What are the Best Thocky Switches?

What exactly is THOCKY?

If you've been around the mechanical community, then there's no doubt that you've heard the word thocky. But what exactly does it mean? The more I've researched it, the more I've found that there really isn't a single agreed upon definition of the sound.

There are a couple characteristics I found that were a common thread when listening to typing videos and reading reddit threads when it came to thocky: a deep and clean bass sound when typing. In the most simplest of terms, this was the best definiion I could find. Of course, with something as broad as keyboard sound, all of this is definitely subjective. With our testing and research, we found the most common switches that people have used to reach their definition of thocky. Your switch is only a fraction of many of the factors that come into play when trying to get to the ultimate thock sound including board acoustics, materials, and even having a wool or neoprene keyboard mat under it.

Gateron Oil King

Gateron Oil Kings are probably one of the best stock switches that are pre-lubed and are super smooth.

• Linear
• Gold touching Point, Prelubed in factory
• Black-plated 20mm Spring
• Actuation: 55gf, Bottom: 65gf
• Supports 2 pin/4 pin led, Supports unraised smd led

Gateron Ink V2 Black

Many enthusiasts love this switch and regard it as one of the best to use on a daily driver. It absolutely should be lubed and is super smooth when typing.

• Linear
• 60 cN operating force
• 2.0 mm pre travel
• 4.0 mm total travel
• PCB mount 5pin
• MX stem

Gazzew Boba U4T

These are super popular and often hard to find. The Boba U4T were by far the most popular switch when looking for thocky keyboard setups.

• Available in 62g & 68g
• Tactile
• Spicy Mustard Yellow Stem
• Longer stem pole ( long poles for THOCK)
• Light lube on leaf and spring base

Drop + Invyr Holy Panda

The Holy Pandas are easily one of the most popular tactile switches out there since the mechanical keyboard craze popped off. Though there have been many new switches that are arguably better, these are solid options if you have money to burn.

• Halo Switch Stems
• Tactile
• Polycarbonate Housing
• 67g spring
• Unlubed from Factory

Conclusion

These switches are only a small number of switches that were recommended or used often in THOCKY builds. There were plenty of different options that we saw in research but at the end of the day, the combination of parts on your keyboard really add up to whether or not you get that Thocky sound.

If you're on a budget, Gateron Oil Kings and Gateron Ink Blacks are unapologetically the best you can get for the price especially if you like linear switches.

The Gazzew Boba U4T's are easily the best you can get but they are constantly hard to find since they're always out of stock. If you're lucky enough to pick up a set, it's