What is the Best Microswitch for a Gaming Mouse?

According to Statista, did you know that 10% of all computer users experience a mouse problem at least once a year?  One of the most common problems with the mouse is double click, which is typically caused by a faulty microswitch.  Although a malfunctioning mouse button may be acceptable for regular work, but in gaming, it could result in gamer rage. Even more critical, a missed shot in competitive game conditions can result in a devastating loss.

As gamers, it's essential to pick a durable device with the latest features for long-term usage. Gamers must build muscle memory on a fixed mouse to perfect their aim and movement, therefore the microswitch shall have a high life span to ensure the device lasts long. This article will explain what a microswitch is and its importance in gaming. It will also mention some of the best manufacturers for microswitchs in gaming. Continue reading for more information!

What is a Mouse Microswitch?

The microswitch is the component inside the mouse that registers a click. There are many microswitches, each with a distinct feel and response. Manufacturers are constantly innovating new ways to improve response time and remove the double-click issues altogether. One of the methods is to use an optical or hybrid microswitch. There are mainly two types of microswitches: mechanical microswitches and optical microswitches.

Mechanical Microswitch

A mechanical switch uses contact between two metal surfaces to register a click. The click sound is due to the spring-like mechanism, which moves under the force applied by the user. The spring causes the two contacts to meet, and as soon as the user removes the pressure, the spring breaks the contact and returns to its natural position. A high-end mouse like the BTM011  can last for millions of clicks. However, as users, considering the advantages and disadvantages of a mechanical micro-switch design is vital.

PROS

Simple Manufacturing

Low Power Consumption

Easy Replacement

CONS

Bounce Effect due to Spring

Optical Microswitch

The optical microswitch uses infrared light to register a connection. Its mechanism involves cutting off the light source when a user initiates a click. An optical switch also uses a spring to return the button to its initial position. The optical switch does not need a debounce filter compared to the mechanical micro-switch. No bounce effect can cause a double click.

PROS

≅0.2ms Response Time

Works without Debouncing Filter

Higher Operating Life-Span

CONS

Higher Power Consumption

Not Budget-friendly

Mouse Microswitch Importance in Gaming

Factors like response time, durability, feedback, sound, operating force, and release force are vital in gaming. They are responsible for the satisfactory and accurate click of a gaming mouse. gaming mouse Manufacturers like Cherry MX, Omron, Kailh, Razer, Logitech, Huano, and TTC produce the best microswitch for high-end gaming performance. A microswitch's time to register a click is called click latency. It depends on the software processing and mainly the microswitch technology and build.

Have you ever felt that you clicked before the enemy, but the computer registered their click before yours? It's probably due to low latency, which caused by many reasons. It can be the internet connection latency, a mouse's response time, or the game server's response time. To ensure no delay due to your hardware, getting a mouse with a high-quality microswitch is vital for competitive gaming.

How to Choose the Best Microswitch for Your Gaming Mouse

If you plan to replace the microswitch on your favorite gaming mouse, there are plenty of options. Be aware that changing a mechanical microswitch with an optical microswitch is not possible! If you plan to buy a new mouse, make sure it features your favorite microswitch by design. Here is a table illustrating all the types of switches and their specification. We will mention each specification in detail.

Lifespan

An intense gamer makes around 14 million clicks annually, playing for 3-5 hours daily. Meanwhile, a casual gamer only produces approximately 3 million clicks per year by playing 1-2 hours daily. It can be an approximation of the mouse's lifespan based on the switch that it features.

Manufacturers test their product by subjecting it to cyclic clicking until failure. The max life span of a typical mechanical microswitch is around 80M clicks. Optical mouse switches can go up to 100M rated clicks before failing.

Operating Force

It is the force needed to make the button "click" when pressed. Gamers prefer low operating force as it causes less fatigue, but there is always a chance of a wrong click. Some players go for a higher operating strength as there is less chance of miss-click.

Release Force

It is the opposite of the operating force. When the user starts lifting off the finger after registering a click, the release of pressure at which the mouse resets to its initial position is release force. A lower release force is good for gaming as it is quick and poses minimum delay.

Overtravel

It is the distance the mouse travels after the actuation point. The overtravel is only helpful for gamers if they need to keep the button pressed for a long time, which depends on the genre of the game. A first-person shooter like Fortnite and CS: GO needs only a tiny overtravel, whereas a game like Minecraft can benefit from higher overtravel.

Gaming Mice with Best Microswitch

1. MEETION BTM011

Key Highlights

● DIY Disassembly without Tool

● 72g Lightweight Design

● 1200cpi at 1000Hz Polling Rate

If you want a wireless mouse with an excellent price/performance ratio and mechanical micro-switches, then MEETION Gaming Mouse BTM011 is ideal. Its 1000Hz polling rate is best for games like Fortnite, PUBG, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Minecraft. The mere 72g weight makes mouse movement effortless and accurate. If the microswitch fails, users can disassemble the mouse without any tools. It is the best customizable mouse for gaming.

2. RAZER COBRA

Key Highlights

● 0.2ms Response Time Optical Microswitch

● 90M Click Rating

● Lightweight Cable

Razer has been around for quite some time. Their accessories are trusted all around the world. Their excellent after-sale services and product has helped them gain a decent market share. Razer Cobra is their elite but entry-level gaming mouse with the Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3. The optical microswitch can generate a click in 0.2ms. As it's a wired mouse, there is no need to worry about power consumption. It comes with a Razer™ 8500 DPI Optical Sensor for accuracy. It's the best entry-level mouse for competitive gaming.

Conclusion

The decision between going for an optical or mechanical microswitch relies on the user. Both defer in price reparability and aftermarket parts. If you are starting your gaming journey, it's better to go for a mechanical micro-switch mouse as it offers a wider variety of after-market parts. A pro gamer who knows how to handle their hardware can go for an optical mouse. So, improve your gaming performance with a fast microswitch mouse. If you are interested in finding a wide variety of mechanical microswitch mice with excellent quality, visit the MEETION Gaming Mouse for broader options and categories!