First launched in 1983, the Cherry MX switch family has arguably one of the best keyboard switches ever made. Each switch type in the lineup is marked with a distinct color to reflect its characteristics. The type of switches you will need depends on whether you want a linear or tactile experience, and whether you like quiet or noisy keys. Knowing these two factors will reduce your potential keyboard list from dozens all the way down to a handful.

You might be annoyed by loudness every time you press a key on your keyboard if you chose the wrong one. In a mechanical switch, the noise is produced by the sliding plastic beneath every key. Cherry MX Red is the silent type.

Getting used to lightweight mechanical switches

Great to game on, but in addition, you can easily do hours of coding/work with these with no issues. If you aren’t a professional or experienced gamer, you’ll be susceptible to errors for some time but like most key switches you haven’t used before, it simply takes some time getting used to. The linear switch is excellent for individuals who aim for speed in gaming and typing. Keep in mind that these don’t have tactile feedback like Browns or Blues, so you don’t get the same feeling when the button is pressed. In the beginning, there is a chance for some errors, but like with anything in life, practice makes perfect.

If you are a touch typist and like the feel of a typewriter, then you should check out Browns or Blues. But linear (reds) may be more desirable for gaming, as the tendency in gaming is to pound somewhat more, so bottoming out is not the problem that needs to be avoided. That being the case, the tactile bump isn’t essential, while spamming keys, and might even slow down the common gaming technique of key bouncing.

Personal experience with Cherry MX Red Mechanical Keyboard Switches

I actually have never accidentally pressed a key with my Cherry Reds. You should command your finger to intentionally press the desired key down instead of brainlessly smashing the keyboard, also known as facerolling.

Because they require much less pressure to press down, the keys feel smoother and easier to make use of.

With the Cherry MX Brown switches, there is, as I’ve mentioned before, a tactile bump and an audible click at the actuation point. Because of this tactility (the release point for the switch is above the actuation point), they’re not great for twitch-typing or double-tapping. However, this can be a common gripe for individuals who have used mechanical switches in the past. If you have never experienced a mechanical keyboard, you might not notice the difference.

There are a lot of good choices but this is my preferred key switch for gaming. I just perform the best with it. But remember, the best tactic for everything is to experiment.

Some keyboards that use Cherry MX Red switch

note: These keyboards may come in many variants

• Corsair K70
• Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

To conclude

Two words you will need to know to be able to get the most out of this guide are “linear” and “tactile.” Almost every mechanical switch is one or the other, and the difference between the two types is straightforward to understand. To actuate a linear switch, you must push it all the way down, like a membrane key. To actuate a tactile switch, you normally push it about halfway down, though you can continue pressing the key after that, you can also take your finger off and move to the next key instantly.

If you’re not picky about brand names, you can get a mechanical keyboard for as little as $60 — or even less, if you’re keen to settle for an older model. If you decide to go with a well-known brand, although, tenkeyless mechanical keyboards start at around $80, full-size keyboards cost around $110, while full-size keyboards with RGB lighting can vary up to as much as $180 – $200, so keep your pocket in mind. In the end, it’s all about “Good luck and have fun”!