When you learn about mechanical keyboards, surely the first thing you are interested in is the Switch, but have you understood all the popular Switch types on the market today?
I. Cherry Switch
Cherry Switch is the most famous Switch manufacturing brand in the world today and they have a history of development dating back to 1938. After decades of developing this push button industry, the German Switch tycoon now has many different types of switches.
1. Cherry Switch Tactile – Switch with “tack”
Cherry Switch Tactile refers to Switches that have a notch, which means that when you press down, you will hear the characteristic “tack” sound of a mechanical keyboard. When it comes to Swtich with this “knot”, we have several different types.
1.1 Cherry MX Blue – Sea Blue
This is the Switch model that is said to be the first platform of the “knock” Switch form. This Switch model has the most “mechanical” feeling when you operate it. You can hear the characteristic “tack tach” sound very clearly, besides they will be very noisy when in use. The pressing force of the Cherry MX Blue is about 60 grams and the key travel is 4.2 mm, they are relatively light and suitable for heavy typing.
1.2 Cherry MX Brown – Brown
Cherry MX Brown is the quietest Switch model of all Cherry’s “notched” Switches. This Switch model is similar to Cherry MX Blue but their pressure is lighter, only about 60 grams and the key travel is only 4.0 mm. This model Cherry MX Brown still gives us the characteristic “tack” typing of a mechanical keyboard.
2. Cherry Switch Linear – Linear Switch
Cherry Switch Linear is the complete opposite of Cherry Switch Tactile, a whole keystroke when you press there will be no “knocks”, they will be very smooth and straight. Because of this, the Linear Switches do not create the typical “tack” sound of mechanical keyboards, but in return they give us typing speed and experience.
2.1 Cherry MX Red – Red
Cherry MX Red is the company’s most characteristic linear Switch, this Switch model has a fast, quiet and noiseless pressing speed. Besides, Cherry MX Red also has a very light pressure, they are only 45 grams and the key travel is also short when only 4.0mm.
2.2 Cherry MX Silent Red – Pink
If Cherry MX Red is not enough to meet your quiet needs, Cherry Silent Red will be the perfect choice. This is the quietest and lightest keyboard Switch model of all. They do not make too much noise and the journey is also shorter than other Switch models on the market.
2.3 Cherry MX Black – Black
Cherry MX Black is jokingly said that the Switch is for “big hands”, why say that? Basically, Cherry MX Black is exactly the same as Cherry MX Red Switch, but they have a much stronger emphasis when up to 60 grams. In addition to raising the pressure to 60 grams, they keep the other parameters the same. If you want to choose Cherry MX Black for typing, we recommend not!
2.4 Cherry MX Silent Black – Gray Silver
Cherry MX Silent Black meets both “heavy” and “quiet” needs for big-handed gamers who need a good keyboard. Cherry’s Gray Silver Switch model has a weight of up to 60grams, a stroke of 3.7mm and a receiving point of 1.9mm. In addition, they also do not make a sound when the key is pressed.
2.5 Cherry MX Speed Silver – Silver
Cherry MX Speed Silver was born to serve professional gamers who need to effectively “spam” keys. This silver mechanical Switch model weighs only 45grams and the stroke spans only 3.4mm. Besides, the signal reception point of the key is only 1.2mm, so it is very suitable for fast pressing and continuous pressing.
II. Kailh / Kaihua Switch
Kailh / Kaihua Switch is a major Switch manufacturing brand in China and they are also “partners” of a number of major keyboard manufacturers to process Switch separately for brands. Typically Razer, Razer does not manufacture Switches, but they only refine the Switches of Kailh / Kaihua Switch and order their own production. Similar to Cherry MX, Kailh / Kaihua Switch also offers a variety of Switches.
1. Kailh Switch Tactile – Switch with “knock”
When it comes to Kailh Switches, remember that they mark the color – the same characteristic as Cherry MX, so if you remember the characteristics of each Cherry MX Switch, you will deduce the Kailh Switch.
1.1 Kailh Blue – Sea Blue
Kailh Blue is similar to Cherry Blue, they will have a notch when we press down and create the characteristic “tack” sound of a mechanical keyboard. Kailh Blue were developed with around 50 grams of pressure and now they are also available in 60 gram versions for select partners.
1.2 Kailh Brown – Brown
Kailh Brown will be less noisy than Blue and their pressure is also reduced to only 45 grams and increased to 55 grams after passing the “knock”.
2. Kailh Switch Linear – Linear Switch
Kailh Switch Linear are Switch models that have smooth key travel and are not blocked by “knock” so they have no noise and very fast response speed.
2.1 Kailh Red – Red
Kailh Red is similar to Cherry MX Red, however they are a bit heavier when Kailh sets the pressure to 50 grams and increases to 60 grams when the feedback point is passed.
2.2 Kailh Black – Black
Kailh Black is identical to Cherry MX Black, their pressing force will be about 60 grams.
III. Razer Switch
Besides manufacturing keyboards, Razer also has its own Switch models. However, the Razer Switch is manufactured by Kailh, not by itself. It can be understood that Razer placed a custom-designed order from the manufacturer Kailh / Kaihua Switch to use for its products.
1. Razer Switch Tactile – Switch with “knock”
Unlike other brands that “plagiarize” the colors and characteristics of Switch Cherry MX, Razer gives them different names and colors to make them stand out.
1.1 Razer Green – Green
The Razer Green is the company’s most famous “click” Switch model, and they still make the characteristic “click” sound. Besides, this Switch model has a pressing force of about 50 grams, completely similar to Cherry MX.
1.2 Razer Orange – Orange
Razer Orange is said to be the same Switch as the Cherry MX Brown when they have less noise, quieter and still have the typical “knock” feel of a mechanical keyboard.
2. Razer Switch Linear – Linear Switch
Razer’s linear switch currently has only one type, Yellow, which does not develop too many rambling products like other brands.
2.1 Razer Yellow – Gold
This Switch model has no noise, short key travel with a force of about 45 grams. The response speed of the key is also very fast when you only need to press 1.2mm to have a signal.
In this article, Software Tips introduced you to the popular Switch types on the market today. Have a nice day!
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