What Is a Cherry Switch Keyboard and Which Cherry MX Switch Is Right for You
DashanYuan
Cherry MX is the switch family everything else gets measured against. Cherry set the standard that the entire industry now builds around, and their switches remain one of the safest buys in mechanical keyboards. If you are buying your first mechanical keyboard, or trying to work out which colour to pick, this is the guide.
What Is a Cherry Switch Keyboard?
A Cherry switch keyboard uses mechanical keyboard switches made by Cherry GmbH, a German manufacturer, branded Cherry MX. Unlike a membrane or rubber-dome keyboard, every key gets its own physical switch containing a stem, a spring, and a pair of metal contacts.
That construction is what gives mechanical keyboards their repeatable actuation, defined travel, and long service life. Cherry rates most MX switches in the region of 50–100 million keystrokes depending on the model — far beyond what a membrane board will survive.
You can browse genuine stock in our Cherry MX switches collection.
How a Cherry MX Switch Works
Pressing a key drives the stem down, compressing the spring until the metal contacts close and the keystroke registers. Four stages:
- Press — the keycap pushes the stem down.
- Actuation — at roughly 2.0mm, the contacts close and the keystroke is sent.
- Bottom-out — the key completes its travel, around 4.0mm on most MX switches.
- Reset — the spring returns the stem, ready for the next press.
Note the gap between actuation and bottom-out. The key registers well before it hits the bottom, which means a light typist can avoid bottoming out entirely — quieter, and easier on the fingers.
The Cherry MX Colours
| Switch | Type | Actuation Force | Noise | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry MX Red | Linear | ~45g | Low | Gaming, fast repeated presses |
| Cherry MX Black | Linear | ~60g | Low | Heavy typists who want resistance |
| Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | ~55g | Medium | Mixed typing and gaming |
| Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | ~60g | High | Typists who want audible feedback |
| Cherry MX Speed Silver | Linear, short travel | ~45g | Low | Competitive gaming |
| Cherry MX Silent Red / Black | Linear, dampened | ~45g / ~60g | Very low | Offices, shared spaces |
Three families underpin all of it — linear switches (smooth, no bump), tactile switches (a bump partway down), and clicky (a bump plus a click). Cherry's colours are their implementation of those three ideas.
Which Cherry MX Should You Buy?
- Gaming — MX Red or Speed Silver. Light and linear, no bump to push through on rapid repeats.
- Typing and writing — MX Brown for a quiet bump, MX Blue if you actively want the click. Be honest with yourself about whether anyone else has to listen to it.
- Mixed office and home use — MX Brown is the default recommendation for a reason. If noise is a hard constraint, go Silent Red.
- Heavy-handed typists — MX Black. The heavier spring resists accidental presses.
One note on MX Brown, since it gets recommended reflexively: its tactile bump is fairly subtle. Some people who buy Browns expecting pronounced tactility find them closer to a slightly textured linear. If you want a bump you can really feel, it is worth trying a more pronounced tactile before committing.
Cherry and the Wider Market
Cherry's strengths are consistency, availability, and a track record measured in decades. The tolerances are tight, the switches will outlast the keyboard, and you always know what you are getting. For a lot of buyers that is exactly the right trade.
It is worth knowing that the switch market has broadened considerably in recent years. Manufacturers focused on the enthusiast segment — HMX, Keygeek, BSUN — tend to ship with more factory lubrication, which many people find feels smoother out of the box, and they sit at similar price points.
None of that makes Cherry a poor choice. It simply means it is no longer the only obvious one, so it is worth comparing a few options against the full range of keyboard switches before you settle.
Maintenance and Longevity
Routine
- Pull the keycaps occasionally and clear dust with compressed air or a soft brush.
- Wipe the case with a damp microfibre cloth. Keep liquid away from the PCB and switch internals.
- If one key starts behaving inconsistently, reseating or replacing that single switch usually fixes it.
Enthusiast-level
- Lubing — applying lubricant to stems and springs cuts scratchiness and noise. Cherry switches respond well to this, since they ship largely dry.
- Hot-swap — if your board has hot-swap sockets you can change switches by hand. If not, replacement means desoldering.
Keeping a few spare switches around makes troubleshooting much faster, and lets you try alternatives without committing to a full board.
FAQs
What's the difference between MX Red, Brown, and Blue?
Red is linear and quiet (~45g), favoured by gamers. Brown is tactile with a soft bump (~55g), the usual mixed-use pick. Blue is clicky and loud (~60g), preferred by typists who like the sound — and less popular with anyone sitting nearby.
Can I replace Cherry MX switches myself?
If the keyboard is hot-swappable, yes — pull the old switch with a puller and press the new one in. If it is soldered, you will need to desolder each switch, which is a genuine project rather than a quick swap.
How long do Cherry MX switches last?
Cherry rates them in the 50–100 million keystroke range depending on model. In practice that means the switches will almost certainly outlive your interest in the keyboard.