Optical vs Mechanical Switches: What You Need to Know

When buying a new gaming keyboard in South Africa, you’ll face a crucial choice: stick with traditional mechanical switches or leap to newer, faster optical switches? For years, mechanical keys were the undisputed kings for gamers and typists. But now, optical technology promises a speed and durability advantage that’s hard to ignore. Which one is right for your playstyle, your budget, and your fingers? Let’s break down the real-world differences. ⌨️

CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Black / Pre-lubricated Corsair MLX Red Linear Keyswitches / Sound Dampening / Media Control Dial - iCUE Compatible / QWERTY NA Layout / CH-910971E-NA

R1899.00In Stock

Gamdias Hermes P2A RGB Optical Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Blue Switch / 4 Instant Lighting Effects Hotkeys / 8 Multimedia Keys / 12 Built-in Lighting Effects / 16.8 million RGB Backlighting / CortexTM-M3 Microprocessor / Aluminum Textured Front Plate / HERMESP2A

R899.00In Stock

Glorious Gateron BLUE Mechanical Keyboard Switches / 120 Pack / Compatible With MX Based Keyboards / Compatible With MX Keycaps / PLATE Mounted / Transparent Switch Housing / SMD Led Compatible / GAT-BLUE

R699.00In Stock

Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard - Analog Optical Switches / Doubleshot PBT keycaps / Full 3.6 mm Actuation / 16.8 million RGB colors / Magnetic Plush Leatherette Wrist Rest / Multi-Function Digital Dial And 4 Media Keys / RZ03-03610100-R3M1

R4499.00In Stock

Razer Huntsman V2 Optical Gaming Keyboard: Fastest Clicky Optical Switches w/Quick Keystrokes & 8000Hz Polling Rate - Doubleshot PBT Keycaps - Dedicated Media Keys & Dial - PUBG: Battleground Edition / RZ03-03932300-R3M1

R5299.00In Stock

Razer Huntsman V2 Optical Gaming Keyboard - Linear Red Switch / Doubleshot PBT keycaps / 100 Million Keystroke Lifespan / HyperPolling Technology / Up to true 8000 Hz Polling Rate / Fully programmable keys / Gaming mode option / Aluminum matte top plate / RZ03-03930100-R3M1-SN

R3799.00In Stock

Head-to-Head: Optical vs. Mechanical Switches

At their core, these two technologies do the same thing, but how they do it changes everything, from raw speed to the feeling you get with every single keystroke.

🔗 Optical Innovators: Razer Gaming Keyboards – See prices 🔗 Mechanical Mastery: Glorious Keyboards – See prices 🔗 Great Value Options: Gamdias Gaming Keyboards – See prices 🔗 All Gaming Keyboards: See the full Evetech range – See prices

Evetech SPLASH Gaming Mousepad / Size : 880mm x 440mm x 5mm

R199.00In Stock

Evetech Niji Gaming Mousepad / Size : 880mm x 440mm x 5mm / Niji

R299.00In Stock

Evetech VR Gaming Mousepad / Size : 880mm x 440mm x 5mm / VR

R299.00In Stock

Evetech Hikari Gaming Mousepad / Size : 880mm x 440mm x 5mm / Hikari

R299.00In Stock

Evetech Red Gaming Mousepad / Size : 880mm x 440mm x 5mm / Red

R299.00In Stock

Evetech Ember Gaming Mousepad / Size : 880mm x 440mm x 5mm

R299.00In Stock

The Verdict: Who Should Buy What?

The right switch for you comes down to a simple question: what do you value more, pure speed or satisfying feel? Let's map this to a couple of typical South African gamers.

Steelseries Apex 7 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Red Switches / OLED Smart Display / Dynamic Per-Key RGB Illumination / Durable Mechanical Gaming Switches / Detachable soft-touch magnetic wrist rest / SS64636

R4099.00In Stock

Logitech MK950 Signature Slim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, Sleek Design, Quiet Typing and Clicking, Switch Across Three Devices, Bluetooth, Multi-OS, Windows and Mac, QWERTY UK Layout - Graphite / 920-012490

R2189.00In Stock

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL 2023 Ed.- World's Fastest Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Adjustable Actuation - Esports Tenkeyless - OLED Screen - RGB - PBT Keycaps - USB-C / 64856

R4899.00In Stock

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard - White / Tenkeyless Compact Form Factor / 8-Zone RGB Illumination / Water & Dust Resistant / Whisper Quiet Gaming Switch / Gaming Grade Anti-Ghosting / 64819

R1699.00In Stock

Razer Ornata V3 TKL Gaming Keyboard: Low-Profile Keys - Mecha-Membrane Switches - UV-Coated Keycaps - Backlit Media Keys - 8-Zone RGB Lighting - Spill-Resistant - Magnetic Wrist Wrest - Classic Black / RZ03-04880100-R3M1

R1699.00In Stock

SteelSeries Prismcaps Double Shot PBT Keycaps - Black / Extreme Durability / Compatible With Most Mechanical Keyboards / Thermoplastic PBT Keycaps / 60200

R949.00In Stock

Zanele, the Esports Competitor

Zanele plays fast-paced shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends at a high level. For her, every millisecond counts. The winner is clearly Optical Switches. Their debounce-free, light-speed actuation gives her a small but tangible edge in reaction time. When she’s doing rapid counter-strafing, she knows her inputs are registering as fast as physically possible. The superior durability is just a bonus for her intense, daily training sessions. 🚀

David, the All-Round Gamer & Typist

David loves gaming, from Helldivers 2 with his mates to epic single-player RPGs. He also uses his PC for varsity assignments and typing in Discord. For him, the rich, tactile feel of traditional Mechanical Switches is unbeatable. He loves the satisfying "thock" of his tactile keys and the huge variety available, allowing him to find the perfect switch for that ideal typing experience. For David, the enjoyment of using the keyboard every day outweighs the fractional speed advantage of opticals. ✨

There’s no wrong answer here, only what’s right for your hands and your games.

Logitech® MX Keys S Wireless Keyboard - Graphite / Smart White Backlit / Bluetooth Low Energy Technology / 2.4GHz Logi Bolt USB Receiver / 920-011587

R2499.00In Stock

Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless Lightspeed Wireless RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Low Profile Switch Options, Lightsync RGB, Advanced Wireless and Bluetooth Support - Tactile, White / 920-009664

R4299.00In Stock

Glorious GPBT 114-Keys Premium PBT Mechanical Keyboard Keycaps - Caribbean Ocean / Compatible with GMMK PRO & GMMK 2 / Fits Most Full-size/TKL Compact Keyboards / Non-Transparent Keycaps / US Layout / <span style="color:red; font-size: 16px;">*Keyboard not Included*</span> / GLO-KC-GPBT-CO

R749.00In Stock

Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard: Low-Profile Optical Switches - Linear Red - HyperSpeed Wireless & Bluetooth 5.0-50 Hr Battery - Ultra-Durable Coated Keycaps - Chroma RGB / RZ03-04370100-R3M1

R4999.00In Stock

Glorious Gaming Wooden Wrist Rest - Compact - Brown - Mechanical Keyboards Wood Ergonomic Palm Rest| 12x4 inches/19mm Thick (GV-75-BROWN)

R399.00In Stock

Corsair K65 PRO Mini RGB 65% Optical-Mechanical Wired Gaming Keyboard - OPX Switches - PBT Double-Shot Keycaps - iCUE Compatible - Black / CH-91A401A-NA

R2599.00In Stock