The loudest mechanical keyboard switch is Cherry MX Blue. But, there are more on the list of the loudest switches so before you decide to get the loudest of them all, you might want to reconsider and check the other available loud switches that could be a better fit for your needs.
If you’re one of the many who want a loud mechanical keyboard and are eyeing getting the switches that could produce the sound that you want to achieve from a keyboard, then stick around as we will not only provide you details about switches and also keyboards with loud switches.
Which Switches are the Loudest
The following are the loudest keyboard switches available for your hot-swappable keyboard or to pick when choosing a mechanical keyboard:
Kailh Box Navy Switches
- Actuation Force: 90g Peak, 75g Operation, 90g bottom
- Travel Distance: 1.8 mm Actuation, 3.6mm Bottom
Reddit users claimed that the Kailh Box Navy switches were the loudest, so we put them to the test. Long story short, the Redditors were right.
If you are looking for the loudest mechanical keyboard switch then the Kailh Box Navy are for you.
These are actually similar in a way to the Cherry MX switches and both are incredibly loud so you do have more than one option here.
Cherry MX Blue Switches
- Actuation Force: 61g
- Travel Distance: 4 mm with 2mm pre-travel
Cherry MX Blue clicky switches are the loudest mechanical keyboard switch with the highest quality that you can find on the market. This loudest clicky switch has a light spring with the feeling of typing on an old-school typewriter.
The distinct “click” sound of this switch as one of the loudest cherry MX switches produces is the main reason why people choose this over other switches.
Cherry MX Blue Switches also have tactile feedback with a smooth feel.
If you want a keyboard that would give you a feeling of going back in time while also providing you with the best quality, then go for keyboards with Cherry MX Blue switches.
Cherry MX Black Switches
- Actuation Force: 61g
- Travel Distance: 4 mm total travel with 2 mm pre-travel
Cherry MX Black is another one of the loudest mechanical switches with fantastic build quality and one of the most durable MX switches that you can have on your mechanical keyboard. Unlike the Cherry MX Blue Clicky Switches, Cherry MX Black belongs to the linear switches equipped with a loud sound compared to the click sound that you can hear from blue switches.
With this loud keyboard switch, additional force triggers are added with a stronger spiral spring than your average keyboard switch.
This type of switch is not just one of the loud keyboard switches. This switch also delivers 100 million clicks than the normal 50 million clicks and should be your top choice if you’re looking for a keyboard a little less loud than Cherry MX Blue with outstanding durability.
Kailh Box Jade Thick Switches
- Actuation Force: 50 to 60g
- Travel Distance: 3.6 mm
Kailh Box Jade Thick Switches is belongs to the key switches with the loudest sound. It is a little bit different from the two switches that we mentioned earlier because it comes with a thicker spring.
The springs of Kailh Box Jade Thick Switches make the sound of this switch louder than any other switch that’s available on the market. The tactile feedback of this switch is also incredible, and you can feel every key press.
The Kailh Box Jade Thick Switch has a lifespan of up to more than 50 million clicks of Cherry MX Blue switches. The excellent rebound and the springy feel of this loudest keyboard switch make it a brilliant choice for a loud switch.
Outemu Blue
- Actuation Force: 60g
- Travel Distance: 4mm
Gateron KS-9 RGB Switches
- Actuation Force: 45g
- Travel Distance: 4mm Key Travel
The Gateron KS-9 RGB Switches is one of the loudest mechanical keyboard switches that you can find with fantastic build quality. It comes with a black stem and clear housing.
This switch is a little bit quieter than the other switches on our list, but it’s still considered to be pretty loud. The Gateron KS-9 RGB Switches also have a lifespan of up to 50 million clicks.
Gateron Ink Black v2 Switches
- Actuation Force: 60g
- Travel Distance: 4mm
Gateron Ink Black v2 is a remarkable choice for a loud switch, to partner up with your gaming keyboard, gaming mouse, and gaming PC. The unique thick bass sound and buttery feel make every writer, coder, or gamer love this switch.
Gateron Ink Black v2 Switches though are more expensive compared to the other switches but deliver an impressive performance when it comes to long hours of typing or gaming.
Matias Click Switch
- Actuation Force: 60g
- Travel Distance: 3.5 mm
Matias Click Switch is an amazing switch choice if you’re looking for that loud clicking sound from your keyboard for an affordable price. This clicky switch is one of the most durable switches with a lifespan of up to 50 million clicks.
Aside from being one of the loud keyboard support, this switch even has RGB backlight brightness levels support.
This keyboard switch, belonging to one of the best mechanical key switches, also has a light spring, and you can hear a distinct “click” sound with every key press. The smooth feel and the tactile feedback of this clicky switch make it an excellent choice for people who are looking for a loud switch without breaking the bank.
Which Keyboard Switches are the Loudest by Color
If you’re wondering if key switches color matters when it comes to how loud the switch is, the answer is yes. In general, the following are the loudest switch colors:
Blue
Blue switches are the loudest switches that you can find on the market. The sound of this switch is louder than any other switch, and it’s also one of the most popular switches among people who are looking for a loud keyboard switch. We would recommend the Kailh Box Navy
Black
Black switches are also considered to be one of the loudest switches because they have a similar sound profile to Blue switches. Black switches are a great choice if you’re looking for a loud switch with a little bit more tactility.
Red
Red switches are also considered to be one of the loudest switches, but they’re not as popular as Blue and Black switches. Red switches have a similar sound profile to Blue and Black switches, but they’re a little bit more resistant to dust and debris.
Factors that Affect Mechanical Keyboards Switch Loudness
Knowing which keyboard switches are the loudest, you might also be interested to know about the other factors that can affect the loudness of switches as follows:
Actuation Force
The Actuation Force is the amount of force required to press a key on the keyboard. In general, the louder the switch, the higher the Actuation Force.
Travel Distance
The Travel Distance is the distance that the key travels when it’s pressed. In general, the louder the switch, the longer the Travel Distance.
Switch Types
With types play a role in how loud a switch can be. The following are the different switch types and the loudness that they can deliver:
Tactile Switches
Tactile switches are considered to be the loudest switches because they have a clear “bump” when you press them. This type of switch is great for people who are looking for a loud switch with a little bit of feedback.
Linear Switches
Linear switches are also considered to be one of the loudest switches, but they’re not as popular as tactile switches. Linear switches have a smooth, linear feel when you press them, and they’re great for people who are looking for a switch with a little bit less feedback.
Clicky Switches
Clicky switches are also considered to be one of the loudest switches, but they’re not as popular as tactile and linear switches. Clicky switches have a “click” sound when you press them, and they’re great for people who are looking for a switch with a little bit of feedback.
Keyboard Size
The size of the keyboard also plays a role in how loud the switches can be. The following are the different keyboard sizes and the loudness that they can deliver:
Full-Size Keyboard
Full-size keyboards are the loudest because they have the most switches. This type of keyboard is great for people who are looking for a keyboard with a lot of feedback.
Tenkeyless Keyboard
Tenkeyless keyboards are also considered to be one of the loudest, but they’re not as popular as full-size keyboards. Tenkeyless keyboards have a similar sound profile to full-size keyboards, but they’re a little bit smaller.
Compact Keyboard
Compact keyboards are also considered to be one of the loudest, but they’re not as popular as full-size and tenkeyless keyboards. Compact keyboards have a similar sound profile to full-size and tenkeyless keyboards, but they’re a little bit smaller.
Keycap Material
Keycap material also plays a role in how loud the switches can be. The following are the different keycap materials and the loudness that they can deliver:
ABS Keycaps
ABS keycaps are the loudest because they have a higher pitch. This type of keycap is great for people who are looking for a keycap with a lot of feedback.
PBT Keycaps
PBT keycaps are also considered to be one of the loudest, but they’re not as popular as ABS keycaps. PBT keycaps have a similar sound profile to ABS keycaps, but they’re a little bit more resistant to wear and tear.
Case
The type of case can also affect how loud the switches can be. Some case comes with a dampening foam which can render your switches quieter than you expect them to be. An aluminum case also delivers a loud sound better than the other case type.
Work Surface
Your work surface can also add to the loudness of the switches. Work surfaces made from heavy metal or wood amplify the switch sound of the keyboard better than other surface types.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the loudest mechanical keyboard switch are the Kailh Box Navy and Cherry MX Blue Switch. Blue switches are considered to be the loudest because they have a higher pitch. Other factors can affect how loud your keyboard switch can be including the actuation force, the travel distance, the type of switch, and many more.
Regardless of how loud you like your mechanical keyboard switch to be, you can surely find one that suits your preference among the list of the loudest keyboard switches.
