Kailh Winter Mini Tactile Low Profile MX Switch

Below is an explanation of the characteristics that are helpful when looking for a low profile MX microswitch that fits your preferences:

Switch Type

• Linear: A linear switch provides a smooth, consistent keystroke with uniform resistance and no physical "bump" or audible click during its travel. This design allows for a fluid, quiet movement, making it highly preferred for rapid inputs and fast-paced gaming.
• Tactile: A tactile MX microswitch provides a physical "bump" you can feel at the moment of actuation, but without the sharp, audible "click" found in clicky switches. It is designed to give you a quiet yet perceptible confirmation that your press has been registered.
• Clicky: A clicky microswitch is a type of mechanical switch that provides both a physical tactile bump and a sharp, audible "click" sound at the moment of electrical actuation. This dual feedback allows the user to both feel and hear exactly when a press has been registered.

Material Type

POM (Polyoxymethylene) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic widely used for switch stems and housings due to its exceptionally low coefficient of friction and self-lubricating properties. These characteristics allow the internal components to glide against each other with minimal resistance, resulting in a naturally smooth, "buttery" keystroke and a deep, muted sound profile often described by enthusiasts as "thocky."

• Full POM: The material is used throughout the microswitch stem and housing.
• POM Stem: The material is specifcally used on the microswitch stem. The stem connects your button cap to the microswitch housing and spring. The POM thus assists in lessening the friction along this portion of the microswitch. In some cases, the bottom housing is also made of POM.

Pre-Travel, Actuation, Return

• Pre-travel: The distance a button must be pressed from its resting position before the switch actuates (registers a press). This is measured in millimeters. A shorter distance is desired for highly competitive play. 
• Actuation force: The amount of force required to press the key to the actuation point. This is meaured in grams. A lower grams force means that it takes less pressure to register a press - useful when looking to ensure near-instant actuation.
• Return: Refers to the upward movement and force of the switch spring that pushes the key back to its resting position after release. This is also measured in grams.

Keep in Mind

We carry a variety of MX switches to suit a player's objectives and preferences.  It's easy to choose the model that offers the most competitive specs, but it may not match your playstyle. It's important to look at some of the challenges you may face when choosing a high performance model:

• Low Pre-Travel: Those with a very low pre-travel are designed to actuate almost instantly. Those who like to rest their hands on or near the button cap may trigger an accidental input. Your buttons may also feel "mushy" because there is little distance between the bottoming out of a button when pressed. 
• Light Actuation: Similar to low pre-travel, feather light is great for those who desire high button sensitivity. But that does risk accidental inputs.
• Linear Switch Type: Linear is great for competitive play as it provides the most direct route to actuate a press. But its design does not provide feedback as tactile or clicky would. You may accidentally "bottom" out, or press all the way down much harder than you would with a tactile or clicky switch.