Browns vs Blues

[Lamb]

I will be picking up my first mechanical keyboard in a week, and I am trying to make my final decision. I have tried blue switches before, but those were the only switches I have tried. I liked the feel of the blue switches, but they were too loud. I know the brown switches have a tactile bump like the blues, but does it feel the same? I have heard that browns felt "mushy". Is this true? Is it really that much different than the blues?

 

EDIT: By the way, if you could recommend a good cheap keyboard with browns, that would be great.

[Kayn]

Browns is about the same as blues except that it doesn't have the extra sounds but it also takes less pressure than blues. I have not tried out browns myself its just from what I have heard.

[Bluejay0]

Browns are identical to blues, just quieter. Rosewill has some really nice  and cheap keyboards

 

 

http://www.rosewill.com/products/2294/ProductDetail_Overview.htm

[Dave :)]

As above really for what browns are. The feel of them will partly come down to the quality of the board itself. For a good and cheap mech board, have a look at Cm Storm Quickfire pro.

[Lamb]

Browns are identical to blues, just quieter. Rosewill has some really nice  and cheap keyboards

 

 

http://www.rosewill.com/products/2294/ProductDetail_Overview.htm

 

Thanks! I was looking to buy just a plain keyboard and then later, buying some custom keycaps and making it look nice.

[Bluejay0]

Thanks! I was looking to buy just a plain keyboard and then later, buying some custom keycaps and making it look nice.

 

No problem!

[WoodenMarker]

Thanks! I was looking to buy just a plain keyboard and then later, buying some custom keycaps and making it look nice.

You could just get a G710+ like me and having it looking nice right outside of the box.

[Alex(PlayMedium)]

browns don't feel exactly like blues, the tactile bump is a bit more defined on blues, with browns it feels like the bump is longer and more "plasticy". It is really hard to describe, but if you dislike blues for the noise, you are in the same situation as I was, I then got a quickfire TK with browns and I am very satisfied with my purchase ^^

[shirokado]

I don't understand why people say browns feel like blues. Browns feel nothing like blues. With blues, you can feel the bump. The bump on the browns are much less noticeable so they're like completely different switches. Anyone who says that browns are quieter blues, they have never touched a blue keyboard before.

 

With reds and blacks, you can just say blacks are heavier reds, because they are.

 

Browns on the other hand are nothing like blues, browns can only be compared to clears, and blues can only be compared to greens.

 

Overall, the blue keyboard feels much better for typing. Browns are a compromise, they're decent for typing, and decent for gaming, they are not spectacular switches. 

 

Of course, all my opinion, and I only came to that conclusion after trying all 4 popular switches for 6 months each.

[Worth]

I personally don't like reds; they are too easy to push.

[GamerDude]

There is a difference between the bump ona Blue and a Brown, the Blue is more defined, while the brown feels a litlle 'mushy' for want of a better word. Yes, you do feel the tactile bump, but it's not as 'sharp' as that on a Blue. Add to the fact that Brown is a tad lighter than Blue and not clicky.....personally, I like both.

 

As for Red, when, it's perceived as a gaming switch and therefore has to be light and responsive, though admittedly, typing on Red isn't a stroll in the park and requires some getting use to. The often neglected Black is a great switch for both typing and gaming, I have two in my collection (Ducky DK9087G2 Pro and a Filco MJ NINJA) and they are just fine for typing and gaming. Heck, I'm typing this post on my Filco and it's great, the 60g force required to actuate the switch helps a lot in preventing typos and such.

[shirokado]

And for linear switches, blacks are better then reds. Reds are too light, and i would prefer them for FPS gaming, and only FPS gaming. Everything else, blacks are much better. And because of the high actuation force required, its also not that bad to type on, reds are terrible for typing. Too many mistakes. Where as with blacks its harder to make mistakes.

[Focux]

Best bang for buck brown switch KB is the CM Storm QFR Rapid.

[whatthe_fuzz]

my money's on blues. I got my first keyboard with cherry mx blues and the "click" is so satisfying. I tried browns immediately after testing blues and the felt like they were missing something. that click. browns are bumpy but for me they feel lacking.

[Jackbe]

I prefer browns to blues, I like the more subtle bump on the browns due to the more simple mechanism on the browns. I also prefer the sound of the browns, the blues are too clacky and annoy me for gaming. 

 

Having said this, it is personal preference, you really need to try them to find out which one YOU like. 

 

WASD Keyboards sell a sampler kit, i suggest that having used my friends kit to decide which ones I like. 

 

I suggest CM storm keyboards because they are much cheaper than most others and still have fantastic build quality (don't let any ducky fanboys sway you, they are a tad nicer, but you pay for it massively...)

[Lamb]

So it looks like browns are the switch for me. I type a lot when my family is sleeping and the loud sound of the blues would bother them. 

[Lamb]

Anyone know a keyboard with brown switches and red backlight? Lower price = Better.

[shirokado]

So it looks like browns are the switch for me. I type a lot when my family is sleeping and the loud sound of the blues would bother them. 

its not loud enough for your family to hear through a closed door

 

Anyone know a keyboard with brown switches and red backlight? Lower price = Better.

CM Storm Quickfire Pro is the only mechanical keyboard with a pretty low price point and have backlight.

 

 

 

but overall, if you type alot browns wouldnt really be the best choice. blues would serve you much better.

[Alterlai]

Browns are basically the same as blues. For the exception of the sound. 

If you think blues will be too loud for you, you should probably go for the browns.

[N7_Zer0]

Blues and Browns are nothing alike. Besides the difference in loudness they also feel a LOT different.  Blues require around 50G actuation force and have a well defined, sharp, tactile click with the reset point located above the actuation point. Browns are lighter at 45G and have a dull tactile bump like membrane boards. Actuation and reset are at the same location.

 

 

Browns is about the same as blues except that it doesn't have the extra sounds but it also takes less pressure than blues. I have not tried out browns myself its just from what I have heard.

 

 

Browns are identical to blues, just quieter.

[Lamb]

but overall, if you type alot browns wouldnt really be the best choice. blues would serve you much better.

 

I already decided that blues are not a viable option for me.

[GamerDude]

but overall, if you type alot browns wouldnt really be the best choice. blues would serve you much better.

No, that's not definitive, it boils down to personal preference. Some actually prefer Red to Blue, imagine that! I type with many different KB's, hence, various switch types. Blue is fine, so is Green.....and typing on Black as I am right right now, is pretty good amd quite satisfying.......many equate that 'click' of Blue with a satisfying typing experience, not necessarily so. Typing with Black is pretty satisfying to me as well.I actually like the heaviness of the switch and can easily do w/o the click if I have to. Typing on my Topre is pretty quiet, but the feel of the switch/key is tits.

[shirokado]

Browns are basically the same as blues. For the exception of the sound. 

If you think blues will be too loud for you, you should probably go for the browns.

blues are nothing like browns..... you probably never touched a blue before. the blue has a really sharp satisfying click, while browns have a flimsy bump. i own all 4 main types of cherry switches. i have a k70(red) filco(black) g710+ with origns removed(brown) and a filco (blue) 

 

i actually used all the switches, and i can say that anyone who says that browns are the same as blues except for the noise is a moron.

[shirokado]

No, that's not definitive, it boils down to personal preference. Some actually prefer Red to Blue, imagine that! I type with many different KB's, hence, various switch types. Blue is fine, so is Green.....and typing on Black as I am right right now, is pretty good amd quite satisfying.......many equate that 'click' of Blue with a satisfying typing experience, not necessarily so. Typing with Black is pretty satisfying to me as well.I actually like the heaviness of the switch and can easily do w/o the click if I have to. Typing on my Topre is pretty quiet, but the feel of the switch/key is tits.

yes typing with a black is really satisfying. i actually like typing on my black keyboard more then typing on my blue keyboard. because the blacks are heavy, but its not as heavy as people describe it. i make less mistakes on blacks but i type much faster on blues. overall, id choose blacks for the best switch. its awesome for gaming and its awesome for typing. browns are a compromise, it doesnt do spectacular in gaming and typing, but its still better then membrane. 

[S2000Gan]

IMO Blues are nicer to type

Browns are quieter and the less tactile feel is nicer for WASD-ing in games. (Similar to why people like MX Reds the most for WASD gaming)
Ergo Clears are better "quiet" tactile switches IMO.