Finding the perfect mechanical keyboard with the right switches can be a tough thing for beginner keyboard enthusiasts. Well, Logitech have come up with their proprietary Romer G switches claiming their superiority on other mechanical switches in the market.
You might be wondering, how good are Romer G switches and should I get them? Well, that’s precisely what I’m here to tell you.
In this article, I’m going to talk about Romer G switches, their features, pros and cons, a few facts, comparisons with other leading brand mechanical switches, and answer a few important FAQs relating to Romer G switches by Logitech. I’m also going to suggest you the best Logitech keyboard with these switches. So, make sure you read this article till the end before you make a buying decision.
In a hurry? Check out my favorite keyboard with Romer G Switches! Available on Amazon.
Table of Contents
What are Romer G switches?
Romer G switches are actually Logitech’s answer to all the high-quality gaming tactile and linear mechanical switches out there like Gateron, Cherry MX, Kailh, Outemu, among others.
These switches are proprietary to Logitech and you won’t be able to see Romer G switches anywhere other than Logitech’s own personal mechanical keyboards which makes them an exclusive rarity.
A lot of Logitech’s high-end keyboards feature their Romer G switches and many of these keyboards have received a lot of praise for their professional build and great key press quality by critics and users alike. So, trying them out is definitely the right decision for you.
What Kind of Switches is Romer G?
Romer G switches are basically mechanical switches. They were first used in 2014 by Logitech in their G910 mechanical keyboard. These switches come in two distinct variants when it comes to the overall experience, tactility, keypress, and everything in between.
Some people prefer Romer G switches because of their short actuation distance and short travel distance. If you’re a big fan of mechanical switches, then you’re really going to like Romer G switches without a doubt. But the same cannot be said for every keyboard user.
Are Romer G Switches Mechanical or Membrane?
If you’re completely new to Logitech’s Romer G approach to mechanical switches, then you might get confused looking at them and thinking they’re membrane switches. The simple reason for this is the non-conventional design of the Romer G switches which makes them slightly more low-profile than other mechanical switches.
But don’t let this fact fool you because Romer G switches cannot be further away from membrane switches. They’re completely mechanical and provide a tactile bump if you’re talking about the original Romer G switch which was designed to be competing against the Cherry MX Brown switch. The low-profile nature simply makes Romer G switches unique and impressive.
Romer G Switch Characteristics and Features
When it comes to features and characteristics, Romer G switches have a lot to boast of. Let’s take a look at what Romer G switches have to offer in terms of specs, features, and overall characteristics.
Short Travel Distance
Romer G switches are known for having very short travel distance for the key press. Unlike other mechanical switches, you’re going to bottom out just at the right time and at a short distance making sure that your finger doesn’t have to travel too much to press a key which is great for ergonomic purposes as well as quick key presses.
High Actuation Point
One characteristic of Romer G switches that keyboard users around the world is the high actuation point of these mechanical switches. Typically in mechanical switches, you have to press a key quite low to make sure it actuates and registers the command associated with that key. But in the case of these switches, you have a higher point of actuation which allows you to be quick at typing and playing on a Logitech mechanical keyboard.
Low Key press sound
Both the Romer G original tactile and new linear mechanical switches are known to be pretty noise-shy. This isn’t something you’d see in normal mechanical switches. In fact, many tactile and even linear switches produce a sharp sound which can be quite disturbing at times. That’s not the case with the Romer G switches due to their silent nature.
Unique Mechanical Switch Design
One of the most significant features of Romer G switches by Logitech is the unique design. In common mechanical switches like Cherry MX and Outemu, you’re going to a clicker over the housing of the switch. However, on this switch you have a plastic roof which detects the key press and actuates the key itself which makes the actuation process significantly smooth.
Ultra Responsiveness
Another thing that you should know about Romer G switches in my opinion is the speed of their responsiveness. These switches are highly responsive. Not as much as optical switches but the unique design definitely adds to the speed of the key press and registration of the actuation on the screen. So, that’s something to think about.
LED Backlight
The design of the Romer G switches is built to provide vibrant and filling backlighting to the Logitech keyboards and they achieve this very greatly. This is done by placing the LED in the center which allows more light to spread and less to be hindered by the keycaps placed above the switches which is a great feature in my opinion.
How Good are Romer G Switches?
At this point, you might be wondering, how good are Romer G switches? Well, that’s an amazing question. Lucky for you, I have made a list of the best advantages and benefits that Romer G switches come with, so let’s take a look at them.
- Low-Profile – One of the best things about Romer G switches is that they’re low-profile and not as high and obnoxious as some of the mechanical switches in the market. Even though they’re low-profile, they’re still capable of providing the same mechanical feel and feedback that you’re looking for.
- Precision – With the decent amount of actuation force requirements of both versions of Romer G switches, you’ve got quite a lot of precision and accuracy with your keypresses which is great if you’re a typist or a gamer who doesn’t want to press the wrong key at any moment.
- Good for Typing and Gaming – Another cool thing about Romer G switches is that they’re great for both gaming and typing. You’ve got smooth key presses, decent feedback, low noise, fitting actuation weight, so accuracy and precision along with perfection are what you’re going to get in games and projects.
- Reduced Bump – If you go ahead and check out the tactile bump on other switches, it can be quite heavy. If you’re not a fan of high tactile feedback, then the low and reduced bump in Romer G switches is definitely going to win you over.
- No excessive noise – If you’re sitting in your room with your partner or relatives sleeping nearby, excessive mechanical keyboard clickiness can cause disturbances. Logitech kept this in view when they designed the Romer G switches because they have no excessive noise to them, even the tactile switches.
Comparison of Romer G Switches with other top-of-the-line Switches
We now understand that Romer G switches have a lot of cool features and design elements along with benefits that come with them. But how do they fare against some of the best top-of-the-line mechanical switches in the market right now? That’s what we’re going to find out now.
Which switch are Romer G most similar to?
Romer G switches were originally designed to replicate the same tactile feel and feedback as the Cherry MX Browns. Logitech got the design so perfect that the Romer G switches ended up overcoming the Browns in terms of high-placed tactility and dampened sound which is why Romer G switches are better than the MX browns in my opinion.
Are Romer G switches better than Cherry MX?
If we’re going for a proper comparison and competition between both the Romer G switches and the Cherry MX ones and how they work well in different applications, then I’d say Cherry MX is the one I’d pick.
This isn’t contradictory. I’d pick Cherry MX because there are so many different varieties of switches meant specifically for different applications but we don’t see that variety in Romer G switches.
And even though I believe that Romer G switches surpass MX Browns, and I’d prefer Romer G over MX Browns particularly, if I had to choose a clicky switch, then I’d have to pick Cherry MX Blue because there’s no contender from the Romer G lineup of switches.
Romer G vs. Kailh Brown
Kailh brown switches are good mechanical switches but they’re basically a clone of the Cherry MX brown versions so if Romer G mechanical switches are better than the original, they’re definitely better than Kailh Brown as well. They’re both good switch choices but overall in terms of features and finesse, I’d pick Romer G as the winner.
Romer G vs. GX Blue
The GX Blue switches by Logitech are not that great I’ve come to know through research and personal experience. They’re significantly louder and require much more weight as well as have a longer travel distance.
So, ultimately, if I have to choose a winner between two of the proprietary mechanical switches by Logitech, I’d choose Romer G switches once again simply on the basis that they’re smoother and significantly better in terms of quality and precision.
Why Do People Usually Dislike Romer G Switches?
A lot of keyboard enthusiasts love Romer G switches in their Logitech keyboards, but a few people who do not prefer these switches over others are also easily found on the internet.
The main reason for this dislike is usually the fact that Romer G switches aren’t available in Clicky form. So, when beginner keyboard users get a Logitech keyboard expecting that thick clicking sound and tough key presses from a mechanical keyboard and get the smooth and mushy feel of the Romer G switches, they’re underwhelmed and left with bad taste.
Here is a list of a few negative things I’ve seen people say about Romer G switches:
- Bad Feel
- Short Actuation
- Scratchy
- Not easily swapped
- Not great for typing
- Over-priced
- Rattly stabilizers
These opinions were found here.
Types of Romer G switches
We talked about the fact that there are two distinct types of Romer G switches available in the Logitech lineup, but what are the two types? Let’s take a look at the Romer G switch lineup and what it has to offer ultimately in terms of specs and overall usability.
Romer G Tactile
The original Romer G mechanical switch which was created as a competitor for the MX brown is the Romer G tactile. The tactility of this switch is surprisingly good and the sound is pretty smooth and low. This allows you to use these switches without disturbing anyone.
The actuation distance for this switch is 1.5mm, the total travel is 3.2mm, and the actuation force requirement is somewhere around 45g. The tactile force is 50g which makes this a good all-round tactile mechanical switch.
Romer G Linear
The newer generation of Romer G switches have brought us the Romer G Linear Mechanical switches used in Logitech G mechanical keyboards. These switches offer no tactile bump and a smooth and linear key press feel.
When it comes to actuation distance, this switch also has 1.5mm to cover. In terms of the total travel, we also have 3.2mm distance. There is no tactility and the overall actuation force requirement is simply 45g which is perfect for any user who’s looking to get mechanical keys that have that amazing feel but don’t offer too much noise or very strong key presses.
Are Romer G Switches Fast?
What is that unique element or feature that makes Romer G switches better than the other standard mechanical switches retailing around the world? There’s only one answer to that.
The speed of Romer G switches. From the actuation speed to the total travel speed as well as the overall responsiveness and registration pace, everything is faster than standard mechanical switches.
According to research and Logitech engineers, Romer G switches are almost 25% faster than standard mechanical switches. This makes the retail of Romer G switch Logitech keyboards much higher than others and precisely why Romer G switches are superior to other switches especially in high-speed precision requiring applications like FPS gaming and speed-typing.
Are Romer G Switches Silent?
Romer G switches are also known to be very quiet. The original Romer G switches unveiled in 2014 as well as the second generation Romer G linear switches, both are perfectly quiet even though they have all the characteristics of tactile and linear switches.
Especially when it comes to the tactile switch, Romer G have proved to be incredible silent. The tactile feedback is quite heavy but you won’t hear an excessive clicking or feedback sound.
And the linear switch is designed to be fluid, smooth, and completely silent. So, both the Romer G switches are some of the most silent mechanical switches in the market right now.
How Loud are Romer G Switches?
If you’re worried about the loudness of Romer G switches and you’re thinking of getting a Logitech keyboard for your office or personal workspace without causing any kind of problem or disturbance to people around you, then you don’t need to worry at all.
The loudness is not going to be a problem. Romer G switches are especially known to be silent and less noisy in comparison to tactile and linear mechanical switch choices of other companies. So, go and get your Logitech mechanical keyboard ASAP.
Maintenance of Romer G Switches
Every mechanical switch needs some extent of maintenance. Whether you’ve spilled liquid onto your keyboard or you’ve been using it without cleaning for an eternity, you need to make sure you provide attention to maintenance.
Well, the maintenance process of Romer G switches is also as you’d expect. You’re going to take your keyboard, remove the Logitech keycaps off of it first. Then you’re going to clean the keycaps.
After the keycaps have been cleaned, you’re going to clean the switches. Open the switch up and gently clean it with an ear-bud and then take a microfiber cloth and clean your keyboard completely. Once all of that is done, you’re going to place your key switches back in and then keycaps on them and you’re all done!
Drawbacks of Romer G Switches
Romer G switches are great and come with a lot of incredible design features but that’s not all there is you need to know about them. There are also a few drawbacks of Romer G switches that you need to know about. Let’s take a look at some of the problems Romer G switch users encounter.
- Mushy Feeling – One thing that Romer G switch users have complained about is the mushy feeling that they encounter when they bottom out on the key switches. They’re not as stable as you’d want them to be.
- Scratchiness – Another issue that people have reported at times is that there’s a bit of scratchiness when I’m using the Romer G switches. This basically means that the high actuation point doesn’t feel as smooth as it should and rather scratchy and rough.
Frequently Asked Questions about Romer G switches
A lot of people have been curious enough to ask questions about the Romer G switches on the internet. So, I thought, why not answer some of the more frequently asked questions and take away your confusions. Let’s find out the answers to FAQs regarding Romer G switches.
Q. Can You Replace Romer G switches?
A. Yes, it is possible but not very easy. You’re going to first have to desolder the switches from the plate and then you’re going to have to solder on two pins to place new switches on your keyboard.
Q. Can you lube Romer G switches?
A. Romer G switches can feel a bit scratchy at times. Well, the only solution to that is lubing. You can easily lube Romer G switches by taking apart the switch and lubing the housing and roof of the switch itself.
Q. Is puttings O rings on Romer G switches possible?
A. No, you can’t use O-rings on Romer G switches simply because the stem isn’t like MX switch stem and it isn’t needed either because of how good and low the noise created by these switches already it.
Q. Are Romer G switches good for gaming?
A. Romer G switches are tactile and the tactility is decent enough. If you’re an FPS player who needs high responsiveness from keys and faster actuation, you’d love to use the Romer G switches.
Q. Are Romer G switches good for typing?
A. The linear switch option by Romer G Logitech is quite amazing for typing. Especially if you’re looking for a silent key press with the same high-quality mechanical feel as other standard mechanical switches, then Romer G switches are what you need.
Best Romer G Switch Keyboard
In my opinion, the best-looking, working, and feeling Logitech keyboard with Romer G Tactile switches in them is the Logitech G512 Mechanical Gaming RGB keyboard.
Logitech G512
For a decent price, you get all the high-quality specs of a Logitech keyboard along with the fast and highly responsive Romer G switches. Let’s take a look at the features of this keyboard.
- Light Sync RGB – Lightsync RGB technology allows you to sync the RGB lighting of the keyboard with many supported applications and games you play on your computer.
- Romer G Tactile – The Romer G tactile switches are precise, with great tactility, amazing feedback, and low noise.
- Durable Frame – The frame of the keyboard is made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum that ensures the durability of the keyboard.
- Crisp Look – The look of the keyboard with thin bezels, beautiful RGB, and unique design, is exception, and you should definitely get it.
Interested? Check it out on Amazon!
Conclusion
Romer G switches have a lot of incredible benefits and features to them. However, they’re only available exclusively on Logitech keyboards. If you’re a Logitech fan and you’ve got enough budget for their mechanical keyboards, then you should surely get them because you’re going to love the Romer G mechanical switches.