Cherry MX Blue switches are loud and clicky, favored by typists, while Cherry MX Brown switches are quieter and require less force to actuate, making them versatile for both typing and gaming.
Cherry MX Brown vs Blue Switches
| Cherry MX Brown | Cherry MX Blue | |
| Switch Type | Tactile | Clicky |
| Durability | 100 million actuation | 50 million actuation |
| Actuation Force | 55cN | 60cN |
| Pre Travel Distance | 2.0mm | 2.2mm |
| Total Travel Distance | 4mm | 4mm |
| Audible Sound on Clicks | Not much sound | Loud clicky sound |
| Variants available | MX Brown and MX RGB Brown | MX Blue and MX RGB Blue |
Cherry MX Brown Review
Cherry MX Brown is a tactile type of keyboard switch, and it is considered a “Gold Standard” tactile switch.
About Cherry MX Brown
Cherry MX Brown switches are tactile and non-clicky, only requiring a force of 55cN (55gf) to activate. They have a short pre-travel distance of 2.0 mm and a total travel distance of 4.0 mm to actuate it.
The MX Browns can be actuated more than 100 million times which is great.
Tactile switches provide feedback to the user when the key has been pressed. This allows the user to type more accurately.
Cherry MX Brown switches are ideal for people who want tactile feedback. Also, the switch will not make much noise like clicky switches.
Pros and Cons of Cherry MX Brown
Pros:
- Cherry MX Browns are also quieter than Blue. So, they’re a good choice if you want to avoid making too much noise while you work or games.
- Also, the tactile feel of the key is remarkably consistent across all keys.
Cons:
- One downside of Cherry MX Brown switches is that they’re not as light as some other options. So, it may be difficult for some people to press down.
Overall Review
Cherry MX Brown switches are ideal for tactile feedback but don’t want the loud clicking noise that MX Blue switches make or have sensitive ears.
The Cherry MX Brown switch is very durable and will last for years of typing with no signs of wear.
Cherry MX Blue Review
Cherry MX Blue switches are the most popular clicky switch available on mechanical keyboards.
About Cherry MX Blue
Cherry MX Blue switches are tactile, clicky, and audible. They have a medium throw distance, actuation point at 2.2 mm, and require 60cN actuation force. The total travel distance of MX Blue is 4 mm.
You can actuate the MX Blues for about 50 million clicks.
They have a very loud, audible click that can be heard by everyone around you when you type.
The tactile feedback is quite good, so the switches are great for gaming and typing.
They have a medium to a low actuation force. The Cherry MX Blue Switch can be found in many popular keyboards.
Pros and Cons of Cherry MX Blue Switches
Pros:
- Loud audible click characteristic.
- Perfect for gaming and typing.
- Good tactile feedback.
Cons:
- It has a very loud click and will be heard by everyone around you.
Overall Review
The Cherry MX Blue Switch is a good choice if you want to buy a mechanical keyboard with a clicky switch.
The tactile feedback is also great, so the switches are great for gaming and typing.
Build Quality of Cherry MX Blue and Brown
The Cherry MX Blue and Brown switches are considered some of the best keyboard switches on the market.
They are both built with quality in mind, but there are some differences between them.
The Cherry MX Blue switch is a clicky switch that provides a noticeable bump when you press it down.
This makes it perfect for typing, as you can feel it when the key has been pressed.
The Cherry MX Brown switch is tactile, but it doesn’t provide as much of a bump as the Blue switch.
This makes it perfect for gamers who want to quickly press keys without having to worry about accidentally hitting another key.
Both of these switches are built with quality in mind, so you can be sure that they will last for years.
Durability
Cherry MX Blue and Brown switches are about the same when it comes to durability. Neither one is significantly more durable than the other.
Cherry claims the Cherry MX Browns to have 100 million actuation whereas the Cherry MX Blue to have 50 million actuation.
If you’re looking for a switch that will last a long time, you can consider Cherry MX Brown as it has double actuation than the MX Blue.
Sound
When it comes to sound, the Cherry MX Blue switch is much louder than the Brown.
Here is the sound comparison of the Cherry MX Blue (Clicky type) and the Cherry MX Brown(The Tactile type).
Some people prefer the quieter switches, while others like the louder switches.
Feel
There’s a big difference in how these two switch types feel. The Cherry MX Blue feels more like a standard typewriter.
If you’re used to mechanical switches, it will feel very natural.
The Brown switch feels more like a rubber dome. While it has some tactile feedback, you won’t get quite as much as with a mechanical switch.
Typing Experience
The MX Blues would give you more feedback from its output than the Browns during typing.
Yet, I would prefer Cherry MX Browns because the sound is significantly less than the clicky blue.
If you use a quiet workspace in the office, your colleague may get annoyed.
In that case, it is better to choose a Cherry MX Brown switch. The tactile feedback they give feels great during typing.
Gaming Experience
The Cherry MX Blues can give a better gaming experience.
It is a more traditional gaming switch which can be said like the actual feel mechanical switch.
You would enjoy the sharp hitting clicks using the Cherry MX Blues.
I like the sound of MX blues during gaming.
But, not all gamers would prefer a clicky Blue switch as a noisy switch keyboard may annoy them during the gameplay.
If you are not used to the clicky Blues, you may also get distracted by the clicky noise emitted by your clicks.
So, it would depend on your preference whether you choose the Blue switch or the Brown switch for your gaming.
Is Cherry MX Brown or Blue better?
In terms of Gaming, The Cherry MX Blue Switch is better than the Cherry MX Brown Switch.
In terms of typing, the Cherry MX Blue Switch is better than the Cherry MX Brown Switch.
The tactile feedback on both switches is great, but the Cherry MX Blue Switch is louder and more audible than the Cherry MX Brown Switches.
Which one Should you Choose between MX Blue and Cherry MX Browns?
Cherry MX Blue and Brown switches are both great options for a mechanical keyboard.
However, it ultimately depends on what you want out of your keyboard.
If you want a loud keyboard that provides a lot of feedback, the Blue switch is the best option.
If you are looking for a quieter option with less feedback, the Brown switch is better.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which switch they prefer.
Last update on 2023-10-18 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Last update on 2024-03-26 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cherry MX Brown vs Blue FAQs
Q. Do Cherry MX blue and Brown feel the same?
This means that the brown switch will have a noticeable bump when it is actuated, giving the user feedback that they have pressed the key.
Q. Do Cherry Browns feel like a membrane?
This feedback is a pronounced bump from the switch, making them feel different from membrane switches, which provide no tactile feedback.
Q. Why do people not like Cherry MX blue?
The clicking noise that the switch makes can be pretty annoying to others in close vicinity.
Q. Are Cherry MX Browns clicky?
Q. Is Cherry Blue good for gaming?
Conclusion
Here I conclude the post on Cherry MX Brown Vs Blue!
Cherry MX Blue switches are louder and give more feedback than Brown switches.
They are best suited for people who want to feel a difference in their keystrokes and don’t mind the extra noise.
Browns are better for people who want a quieter keyboard and don’t mind not feeling as much of a difference in their keystrokes.
I hope this article has helped you know the difference between the Cherry MX Blue and Brown switches.
I’m Anirban Saha, Founder & Editor of TechBullish. With a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and 5+ years of experience as a software developer, I have expertise in electronics, software development, gadgets, and computer peripherals. I love sharing my knowledge through informational articles, how-to guides, and troubleshooting tips for Peripherals, Smart TVs, Streaming Solutions, and more here. Check Anirban’s Crunchbase Profile here.
