The benefits of this switch design are the fact that they allow a mechanical keyboard to be designed to be thinner and have a shorter actuation distance, which is in theory is faster for gaming. There are four different types of key switches you can choose from. Each has its own use and unique set of characteristics.

Brown switches are excellent for programming. The tactile bump helps limit mistakes which can increase the speed at which you enter data. The bump also prevents you from bottoming-out, which happens when you press the key too hard and slam it down into the keyboard. Bottoming-out is common for those who are new to mechanical switches and choose a switch such as a red option. The way the switch is held together is also a bit strange. Instead of four clips holding the upper and lower housing together, it has two large clips. This makes it difficult to open them up if you want to lubricate the switches or install switch film.

If you’re in the market for a new mechanical keyboard, but you’re not sure what style switch you should choose, in this post, we’ve highlighted the main differences between red, blue, and brown switches. The sound levels with a silent switch are significantly lower, in a test we found that silent switches are 16% more quiet than a normal switch. We’ve tested out hundreds of switches, so we’ll also give you our thoughts on each style of Gateron switch to help you give an idea of how they feel and sound (along with our opinions). Gateron Switches: A Deeper Look Thanks to the short pre-travel of only 1.2mm, these switches are perfect for delivering you ultra-fast reaction times and a distinct advantage over your enemies. MX Brown: Activation Point – this indicates at which point the switch is pressed down hard enough to translate information from keyboard to computer. Most switches will have an actuation point of around 2mm unless the switch is low-profile, in which case the activation point is shorter. This pressure point is measured in millimeters (mm).

Tactile key switches are characterised by the distinct bump you feel when pressed. Since you don’t have to press the key all the way down for it to be registered, tactile key switches are perfect for typists and those who work from home. Some keyboard users are not a fan of silent switches due to the rubbery feel when logging a keystroke and the fact that the sound is muted, while others really enjoy this aspect of the switch. The hallmark differences of the Ink switches are the clear smoky housing, different plastic material, lower pitch sound, and smoother feel.All of the switches in this classification are considered “clones” since they mirror the design of the Cherry MX switch and use the same descriptive names where the colors represent the actuation type and spring force. As you can see from the table above, Gateron has a comprehensive lineup of switches that all offer a unique feel and aesthetic. For that reason, if you’re thinking about getting a Gateron switch we recommend going with a linear actuating switch. Brown switches only produce a moderate amount of noise so they can be a good option for the office and you won’t have to worry too much about how loud the keyboard is. Gateron Optical Brown switches are interesting because they acutate via a combination of mechanical movement and light.

So, you’ve decided you want a mechanical switch with a tactile bump. Maybe you’re a student who needs to do a lot of typing, or maybe you play a lot of MOBA, MMO, or strategy games that require precise and frequent button presses. Whatever the case, you want that bump. The question now is: Blue or Brown? They also tend to be scratchier than other brown switch options and produce a metallic tinging noise. It’s speculated that the switch feels and sounds this way due to the tight tolerancing of Cherry MX switches. Overall, the ink switches are a great way to get a different colored housing and a super smooth keystroke if you’re willing to pay the premium. Gateron Low-Profile Switches COLOR Deciding between Cherry MX Red and Cherry MX Brown is very similar to deciding between MX Red and MX Blue. If you want a light, smooth, linear switch for FPS gaming, or you just don’t like the idea of feeling a tactile bump every time you press a key, go for MX Reds. But if you type a lot or play button-mashing games, you might want that tactile bump, at which point you’ll have to decide between MX Blues and MX Browns. Blue vs Brown SwitchesRegardless of the type of Gateron switch, you can rest assured that you will get a 50 million keystroke lifespan for each switch. Gateron is known to have some of the smoothest keystrokes on the market. On the upside, since there are less parts touching, they have a lifespan of 100 million keystrokes making them durable and long-lasting. Kailh Box Brown Type: Tactile