The Best Optical Switches

Researched by Johnny Alto · last updated July 29, 2026

Short answer: The best optical switches are the Gateron Optical Yellow (KS-15). The Gateron Optical Yellow is the sweet spot of the optical world: a smooth 35g linear that feels featherlight for rapid tapping, with light-beam actuation that removes contact-bounce delay and a 100-million-keystroke rating that badly outlasts typical metal-contact switches. The main things to weigh are light-beam actuation, compatibility is rule number one, brands do not mix either, and weight.

Top pick

Gateron Optical Yellow (KS-15)

The Gateron Optical Yellow is the sweet spot of the optical world: a smooth 35g linear that feels featherlight for rapid tapping, with light-beam actuation that removes contact-bounce delay and a 100-million-keystroke rating that badly outlasts typical metal-contact switches. Gateron's optical line is also the most widely supported by third-party optical hot-swap boards, so you are not locked to one keyboard brand the way you are with Razer. The honest con is compatibility: these fit only Gateron-style optical sockets, so if your keyboard is a standard MX hot-swap board they simply will not work, and 35g is light enough that heavy-handed typists will bottom out and trigger accidental presses. Stock lube is also minimal, so there can be slight spring ping until they break in. For a fast, durable, well-supported optical switch, it is the pick.

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Optical switches actuate with a light beam instead of a metal contact, so there is no physical debounce delay and nothing to wear out from arcing. That makes them a real pick for players chasing the lowest possible input lag and the longest lifespan. The catch that trips up most first-time buyers: an optical switch only works in a board built with an optical PCB, so you cannot drop these into a normal MX hot-swap keyboard. This is for owners of an optical hot-swap board who want a fast, durable switch. Here is the widely-supported pick, clear and heavier options, and the compatibility rule.

How do the best options for optical switches compare?

What should you look for in optical switches?

A few things separate a good optical switches from a frustrating one: light-beam actuation, compatibility is rule number one, brands do not mix either, and weight. Weigh these before you buy.

• Light-beam actuation: there is no contact bounce and the switch cannot arc-wear, so expect 100-million-keystroke ratings.
• Compatibility is rule number one: optical switches fit ONLY optical hot-swap PCBs (Gateron or Razer optical), never standard MX sockets, so confirm your board says optical before buying.
• Brands do not mix either: a Gateron optical switch will not actuate in a Razer or Kailh optical board, so match the switch brand to your board's optical system.
• Weight: Optical Yellow at 35g is fast but light, so if you type heavily, size up to Optical Black or a heavier optical spring.

Why optical switches are a board decision, not just a switch decision

Optical switches sound like a simple upgrade, faster and longer-lasting than normal switches, and both of those claims are true, but the reason they trip people up is that buying them is really a decision about your keyboard, not just about the switch. A conventional mechanical switch registers a press when two little metal leaves physically touch and complete a circuit, and that contact both introduces a tiny electrical bounce that firmware has to filter and slowly wears out from the microscopic arcing every time it opens and closes. An optical switch does away with the metal contact entirely: pressing the key moves a shutter that lets an infrared light beam reach a sensor, so actuation is registered by light. Because there is no contact to bounce, there is no debounce delay, which is where the speed advantage comes from, and because nothing physically arcs or wears at the contact point, the switches are rated for far more keystrokes, often 100 million, which is the durability advantage. The catch is that reading a light beam requires the sensor and light source to be built into the printed circuit board itself, so an optical switch only works in a keyboard whose PCB was designed for optical switches, and it will not seat or actuate in a standard MX hot-swap board no matter how similar the switches look. Worse, the optical systems are not standardized across brands, so a Gateron optical switch will not work in a Razer or Kailh optical board and vice versa. That makes the buying rule strict and simple: first confirm your keyboard has an optical PCB and which brand of optical system it uses, then buy only switches for that exact system. If your board is a normal MX board, optical switches are simply not an option for it, and that is the number one thing to check before you order.

What are the best alternatives?

Bottom line: Gateron Optical Yellow is the fast, durable, widely-supported optical pick, the clear-top version helps RGB, and Optical Black adds weight. Just be certain your board has an optical PCB, since these will not fit MX sockets. Compare it with our low-profile switch guide and our silent linear switch guide.

Frequently asked questions

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This is a research-based buying guide, not a personal hands-on review; recommendations reflect community consensus and verified buyer reviews. Prices and availability are subject to change, so always confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

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