mm single-stage |
| Total Travel | 3.8±0.2mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
Switch Feel
Consistent with HMX quality, the keypresses on the HMX Gulf are silky smooth with their thoroughly applied factory lube. The housing of the HMX Gulf is also consistent with HMX with very tight tolerances between opening in the top housing with the stem, allowing a clean and stable typing experience without any plastic rattling noises. The HMX Gulf has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8mm, creating a long pole responsiveness with a comfortability similar to a full travel switch.
Switch Sound
The HMX Gulf is one of the more unique HMX switches in terms of sound. The HMX Gulf produces a relatively deeper sound than most of the previous HMX switches that have been known for their clacky sound profiles. The HMX Gulf takes the poppy sounds from previous HMX switches with a deeper and more thocky bottom out using a combination of materials like the T2 stem and P5 bottom housing. This creates a sharp and thocky bottom out and a lively poppy top out for the HMX Gulf.
Here is a sound test of the HMX x BCKeys Gulf:
Gateron Green Apple
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | Gateron Green Apple |
| Type | Linear |
| Top Housing Material | POM |
| Bottom Housing Material | POM |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Operating Force | 63±15g |
| Pre Travel | 2.0±0.6mm |
| Total Travel | 3.4mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
Switch Feel
The Gateron Green Apple is composed entirely of POM and its combination creates a creamy sounding switch. It has a solid bottom out sound that lies within the mid tones but sounds sharp due to its short travel distance and therefore harsher bottom out. The Gateron Green Apple would be a great choice for users who prefer a heavier tactile switch than the Gateron Mini I and enjoy a crisp and responsive tactility.
The Gateron Green Apple feels like an upgraded Gateron Baby Kangaroo. Both the Gateron Green Apple and the Gateron Baby Kangaroo have a crisp feeling tactility. However, the Gateron Green Apple stands out because it feels more controlled with little to no spring ping and leaf rattle. The Gateron Green Apple is ready to use right out of the box with its consistent factory lube.
Switch Sound
The Gateron Green Apple has an overall creamy sound profile in the mid to high tones. It has a solid bottom out sound that lies within the mid tones but sounds sharp due to its short travel distance and therefore harsher bottom out. It has a poppy and hard sounding top out with the help a long responsive double-staged spring. The Gateron Green Apple would be a great choice for users who are chasing the creamy or thocky sound profile. The Gateron Green Apple has the potential to utilize its sharp bottom out to create a mid to higher pitched sound profile, as well as the potential to lean towards a creamier sound profile by utilizing its heavy tactility.
Here is a sound test of the Gateron Green Apple:
MMD Vivian (or any MMD Switch)
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | MMD Vivian |
| Switch Type | Linear |
| Top Housing Material | PA12 |
| Bottom Housing Material | Modified PUM |
| Stem Material | Modified UPE |
| Actuation Force | 43g / 53g |
| Bottom Force | 48g / 60g |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Pre Travel | 2.0mm |
| Total Travel | 3.6mm |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
The MMD Vivian feels as thocky as it sounds. The MMD Vivian is a great option for those who enjoy the feeling of thoroughly lubed switches. Its creamy typing feel could be due to the modified UPE stem material because of its softness. The modified UPE stem material provides a thocky and soft feeling typing experience.
Switch Sound
The MMD Vivian stands out as a thocky switch. It has a hard and creamy bottom out and a soft and dampened top out. The PUM bottom housing material helps create a deep tone but also a hard plastic-y sound profile. Overall, the combination of the PUM bottom housing and the soft modified UPE stem material produces a soft and thocky sound signature.
Here is a sound test of the MMD Vivian:
TTC Neptune (or TTC Venus)
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | TTC Neptune |
| Switch Type | Linear |
| Top Housing Material | POM |
| Bottom Housing Material | PC |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Actuation Force | 41g |
| Bottom Force | 50g |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Pre Travel | 2.0mm |
| Total Travel | 3.8mm |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
Without any gaps between the rails in the housing and with longer rails on the stem, both the TTC Neptune and the TTC Venus feel incredibly slick and smooth to type on.
Switch Sound
The TTC Neptune sounds clean and crisp without any unnecessary noises from spring ping, leaf chatter, or scratch. The combination of materials and design aspects make these switches sound creamy.
The TTC Neptune has a solid bottom out that has the potential to sound both clacky or thocky depending on how the keyboard is configured but favors a deeper tone. While the top out sound has a soft and poppy sound signature.
Here is a sound test of the TTC Neptune:
Durock Ice King (Linear/Tactile)
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | Durock Ice King |
| Switch Type | Linear / Tactile |
| Top Housing Material | Polymer Nylon |
| Bottom Housing Material | Polymer Nylon |
| Stem Material | Modified Nylon |
| Actuation Force | 52g (Linear) / 58g (Tactile) |
| Bottom Force | 62g (Linear) / 68g (Tactile) |
| Mount | 5 pin |
| Pre Travel | 2.0mm |
| Total Travel | 3.5mm |
| Factory Lubed | Yes |
Switch Feel
Durock Ice King Linear
The Durock Ice King Linear feels smooth with no apparent scratchiness. The factory lubrication of the Durock Ice King Linear feels consistent and provides a comfortable typing experience without fatiguing your fingers. The comfortability of the Durock Ice King Linear makes it a great option for enthusiasts who type frequently at work or even for gamers who have long sessions of gaming.
Durock Ice King Tactile
The Durock Ice King Tactile feels silky smooth to type on with no noticeable scratchiness. The housing and stem tolerances are exceptional and provide a clean and precise typing experience. The tight housing tolerances and minimal stem wobble of the Durock Ice King Tactile also plays a role in having a typing experience that is unbothered by any inconsistent keypresses. The tolerances of the Durock Ice King are comparable to the tolerances of HMX switches and would provide a good alternative to those that enjoy the typing experience of HMX switches but would like to have a deeper sound profile.
The Durock Ice King Tactile has a very pronounced bump that is comparable to the large tactile bump of the Durock T1. The accentuated tactile bump creates a sharp tactility on the downstroke and a snappy return on the upstroke.
Switch Sound
Durock Ice King Linear
The Durock Ice King Linear creates a deep, thocky and slightly dampened bottom out sound and a soft creamy top out sound. The Durock Ice King Linear has an inoffensive sound signature that would be suitable for shared spaces. The Durock Ice King Linear also comes close to recreating the popular PE foam sound on its own without the need to use foam, making it a solid option for enthusiasts who enjoy a creamy and thocky sound profile.
Durock Ice King Tactile
The Durock Ice King Tactile stands out with a very deep and thocky sound profile that is slightly subdued in volume. It has a satisfying crisp sounding bottom out due to the large tactile bump with a soft soothing top out. The Durock Ice King Tactile would be a great fit for enthusiasts who are looking for the deepest and thockiest typing experience that is soft on the ears.
Here is a sound test of the Durock Ice King Tactile:
Gazzew Boba U4T
Product Details
 |
|
| Name | Gazzew Boba U4T V2 |
| Type | Tactile |
| Housing Material | Gazzew proprietary plastic blend |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Bottom Out | 62g or 68g |
| Spring | 17.5mm Korean spring |
| Travel | 4mm |
| Mount | 5 pin |
The "U4" stands for "Euphoria" and the "T" stands for "Extra Thocccc." The Gazzew U4T Boba comes in several variants: an all black housing, a clear RGB top with black bottom housing, an all white housing, and a clear RGB top with white bottom housing.
Switch Feel
The Gazzew U4T Boba are extremely smooth. The Gazzew U4T Boba have minimal stem wobble due to its tight housing tolerances. The Gazzew U4T Boba has a very pronounced D-shaped tactile bump. The Gazzew Boba U4T has little to no initial pre-travel and a round overall travel.
Switch Sound
The Gazzew U4T Boba has a deep and full sounding downstroke, and a higher-pitched and poppy sounding upstroke. Hand lubing the Gazzew U4T Boba would help create a deeper sound profile for those uninterested in the brighter poppy sounds.
Here is a sound tests of the Gazzew U4T Boba V2:
You can find these switches in our shop! Check it out.
Other Reading
How to Mod Your Mechanical Keyboard for Better Sound and Feel
How to Build Your First Mechanical Keyboards: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ultimate HMX Switch Showdown: Sound Test & Switch Review
Top Mechanical Keyboard Layouts: Which One is Right for You?
HMX Cheese Linear Switch Review
HMX Macchiato Linear Switch Review
Cherry MX Black Clear Top "Nixie" Linear Switch Review
Share:
Gateron Magnetic Jade Max Linear Switches Review
Top Budget-Friendly Switches