Actuation force is the amount of pressure required to register which key you are pressing. Pre-travel: One common complaint about brown switches is that the tactile bump is too light. In which case, a heavier switch, such as a Cherry MX Clear can be a better option. The Gateron specialty switches are where things get especially interesting. The different housing designs of the Milk and Ink switches really bring a unique design to the playing field and allows Gateron to show everybody they are more than just a Cherry MX clone company. Travel Distance – the travel distance of a switch is the distance from the top of the key (un-pressed) to the bottom of the key (when pressed all the way down.) The point at which the switch is fully bottomed out is the end of the travel distance. It is also measured in millimeters (mm). Low Profile Red switches have all of the same distinct features as MX Reds, but with a small form factor. MX Low Profile Reds are linear, with a smooth typing feel and actuation of 45cN. MX Low Profile Speed:

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). The Cherry MX Browns I have also sound scratchier than the Cherry MX Reds, likely due to the tactile bump. This makes them sound less pleasant than the Cherry MX Red to my ears. But this is my subjective opinion, and you may feel otherwise. It’s a minor difference, anyway. The Kalih Speed Copper switches are tactile, yet provide you with a soft typing experience that is completely silent. These switches have an actuation force of only 30g, low trigger height, and a 1.1mm pre-travel, making them perfect for gamers. Kalih Speed Silver:

Red vs. Brown Switches: Specifications

Gateron Browns are probably your best bet if you want to save money but still have a high quality switch. There are a ton of different brown switch options out there. Let’s take a look at the most popular ones and talk about the specifications and benefits of each switch. Cherry MX Brown Type: Tactile Instead of the typical mechanical switch where the electrical plates need to touch for the switch to actuate, instead one the stem moves past a certain point light will actuate the switch. Cherry MX switches aren’t the only ones on the market these days. In fact, many gaming keyboard manufacturers like Razer now often make their own proprietary mechanical keyboard switches, and other companies like Gateron make switches for other manufacturers to use, just like Cherry. Optical switches have a different feel than mechanical and for that reason they can feel strange to use. They tend to feel a bit hollow and fake.

I recorded a couple of audio clips to give you an idea of the sound differences. I installed both switches in my Skyloong GK61 and recorded them with an Audio Technica AT2020. First up, the Cherry MX Reds:

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The smoky housing is what gives the Ink’s their name, both the lower and upper housing are the same colors depending on what type of switch you use. The only switch that differs slightly is the Gateron Clear switch which is totally different from the Cherry MX Clear. Instead of being a heavy tactile, the Gateron Clear is a super-light linear switch. Gateron Ink switches are a bit different from the normal Gateron switch, they are what we would consider Gateron’s “premium switch” due to the higher price point. 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. MX Red switches are linear and are typically found on most mechanical keyboards. They feature a smooth typing feel with minimal resistance and don’t make any noise when pressed.

The plastic is different for the Inks although Gateron will not release the specifics. We can tell by the feel that the plastic most likely has a lower coefficient of friction due to the increased smoothness of the keystroke. Some Brown mechanical switches (like the Cherry MX Brown and Gateron Browns) require slightly more force to type on than their Red counterparts like the Cherry MX Red switches. It’s a more neutral weighting that will likely feel familiar if you’re used to membrane keyboards. The extra force helps reduce accidental key presses, but very light-fingered typists may find Brown switches less comfortable than Red ones. The Gateron Red and the Gateron browns have the excellent build quality, and the Gateron brand manufactures them.Outemu Brown switches are one of the cheapest switches. If you are looking for a budget keyboard, they will usually have Outemu switches. 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 For that reason, if you’re thinking about getting a Gateron switch we recommend going with a linear actuating switch. These switches are linear to give you a similar smooth feel and have an actuation force of 45g. Along with this, Glorious Fox switches have a pre-travel of 2.2mm. Gateron Brown: By far the most popular and longstanding of key switches is Cherry’s ‘MX’ line. These have remained mostly the same over the years, but additional ones have been added to the lineup. Out of this lineup, Cherry MX Red, Blue, and Brown switches are by far the most popular mechanical switches even today, and together they offer a range of different pros and cons for many different use cases.