What Are Holy Panda Switches?

Holy Panda Switches are a type of mechanical switch created by Quakemz. They are a relatively new product to the mechanical keyboard market and have quickly gained much attention due to their unique design and performance.

Holy Panda Switches are a hybrid switch combining the stem and housing of two switches to create one unique switch. They feature a rounded actuation feel and smooth tactile feedback, making them ideal for gaming and typing.

They have quickly become popular among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts and have a quick response time and smooth keystrokes. This article will discuss what Holy Panda Switches are, how they work, and why they have become so popular!

What are Holy Panda Switches

The Holy Panda switch is a combination of two parts from different switches. The first part is the Invyr housing, a durable plastic housing that provides protection and stability to the switch. The second part is the stem from Halo True switch. The stem provides a smooth, tactile feel. The Invyr housing and Halo True switch stem make the Holy Panda switch an excellent choice for a mechanical keyboard.

The Holy Panda switches are a type of mechanical keyboard switch known for their noticeable tactile design. These switches are popular because they provide a smooth, even typing experience and a distinct tactile bump when pressed. The bump provides noticeable feedback when typing, making it easier to recognize a keystroke. The Holy Panda switches are also durable, making them popular for gaming and typing enthusiasts.

What Sets the Holy Panda Switches Aside

Holy Panda Switches are a unique and popular switch choice for mechanical keyboards. The name is memorable and catchy, and their construction makes them stand out from other switches. The Holy Panda Switches have a tighter feel than other switches, making them one of the most tactile switch options.

The switch’s housing has a higher tolerance than other switches and a greater actuation force of 65g. This offers a round tactile bump that is well-defined and consistent, making the switch more suitable for gaming and typing, as it offers better feedback than other switches. Additionally, this tighter construction gives the switch a longer life span, as it better resists wear and tear.

The stem of the Holy Panda Switch is different from most other switches. It has a cross-shaped stem, which allows it to be more durable. The design enhances the switch’s longevity and is more resistant to dust, dirt, and other particles.

Finally, the Holy Panda Switch has a unique sound to it. It is much quieter than other switches, making it more suitable for people who prefer a quieter typing experience.

Overall, the Holy Panda Switch is a great choice for anyone who wants a high-quality switch with a great tactile feel and a unique sound. It is durable, long-lasting, and provides a great amount of feedback. Its unique design and construction make it a stand-out choice for mechanical keyboard users.

Holy Panda Switches Variants

Today, there are several variants of the Holy Panda switch because the original tooling used to make the original Holy Panda switches got lost. Without it, the production of the original Holy Panda is impossible.

The loss of the original tooling has led to the development of different Holy Panda variants, which strive to replicate the original design and provide a similar typing experience.

However, two of the most notable companies are Drop and Glorious. They both make variations of the original Holy Pandas.

Drop Holy Panda

Drop’s variation is called the Drop Panda switch and features a softer spring that makes it easier to actuate. Glorious’ variation is called the Glorious Panda switch and is excellent for typing, featuring a slightly heavier spring that makes it easier to type. Both switches are compatible  with mechanical keyboards, and both companies offer a variety of colors and variations of their switches.

Below are some features of Drop Holy Panda Switches:

Appearance

The Drop Panda switches feature a unique look that differentiates them from traditional Holy Panda switches. The Drop Holy Panda features Halo Switch Stems, Polycarbonate top housing, Nylon bottom housing, and a raised “DROP” labeling on the top housing, which completes the unique look.

The combination of nylon and golden tones gives the switches an eye-catching and stylish appearance. The unique design of the Drop Panda switches has been praised by many for its modern and aesthetically pleasing look.

Tactile feedback

The Drop Panda switches offer tactile feedback close to the original Holy Panda switches. The Panda switches feature a tactile bump comparable to the original Holy Panda switches, resulting in a satisfying feeling when typing. The switches have an actuation force of 64g, slightly higher than the original Holy Pandas, which have an actuation force of 62g. The Panda X switches also feature a 4mm travel distance, providing a smooth typing experience. They have a lifespan of up to 50 million keystrokes, making them reliable and durable. In addition, the Panda switches offer a variety of different colors to choose from, making them perfect for customizing your keyboard.

Sound

The Drop Panda switches offer a bump sound rather than the clicky sound most mechanical keyboards produce. It is softer and more subtle than the clicky sound of other mechanical keyboards. The bump sound of the Drop Panda switches is similar to that of a membrane switch but with the added benefits of a mechanical switch.

This gives you a more tactile experience, with the sound and feel of a mechanical switch. The bump sound of the Drop Panda switches is also more consistent and reliable than other mechanical keyboards, making it a great choice for gamers and typists alike.

Glorious Panda

Glorious Holy Panda switches provide a unique switching experience not found with other switches. These switches are very tactile and feature a smooth and linear operation. They are also highly durable, making them ideal for gaming and typing. The switches also offer a unique sound. Below are the features of the Glorious Holy Panda switches in more detail:

Appearance

The first thing you will notice about the Glorious Panda is the packaging. Glorious Panda switches have an off-white/grayish tone, giving them a sleek and modern look. The switches also feature raised, textured text that makes the branding quite noticeable. The switches are also packed with springs you can lubricate, giving the switches a smooth, buttery feel when typing.

Tactile Feedback

The tactile bump of the switches starts as soon as you press it downwards. It offers solid and firm feedback that gives you a great typing experience. The tactile bump ensures the switch is firm enough to provide the necessary feedback for an accurate typing experience. This ensures the switch operates as it should, and you don’t have to worry about misfires or missed keystrokes. With the tactile bump, you can feel the switch engaging and disengaging as you press it, which gives you full control of the typing experience.

Sound

The Glorious Panda switches offer a satisfying bump sound instead of the traditional clicky sound that most mechanical keyboards produce. This bump sound is more subtle and relaxing than many mechanical keyboards’ traditional clicky sound. The soft and gentle switch makes it more comfortable to type on for long periods.

The Panda switch uses a mechanical design that requires less force to press, which can help to reduce fatigue and improve accuracy. Furthermore, the soft and gentle bump sound quieter than the traditional clicky sound, making it ideal for working in quiet environments. Finally, the Panda switch is highly durable, offering a long lifespan and smooth, consistent performance over time.

YOK Panda Switches

The YOK Panda switches are a new mechanical switch manufactured by Novelswitch. The switch features a lower actuation force of 60g, meaning that the switch does not provide tactile feedback when pressed. This makes the switch ideal for gaming because the lower actuation force allows for faster action.

They also feature an array of unique colors and interesting names such as Mint, Trash, and Polar, which gives them an aesthetic appeal. The switch also has a long lifespan and is rated to last for up to 50 million keystrokes. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable switch. The YOK Panda switch is a great option for gamers and typists looking for a reliable switch with a lower actuation force and a unique aesthetic. The switches have unique colors and interesting names such as Mint, Trash, and Polar.

Invyl Panda 1

The Invyl Panda switches were released in October 2016 after a collaboration between two companies known as Invyr and Mech27. The goal of the collaboration was to produce the smoothest linear switch available in the market, but the companies could not achieve this goal. Many people in the community complained about the feel of the switches, as the experience was not pleasant. The community is an online group that uses the Holy Panda mechanical switches.

There are many other variants of the Holy Panda switches. 

Holy Panda Price

The Holy Panda switch is available in several variations, and the price will vary depending on your choice. The Drop Panda switch is the most expensive of the variations, retailing at around $1 per switch. The Glorious Panda switch retails at about 0.6$ per switch. YOK Pandas, which closely resemble Glorious Pandas, retail at around 0.55$.

You can find these switches online and offline retailers, including Amazon and online specialty stores. It’s important to shop around to ensure you get the best price for your switches.

Trademark Controversy Surrounding the Name “Holy Pandas”

The controversy surrounding the use of the name “Holy Pandas” has been ongoing for some time now between the Glorious and Drop companies. Both companies produce these types of switches. However, Glorious has already petitioned to use the “Holy Panda” trademark. Drop has filed a motion in response to counter the petition in an attempt to protect their rights to the name.

However, on August 24th, 2020, Glorious successfully acquired the Holy Panda trademark, officially ending the dispute between the two companies. This has allowed Glorious to exclusively use the name for their switches, while Drop has been forced to develop a new name for their product. This has been a big win for Glorious.

Conclusion

Holy Panda switches provide excellent tactile feedback and are great for typists and gamers. Unfortunately, the original Holy Panda switches are no longer available since the original tooling equipment was lost. However, two main variants of the original Holy Panda Switches have been created in their place – The Glorious and Drop Pandas. Drop Pandas provide the closest feeling to the original Holy Panda but are also the most expensive. All in all, Holy Pandas are an excellent choice for both typists and gamers.

FAQs

Are Holy Pandas good switches?

Holy Pandas are widely considered some of the best switches available. They offer smooth, linear tactile feedback, allowing for easy and precise key presses. They are also known to be incredibly durable, with a lifespan of up to 70 million key presses.

Which is one of the best Holy Panda variants?

One of the best Panda switches is the Drop Holy Panda switch. They have a smooth tactile feel and fast actuation. They are a clone of the original Holy Panda switches with a few twerks. They are also durable and offer an excellent typing experience.

Do Holy Panda Switches produce a clicky sound?

No, Holy Panda switches do not produce a clicky sound. They are linear switches, so they do not make a click sound like clicky switches. Rather they produce a bumpy sound as the key is pressed, which some describe as a “thock” sound.

Are Holy Panda Switches worth their price?

Yes. Holy Panda Switches are worth their price, as they offer a unique feel and sound compared to traditional mechanical switches. They are often more expensive than other switches, but many people find their unique design and performance worth the price.

Can I use Holy Panda Switches on my Gaming keyboard?

Yes, you can use Holy Panda switches on your gaming keyboard. They provide a smooth, fast, and linear keystroke ideal for gaming. However, they have a higher actuation force which you might need some getting used to if you are accustomed to keyboards with a lower actuation force.