Types of Cherry MX Switches: Not Just Colours

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, everyone talks about Cherry MX switches. You’ve probably seen them labelled as Red, Blue, or Brown — but there’s a lot more to these switches than just color. Each type affects how your keyboard feels, sounds, and reacts, which can totally change your typing or gaming experience. Let’s dive in.

What Are Cherry MX Switches?

Cherry MX switches are the standard mechanical switches used in keyboards for decades. They determine:

• How much force you need to press a key

• Whether the keypress makes a clicky sound

• How fast the key registers your input

Basically, your entire typing or gaming feel depends on the switch.

Cherry MX Red – Smooth and Linear

• Type: Linear

• Force: Light

• Sound: Quiet

• Feel: Smooth press from top to bottom with no tactile bump

• Best for: Gaming — especially fast-paced shooters where quick key presses matter

Red switches don’t give much feedback, which means your fingers glide over the keys with minimal effort. Gamers love them because you can spam keys quickly without tiring your fingers.

Cherry MX Blue – Clicky and Tactile

• Type: Clicky

• Force: Medium

• Sound: Loud click on every press

• Feel: You feel a bump at the actuation point and hear a satisfying click

• Best for: Typists — people who want clear feedback on every keystroke

Blue switches are fun to type on, but they can be noisy. Perfect for home setups or offices where loud typing isn’t an issue.

Cherry MX Brown – Tactile But Quiet

• Type: Tactile

• Force: Medium

• Sound: Quiet, soft bump at actuation

• Feel: Gives feedback without the loud click

• Best for: Mixed use — gaming and typing

Browns are the middle ground — you get the tactile bump to know your key registered without disturbing roommates or co-workers. This is what people mean by thock.

Cherry MX Black – Heavy Linear

• Type: Linear

• Force: Heavy

• Sound: Quiet

• Feel: Smooth but requires more pressure to press

• Best for: Typists or gamers who want resistance to avoid accidental key presses

Blacks aren’t as common today but are great for people who type aggressively or want extra control in gaming.

Cherry MX Silent – Silent Variants

• Type: Linear or Tactile

• Force: Varies

• Sound: Almost silent

• Feel: Smooth or tactile depending on the variant

• Best for: Quiet typing — perfect for shared spaces

Silent switches are like regular Reds or Browns but with dampeners to reduce noise. You get the feel without the “clack.”

Specialty Switches

Cherry MX also makes:

• Speed Silver: Super fast actuation for competitive gamers.

• Green: Similar to Blue but heavier click — rarely seen outside enthusiast keyboards.

• Clear: Tactile but heavier than Browns for more deliberate typing.

These aren’t as common but are perfect if you know your exact typing or gaming needs.

How to Choose Your Switch

• Gaming only: Red or Speed Silver

• Typing only: Blue or Clear

• Mixed use: Brown or Silent variants

• Heavy-handed typist: Black or Green

Remember, it’s not just colour — the feel, sound, and actuation force define your experience. Testing different switches before buying is the best way to find your perfect match.

Cherry MX switches are more than just rainbow-colored labels. Picking the right one can boost your typing speed, improve your gaming, and make your keyboard feel like it’s made just for you. Once you know the difference, you’ll never look at your keyboard the same way again.