Switch Guide
This section lists different switches that can be used to mod your controllers, along with explanations of the terms used to categorize switches.
Keyboard Switch Primer
Almost all leverless controllers use keyboard switches. The switches you use are the key deciding factor on how good your buttons feel when playing fighting games. If you’ve never been in the market for new switches, then you need to understand some key terms.
Operating/Actuation Force: The amount of pressure required to register a keypress (the moment the signal is sent to your computer).
Pre-Travel/Actuation Travel: How far the button must be pressed before the controller registers the input.
Total Travel: The maximum distance the switch can move from its resting state until it “bottoms out.”
In addition to these technical terms, there are some non-technical terms I use here that would be useful to know.
Snappy: When a switch returns back to it’s neutral state quickly and in a satisfying manner after you press it. Switches with stronger springs like those in mechanical keyboards can be considered snappy. Consequently, they have higher Operating Force.
Loose: The opposite of Snappy. Switches with lighter springs feel loose. Switches not made of POM may feel this way. They usually have lighter springs and lower actuation force.
Mushy: Mushy is when a switch doesn’t give satisfying feedback or the ‘clickety-clack’ sounds when you press buttons. This is common in Silent switches with silencing pads.
Key Switch Types (Shape)
It is key that you recognize which type of switch your controller uses.
Cherry MX:
Cherry MX switches are some of the most common switches used in keyboards. There are also various leverless brands that use Cherry MX switches. These are signified by their relatively larger appearance and the ‘+’ shaped stems. There are hundreds of variations of Cherry MX switches by different manufacturers. Because only 3 Haute42 Controllers use Cherry MX switches – G Series, B16, and X-Series MX Module, I will not be detailing them in this guide.
Kailh Choc V1:
The Choc V1 Low Profile switches are also known as the ‘Pig-Nosed’ switches, due to the pig nose shaped holes on the stem. As far as my experience goes, only my Snackbox Micro uses these switches. Most leverless manufacturers use variations of Choc V2 now. Hence, these will not be discussed further.
Kailh Choc V2:
The Choc V2s are the most common types of switches used in Haute42 and other GP2040-CE controllers like the Duelpad. There are various spinoffs of Choc V2s by different manufacturers, including Haute’s own proprietary variations. Because these are the most likely candidates for replacement on your Haute controllers, I will discuss them in this guide.
Almost all leverless controllers use keyboard switches. The switches you use are the key deciding factor on how good your buttons feel when playing fighting games. If you’ve never been in the market for new switches, then you need to understand some key terms.
Key Switch Types (Feedback)
Linear: Linear switches are the most common type of switches in keyboards and leverless controllers. There is no ‘bump’ or sound partway when pressing the switch. It is a continuous smooth operation right from the moment you press the switch till the moment the switch bottoms out.
Tactile: Tactile switches have a bump partway through the press, at the moment the switch activates (actuation). This gives the user feedback that the switch has registered the input. If you’ve used trigger buttons on console controllers like the Xbox pad, then this is comparable to it.
Clicky: Clicky switches are similar to tactile switches in that they have a bump during the actuation point, but they also make a clicky sound when this happens, similar to the click of a mouse. Hence the name. Most users prefer linear or tactile switches over the clicky switches, but some find the sound of clicky switches satisfying.
Linear Switches for Haute42 Controllers
Now we’re finally at the meat and potatoes of this section. I’m going to review every single switch I’ve tried on my controllers, along with recommendations on whether you should upgrade or not.
The Base Switches (Deprecated)
These switches were standard on Haute42 controllers in 2023 and 2024. Early controllers had Red switches, which were soon replaced by Crystal switches until the M-Ultra Gen 1 release.
Kailh Low Profile Choc V2 (Red):
| Operating Force | 50±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
1.3±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
3.2±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
Brown (Tactile); Blue (Clicky) |
Pre-Installed On |
S13/S16 (Old), T16 (Old), R16 (Old), M-Series(Old) |
The Reds are the ‘basic’ version of Linear switches that came with the first batch of Haute42 controllers. They are alright for the average gamer, but compared to more premium switches, they feel pretty loose. It’s worth upgrading your switches if you’re still on these switches.
Haute42 X Kailh Crystal Switches:
| Operating Force | 43±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
1.3±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
3.2±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
None |
Pre-Installed On |
S13-C/S16-C, R16-C, T16-C, M-Plus, M-Lite, U12, U16, M-Ultra Gen 1, etc. |
The Crystals are Haute42’s upgraded versions of the Reds to Maximize RGB lighting penetration through the translucent button caps. These led to a major improvement to the look of their controllers, but the feel is relatively the same as the reds, as the specs are only slightly changed. If you like the way these look on your controller, then you don’t need to upgrade.
Silent Switches
These switches come pre-installed with noise-dampening pads, making them nearly silent under normal use, but this also causes a mushy bottom-out feel.
Kailh Deep Sea Islets Mini
| Operating Force | 43±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
1.3±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
2.8±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
Whale (Tactile) |
Pre-Installed On |
None |
The Deep Sea Islets are super quiet switches that have a mushy feel due to the silencing pads at the bottom. However, they don’t feel as loose as the Reds or the Crystals on button presses. The Islets were my main switches on my daily driver controller as I often game late at night, and I recommend them if you prefer higher Operating Force over the next switch.
Kailh Deep Sea Islets Pink
| Operating Force | 35±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
1.3±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
2.8±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
None |
Pre-Installed On |
None |
The Deep Sea Islets Pink are very similar to the regular Deep Sea Islets, except for the noticeable difference in Operating Force. You can’t go wrong with either switch if you want Silent switches, but which one is optimal depends on whether you like the extra force, or if you prefer softer presses.
Full POM Switches
These switches are made of POM (Polyoxymethylene), giving them a premium feel and improved feedback on press and return.
Kailh X LOFREE Ghosts
| Operating Force | 50±15gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
1.2±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
2.8±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
Phantom (Tactile); Wizard (Clicky) |
Pre-Installed On |
None (Hautepad); Zen16 Black (Duelpad) |
These are my favorite switches in terms of feel, even though I don’t use them for daily gaming. The buttery smooth stroke, the strong spring, and the self-lubricating mechanism make every press feel amazing. They return to their neutral position quite snappily, making them my favorite switches on the R16. They also come pre-lubed from the factory.
Kailh White Rain
| Operating Force | 50±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
1.2±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
2.8±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
Black Cloud (Tactile); Hide Mountain (Clicky) |
Pre-Installed On |
Haute42 C-AT Menu Buttons (Hide Moutnain); Zen16 White (Duelpad) |
Since Ghosts were in collaboration with LOFREE, the White Rain is a virtually identical alternative by Kailh, without said collaboration. I prefer the color of the White Rain to the Ghosts, but both equally dull the RGB on older controllers without the new ringed RBG mechanism. It is unclear if these come pre-lubed from the factory.
Haute42 X Kailh Wind Engine
| Operating Force | 40±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
1.2±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
2.8±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
None |
Pre-Installed On |
C16, C16-S, X-Series LP Module, C-AT |
Haute42 noticed that a lot of people were replacing their stock reds/crystals with the Ghosts and thus they collaborated with Kailh for their own version. The Wind Engines don’t come pre-lubed, and have a lower operating force than the ghosts. I prefer the Ghosts but the difference is not significant for most players. If your controller came with these, you do not need to upgrade. These do not come pre-lubed from the factory.
Kailh Four Seasons Spring
| Operating Force | 40±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
1.2±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
2.8±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
Summer, Autumn, Winter (Clicky) |
Pre-Installed On |
None |
Kailh’s own version of Wind Engine, without the Haute42 collaboration. Virtually identical in every way as the Wind Engine switch. It is unclear if these come pre-lubed from the factory.
Low Travel Switches
These switches enhance their low-profile design by reducing height, bringing button caps closer to the body for easier sliding inputs.
Haute42 X Kailh Shadow Hunting
| Operating Force | 40±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
0.8±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
2.0±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
None |
Pre-Installed On |
P12 Pro (Limited), M-Ultra Gen 2 |
A common complaint about some Haute42 controllers was that they’re not great for sliding inputs, due to the height of the button caps over the chassis. Haute42 answered with the shadow hunting switches. Besides having a cool name, these switches shave away ~1mm of height of the button caps, making inputs feel quicker than with other switches.
Kailh Saker Mini
Operating Force: 37±10gf; Pre-Travel: 0.8±0.3mm; Total Travel: 1.8±0.25mm
Tactile Version: None; Clicky Version: None
Pre-Installed On: None
| Operating Force | 37±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
0.8±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
1.8±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
None |
Pre-Installed On |
None |
As is the case with other collaborations, Kailh came out with their own version of the Shadow Hunting – The Saker Mini. Even though it boasts even lower/faster specs than the shadow hunting, the difference is so marginal that I can’t tell them apart. Even though Shadow Hunting has a cooler name, the Saker has better looking colors for me personally.
Special Mentions
Switches that don’t neatly fit in any of the earlier categories.
Kailh Raptor Purple Glede
| Operating Force | 30±10gf |
|---|---|
Pre-Travel |
0.8±0.3mm |
Total Travel |
1.8±0.25mm |
Other Versions: |
None |
Pre-Installed On |
None |
I don’t know where to put this one as it covers both silent switches as well as Low Travel, fast-actuation sliding switches. The Purple Glede/Purple Iris also has lower operating force than every other switch on this page, making it activate with very soft button presses. It also has silencing pads so the presses are mushy and not snappy like the POM switches. This is my daily driver now and I won’t recommend it universally as some might find the light actuation and mushy feel off-putting. This is the best switch for sliding inputs.