Keyboard Cherry MX Switches

Cherry Corporation of Germany makes a series of mechanical key switches called Cherry MX.

Cherry MX series of switches are first introduced in 1983. They are the most well known switches. There are several different models, with different feel to them. These models are color coded.

Linear Action: Red, Black, Silent Red, Speed Silver

All these are linear switches.

MX Red requires the least pressure to activate the key. It's really nice. Typing on it is effortless.

CHERRY MX Red switches

Cherry MX Black is same as Red, except more force is required. I don't like MX Black at all.

Tactile Action: Brown, Blue

The Brown and Blue types have a tactile bump. When you press down, after certain point, there's a bump feel, then after that the pressure is reduced.

The Brown and Blue types are often preferred by programers and writers.

The difference between Brown and Blue are:

• Blue has a very definite click feel.
• Blue is very noisy. It makes a “click” sound by design.

Cherry MX Blue switches Cherry MX Brown switches

Key Switch Tester

There are many other color-coded Cherry MX switches, but less common.