Halo True Vs Halo Clear Switches: Which is Better?

Halo switches, manufactured by KaiHua, are a big hit among mechanical keyboard fans thanks to their perfect mix of smooth keystrokes and satisfying tactile feedback.

Among the Halo switch family, Halo True and Halo Clear shine with their unique features. As these switches are top-notch tactile ones, there's always a lively debate about which one takes the crown.

If you find yourself in that debate, don't worry! Our comparison will break down the differences between Halo True vs Halo Clear switches, helping you decide which switch is the perfect fit for your typing needs.

Halo True Reviews

Halo True switches are known for their smooth and snappy tactile feedback, offering a premium typing experience.

In terms of experience, the Halo Trues combine the force curves of Topre and Cherry MX Clear switches, providing an impressive tactile feel. With a 60g actuation force, they are slightly heavier than Cherry MX switches, giving firm but not overly strenuous feedback.

Besides, Halo True switches feature a custom spring to enhance tactile feedback and provide strong bottom-out resistance at the end of keystrokes. The light preload reduces jarring impacts to ensure smooth keypresses from start to end, an area where many tactile switches fall short due to friction.

The metal leaf tactile method in Halo True switches adds a premium touch and feel, offering a smooth force curve similar to Topre switches, though not as refined.

The switch exterior design includes a salmon-colored stem and transparent housing, supporting two LED styles: one with a clear lens and the other with an SMD RGB LED.

Overall, Halo True switches are a hit among gamers thanks to their tactile feel and durability. However, the heavier actuation force isn't for everyone. Some users find their fingers getting tired quickly, making typing an uncomfortable chore, even after just a minute or two.

Pros	Cons
Durable Satisfying and snappy tactile feedback Smooth keystrokes Relatively quiet for a tactile switch	60g may cause finger fatigue More expensive than some alternatives

Curious about tactile switches and how to pick the perfect ones? Take some time to read our full tactile switch guide to discover the ins and outs of tactile feedback.

Halo Clear Reviews

Another guy designed by Jacob Alexander, Halo Clear switches provide a fantastic tactile bump for a truly satisfying typing experience.

Starting with the good, Halo Clear switches blend the finest features of Topre 55g and Cherry MX Clear. With 65g of actuation force, Halo Clears offer a constant, smooth tactile bump which is far superior to that of the Cherry MX Clear. Not to mention, the contact plates ensure each keystroke is registered accurately.

Also, the pressure curve is spot-on with the tactile bump right at the top and a steep force curve that softens the impact when you bottom out (or prevents it if you prefer).

Aesthetically, these switches are a treat. The sleek, translucent housing and opaque white stem give them a classy look. The full clear switch housing allows LED light to flow through and reflect off the keycaps, creating a stunning illumination rather than just a silhouette glow like opaque switches.

Now with the not-so-good. Although the 78g bottom out weight great for typing, it can feel a bit stiff for gaming. Additionally, the stems can be slightly loose, leading to a bit of key wobble. There’s also some spring ping and scratchiness on the downstroke, but a little lubing can fix that.

Just like Halo Trues, Halo Clears have a forceful and tiring typing experience with a 65g actuation force (for some users). However, springing swap to a lighter spring can truly help.

Pros	Cons
Satisfying and consistent tactile bump Accurate keystroke registration Ideal for softening impact or preventing bottoming out Clear housing enhances illumination	Heavy for gaming Slightly loose stems can lead to key wobble Some spring ping and scratchiness on the downstroke

Tactile switches aren't the only game in town, linear and clicky switches are in the mix too! What makes each type unique? Check out this comparison of linear, tactile, and clicky switches to see which one suits your style best.

Halo Clear vs Halo True Comparison

Given that both Halo True Vs Halo Clear switches are produced by the same company, there aren't many differences between them in terms of specifications.

But there's a small difference in actuation force and spring that can make your typing experience vary slightly.

The following table is a technical comparison for both Halo True Vs Halo Clear switches.

Features	Halo True	Halo Clear
Invented by	Jacob Alexander	Jacob Alexander
Switch style	Tactile	Tactile
Stem	Salmon	Clear
Tactile Peak Force	Medium/60g	Medium/65g
Spring Force	100g	78g
Hysteresis force	35g	40g
Actuation point	1.9mm	1.9mm
Total travel distance	4mm	4mm
LED styles	SMD RGB with lens	SMD RGB with lens
Sound Test	Louder Sharp and rattly (more resonant and deeper when lubed)	Moderate sound Pingy, scratchy, hollow (better when lubed)
Compatibility	Cherry MX-compatible	Cherry MX-compatible
Typing Experience	Firm and pronounced tactile feel Deliberate and controlled typing experience	Smoother, bouncy tactile feel Comfortable for extended typing sessions
Gaming Experience	Ideal for action and adventure games	Best for FPS and RTS games
Price	~$0.54/pcs	~$0.54/pcs

Now, we'll analyze the above comparison table in-depth. You can get to the conclusion and understand the distinction between Halo True vs Halo Clear switches after then.

Price

Winner: Tie

Halo True vs Halo Clear switches are priced at around $0.54 per switch (Updated as of July 2024). When purchased in packs of 35, 70, 90, or 110 pieces, the price per switch decreases as the quantity increases. These switches are available for purchase on official stores on Amazon and Drop's website.

However, the price may also vary depending on the platforms you buy. Some users have noted that Halo switches on Amazon can be overpriced than on sites like KBDfans or mechanicalkeyboard.com. If you're not in a hurry, you might find better deals on KBDfans.

Sound Test

Winner: Tie

Halo True and Halo Clear switches offer a similar sound profile as tactile switches. They strike a balance, being neither too loud like Clicky switches nor too quiet like linear switches. However, minor differences exist between them.

Many users complain that Halo Clear switches produce a slight audible spring ping, scratchiness, and a hollow sound on the downstroke. Lubing these switches improves the sound, making them very thocky.

Compared to Clear ones, Halo True switches are slightly louder than the Halo Clear switches. Some users notice that the stock switches sound rattly and somewhat sharp, especially with the spacebar. However, lubing the switches or adding dampening foam between the plate and PCB, as well as on the back plate, can make the sound more resonant and deeper.

Watch the latest video to hear the differences firsthand!

Halo Clear

Halo True

While both the Halo True and Clear switches are tactile ones, they don’t sound exactly the same. Want to hear what linear, tactile, and clicky switches sound like? Take a look at this guide to mechanical keyboard switches for a full breakdown.

Stem

Winner: Halo Clear

Halo True vs Halo Clear switches feature different color stems. This is the key factor to distinguish them

Salmon stem color, a high-quality plastic substance that gives Halo True switches a solid build from the inside, is used in the construction of Halo True switches.

Two types of lens LEDs are available for Halo True switches: one has a transparent lens and the other an SMD RGB LED.

With regard to Halo Clear, its stem comes in clear color, which is a great material that allows more light to pass through the keycaps while increasing its RGB light and creating a stunning and elegant keyboard.

For a K-type, Halo Clear switches were developed to address the gap left by the absence of RGB-capable switches. The stem of these switches is quite comparable to that of the Cherry Clear switches.

Due to its excellent stem, Halo Clear switches outperform Halo True in terms of optimizing RGB lighting.

Tactile Peak Force

Winner: Halo Clear

You can see on the comparison table above that Halo True and Halo Clear switches have different tactile peak forces, leading to the different curves in both Halo True and Halo Clear switches.

Here’s the force curve of the Halo True:

For Halo True, the manufacturing company states that the peak force is 60g and the actuation point is only 52g; therefore, the delta is calculated at 8g, which is a tiny curve offering you a really smooth typing experience.

Here’s the force curve of the Halo Clear:

Because Halo Clear switches have a peak force that is 5 g higher than Halo True switches at 65 g, you can type with additional tactile feedback while using Halo Clear switches.

The 50g actuation point and 65g peak force, however, result in a slightly more developed curve force and a delta of 15g which is comparably higher.

Switches in Halo Clear feel significantly smoother and have a tactile bounce that is more noticeable.

That's why Halo Clear switches are a bit better than Halo True.

Spring Force

Winner: Halo Clear

There is a small difference in spring forces between Halo True vs Halo Clear switches. You can notice this difference when keys are pressed.

Halo True switches feature spring forces of about 100g, which implies springs require 100g of force to be correctly actuated.

In contrast, Halo Clear switches require a little lower spring force to operate (about 78g) than Halo True switches.

Durability

Winner: Tie

When it comes to durability, both switches are really durable with a lifespan of 80 million keystrokes. This means they can withstand a lot of forceful typing for a very long time.

Both Halo True vs Halo Clear is made of identically high-quality materials, with the exception of the color of the stem.

In reality, you will hardly encounter any problems with quality when using Halo switches.

Compatibility

Winner: Tie

Both Halo True and Halo Clear switches are compatible with most mechanical keyboards that accept Cherry MX-style switches. They work well with plate-mounted Cherry-style PCBs and are ideal for hot-swap compatible barebones kits such as the Drop ALT, CTRL, SHIFT, Planck, and Preonic. Additionally, they are compatible with all Cherry-style clones, including Cherry, Kaihua, Gateron, Halo, Holy Panda, and more.

Typing Experience

Winner: Halo Clear

Both Halo switches provide a similar typing experience, with only a slight difference in spring force that keyboard enthusiasts might notice, but it’s not enough to make them feel drastically different.

When you pay closer attention, Halo True switches deliver a strong and pronounced tactile bump, giving you firm feedback with each keystroke. This results in a more deliberate and controlled typing experience. In contrast, Halo Clear switches have a gentler bump, which still feels heavy for some users. They offer a smoother, bouncy tactile sensation, making them more comfortable for longer typing sessions.

Many people prefer Halo Clear switches for their firmer feel and more noticeable tactile response. Overall, both Halo True and Halo Clear switches are excellent for everyday work and professional typing. However, keep in mind that these medium-heavy switches require a decent amount of force to press. While this might not be obvious at first, it can lead to finger fatigue until you get used to them. Additionally, both switches can benefit from lubrication for smoother operation.

Are you a passionate typist, writer, or just someone who’s always at the keyboard in the office? If so, your trusty keyboard deserves some top-notch switches. We've gathered top switches designed specifically for office use, they'll surely turn your typing sessions from “meh” to “wow!

Gaming Experience

Winner: Halo Clear

In addition to great performance in daily typing, tactile switches are also preferred for gaming as they offer gratifyingly rough feedback.

With a 65g difference in actuation force between the two, the Halo True is heavier. When playing games, the Halo clear switches feel a little lighter to click than the Halo True switches.

Generally, these switches provide an excellent gaming experience with smooth and excellent tactile feedback. They also include a lightly lubed layer from the factory.

Whether you’ve got a heavy hand or just want to spice up your gaming time, Halo True vs Halo Clear switches have you covered. If you value a firm and robust typing experience for intense typing sessions or action-adventure games, then Halo True switches are where it’s at. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentler touch with less resistance for extended typing or fast-paced gaming, Halo Clear switches are your go-to.

Searching for alternatives to the Halo switches? So, let's find the best tactile switches to give your keyboard a makeover!

Read more:

• What are Topre Switches? Are they good for gaming?
• 10+ Best Gaming Keycaps For Keyboard Enthusiasts
• Best Gaming Keyboards Under $100
• Best Gaming Keyboards Under $50 (Top Picks)

Conclusion

So, we’ve just ended a detailed comparison: Halo True vs Halo Clear switches to come to the conclusion of which one is better.

Unquestionable, both switches are top-notch with excellent performance, which is why we have ranked them in our list of the finest tactile switches.

Now you will surely be able to find out which one is best suited for you. We hope you find this post useful for you.

Thanks for reading!

FAQs

Are Halo true and Halo clear stems the same?

No. Halo True has a salmon-colored stem while Halo clear has a transparent stem.

What kind of switches is Halo clears?

Tactile switches.

Are Halo True switches heavy?

In comparison to typical tactile switches, Halo Trues are a bit heavier with a 100g spring.

Are Halo Clear switches loud?

Halo Clear offers a moderate sound, that is not too loud compared to clicky switches.

Are Halo Trues better for gaming than Halo clears?

It comes down to your taste. However, for better performance, we recommend using Halo Clear.