CherryMX Keyboards

[Guest]

I've recently been looking for a new keyboard, and I heard about something called

CherryMX switches. I know there are different kinds, (blue, red, etc.) but I don't know what each

one does in particular. Can someone explain the differences between each kind?

Thanks!

[TGBSeth]

Source: http://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/?page_id=1458

 

Cherry MX Switches

Cherry MX are mechanical switches that consist of a spring and two metal contacts. When depressed, it causes the plastic stem to go down, at which point a steel spring inside closes the switch, signaling the key has been depressed. One of the benefits of Cherry MX switches is the gold-plated contacts. Unlike other metals, the gold prevents the contacts from rusting, increasing the lifespan of the switch. There are a variety of switch constructions for these types of keys, and they can be differentiated by the color of the stem, which you can see when you remove the keycap.

 

Linear Switch: Cherry MX Black

Actuation Force: 60cN
Cherry Black switches were one of the first mechanical keyboard switches available to the general public. They are linear, or non-tactile, switches as there is no loud click or bump felt when a key is depressed. Many gamers prefer these because of the smooth feel and the fact that the actuation and release points are at the exact same position, making double tapping easier than other switches. When gaming, a tactile bump doesn’t often help since gamers tend to bottom out on the keys. Due to the lack of a bump, most people don’t prefer the black switches for typing.

 

Light Tactile Switch: Cherry MX Brown

Actuation Force: 55cN
The Cherry Brown switches are about halfway between a typing and a gaming switch. Some people prefer them for gaming since it enables you to double tap faster. Unlike the black switches, the browns have a soft, tactile bump about halfway through the key press. The MX Brown switches have a softer click when depressed and require less force to actuate than the blue switches. The Das Keyboard tactile-soft series utilizes Cherry MX Brown switches.

 

Clicky Switch: Cherry MX Blue

Actuation Force: 60cN
The blue switches are considered to be the best switch for typing because they have a “clicky” tactile bump when the activation point is hit. While many people prefer them for gaming, it is not as easy to double tap as other switches since the release point is above the actuation point. The standard “clicky” versions of Das Keyboards utilize Cherry MX Blue switches.

 

Light Tactile Switch: Cherry MX Clear

Actuation Force: 65cN
Cherry MX Clear switches are a bit harder to find in keyboards, but many users consider them to have more of a tactile feel than the Cherry MX browns without being as clicky as the Cherry MX Blue switches. The clear switches have a higher actuation force than the brown switches and are often compared to the feel of rubber dome keyboards.

 

Linear Switch: Cherry MX Red

Actuation Force: 45cN
Cherry MX Red switches are similar to the Cherry MX Blacks in that they are both categorized as linear, non-tactile. This means that their feel remains constant through each up-down key stroke. Where they differ from the Cherry MX Black switches is in their resistance; they require less force to actuate. The result is a feel that most perceive as “smoother” and “faster,” making them especially popular among gaming enthusiasts.

[MrBlackOpsNinja]

I don't know too much about them so I hope this video helps.

[notenoughtv]

If you can you should go to a retailer and try them yourself. You can read all you want about a switch, but the only way you can really know which one you like the best is trying them