September 17, 2025 - Optical switches use light, but a Hall Effect switches gaming keyboard uses magnets. This idea has been around for a while, but using it in keyboards for everyone to buy is new and exciting.

June 5, 2025 - Analog Optical switches detect this by measuring the amount of infra-red light beamed to the phototransistor on the printed circuit board (PCB) and the switch’s stem acts as a gate to control the amount of light being passed through. Hall Effect switches on the other hand, use a magnet housed within the stem of the switch and a Hall sensor on the PCB, and measure the difference in output changes based on the distance between the two.

August 14, 2025 - The reason, the company says, is primarily due to the inherent nature of magnetism and optical technologies. Hall effect switches use magnets to measure how far the switch has travelled, while optical uses infrared light.

December 17, 2024 - Magnetic and optical switches come in to sidestep the natural limitations of mechanical switches as far as gaming is concerned. Hall effect switches do not suffer from debounce delay, as they use a completely different actuation method.

September 5, 2024 - Being faster usually makes optical switches popular among gamers but hall effect ones have better durability and offer more uniform keys appealing to those who value longevity and smooth typing.

November 15, 2021 - Originally posted by Autumn_:Steelseries does hall effect switches. Their keyboards and switches are good quality from what I've seen, no reason to doubt. Razer, Wooting, and Corsair do optical switches. The former two are good, can't speak to Corsairs switches, and their build quality on it.

June 5, 2025 - Analog Optical switches detect this by measuring the amount of infra-red light beamed to the phototransistor on the printed circuit board (PCB) and the switch’s stem acts as a gate to control the amount of light being passed through. Hall Effect switches on the other hand, use a magnet housed within the stem of the switch and a Hall sensor on the PCB, and measure the difference in output changes based on the distance between the two.

May 12, 2023 - However, modern Hall effect switches are much more cost-effective to produce, finally making them a viable choice for consumer keyboards. Optical switches, on the other hand, work using a process called light induction.

January 25, 2024 - There are hundreds of different switches out there, and each small difference between them can really lend itself to a different typing experience. This article exists to help you narrow your choices down to find the right switch for you.

September 27, 2024 - The Huntsman V3 Pro line advances this legacy, setting new standards with Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2. These switches offer Rapid Trigger with up to 0.1mm sensitivity and a fully-adjustable actuation throughout the entire key travel of 0.1mm – 4.0mm, surpassing traditional Hall-Effect Magnetic Switches in both precision and reliability.

November 28, 2025 - Optical switches are more durable since there’s no physical contact wearing down over time, often rated for 100 million keystrokes or more. For those curious about what magnetic switches keyboard enthusiasts rave about, Hall effect switches take things further, using magnetic sensors instead of physical or optical actuation.

2 weeks ago - Hall Effect magnetic switches differ from mechanical and optical switches in their functioning. Mechanical switches rely on physical contact, while optical switches use light to register keystrokes.

July 31, 2025 - Fragility: Compared to other types of feedback mechanisms, optical encoders are designed with thin glass disks and plastics which are more fragile and prone to damage when subjected to mechanical stress or vibrations. The Hall Effect theory, Edwin Hall (who discovered the Hall Effect), stated that whenever a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to the flow of electric current in a conductor, a voltage difference is induced.

December 31, 2024 - Introduced as early as 1962 to reduce typewriter noise, optical switches deliver reduced latency, resistance to moisture and debris, and lighter actuation forces. These features make them an excellent choice for users seeking speed and longevity ...

August 28, 2024 - How do mechanical and optical switches work? And key differences between optical and mechanical switches. Learn about their actuation mechanisms, speed, durability, and which switch type is best suited for gaming, typing, and customization

2 weeks ago - Discover the differences between optical switches and hall effect switches for keyboards, and find out which offers better durability and performance.See more videos about Optical Keyboard Vs Hall Effect.