Are Blue Switches Good For Gaming?

Most gamers who love gaming prefer the clicky sound of their keyboard. The tactile and auditory feedback by the switches in the keyboard is not only satisfying but also eliminates the need to press the key down, making your hand less tired during prolonged gaming sessions. So the question remains: are blue switches any good for gaming? To answer the question briefly, we need to dive deeper into what blue switches offer and how they are better than any other type of switches available for mechanical keyboards.

Mechanical Keyboard Switches: Blue, Red, and Brown

Mechanical switches in the keyboard use components such as stem, spring, or electrical contacts to register when the user presses the key. Compared to other types of switches, they provide superior feel customization and durability. With different actuation types (linear, tactile, and clicky), mechanical switches have different preferences for gamers. The three distinct types of mechanical switches, commonly known as red, brown, and blue switches, offer unique performance and are designed for gamers to cater to their different preferences.

● Blue

Blue mechanical switches are clicky and tactile. These switches are popular for their sound and feel, making them popular amongst gamers who enjoy tactile feedback while gaming. When the user presses the blue switches, they offer additional resistance to actuation. Blue switches combine sound and tactile feedback to let you know when a click is registered, so gamers don’t need extra force while gaming.

● Red

Red mechanical switches are linear switches that do not produce a tactile or clicky sound when actuated. They provide consistent and smoother key presses, making them best for gamers who don’t want to deal with additional tactile feedback or sound.

● Brown

Brown switches are known for their tactile feedback when actuated. Right before you hit the actuation depth, a bit of resistance or a noticeable bump is added to let you know when a key is down. Brown switches are perfect for gamers who don't want additional sound while providing tactile feedback.

Gamers love customizability in their gaming peripherals. Customizing your mechanical keyboard refers to changing switches and keys on your keyboard. When we talk about changing switches, it relates to their placement. Sockets in mechanical keyboards refer to the connection point on the keyboard's PCB that allows installing and removing mechanical switches. Before making a purchase decision for a mechanical keyboard, ensure that the sockets provided offer a hot-swappable feature, meaning the replacement of switches can be possible without needing to solder or desolder them. It allows gamers to easily customize their keyboard by replacing switches with their preferred choice without requiring technical equipment.

MX-type sockets are the most common socket type. It is compatible with MX-style switches like Cherry MX, Kailh, Gateron, Outemu, etc. Hot-swappable MX-type sockets allow gamers to swap MX-style switches easily to their preference. Stem of MX-type sockets features a "cross" or "plus" shape, which enables the switch to secure into the corresponding socket on the PCB.

Do Switches Improve Your Gaming

The type of mechanical switches you prefer can significantly improve your gaming experience. Whether you use your keyboard for browsing, typing, or gaming, these switches will enhance your keyboard usage experience. The different features offered by switches ensure gamers get a competitive advantage.

Mechanical switches typically have more consistent and faster actuation than membrane switches. It means that every key press registered is immediate and accurate, which is essential in fast-paced games where every millisecond matters. Low-actuation switches have a lower actuation point, making them ideal for FPS or MOBA games that require faster keystrokes.

Depending on the type of mechanical switches, they provide a clicky sound and give tactile feedback when the user presses the key. It leads the gamers to know the actual actuation point of the switch by the confirmation through a sound or a bump made by the switch, so fully pressing the key is unnecessary. The different actuation force of various types of switches improves comfort and ergonomics. For example, games prefer light switches with an actuation force of 45g, and they are great for games that require quick action. On the other hand, gamers who require precise key presses prefer heavier switches with an action of about 80g.

Can Blue Switches Improve Your Gaming

Blue switches offer tactile feedback and a clicky sound when the user presses the key until the actuation point. If you love playing games that require precise and accurate key presses, tactile feedback could be a great option. Users can feel a slight bump when reaching the actuation point, indicating a key press, reducing the likelihood of accidental key presses. The audible clicky sound produced by blue switches assures them that they have pressed the key and the actuation point is reached, which helps them stay engaged while gaming.

Anatomy of Blue Switches

The anatomy of blue switches comprises several components that work together to create a tactile bump and an audible clicky sound from the switch.

1. Keycap: The keycap is the topmost part of the switch. When pressed, it transfers the force from your finger to the switch beneath it.

2. Stem: Stem is the central component of the switch, which keeps the whole assembly aligned.

3. Spring: Once the user removes force from the key, the spring, made of steel and located at the switch's bottom, returns to its original position. The tension in the spring determines the different amounts of force required to press the key.

4. Click Jacket: The click jacket is inside the switch housing. Once the mechanism is engaged, a clicky sound is audible when the stem goes down.

5. Click Leaf: The click leaf differentiates blue switches from other switches. It creates a distinct sound and provides tactile feedback when the user presses the key.

Performance Benefits of Blue Switches in Gaming

Blue switches produce tactile feedback and an auditive clicky sound that help gamers better understand the precise actuation point and let them know precisely when the user presses the key. The clicky sound is satisfying and can help prevent accidental key presses, improving gaming accuracy. Blue switches' auditory and tactile feedback also helps improve comfort and reduce fatigue by preventing overstraining fingers and minimizing unnecessary force applied for key presses, making them an excellent option for longer gaming sessions.

Potential Drawbacks of Blue Switches for Gamers

The drawbacks of blue switches depend upon your personal preference, environment, and the types of games you prefer playing. Blue switches feature a clicky sound and tactile bump when reaching the actuation point. It could be disturbing for gamers who like playing games in a calmer environment and sometimes disturbing when gamers try to focus on in-game sound. Blue switches might not be a great option if you are gaming in an environment where people, family, or friends are around. Tactile bumps featured in blue switches can offer little resistance, reducing your inputs' speed and reaction times while gaming.

Comparative Analysis: Blue Switches vs Other Switch Types

The common difference when comparing blue switches with other switches is that blue switches provide tactile bumps and auditory clicky sounds. In contrast, other counterparts in mechanical switches have either no feedback or just tactile feedback. It lets gamers know precisely when the key actuates, while other switches focus on providing a smoother experience.

Conclusion: Are Blue Switches the Right Choice for You?

The ultimate decision between blue switches or other switches lies in your hand. Gamers sometimes prefer the auditive clicky noise and tactile feedback. It all depends on your preference, play style, and the environment or surroundings in which you are gaming. Clicky noise can sometimes be disturbing, maybe not to you but to the people in your surroundings.

The clicky noise is not that loud, and gamers prefer it because the audio feedback enables them to pick the switch's actuation point, which helps them make precise and accurate movements. The drawback is that it requires too much effort. Before making a purchase decision, review the guidelines and options offered and decide whether blue switches are the right choice.

If you are a gamer looking for a high-end gaming mechanical keyboard with blue MX socket switches, visit the MEETION website. There are tons of options available, from budget-grade to premium-grade products. Their latest product, the MEETION TKL Triple-Mode Wireless RGB Mechanical Keyboard MK14, provides comprehensive connectivity with the fast response time most gamers require. It is available with blue or red switches. Be sure to visit their website!