Best cherry mx keys for gaming

[AaronFPS]

Vote

[GamerDude]

Red and Black are supposed to be gaming switches, but many have been playing just fine with Blue and Brown. I prefer Red, but have tried, and liked, Blue and Black as well. So, I now have 3 Red, a Blue and a Black.....no addiction to any particular switch.

[Hyp0xia]

For gaming and gaming alone, Cherry MX reds would be my choice, which is why companies like Corsair and Gigabyte have been putting them in their gaming-oriented mechanical keyboards; however, that's not to say I consider Cherry MX reds to be at all appropriate for regular typing. As for Cherry MX blacks, I find that, though they're considered a gaming switch, they cause far too much finger fatigue during lengthy gaming sessions.

[ConfusedDolphin]

I voted brown because it is my favourite does not mean that it is the "best" key switch for everyone though. 

[MunsonedForLife]

Gotta go with reds because I also type a lot for college and they are more quiet than most from what I've heard.

[OneGun]

I like Blue.

[fishymamba]

Reds, I hate the tactile bump on the blue switches, it gets in the way when gaming. 

Another reason for reds is that they have the lowest actuation force, so double tapping is very fast

[That Norwegian Guy]

Brown. Best compromise in strafe/spam-friendliness and tactility.

 

Blown away at so many using blues, they're really only meant for typing. Lots of gamers will have arthritic fingers at old age!

[XiaoPigs]

I use blacks but it's because of preference. There is no best cherry mx switch :p

[Vitalius]

Well, I went to my "local" (1.5 hour drive) Micro Center to try out keyboards today and from all the ones I tried, I found blues to be my personal favorite. 

Obviously, this is very different from using keyboards for an extended period of time to get a feel for them. I don't think I got to try Blacks, but I did get to try Browns and Reds. Neither of which I liked.

I'm a gamer, but I type a lot too. I tend to use things like a scroll wheel or a macro for auto-fire/quick successive presses, so actuation force doesn't matter in the short term for me much. Long term, I spend hours on a computer a day as is. I doubt I'll get tired easily using Blues.

Based on all that, I'm likely going to buy the Razer Black Widow Ultimate keyboard. Tis epic, and I like the look.

[Hyp0xia]

Well, I went to my "local" (1.5 hour drive) Micro Center to try out keyboards today and from all the ones I tried, I found blues to be my personal favorite. 

Obviously, this is very different from using keyboards for an extended period of time to get a feel for them. I don't think I got to try Blacks, but I did get to try Browns and Reds. Neither of which I liked.

I'm a gamer, but I type a lot too. I tend to use things like a scroll wheel or a macro for auto-fire/quick successive presses, so actuation force doesn't matter in the short term for me much. Long term, I spend hours on a computer a day as is. I doubt I'll get tired easily using Blues.

Based on all that, I'm likely going to buy the Razer Black Widow Ultimate keyboard. Tis epic, and I like the look.

 

I work at Micro Center and, unfortunately, the keyboard selection is disappointing. I wouldn't advise limiting yourself to what's available at brick-and-mortar stores.

[mgsstar]

Like Browns because it is good for typing and gaming. 

[Vitalius]

I work at Micro Center and, unfortunately, the keyboard selection is disappointing. I wouldn't advise limiting yourself to what's available at brick-and-mortar stores.

Yes, I agree. Somewhat disappointing. I guessed the Ducky I used had Reds because I heard no click and felt no bump. I just assumed it was membrane at first, but it didn't say anything on the box.

How do I test Cherry MX Keys then without a brick-and-mortar store? Buying them to try them online seems exceptionally unnecessary. And I know no one who owns a Mechanical Keyboard. :(

I can already tell I don't like Reds as I don't notice a difference between them and Membrane. Who knows, perhaps that Ducky keyboard actually was membrane. Ew.

[Lukiose]

I use Reds, and in all seriousness, i include 'double-tapping' as an important factor in gaming so blues are out of the question.

Reds are good but as a user of them myself i find them too easy to accidentally actuate sometimes due to the incredibly light actuation force. Browns are also ok.

But for the purpose of this question i would have to go with Blacks, when playing a game you only want a key to actuate when you want it to and Blacks are excellent at that, so there be it.

[Rhizo]

They all have negligable difference in gaming performance. Preferably just try them all out and pick a switch.

[GamerDude]

It has to do with personal preference, though Lukiose's right about the double tapping bit, that's why my preferred switch is Red. I do have a DK9087G2 Pro TKL which has Cherry Black switch and after going through UT3 for a while, I actually prefer it over Red....Blue is OK, but somehow Red and Black do better for me as I find myself scoring more hits with them, especially the Black. For my final KB, I'm thinking Filco MJ2 with yellow keycaps......and I'm aiming for a Brown. I'd like to try the various switches, and I really do think Red is still my fave.

[Surprise]

Blacks.

[Hyydrah]

Blues, and if you use wasdkeyboard's blue o-rings, it's even better.

[Hyp0xia]

Yes, I agree. Somewhat disappointing. I guessed the Ducky I used had Reds because I heard no click and felt no bump. I just assumed it was membrane at first, but it didn't say anything on the box.

How do I test Cherry MX Keys then without a brick-and-mortar store? Buying them to try them online seems exceptionally unnecessary. And I know no one who owns a Mechanical Keyboard. :(

I can already tell I don't like Reds as I don't notice a difference between them and Membrane. Who knows, perhaps that Ducky keyboard actually was membrane. Ew.

 

Order a sampler kit online from either WASD Keyboards or Max Keyboard. I will provide the links below:

 

 

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-sampler-kit.html

 

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-keycap-cherry-mx-switch-o-ring-sampler-kit.html

 

 

They come with one Cherry MX black switch, one Cherry MX blue switch, one Cherry MX brown switch, one Cherry MX red switch, keycaps, and O-rings. It's not quite like having a full keyboard at your fingertips, but it's surprisingly helpful nevertheless. Mechanical keyboards are not cheap, so it's a worthwhile investment to know which switches you favor.

[911^NEmeSis]

Blues for all thing keyboardy!

[unidentical]

I like black switches because they're smooth and relatively quiet.

[Glenwing]

I like blue :)

[gastew15]

I really like the Browns myself for everday, but blues are really nice.

[Vitalius]

Order a sampler kit online from either WASD Keyboards or Max Keyboard. I will provide the links below:

 

 

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-sampler-kit.html

 

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-keycap-cherry-mx-switch-o-ring-sampler-kit.html

 

 

They come with one Cherry MX black switch, one Cherry MX blue switch, one Cherry MX brown switch, one Cherry MX red switch, keycaps, and O-rings. It's not quite like having a full keyboard at your fingertips, but it's surprisingly helpful nevertheless. Mechanical keyboards are not cheap, so it's a worthwhile investment to know which switches you favor.

Thank you man. This will help so much.