I built my first fightstick in 2019 with the wrong buttons, and I have regretted it ever since. The plastic caps wobbled, the microswitches felt mushy, and after about six months of competitive play two buttons started sticking.
That bad build sent me down a rabbit hole. Over the last three years, our team at Coin-OP Games has installed, swapped, and stress-tested more than 200 arcade buttons across fightsticks, leverless controllers, and full-size cabinets.
This guide covers everything we learned about picking the right 24mm arcade buttons for control panels in 2026. We ranked eight kits by actuation feel, microswitch life, snap-in grip, and how well they fit real-world cases.
We focused on the 24mm size because it is the unsung hero of arcade builds. These smaller push buttons handle Start, Select, Home, and Coin functions, and they are the main action buttons on leverless controllers like Hitbox and Snackbox. Whether you are restoring a classic cabinet, modding a Mad Catz TE2, or wiring your first Hitbox, you will find your answer below.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Picks for 24mm Arcade Buttons for October 2026
- Best 24mm Arcade Buttons in October 2026
- 1. Sanwa OBSF-24 Original 24mm Push Buttons
- 2. QANBA Gravity KS Mechanical Silent Buttons
- 3. EG STARTS 24mm OEM 12-Pack Replacement Buttons
- 4. EG STARTS 24mm Arcade Push Buttons 10-Pack
- 5. QANBA D-lite 24mm Snap-In Buttons
- 6. EG STARTS LED Illuminated 24mm Push Buttons
- 7. Avisiri 24mm Arcade Push Buttons 10-Pack
- 8. Reyann Happ Type Standard Arcade Buttons
- How to Choose the Best 24mm Arcade Buttons?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict on 24mm Arcade Buttons
Top 3 Picks for 24mm Arcade Buttons for October 2026
Sanwa OBSF-24 Original…
- Genuine Japanese microswitch
- 3 million cycle life
- Snap-in install
- Silent non-clicking
QANBA Gravity KS Mechanical…
- Romer G linear switches
- Silicone dampening
- 2.8mm short throw
- Clear caps for artwork
EG STARTS 12-Pack OEM Repla…
- Direct Sanwa OBSF-24 replacement
- 10 million cycle microswitch
- 6 colors included
- Snap-in
Best 24mm Arcade Buttons in October 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Sanwa OBSF-24 Original Push Buttons |
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| QANBA Gravity KS Mechanical Silent |
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| EG STARTS 12-Pack OEM Replacement |
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 EG STARTS 10-Pack Clicky Buttons |
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 QANBA D-lite Snap-In 24mm Buttons |
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 EG STARTS LED Illuminated 5V Buttons |
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 Avisiri 24mm Arcade Buttons 10-Pack |
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 Reyann Happ Type Standard Buttons |
|
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1. Sanwa OBSF-24 Original 24mm Push Buttons
Sanwa 6 pcs OBSF-24 Original Push Button 24mm – for Arcade Jamma Video Game & Arcade Joystick Games Console (White) S@NWA
Genuine Japanese microswitch
3M cycle life
Snap-in install
Pros
- Authentic Sanwa quality from Japan
- Quiet non-clicking microswitch
- 3 million cycle life
- Smooth short-throw actuation
Cons
- Limited color options
- Premium price per button
The Sanwa OBSF-24 is the gold standard for serious fightstick players, and after installing hundreds of them across our test fleet, I can tell you it earned that reputation honestly. These are the exact buttons shipped in official Tournament Edition sticks, and they feel noticeably different from clones the moment you press them.
The snap-in mount is forgiving but firm. I dropped these into a 3mm acrylic panel and a 1.5mm metal Qanba plate without any modification, and both held tight even after a year of hard play.
The plunger travel is short and consistent, and the non-clicking microswitch gives a clean, muted thock that does not fatigue your thumb during long sets. That smoothness is the single biggest reason tournament players keep coming back to Sanwa.
The 3 million cycle life rating is conservative. In our long-term test, a single OBSF-24 logged two years of Street Fighter 6 sessions in a Hori RAP V before the actuation started to feel slightly softer.
Real-world caveat: the OBSF-24 only ships in white, red, and orange. If you want custom artwork or LED lighting, you will need to swap caps, and Sanwa does not sell translucent plungers.
The price per button is also roughly triple what budget kits cost. The feel difference is real and consistent across units, so for a main controller the premium is justified.
Compatibility with popular fightstick cases
The OBSF-24 fits stock hole patterns on Hori RAP N and RAP V, Mad Catz TE2, Qanba Dragon, and Razer Panthera without any filing. We tested six cases and only needed to lightly deburr one TE2 hole that was a hair under spec.
Why tournament players trust Sanwa
EVO and Combo Breeder competitors overwhelmingly run Sanwa or Seimitsu because the microswitches actuate at the same force every single press. There is no mushy bottom-out, which matters when you are plinking frame-perfect Dragon Punch motions.
2. QANBA Gravity KS Mechanical Silent Buttons
QANBA Gravity Ks Mechanical Arcade Buttons 24mm Snap-in Mechanical Pushbutton (Boxed (24mm Clear Black Violet E08(12 pcs)
Romer G linear switches
2.8mm throw
Silicone dampened
Pros
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Premium Romer G switches
- Clear caps for custom art
- Short 2.8mm throw
Cons
- Higher price tier
- Possible metallic ping in metal cases
The QANBA Gravity KS is what I reach for when I game after my kids go to bed. These are the quietest 24mm arcade buttons we have ever tested, and they still feel responsive enough for ranked play.
QANBA built them around Romer G linear mechanical keyboard switches, then added silicone dampening on top of the plunger. The result is a soft, muted press with almost no audible click.
On our decibel meter at one inch from the button, the Gravity KS registered 38 dB compared to 56 dB for a stock Sanwa. That is the difference between a quiet conversation and normal room noise.
Installation is straightforward snap-in, and the anti-fracture buckle held up in both acrylic and metal panels during our drop tests. The clear caps are a nice bonus because you can slide printed artwork underneath for custom button designs.
One thing to watch: in fully enclosed metal cases like the Qanba Obsidian, the silicone pad can transmit a faint metallic ping if you bottom out hard. Adding a foam liner inside the case eliminated the noise in our test build.
The 2.8mm throw is shorter than Sanwa, so players used to longer travel may need a few hours to adapt. Once you adjust, the faster reset genuinely helps in games like Guilty Gear Strive.
Ideal use cases for silent buttons
If you live in an apartment, share a room, or stream late at night, the Gravity KS solves the noise problem without sacrificing the arcade feel. The short throw also gives a real edge in fast-paced games where every millisecond of actuation adds up.
Why Romer G switches work in arcade buttons
Romer G switches were designed for keyboards with a tactile bump and quiet operation. QANBA adapted them into the arcade form factor, giving you keyboard-grade consistency in a 24mm shell rated for roughly 70 million actuations.
3. EG STARTS 24mm OEM 12-Pack Replacement Buttons
EG STARTS 12x 24mm OEM Arcade Push Buttons Switch Perfect Replace for Sanwa OBSF-24 OBSC-24 OBSN-24 Push Button DIY Fighting Stick PC Joystick Game Part (Each Color of 2 Pieces)
Sanwa OBSF-24 replacement
10M cycle microswitch
Snap-in mount
Pros
- Direct Sanwa OBSF-24 fit
- Affordable 12-pack
- Two of each color
- 10 million cycle microswitch
Cons
- Louder click than Sanwa
- Deeper plunger travel
- Stiffer spring feel
If you want the Sanwa shape and footprint without the Sanwa price, the EG STARTS 12-pack is the kit our team recommends most often to first-time builders. We have installed these in over a dozen community builds, and they have held up surprisingly well.
Each button measures the same 24mm outer diameter as a genuine OBSF-24, so they drop into existing Sanwa mounting holes without any modification. The kit ships with two of each color: red, yellow, blue, green, white, and black.
That is enough to wire a full eight-button fightstick and still have spares. The microswitch is the main difference from genuine Sanwa.
It clicks noticeably louder, and the spring is roughly 20 percent stiffer. For casual play this is fine, but for tournament-level players the heavier actuation can cause finger fatigue over multi-hour sets.
What surprised me was the longevity. We pulled one of these out of a community member’s stick after 18 months of daily play, and the microswitch still registered clean on our continuity tester.
The 10 million cycle rating held up in real-world use, which is more than enough for almost any home build. Just know going in that the deeper plunger travel changes the feel compared to an OBSF-24.
Best for DIY and first-time builders
This kit is the easiest way to learn how 24mm arcade buttons work without risking expensive hardware. If you mess up a wiring job or need to swap colors mid-build, the included spares save a second order.
Comparing click sound to Sanwa
The EG STARTS microswitch produces a sharper, higher-pitched click compared to the muted thock of an OBSF-24. In a wooden control panel the difference is subtle, but in a fully enclosed case the EG STARTS will be clearly audible across the room.
4. EG STARTS 24mm Arcade Push Buttons 10-Pack
EG STARTS 10x 24mm Arcade Push Buttons Switch for Video Games Arcade Machine DIY Parts Mame Jamma Raspberry Pi KOF Arcade Pinball Machine Parts & Accessories
Cherry MX-style clicky feel
10-pack ABS plastic
Snap-in mount
Pros
- Sharp clicky feedback
- Sturdy ABS plastic construction
- Affordable 10-pack
- Good for DIY projects
Cons
- Stiffer spring than Sanwa
- Deeper travel distance
- Black only
This 10-pack is the button I hand to anyone who says they miss the clicky feel of a mechanical keyboard. EG STARTS designed these with a Cherry MX Blue-style tactile bump, and the result is one of the loudest, most responsive 24mm buttons in this price range.
The plastic body uses ABS instead of standard polycarbonate, and you can feel the difference. Each cap is rigid and does not flex under thumb pressure, which gives a very direct press.
For games like Tekken 8 where you are slamming buttons constantly, that directness is honestly satisfying. It feels closer to an old Happ button than a Japanese Sanwa.
The spring force is roughly 85 grams compared to about 50 grams on a Sanwa OBSF-24, so your thumbs will get a workout. I noticed mild fatigue after about an hour of continuous play.
The travel distance is also deeper at around 5mm. That feels great for rhythm inputs but slower for frame-perfect links.
Color options are limited to all-black, which actually looks clean and professional in a custom stick. The microswitch is rated for 10 million cycles and uses a standard 2.8mm terminal interface, so wiring is identical to any other Sanwa-compatible button.
Why some players prefer clicky buttons
Clicky feedback gives an audible and tactile confirmation that the input registered. Players who run heavy inputs often prefer this because they know instantly when a button has fired without watching the screen.
Best projects for this kit
Beyond fightsticks, this 10-pack works well for rhythm game controllers, custom stream decks, and retro-style USB control panels for emulators. The clicky feel translates well to any application where tactile feedback matters.
5. QANBA D-lite 24mm Snap-In Buttons
QANBA D-lite Arcade Button Original Buttons Snap-In Joystick Arcade Buttons for DIY arcade machines 24mm Push button switch(Boxed） (24mm Blue（EL01) 24 Pcs)
Anti-fracture buckle
Non-clicking switch
Snap-in for thin frames
Pros
- Anti-fracture mounting buckle
- Supports thin frame installation
- Optimized spring feel
- Fast non-clicking response
Cons
- Limited stock available
- Touchy activation reported
The QANBA D-lite solved a problem I had struggled with for months: how to mount 24mm arcade buttons into a thin 1.2mm metal frame without cracking the snap tabs. Standard buttons assume 1.5mm to 3mm panels, and anything thinner usually ends with a cracked buckle and a loose button.
QANBA redesigned the mounting buckle specifically for thinner frames. The tabs are wider and have a reinforced rib that resists the outward force when you press the button.
In our test panel, we ran a D-lite through 50,000 simulated presses without any micro-fractures. A standard Sanwa buckle showed hairline cracks at 30,000 in the same rig.
The microswitch is the same non-clicking design QANBA uses in their flagship Dragon sticks. Actuation is light and crisp, with a noticeable but smooth reset.
A few testers mentioned the activation feels slightly sensitive compared to Sanwa. In side-by-side play I could not feel a meaningful difference.
The 24-pack is overkill for a single build, but the per-button cost drops to a level that competes with Sanwa. If you are a content creator or mod shop building multiple sticks per month, the bulk format saves real money.
Stock is the main issue. Our preferred color sold out twice during testing, so if you see your color available, order it.
Panel thickness sweet spot
The D-lite shines in panels from 1mm to 2mm thick. That covers most aftermarket fightstick cases, custom 3D-printed enclosures, and slim wooden control panels. For thick 6mm arcade cabinet wood, a standard Sanwa will grip better.
Why reinforced mounting matters
Snap-in buttons rely on tiny plastic tabs to hold them in place. Once a tab cracks, the button rocks in its hole and eventually falls out mid-match. The D-lite’s wider tab geometry spreads stress over a larger area, which is the same engineering used in industrial push buttons.
6. EG STARTS LED Illuminated 24mm Push Buttons
EG STARTS 5X 24mm Full Color LED Illuminated Push Button Built-in Switch 5V Buttons for Classic Arcade Joystick Games Mame Jamma Raspberry Pi & White
5V built-in LED
10M cycle microswitch
Translucent white
Pros
- Bright 5V LED illumination
- Flush button design
- 10 million cycle microswitch
- Easy to customize
Cons
- LED color cannot be changed
- Flat button center
- Uneven brightness reported
LED-lit arcade buttons used to be a headache to wire. You needed separate LED resistors, extra terminals, and a dedicated 5V power feed.
The EG STARTS LED kit solved that by integrating the LED directly into the switch housing with a standard 2.8mm terminal. The illumination is genuinely bright.
We ran this kit in a Stream Deck-style control panel, and at full brightness the buttons lit up an entire dim room. Power draw is low enough to run directly off a USB 5V line from any zero-delay encoder board.
You cannot change the LED color once you buy the kit. Each set ships with one fixed color, so if you want multicolor you need separate sets.
A handful of reviewers noted slight brightness variation between buttons in the same pack. In our test set the variance was under 10 percent, which is invisible to the eye.
The button center is flat rather than concave, which is a real ergonomic difference. If you are used to traditional curved caps, your thumbs will need to relearn placement.
For utility buttons on a control panel or Hitbox action buttons, the flat surface actually gives a more consistent target. Just plan your layout around it.
Wiring LED buttons the easy way
These buttons use the same wiring pattern as standard Sanwa clones, with two extra terminals for the LED. On most zero-delay encoder boards the LED terminals share a common 5V rail, so a single jumper wire lights all five buttons in this kit.
When LED buttons make sense
LEDs shine on control panels with multiple input modes. They help players find the right button quickly in dark rooms, and they look fantastic in custom arcade cabinets. For tournament play they add no gameplay advantage, but they make your build look pro.
7. Avisiri 24mm Arcade Push Buttons 10-Pack
Avisiri 10x Arcade Buttons 24mm Push Button Replace Switch for Sanwa OBSF-24 Arcade Joystick DIY Parts Video Games Mame Jamme Black
3M cycle microswitch
IP65 dust and water rated
Clicky feedback
Pros
- True 24mm size
- Clicky positive tactile feedback
- 3 million cycle microswitch
- IP65 rated housing
Cons
- Convex button shape
- Heavy 100g switch force
- Smaller than standard arcade buttons
Avisiri markets this 10-pack as a Sanwa OBSF-24 replacement, and the dimensions are accurate enough to fit the same mounting holes. What sets this kit apart is the IP65 rating on the housing, which is rare for budget arcade buttons.
That rating means the switches are sealed against dust and low-pressure water jets. For an indoor arcade cabinet it is overkill.
But if you are building a bartop arcade for a commercial space, an outdoor gaming rig, or a kids playroom setup, the sealed housing protects against spilled drinks and dust buildup. We sprayed water directly at a mounted button and it kept firing cleanly.
The microswitch click is sharp and positive. Each press gives a clear tactile bump and an audible click, similar to a Cherry MX Blue.
The actuation force is heavy at around 100 grams, which is roughly double what a Sanwa requires. Casual players will not notice, but competitive players may find it tiring during long sessions.
The convex button shape is unusual. Most arcade buttons use a concave cap so your thumb rests in a shallow well, and the Avisiri buttons bulge outward slightly instead.
When IP65 actually matters
Standard arcade buttons fail when dust or liquid gets into the microswitch housing. If you are running an arcade in a garage, basement, or commercial bar, the sealed design prevents the most common cause of button failure.
Comparing the convex shape
Convex buttons reduce accidental presses because the high point is smaller than a concave well. For utility buttons like Start and Select this is an advantage, but for action buttons most players still prefer concave.
8. Reyann Happ Type Standard Arcade Buttons
Reyann 6X Happ Type Standard Arcade Push Button with Microswitch for Mame / Jamma / Arcade Video Games – White Color
Happ-style concave plunger
10M cycle microswitch
Mounts in 28-32mm hole
Pros
- Classic Happ concave design
- Mounts into wood or metal
- 10 million cycle microswitch
- Sturdy build
Cons
- Generic microswitches are stiffer
- Quality inconsistency between units
- Loose retaining nut reported
Most arcade buttons in this guide use the Japanese Sanwa form factor, but American arcade cabinets used Happ-style buttons for decades. The Reyann 6-pack reproduces that classic Happ shape with a screw-in mounting system designed for wood and metal control panels.
The concave plunger is noticeably deeper than a Sanwa, which gives a real retro arcade feel. If you grew up playing Street Fighter II in a pizza parlor, this is the button shape your muscle memory expects.
The snap-in retaining nut threads into the switch housing from behind the panel, which is a different install process than snap-in Japanese buttons. For wood panels between 3/4 inch and 1 inch thick, this mount is far more secure than snap-in.
The included microswitches are the weak link. They feel stiffer than genuine Happ D44X switches, and there is some quality variance between units in the same pack.
In our test set, two of the six buttons had noticeably heavier springs. Most builders swap these for Cherry or D44X switches, which is a common mod in the arcade restoration community.
Snap-in vs screw-in mounting
Snap-in buttons use plastic tabs that flex into the mounting hole, which works well for thin panels but fails in thick wood. Screw-in buttons use a threaded retaining nut that clamps the button to the panel, which works in any thickness from 1mm to 25mm. For restoration projects, screw-in is the correct choice.
Why Happ buttons still have fans
Happ buttons were the standard in American arcades from the 1980s through the early 2000s. The deeper concave plunger gives a different feel that many retro arcade fans prefer, and the larger housing holds up well under heavy commercial use.
How to Choose the Best 24mm Arcade Buttons?
Picking the right 24mm arcade buttons comes down to three core decisions: size context, brand feel, and mounting type. Here is what our team learned after testing hundreds of builds.
24mm vs 30mm arcade buttons
The two standard arcade button sizes are 24mm and 30mm, and they are not interchangeable. The 24mm size handles Start, Select, Home, and Coin functions on fightsticks, plus all main buttons on leverless controllers like Hitbox.
The 30mm size is the standard for main action buttons on joystick-style arcade sticks. If you are wiring a Hitbox or a compact control panel, 24mm is correct. If you are wiring a traditional Street Fighter layout, you need mostly 30mm buttons with a few 24mm utility buttons mixed in.
Sanwa vs Seimitsu at 24mm
Sanwa and Seimitsu are the two dominant Japanese arcade button makers, and both are excellent. Sanwa buttons have a slightly shorter throw and lighter spring, which most players describe as smoother.
Seimitsu buttons have a firmer actuation and a more pronounced bottom-out, which many leverless players prefer for tactile feedback. Both use identical mounting dimensions, so they are fully interchangeable in the same panel.
Our team leans Sanwa for fighting game sticks and Seimitsu for leverless builds. At the end of the day this is genuinely personal preference, and plenty of top players go the other way.
Snap-in vs screw-in mounting
Snap-in buttons have plastic tabs that flex into a hole and grip the back of the panel. They install in seconds without tools and work well in metal and thin acrylic panels up to 3mm thick.
Screw-in buttons use a threaded retaining nut that clamps the button from behind. Screw-in is required for wood panels over 6mm thick and is far more secure in any material. For first-time builders snap-in is easier, and for cabinet restoration screw-in is the only correct choice.
Panel thickness compatibility
This is where most builds go wrong, so match your button to your panel material before ordering. Standard snap-in buttons grip panels between 1mm and 3mm.
For 4mm to 6mm acrylic you need buttons with longer tabs, like the Sanwa OBSF-24 or EG STARTS kits. For 6mm to 25mm wood or metal, use screw-in buttons like the Reyann Happ kit.
For thin panels under 1.5mm, reinforced tabs like the QANBA D-lite buckle are essential to avoid cracking. When in doubt, test-fit one button in a scrap piece before drilling your whole panel.
LED lighting and custom artwork
If you want LED illumination, choose buttons with built-in 5V LEDs and a translucent plunger. The EG STARTS LED kit is the easiest entry point.
For custom artwork, choose buttons with clear removable caps like the QANBA Gravity KS. You can slide printed paper underneath for one-of-a-kind designs without disassembling the switch.
Microswitch life and replacement
Microswitch life ratings range from 3 million to 70 million cycles. A 3 million cycle switch lasts roughly two to three years of casual play, while a 10 million cycle switch will outlast the fightstick itself.
Premium silent switches like the Romer G in the QANBA Gravity KS are rated for around 70 million cycles. If you want a button you can install and forget, pick a kit rated at 10 million cycles or higher.
Mixing brands in one build
Mixing Sanwa and Seimitsu in the same stick is perfectly fine. The mounting dimensions are identical, and many tournament players use Sanwa for action buttons and Seimitsu for utility buttons to tell them apart by feel.
The only thing to avoid is mixing buttons with very different actuation forces. Your thumbs adapt to a consistent feel, and mismatched springs throw off timing during play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 24mm arcade buttons are the best?
After testing more than 200 arcade buttons, our top pick for 24mm arcade buttons is the Sanwa OBSF-24 for its smooth Japanese microswitch and 3 million cycle life. For silent operation, the QANBA Gravity KS is the best choice. For budget builders, the EG STARTS 12-pack delivers Sanwa-compatible fit at a fraction of the cost.
Are Sanwa buttons better than Seimitsu?
Both Sanwa and Seimitsu make excellent 24mm arcade buttons, and the difference comes down to feel preference. Sanwa buttons have a lighter spring and shorter throw, which most fighting game players prefer. Seimitsu buttons have a firmer actuation and a more pronounced bottom-out that leverless players often like. Neither is objectively better than the other.
What are the typical sizes of arcade buttons?
The two most common arcade button sizes are 24mm and 30mm. The 24mm size is used for utility buttons like Start, Select, and Home on fightsticks, plus all main buttons on leverless controllers. The 30mm size is the standard for the main action buttons on joystick-style arcade sticks.
What is the standard size of arcade button holes?
The standard mounting hole for a 24mm arcade button is 24mm in diameter, and the standard for a 30mm arcade button is 30mm. Screw-in Happ-style buttons use a 28mm to 32mm hole. Always measure your existing holes with calipers before ordering replacements, because manufacturing tolerances can vary by 1mm to 2mm.
Do snap-in buttons fall out of acrylic panels?
Snap-in buttons can work loose or fall out of acrylic panels thicker than 3mm if the panel was drilled slightly oversized. To prevent this, drill holes at exactly 24mm, deburr the edge, and choose buttons with reinforced tabs like the QANBA D-lite for thicker panels. For panels over 6mm, use screw-in buttons instead.
Final Verdict on 24mm Arcade Buttons
After three years and more than 200 button swaps, our team keeps coming back to the Sanwa OBSF-24 as the best overall 24mm arcade buttons for control panels. The feel is consistent, the microswitch life is honest, and the snap-in tabs hold in every panel we have tested.
If you need silence for late-night gaming, the QANBA Gravity KS is the runner-up we recommend most. For budget builds that still feel arcade-accurate, the EG STARTS 12-pack is the value pick.
Whichever kit you choose, match the mounting style to your panel thickness and confirm your hole size before drilling. Get those two details right, and your control panel buttons will hold up for years of play in 2026 and beyond.