For gaming PCs, mechanical switches have long been the gold standard. However, the emergence of optical switches in recent years has sparked a new wave of excitement. These switches are a game-changer, offering unparalleled speed, precision, and durability that can elevate your gaming
experience to new heights.
Discover more about optical keyboard switches, their inner workings, and why they’re becoming popular among gamers and power users. Understanding the nuances of switch types can help you make the best decision when choosing an optical switch keyboard that perfectly complements your gaming setup.
What are Optical Switches?
Optical keyboard switches are still mechanical at their core, as they have springs and familiar housing structures. Instead of relying on metal contact to register a keystroke like a mechanical switch, they use infrared light and photoelectric sensors. When a key is pressed, a light beam inside the switch is interrupted or redirected, which the sensor detects as a signal, allowing for quicker and more accurate key registration.
An optical keyboard offers the same variety and feel as traditional mechanical switches despite being different in function. However, because they don’t use metal leaf contacts, some users may feel the typing experience slightly differs from a traditional mechanical switch. Still, many gamers appreciate optical switches’ consistency, durability, and speed.
Types of Optical Keyboard Switches
Optical keyboard switches come in several varieties, and like traditional mechanical switches, they’re categorized by the kind of feedback they offer, but all use light-based actuation.
Here are the main types of optical switches:
Linear Optical Switches: Linear optical switches provide a smooth and consistent keystroke from top to bottom without any tactile bump or audible click. This design makes these optical keyboard switches ideal for rapid keypresses and competitive gamers prioritizing speed and precision.
Clicky Optical Switches: Clicky optical switches offer tactile feedback and a distinct click sound at the actuation point. They provide a satisfying keypress similar to a typewriter, which many users enjoy for its auditory and physical feedback. They still operate using fast, light-based actuation and benefit from increased durability, making them popular with users who prefer explicit keypress confirmation.
Tactile Optical Switches: Tactile optical switches balance linear and clicky designs with a noticeable bump at the actuation point without a loud click. This technology gives users responsive feedback while maintaining quieter operation, making them best for the office or shared environments.
Each type of optical switch keyboard ensures quick actuation, eliminates debounce delay, and enhances reliability. The right optical switch can significantly improve your comfort, speed, and overall experience.
Advantages of Optical Keyboard Switches
Optical keyboard switches have many benefits with their high-level performance and durability.
Here are the advantages of an optical keyboard:
The infrared light optical switches that detect key presses allow for near-instant actuation.
They eliminate debounce delay entirely, so each keypress is registered cleanly and accurately.
Optical switches experience less physical wear and tear without metal contact points, resulting in a significantly longer lifespan than mechanical switches.
Optical switches are more resistant to water, dust, and debris.
An optical keyboard maintains smooth and consistent keystrokes over time since there are fewer moving parts to degrade.
Many optical keyboards support swappable switch designs, making replacing or cleaning switches without soldering easy.
An optical switch keyboard combines speed, easy maintenance, and durability making it a top choice for gamers.
Disadvantages of Optical Keyboard Switches
While an optical keyboard has impressive speed and durability, it also has a few limitations.
These disadvantages include:
An optical keyboard has limited variety compared to mechanical switches. Since the technology is newer, fewer switch types, feels, and manufacturers exist.
Not all optical keyboards support hot-swapping and many don’t allow for interchangeable keycaps or switches, limiting users who like customizing their typing experience.
Optical keyboards are more expensive since the infrared technology and light-based actuation systems create additional costs.
The number of manufacturers producing optical switches is still relatively small.
While optical keyboard switches offer cutting-edge performance and reliability, they may not work for everyone.
Optical Keyboard Switches vs. Mechanical Switches
When deciding between optical and mechanical keyboard switches, weighing the differences in performance, feel, durability, and cost is important.
Below is a breakdown of how these two switch types compare:
Speed and Performance: Optical keyboard switches excel in speed and responsiveness. Mechanical switches, while slightly slower due to physical actuation, still offer solid performance, but optical switches have an edge in fast-paced gaming.
Typing Feel and User Experience: Mechanical switches are known for their signature tactile feedback and audible clicks. Mechanical keyboards offer various options to match your typing style, whether you prefer clicky, tactile, or linear switches. Optical keyboard switches focus on smoothness and speed, so their feedback is typically lighter and quieter.
Durability and Maintenance: Both switch types are durable, but optical switches tend to last longer due to their contactless design. Optical keyboard switches require less maintenance as they’re more resistant to dust and spills.
Customization and Compatibility: Mechanical switches let users swap keycaps, replace switches, and choose from various brands and feel profiles. Optical switches offer limited customization since each switch relies on a specific PCB with built-in light sensors. DIY keyboard builders or modders may find mechanical options more flexible.
Cost and Value: Optical keyboards generally come at a higher cost due to their complex technology. However, their longer lifespan and reduced need for maintenance may offer better long-term value. Mechanical keyboards are typically more affordable and come in a wider price range. Optical may be worth the investment for users prioritizing performance with minimal upkeep. Mechanical keyboards remain a great option for those seeking affordability and customization.
Brand Adoption and Ecosystem: Several major brands have embraced the optical switch keyboard, including Razer and Wooting. While the mechanical keyboard space has more variety, optical technology continues to grow.
Optical and mechanical switches bring value to any gaming setup, and the best choice depends on your needs, usage patterns, and budget.
Can You Put Mechanical Switches on an Optical Keyboard?
You cannot directly use standard mechanical switches on an optical keyboard because mechanical switches rely on metal pins to complete a circuit through physical contact. In contrast, optical switches use light beams to detect keystrokes. As a result, these keyboards’ printed circuit boards, meaning mechanical switches, cannot simply be inserted into an optical board. Even among optical switches, compatibility can vary between brands, so switches are not always interchangeable between optical keyboards.
Should You Get an Optical Keyboard?
Whether an optical keyboard is right for you depends on your preferences, typing habits, and priorities. A traditional mechanical keyboard might still be better if you value tactile feedback, audible clicks, or extensive customization.
In the end, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as the best optical switch keyboard is the one that matches your workflow, gaming style, and comfort needs.
If you’re looking for a keyboard for your gaming setup, iBUYPOWER has you covered. You’ll find the perfect gear for your space with our various gaming keyboards and accessories.
