Keyboard enthusiasts often compare Topre switches with other mechanical and rubber dome designs. If you are not familiar with how these components work, a brief overview of the pros and cons of Topre switches compared to other types of mechanical switches can help you decide which type of keyboard to try or buy.
Pros of Topre Switches
Topre switches can provide smooth key presses and precise input. These mechanisms are quiet mechanical keyboard switches, which produce a distinctive “thock” sound when you press a key. An electrostatic capacitive design enables each switch to last for up to 50 million keypresses.
The design of Topre switches provides a level of tactile feedback during actuation that many keyboard connoisseurs prefer over conventional mechanical switches. Key presses do not require much force and feel uniquely smooth without any mushy bottom-out.
Cons of Topre Switches
Some keyboard aficionados prefer keys that make more noticeable sounds. Topre switches produce a satisfying sound on keypresses, but the tactile bump of these switches is less pronounced than some conventional mechanical designs. This con could be a pro depending on your typing preferences.
Certain types of mechanical switches, such as Cherry MX Brown or Red switches, are rated for 100 million key presses. Cherry MX Silent Red switches are rated for 50 million keypresses, which is in the same range as Topre switches. This rating is equivalent to years of continuous typing.
What Sets Topre Switches Apart
A single Japanese manufacturer builds Topre switches, which are only used in a limited number of keyboards. Some keyboard fans consider these keyboards to be mechanical, semi-mechanical or in a separate category. Technically speaking, Topre switches are electrostatic and capacitive.
Each switch consists of a plunger in a key switch housing suspended over a rubber dome. These domes contain springs positioned over a printed circuit board. When you press a key that covers a Topre switch, the plunger moves toward the dome and presses the spring, causing a sensor on the circuit board to register a keystroke. Although these designs feature a rubber membrane, the switch mechanisms are more mechanical than membrane designs that only consist of silicone domes and circuit boards.
Why To Choose Topre Switches
The types of keyboard keycaps and switches you consider the best are largely a matter of personal preference. A number of people who have used mechanical keyboards for years ultimately prefer the satisfying tactile experience and reduced noise of Topre switches. These components have a fast speed and some users find that they can type more quickly on keyboards with Topre switches than traditional mechanical keyboards or models that have different rubber dome designs.
Topre switches can be a reliable choice for a wide range of typing applications. While keyboard experts can debate whether these switches are mechanical, semi-mechanical or in a separate category of electrocapacitive rubber dome switches, categorization matters less than how it feels to type on keys that have this switch design. The unique feel of a keyboard made with Topre switches can improve the experience of typing.
