TOP 7 BEST-SOUNDING keyboard switches of all time

If you want a bigger taste of the keyboards in this video, I've already reviewed almost all of them, so look them up for more! Hope you enjoy the video! :)
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22

[@bishopworks3203]

Top x worst sounding keys. Also, at 9:57 KZbin’s auto captions thinks the sound of the SKCM Blue key switches is music.

[@Chyrosran22]

HAHAHA LOL xD

[@NintenloupWolfFR]

Well, it is music.

[@bishopworks3203]

Nintenloup Wolf (FR) you’re not wrong there, my friend.

[@andrewdias478]

Cherry Green/Blue are nowhere near as bad as clicky Outemu clones. It's the same sound but even louder and shriller.

[@halfhanbun]

Unnamed Internet Citizen I would say Cherry Green isn't satisfying but I don't think it's annoying and plasticky the way Blues are.

[@adamlanghans]

Don't let all the junk about keyfeel, lifespan, or doubleshot caps trick you; this is what we're really here for.

[@Chyrosran22]

;D

[@wkg19591]

And the voice :-)

[@ChessMatchups]

69

[@MrSeon123]

0:22 More subjective. Not more objective.

[@Steve-eh2rp]

Seon-Ho I think it was a mistake that he didn't notice cause he explained it to be subjective after saying objective.

[@y11971alex]

Objective, because frequency and amplitude can be measured.

[@orpheusx]

They certainly can, but that's not what Thomas is doing here. This is subjective. Great video, Thomas!

[@thetechoasis2179]

what he said was fine, sound is objective because it can be measured.

[@artemiszenn9856]

Objective means mind-independent or universally biased, and since different people perceive sound differently (some people are hearing impaired, for example), sound cannot be objective, even if it is measurable.

[@ReeceConrad]

Owning a few of these on the list I have to caution that sound of these switches are greatly enhanced in their large, sturdy plastic shells. So don’t go getting any ideas about stripping them out and doing an aluminum build for an even better experience. Did it. Mistakes were made.

[@Chyrosran22]

Yes, very true; this is partly why I insisted on only native combinations. Modding can make a switch' sound much better... or much worse. Many vintage switches sound best in their own, roomy plastic cases, as you have mentioned ;D .

[@moistjohn]

I just strip them for other alps chassis either because of donor boards or busted keys needing to be replaced

[@socialistsuccubus822]

Aluminum was the problem there. Aluminum accentuates treble. Aluminum looks cool, but it's bad. Steel okay. ABS and Acrylic best. I just built a bbox60 and the volume isn't as loud but it sounds even better than the original focus board this came in thanks to the soft FR-4 plate and thick ABS plastic.. this plastic is actually thicker than the plastic in the original focus case too. :P

[@TsunamicBug]

Yep. That's why i'm kinda sad when peolpe take switches from these old keebs and put them in some generic custom 60% board

[@jannis8218]

A Cherry switch in a top list? Who are you and what have you done to Thomas?

[@tonzillaye]

Jannis it wasn't a modern cherry switch so all good

[@JackOfHarts96]

Cherry MY was in the top worst list, if that counts.

[@Chyrosran22]

And the Cherry mousetrap switch was in the top weirdest list! xD

[@nathanlamaire]

At least they are not MX-style, by the way.

[@lucasmedina8878]

It's not Cherry as a company what sucks, are the MX switches.

[@brandonkey181]

Pinging is a turn off imo This might be an unpopular opinion but I can't get enough of Gateron Black switches sound. Especially lubed.

[@Aggrofool]

I don't like its cushiony bottom-out

[@klym8_]

Try Gateron Yellow lubed

[@Matt-nc4uc]

fax yo

[@brandonkey181]

@Hayden McAdams yeah they sound incredible

[@zachrobinson8357]

They are orgasmic. Those along with Tealios v2s and NK Creams. Can’t put any input onto the feel of them, but yeah. Good sound.

[@josh850]

Its new year im on the toilet puking watching this

[@corbandotson4295]

Up for a repeat?

[@stamrowbitbud895]

@@corbandotson4295 i think he wants a repeat

[@joelfortin6634]

My favourite part is the last two minutes

[@10THPROPHET]

My gosh, the keys at 5:30 sound so CLEAN! I need mech keyboards with that quality!

[@drownindesigner]

ayup

[@bvcghh1684]

Gateron black inks are much better sounding and feeling edit, I actually like the sound of L+F alpacas even more, and none of the switches on this list even come close

[@ella4406]

@@bvcghh1684 sure bud

[@Shikitera]

@@bvcghh1684 nah

[@AidanRampair]

@@bvcghh1684 found the r/mk user

[@arvin_s1008]

Sound Tests (because that's probably why you came here) 7. Omron B3G-S Amber 2:02 6. IBM Membrane Buckling Springs 3:16 5. Cherry Solid State Capacitive 4:01 4. NMB Hi-Tek Series 725 'Space Invaders': Linear 4:45, Clicky 5:00, Lubed 5:30 3. Fujitsu Tactile Magnetic Reed 6:56 2. Scorpius Dome with Slider 8:07 1. Alps SKCL/SKCL Entire Collection: Green 8:57, Yellow 9:02, Orange 9:07, Salmon 9:12, Neon Green 9:17, Black 9:22, White 9:27, Blue 9:32, Blue (with mic on the desk) 9:47 Hope this helps :)

[@battosaijenkins946]

So out of all that which one's the best sounding? =(

[@fierydoesroblox616]

lol they all sound the same except some are just more clickier but thats it

[@Caleb-fv5fp]

Finally someone who isn’t afraid to go back a few decades to find the best keyboards

[@FRK_WasTaken]

My ears have never felt this good. Thank you.

[@Chyrosran22]

xD You're welcome!

[@hedrickoYO]

4:00 4:44 6:56 8:07 9:02 I enjoyed these the most gotta love those deep thocky switches

[@mistysaku2482]

Yeah 8:07 was the best

[@Metafelle]

I love those Fujitsus. Lube them and you'll have a God Tier switch.

[@BRN781-A]

The SKCM Blue is by far the most distinctive.

[@nighte11e]

Really love your voice and vocabulary. Thanks for this video!

[@r2micro373]

Watching this on my break! Well spent!

[@greyareaRK1]

Surprising list, except for the ending. Your videos have long legs - worth watching several times. The clicky space invaders sounded great.

[@rischmund]

2:48 mr krabs as a switch ?

[@edgarmatias]

We have tooling for the Scorpius rubber dome. We used it in the Matias USB 2.0 Keyboard back in the day. Amazing feel.

[@socialistsuccubus822]

Would be really cool to see something like that but with a real PCB. o.o

[@justin6581]

@@socialistsuccubus822I imagine that would be better than topre in terms of sound and feel.

[@lacreatura9432]

Guy with gold, relaxing voice making "Asmr". HEAVEN.

[@Roxor128]

I love this line from number 7: "... although if you're in a shared office you'll probably find co-workers plotting your untimely demise very soon." Understandable for a particularly noisy keyboard, but still an amusing line.

[@fgsdfognmkf]

thanks for the asmr :)

[@Kaguyaaa_x_x]

His voice had me wet I swear...

[@RudraJain]

@@Kaguyaaa_x_x ok....

[@s0ra264]

x_x Kaguyaaa wtf..

[@th3legendgaming666]

x_x Kaguyaaa ...

[@wateredbottle2529]

x_x Kaguyaaa cool...

[@JoeGaz]

Wow the space invaders sounded amazing!!!

[@Soei23]

My personal top two are the Fujitsu and lubed Space Invaders. The keycaps for both of them are a really nice bonus too, they are simply beeeejoootifuuuul!!

[@SonicBoone56]

Was hoping to see NEC blue ovals. Maybe they would've been in the honorable mentions (if you had a list in the video)

[@Chyrosran22]

I had them in the tryouts, but they didn't make it in the end.

Reopen than Model F, it needs some realignment. Insides are shifted to the right, F-row should be centered :)

[@laughtrack686]

I use a really really loud keyboard at home... which is surprisingly enough a rubberdome, which are generally quiet. It is one of the best rubberdomes out there.

[@Churchgrimm]

Thomas, I'm with you 100% on the bass-y *thwack* key sound. Absolutely love it. I was enchanted by the BOX Navy switches after watching your demo video (kind of surprised they didn't make this list,) and at some point I'm hoping to do a custom build by soldering them into an older keyboard. Do you have any keyboard recommendations? I'm not a rich man, so I'd like to keep the board under $50 (£38ish.) I'd welcome anyone else's advice as well. :)

[@argelltall5561]

Hi tek lubed iso perfectly for me

[@AndrewH9999]

I would die for that board

[@thefriendlierfriendliestfr786]

Same

[@drownindesigner]

Sexy

[@alistairblaire6001]

The Fujitsu magnetic reed reminds me of a typewriter. The mechanism is fascinating yet hard to visualize. I must try not to fall in love with it because I know it is probably impossible to find.

[@jamesthefirst_8147]

I might like the keyboard asmr, but i love your voice. Great video

[@andrewcallahan3834]

Love these vids keep up the good work

[@FAB1150]

The skcm blue get my 1st place. I love the sound of greetech blue switches, despite the bad reputation they have. I bought the omen keyboard only for the sound they make! Overpriced as hell but yeah, it was a sale so I bought it.

[@dhoffnun]

Guh... those Space Invaders sound so good... and those lubed ones... my body is ready.

[@Joeyelley]

Those lewd ones......

[@dgk4486]

Never knew about Alps switches before coming across your channel. Now have a vintage keyboard with SKCM whites. Honestly I'm now making this comment longer than intended just because of the noise!

[@jaymixo607]

the last clip of skcm blue with mic on desk is literally heaven on my ears

[@AlTheEngineer]

Now I really want an Acer KB-101A ... Damn this hobby eats your money up!

[@AIRDRAC]

I like how you got to the KB-101A and seemingly forgot to stop typing again ^^ The sound is delicious, so i have absolutely no complaint about it, it just seemed like you got to your favorite, and decided to stay there after having 5-6 seconds of each of the other SKCM keyboards :)

[@Chyrosran22]

All the typing demos were recorded in that length, of which I cut out a 5-second bit. If I'd stayed on all of them for 2 minutes, people would never have gotten through them all xD .

[@AIRDRAC]

Chyrosran22 haha, I see :) I'd probably watch all of it, just for the pleasant sound :)

[@Chyrosran22]

Remember I have typing demos in all their reviews ;) .

[@AIRDRAC]

Chyrosran22 and I enjoy it every time ^^

[@krazybonnie5523]

A top 10 best modern switch(still in production/available to buy new in keyboard) personally i bet if the list is actually done, Matias click and Unicomp bucking springs are taking the top spots

[@tiborsaas]

The last one was minimal techno, nice job :D

That Acer KB-101A with SKCM Blue Alps, pure eargasm!

[@purplepothos5794]

Are we going to get a video for best colour switches next?

[@spedahhcookie]

THIS IS THE VIDEO I NEEDED LOL great vid tho instant sub

[@VishalVoraUK]

Another great video!

[@jumpman2446]

Me going from Cherry MX Blue to SKCM Blue is like going from a GTX 960 to an RTX 3070TI.

[@TheGamingOnion]

My favourite switch sound is definitely the silenced Topre found on the PFU limited edition R2, it is PCB mount and not plate mount unlike the rest of the R2's, and has a very similar sound to the HHKB type S, but a little more refined, and the spacebar is silenced too this time. I really didn't like the Fujitsu N860, it sounds kind of like it's squeaking, Overall I really enjoyed this video and thank you for compiling these lists.

[@Orkey]

I'm melting over those SKCM switches oh my god

[@andrewdias478]

Those keycaps on the Cherry Foam and Foil were amazeballs.

[@smoovkeys]

No, you are best-sounding

[@Chyrosran22]

xD

[@vutid]

Comment was not made • 2 years ago cringe

[@leverkmet]

well, I'm not even interested on watching keyboards videos periodically,but your voice alone made me to subscribe #nohomo

[@noawe_]

Alex Morgenstern were you wearing no homo socks?!?!

[@woke657]

got my red Christmas socks on

[@VulcanSpock]

I like the SKCM neon green and black. And the Scorpius Dome is real good sounding!

[@Blodwynnn]

Hey Tom, for a possible next video could you make a video on your top recommendations for switches you could actually get to make to make for custom gaming boards?

[@jb_lofi]

This is actually interesting, as someone who was introduced to mechanical keyboards somewhat later and haven't even heard of some of these brands. They certainly don't make em like they used to. It's a real pity that so many people just getting into mechanical keyboards is only ever going to really hear about the big-name mainstream brands and will never get to experience some of these. Those SKCM sound absolutely divine, I would love to have them in my ergodox...

[@GurtTarctor]

SKCM Blue sent me into a trance o_O

[@grom3]

a wonderful review!! Thank you

[@izzitlife557]

And this is what I was waiting for

[@justenzo928]

That last several minutes I thought I was in heaven lol

[@cleanix6531]

bro are you technoblades brother?

[@CommodoreFan64]

I work in an open space with about 15 - 32 senior clients on a daily basis, and they would shoot me if I was typing on any of these boards. I just had to order some clear rubber o-rings for a Rosewill Cherry MX Brown board(found it used dirt cheap) to make it a bit more quiet lol! Edit: Please do a list on the best quiet non rubber domes that are also not hard to get ahold of, as it would great for people like myself who work in an office, and also share a house with multiple family members who go to bed early due to work schedules.

[@pauldunecat]

Ah the Northgate omnikey. That was a beauty with the dip switches under the logo. My favorite keyboard was from an IBM 3101 terminal. Besides the screen having super long latency phosphor, the keyboard had a great feel and sound in a rounded steel chassis. Sadly it was destroyed by movers.

[@GurtTarctor]

Top Keycaps of all time would be sweet too :)

[@aidangelion]

9:15 music to my ears

[@snip3rm00n]

As an Alps SKCM Blue lover, myself, those keys are absolute ASMR.

[@hikari9837]

I love your videos!!!

[@koicflakesykh4658]

Someone will say : i never clicked so fast at a video!

[@SonicBoone56]

Koicflakes ykH lmao

[@redforrori]

Lubed is always better ;) Damn, I love the sound of those keys!!

[@marcusrauch4223]

From the SKCM Orange to black the subtitles thought it was applause.

[@aean]

that outtro was like in a metal song when the guitarist just goes insane while the song fades out.

[@spiderkin5101]

if your voice was a keyswitch, i would take the entire stock

[@Ohem1]

It's really too bad Alps Electric don't care to resell and manufacture keyboards or switches worldwide today.

[@moistjohn]

imagine if anyone started producing optical hybrids of alps switches where the only contact point was the click leaf, combined with the regular lube of blue

[@moistjohn]

also yes click leaf hall effect has been done but the sliders on those sucked and the leaf was too skinny and sounded bad

[@nicholash8021]

WOW! I am amazed to see that RMB RT8255C+ with colored keys. Does it have the split spacebar? I have two of them but without the colored caps (is that a custom job?). BY FAR my favorite keyboard of all time going back to the 80's. It is just so satisfying and nothing quite like it even util this day. I'm hoping my new K8 Pro with Kailh Box Jades with o-ring dampers will give me a similar feel. The 8255 had lower profile sculpted keys (closer to KAT or MDA) and only about 3 to 3.2mm travel and with smoother edges compared to the IBM/OEM keyboards of the day. I could type faster on the keyboard than any other board. Beautiful specimen you have there.

[@midorifox]

The Acer KB-101A sounds amazing. If you haven't done so already, could you please make an extended typing test video?

[@mausi4159]

6:55 where can i buy this?

[@theoaldrin330]

You can't

[@mausi4159]

@@theoaldrin330 what do you mean

[@TerraVFX]

mausi he means you cant buy it

[@kevinueson4069]

A shop

[@jerp1367]

Ebay. Honestly, you CAN find them, but good luck

[@gaiustrollius9920]

I kind of expected to see kailh box navies here but I guess that wasn't the case.

[@Chyrosran22]

The click is very high-pitched on them. Also, there is no keyboard that natively comes with these atm afaik.

[@gaiustrollius9920]

Yeah, forgot about that. They're not easy to obtain either (at least where I am). Would love to try some in the flesh though, as my cherry mx blues are a bit lighter and a bit less tactile than I anticipated.

[@mashrosac]

Chyrosran22: *has a hell of a deep voice* Also Chyrosran22: "I like deep sounding switches" that is WAY too deep for both my mental and physical health

[@whatever101]

Space invaders are amazing especially lubed, so good

[@Promii]

Clicky space invaders were my favorite :)

[@DeviantDeveloper]

"sound is rather objective" < subjective surely

[@elliowb2]

Great vid, but that grated on my ears. I was yelling, SUBJECTIVE, not objective. ;)

[@chickenpower5732]

I would love to see a remade keyboard with fujitsu magetic reed as well as those damn thick keycaps and with speculation, chasse.

[@DiabolicalBiscuit]

SKCM Blue and blacks are my favourites

[@darkholyPL]

Before watching the vid: green alps better be on this

[@darkholyPL]

Acceptable outcome :D

[@Chyrosran22]

Fucking hell man, no way they wouldn't be on here xD .

[@PhilipAlexanderHassialis]

Hey guys, I found the slug! Slap at me bro!

[@moistshitikal59]

He sounds like a deeper voice Loki

[@SoulcatcherLucario]

Those keycaps on the Cherry BNF... they are so good... I need...

[@abrick7684]

In the beginning the correct word is subjective. Great video, keep it up!

[@saltii9130]

YOUR VOICE IS BETTER THAN THE KEYS

[@flykope9211]

0:23 subjective

[@autismo8123]

Lubed gateron black ink in a metal case on a brass backplate is where it's at for me.

[@dawaiira4512]

I like the omni point switches the most. They sound really good

[@MrExploiter]

He’s like Corpse but in another domain lol

[@agentmeh1032]

True

[@adamyusuf1805]

XD

[@strongchad8130]

i am genuinely surprised by blue alps being number 1. thought you hated them.

[@joelfortin6634]

Fat Virgin he hates mx blues, blue alps are his favourite

[@strongchad8130]

yeah i was kidding, i know how much he praises alps lol.

[@joelfortin6634]

Well, shit now i'm gonna get on r/woooosh

[@tri1777]

twice in a row!

[@xander1052]

Literally the Blue Alps played twice this video, this makes me happy.

[@CookZed]

Must be good at distinguishing good sounds with a good voice like that

[@orber7057]

in my opinion most switches except for pingy ones sound fairly nice, but i also have a strong preference for lubed tactile/linear switches c:

[@fireplaceninja]

It’s like 10:30 I have to wake up at six I have an exam tomorrow Lol I like buttons tho

[@fliffy4580]

Best sounding switch: The keys in your intro

[@Epsi1ong]

He actually used a blue alps board for his intro lol

[@strictnonconformist7369]

I could put the last extended typing on a loop and use that to fall asleep to. I wonder what sort of dreams that’d incept, considering I have an established history of dreams being influenced quite a bit by external sensory perceptions.

[@Victor_Andrei]

I love how he just sort of forgot about the video and got lost in love making to the Acer at the end.

[@streetballer1997]

5:30 Yes. What you think I had something interesting to say?

[@YouTube_Staff]

Top 10 heaviest switches :D

[@GoldenBeholden]

That's really objective, though.

[@94e88]

Icommenthere Yes, that's correct. It would be nice to see a list of the heaviest switches. Subjective is "based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions." Objective is "not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts." Just making sure since in the video he said objective but meant subjective.

[@GoldenBeholden]

Yeah, I just meant that every list has been subjective so far, so I don't expect him to make an objective list like that.

[@paroxv7340]

The gigantic keyswitches made by kailh (I think) win by default tho

[@GlennL42]

Taihao APC Puke Green would take the cake easily, bought one thinking the 280 g weighting is a joke, only to be more preplexed when I found out it is not, like WHY THE FUCK DO THESE EXIST?

[@clawsby6964]

It’s crazy the amount of human variables like milky black switches are some of the best stock switches I have tried as wells as creams or banana split switches but a gat yellow could be just as good with some lube filming and a new case it’s crazy

[@FyrntyYT]

Those lubed NMB’s need their own 1.5 hour long ASMR video.