A reliable keyboard is an essential and must-have piece of equipment on the battlefield of the latest FPS PC games, legendary MOBAs and epic MMO worlds. HyperX™ keypads are equipped with Cherry® MX switches, which provide significant benefits for responsiveness and durability. Manufactured in Germany, mechanical switches guarantee more than 50 million keystrokes, which, of course, directly affected the price of the finished product.
Whether you like the audible click of every keystroke or prefer quiet typing, Cherry has switches to suit every need. They feature minimal actuation force, meaning less wear and more comfort, whether you're crushing a competitive game or typing out a 30-page memoir.
So, below we’ll look at what exactly makes a mechanical keyboard special, and which switches to choose specifically for video games and typing.
Cherry MX Blue, Brown and Red - what's the difference between mechanical key switches?
Cherry MX switches are manufactured and supplied in many "colors" ranging from brown, blue, red to black, white, green. They differ not only in the color of the base of the mechanisms, but also have several other differences. Switches come in three different varieties: clicky (blue and green), tactile (brown and clear), and linear (black and red).
MX Red
MX Red were only introduced in 2008. They have the lowest actuation force of the three most common switches. Red switches are designed as gaming switches with a light click for quick action, and have become more common in gaming devices. For players who require quick double or triple key presses, this type of key mechanism offers some speed advantages.
They are recommended for gamers looking for fast action with minimal drag. There is no tactile shock to them. For this reason, red switches are not ideal for typing.
One of the best options for gaming keyboards on Cherry MX Red switches is the Mad Catz STRIKE 4 model. The combination of legendary reliability, modern design and first-class characteristics makes this keyboard truly desirable for gamers of any level. You can buy Mad Catz STRIKE 4 in our store at a very attractive price.
MX Brown
The most popular type of non-click tactile switch is the Cherry MX Brown. This switch was introduced in 1994 as a special “ergo-soft”, but quickly became the most popular. Today, most keypads come with Brown switches, as this type is a good average all-around option, suitable for both frequent typing and gaming. They are also ideal for office work, where the clicking of the switch will not irritate employees who prefer to work in silence.
So, Cherry MX Brown is considered the best all-around switch. Its tactile impact, silent movement and actuation force make it versatile. Because the tactile shock is generated by a ridge in the discontinuous fin, the hysteresis is less pronounced than with blue switches. Additionally, they are often used in environments where blue switches are too loud, but fast typing is required.
MX Blue
Cherry MX Blue is the most common type of mechanical key and was first released on Filco keyboard models in 2007. Blue switches are preferred primarily by those who type a lot because of their tactile impact and audible click. However, they are less suitable for video games as the actuation force is relatively high at 50 grams and is a little more difficult to double press as the release point is higher than the actuation point. Blue switches are noticeably louder than other “mechanics”.
The blue mechanism is recommended mainly for typing as it has a great click sound making it the loudest switch. Therefore, if you want your device to sound like a typewriter, you can safely buy a keyboard with blue switches.
The separate slider design also provides the most significant sensitive feedback, unlike all switches of the German company. The two-piece slider design presents a very pronounced hysteresis, making quick shots in video games more difficult than in line switches.
Outemu
The cheapest Chinese Cherry MX clones. Don't be tempted by the affordable price: the keyboards on these switches are known for their inconsistency, that is, pressing different keys requires different amounts of effort. Not very comfortable.
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It is difficult to judge which switches are better. The only thing that can be unequivocally stated is that it is better to use originals than clones, even despite the difference in price. In all other respects, the tactile sensations, the sound produced and the effort required for activation are a matter of personal preference.
Naturally, there is a difference, but the sensations when working at a keyboard with switches of one type or another are subjective: all users have different tastes. Fortunately, the flagship model ranges allow you to choose a mechanical keyboard with any parameters.
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And that's all for today. I would be grateful to everyone who shares this publication on social networks. Till tomorrow!
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What is it about Cherry switches and why should you pay attention to mechanical keyboards?
So what is a mechanical keyboard? While most keyboards use soft silicone parts, mechanical models are equipped with springs and metal, and have a much more complex design compared to membrane ones.
The latter type of design is based on 3 thin layers of film located under the keys. The top and bottom layers are equipped with conductors, and the middle one plays the role of an insulating link. Features of this design caused the main disadvantages of the membrane keypad. After all, in order for the contact to close, the keys must be pressed all the way. The mechanics, in comparison, look much more complicated. They contain:
- mechanical opening contacts;
- clear sensitive communication depending on the types of keypad.
The key works before it reaches the stop. Thanks to this, there is no need to knock on the keys at all until you feel the travel stop. This makes typing text more comfortable, and in a video game it makes it possible to understand when a key was triggered.
At the same time, mechanical keypads are more reliable than membrane ones. This mechanism includes LED backlighting, which provides better visibility at night, and also has a much higher number of clicks, several times higher than the membrane one.
Another advantage of mechanics is durability. They will work for many years, and the key travel and tactile feedback will not change: they will be pressed with the same ease as on the day of purchase. They support an infinite number of keystroke logging. However, this is individual and depends on the type of keypad.
Razer
The hegemonic leader, who set his sights on being the leader in the creation of gaming devices, abandoned the products of other brands and uses his own switches in mechanical keyboards.
This is due not only to the fact that the brand wants to be on its own, but also to the fact that Cherry’s production capacity was not enough for Razer’s growing appetites. There are several types of switches of this brand:
- Green – tactile, with a pronounced click;
- Yellow – linear, with shortened key travel;
- Orange – tactile, with a quiet click.
Cherry MX BLUE
Cherry MX BLUE is a lightweight switch. Unlike most other switches, the plunger in this one consists not of one, but of two parts:
- blue plunger (which is connected to the key);
- white inner slider (which opens and closes the outline).
These switches emit a characteristic click, which does not depend in any way on the presence of a keycap. The answer to the question of how blue switches differ from red ones is extremely simple - blue ones have higher rigidity than red ones, as well as a slightly longer stroke. Therefore, for the mechanism to work, a force of 60 grams must be applied.
MX BLUE allows you to clearly feel and also hear the moment when the mechanism worked, however, you will not have the same control in games as with red and brown switches. In general, these switches are still great for gaming, because the gamer will clearly understand whether the press worked or not. The blue type of switches is an ideal option for those whose priority is not gaming, but typing.
Cherry MX BROWN
Cherry MX BROWN - refers to tactile switches that do not have a characteristic click. The switch is not pressed evenly and has a characteristic cutoff, that is, you can feel it when you press the switch. The approximate pressing force is 45 grams, which is the most optimal. These switches are used to produce HyperX, Extra RGB and other brethren. Cherry MX BROWN is one of the most optimal switches for video games and text typing because they:
- quiet, as they do not have any clicks or clicks;
- very comfortable due to their tactile sensations and feedback.
ALPS
Such switches were produced by the Japanese company of the same name until 1996. Today, all switches of this brand are exact copies of products from a famous brand. They have a rather complex design: up to 10 components in each switch.
There are various modifications: tactile, linear, clicking and silent. The most famous products today are from Matias, which are simplified versions of ALPS switches.
And despite the fact that the original keyboards of this brand have not been produced for a long time, you can find used ALPS in excellent condition on the Internet - for example, on eBay.
Cherry MX RED
Cherry MX RED are linear switches that have no click, making them unusually quiet. At the same time, they lack tactile feedback, so they are also very smooth.
This type allows you to instantly respond to events in games. This is the highlight of the mechanics: the ability to easily control the process and response speed. The pressing force to activate this switch is about 40 grams. In principle, these are very light switches, and you can play them for quite a long time without getting your fingers tired.
One of the disadvantages is the sound, that is, the reproduced volume. How can they be loud if they are linear and have no click? Everything is very simple! Due to the fact that the pressing force is very small, when the keycap is bent onto the switch, it comes into contact with the plastic of the switch itself and produces a characteristic sound. It follows from this that red switches without a keycap are quite quiet, but as soon as you put on a keycap, the sound turns out to be two or even three times louder.
Topre
Topre switches are electrostatic capacitive switches from the Japanese company Topre Corporation. The Topre keyboard was first introduced in 1983. The Topre switch has the following structure: a key is located above a convex rubber gasket, and below it is a conical steel spring; the spring itself, in turn, is placed directly above the printed circuit board. Despite the fact that such switches are separate components of the keyboard, they are mounted all together on a single plate. The rubber dome is where most of the resistance and tactility comes from.
There is no need to worry about the rubber gasket breaking or losing its properties, as can happen with cheap membrane keyboards. Keyboards with Topre switches serve their lucky owners for decades.
What category do Topre switches fall into? The structure of the switches can be described as “hybrid”: since their structure includes a rubber membrane, it seems impossible to unambiguously classify them as “mechanical” - perhaps even the term “semi-mechanical” is not entirely correct. However, you can’t call them “membrane” either - after all, they have springs!
Topre 30g, 45g
The Topre switches initially feel like upgraded membrane switches with a rubber seal; then it starts to feel like you're working with mechanical switches like Cherry MX Red or Alps SKCM Cream Damped. The key travel is very smooth, and the tactility point is almost at the very beginning of the key stroke. After overcoming it, the resistance practically disappears, which is why during operation the keys are usually pressed all the way. The actuation point is in the middle of the stroke, but you are unlikely to feel it. When pressed all the way, the switch emits a characteristic and sonorous “clack!”, and when returned to its original position, the sound is approximately the same. Overall, users agree that Topre switches are quieter than most mechanical switches and sound nice.
Combined with a lack of tactile feedback, this can lead to unaccustomed users hitting keys accidentally. This problem is especially true for keyboards like RealForce, which have switches with different weights for different fingers.
- For sophisticated users who know what they want
- For those who work a lot at the keyboard
- To the collection
- To any office, even to irritable colleagues
- Home
Results
When choosing a keyboard as a powerful piece of gaming equipment, it is important to consider not only its attractive appearance and durability, but also the type of switches that are used. The quietest switches are those with the highest pressing force. However, they all have a negative effect on fingers and fatigue. It turns out that with prolonged typing or gaming, your fingers will get tired, but the device will work very quietly.
Red and brown mechanisms are the best option for a gaming keyboard and at the same time for typing. That is, if you want moderately optimal switches in terms of sound, tactile sensations and, in fact, price, the Cherry MX BROWN and RED brands are the best switches for computer games, and MX BLUE is most suitable for typing. When playing or typing on these switches for a long time, your fingers will not get tired, and the sound will be average: not very quiet, but not very loud either.
Naturally, “mechanics” will not give you 100% victory in gaming competitions, but its advantages will significantly increase your chances.
Matias
These switches are assembled in China, at the Dongguan Gaote Electronics plant. There are several modifications:
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- Click. Tactile clickers. Not the quietest, so not suitable for users who are annoyed by loud sound. Suitable for lovers of nostalgia or fans of old typewriters.
- Quiet Click. Tactile. The sound is as quiet as membrane keyboards.
Linear. Linear. They have a smoother and tighter click compared to Cherry MX SilentRed and are popular with many gamers.
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Types of keyboard switches, pros and cons
The principle of operation of the keyboard is simple. When pressed, an electrical contact closes, a special controller determines which key is pressed and transmits this information to the central processor. After processing the data, a graphic symbol is displayed on the display - a letter, number, etc. The only moving element in this circuit is the switch. Reliability, durability and ease of use depend on its design. The following types of keyboard candles are currently used.
Mechanical
A mechanical switch is installed under the key, consisting of a plastic rod, a return spring, and open contacts enclosed in a plastic housing. When pressed, the key presses on the rod, which, moving, closes the contacts. This happens mid-stroke, so you don't have to press the key all the way down to trigger it. After releasing the key, the rod returns to its place under the action of the spring and opens the contacts. The scheme was invented more than forty years ago, but is still popular.
pros
- durability - 50-80 million clicks
- smooth ride
- responsiveness
- comfort at work
- quick replacement of a faulty switch
Minuses
- high price
- loud operation sound
- no moisture protection
- big sizes
Membrane
The most common type. The main element is a rubber membrane placed under the keys. The top and bottom layers are conductive. There is insulating material between them. The membrane contains small rubber domes onto which buttons with plastic rods are placed. When pressed, the rod presses on the membrane, the conductive layers are connected, and the key is activated. The technology makes it possible to make flexible structures of small sizes.
pros
- low price
- quiet sound of keys
- well insulated from moisture penetration
- small size
Minuses
- resource less than 5 million clicks
- fires when the key is pressed completely
- low tactile response
Plunger
They occupy an intermediate position between mechanical and membrane ones. The key is activated using a membrane; the design of the switch imitates the tactile sensations of a mechanical switch, which makes typing very comfortable. Popular among journalists, writers, programmers - anyone who prints a lot.
pros
- small dimensions
- comfort when typing
- low noise
- insensitive to accidental touches
Minuses
- insignificant resource
- poor protection against water ingress
- costs more than membrane ones
Optical
A switch is similar to a mechanical switch, but the principle of closing the contacts is different. The design uses an LED (sometimes an infrared laser) and a photodetector. When the key is not pressed, the LED radiation does not reach the receiver matrix - there is no contact. When pressed, the rod moves and when the hole in it is opposite the photodetector, the contact closes. The best optical switches are designed to mimic those of a mechanical keyboard.
pros
- resource 100 million clicks and more
- high response speed
- good tactility
Hybrid
Under the key there is a switch, identical in design to a mechanical one. The difference is the absence of open contacts, since the operation occurs on the membrane. When pressed, the switch produces a click characteristic of a mechanical switch. The usual tactile sensations are also preserved. The device costs less than many types of mechanical keyboards with a significant service life.
pros
- price lower than mechanical keyboards
- resource 50 million clicks
- tactile sensations are similar to mechanics
Minuses
- price is higher than membrane models
Principle of operation
All switches, or switches as they are called, are designed according to the same principle. In the initial position of the button, the contact that activates the character set remains open. When pressed, the key moves the contact-retaining plunger.
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It, unbending, closes, and the keyboard controller receives a signal that the key is activated.
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The main difference between all switches is the resistance force holding the spring button and the interaction between the cup and plunger.
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By simulating various types of interaction of these elements, designers can implement a device with any parameters: from an almost silent switch, triggered by a key stroke of a few millimeters, to a keyboard that completely imitates an old typewriter - with a corresponding rumble during operation and tactile sensations.
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And now about popular types of switches.
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Popular brands of candles for mechanical keyboards
There are not many manufacturers of mechanical switches on the market:
- Cherry. The company was founded in the USA (now located in Germany). For a long time it produced contactors, switches, connectors, etc. for the needs of the automotive market. The company gained fame as a manufacturer of mechanical switches for keyboards in the last decade, although the first switch was patented by it in 1984. Three devices of the company: Cherry MX Red, MX Blue MX Brown are considered reference for other manufacturers.
- Kailh. A Chinese company of computer equipment, measuring and medical equipment, automotive electronics, etc. Until 2021, it produced Cherry MX clones. Now it has launched the production of its own series of Kailh BOX switches, which are distinguished by moisture and dust protection. While wear resistance is approximately the same as Cherry, Kailh products require greater pressure when pressed. They feature a brighter tactile response and louder sound.
- Logitech. A Swiss company of computer peripherals, devices for gameplay, etc. Develops and markets three types of mechanical switches: GX, identical to the MX line of devices from Cherry, GL with compact keys, Romer-G, specially designed for gamers. Logitech switches are reliable, fast, and consistent. Professional level gamers often choose Logitech products.
- SteelSeries. A Danish company for fans of computer games: game controllers, mice, headsets, etc. It promotes its line of QX mechanical switches. Their features include copper contacts, a transparent body and a durable thermoplastic rod. The declared resource is 50 million operations.
Kailh
Inexpensive Chinese clones of Cherry MX switches. Recently appeared on the market, therefore not well tested. Often, keyboards equipped with these switches experience problems with keys rattling or double-acting.
However, for such a price it is difficult to expect perfect performance.
They are installed in inexpensive mechanical keyboards, costing 30–40 dollars. As a rule, they are not used in premium models.
How to choose switches for a mechanical keyboard
As already mentioned, mechanical switches differ in pressure force, tactile response of the key, click volume, and response speed. At one time, the Cherry company made a good marketing move: it released devices in different colors, and switches of a certain color had certain technical characteristics. The initiative was supported by other manufacturers, which made the choice easier for the consumer.
Most switches come in three colors: red, blue and brown. Features of each color (using the example of Cherry products):
- MX RED. They require the least force to press of any switch type and therefore have the fastest actuation speed. Initially created for gaming keyboards, where speed and ease of pressing are most valued. The sound of the keys operating is at the level of membrane products, the tactile response is practically absent.
- MX BLUE. Released in 2007, it remains the most common mechanical switch. It is preferred by everyone who has to print a lot. Users appreciate the pleasant tactile response to pressing, as well as the very attractive sound of an electric typewriter key for many. They are not suitable for gameplay lovers, since the pressing force required is almost 2 times greater than in MX RED, which reduces the speed. A good choice for journalists, writers, copywriters.
- MX BROWN. An intermediate link between red and blue devices. Most non-specialized mechanical keyboards come with brown switches. It has a fairly high response speed, which is so valuable in electronic games. At the same time, it has a pronounced tactile response for comfortable typing. At the same time, there is a clicking sound, but it is much quieter than red switches and does not irritate office neighbors.
Quiet switches
Among the quiet candles used on a mechanical keyboard are:
- Cherry MX Red;
- Cherry MX Silent;
- Kailh Red;
- SteelSeries QX2;
- Outemu Red.
Loud switches
The loudest switches on the keyboard are the following types:
- Cherry MX Blue;
- Kailh Blue;
- Greetech Blue;
- Razer Green.
We hope that in this article you will find all the answers to your questions related to the keyboard design, and you will also be able to choose switches for comfortable work.
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Preface
This is the second version of an article about mechanical switches. The first one was written in 2014. Since then, the world of mechanics has changed, and so has our understanding and understanding of switches. It has been greatly improved compared to the first version. We've moved away from a strict division between typing and gaming keyboards because that division doesn't justify itself. There are both programmers who love Cherry MX Black and gamers who like Cherry MX Blue. Instead, we've tried to describe switches from a typical user's perspective, as we've had a lot of experience with a wide variety of mechanical keyboards and switches over the years.
Most switches originate as Cherry MX copies or ALPS copies, so we will try to describe them in more detail, while for the copies a short excursion will suffice.
