Cherry MX Brown Switches
Cherry MX Brown switches are a tactile switch and have an actuation force of 55cN. They have a 2mm actuation point and a 4mm total travel. Cherry MX Brown switches have a lifespan around 50 million keystrokes. They are also one of the most popular switches because of their subtle feedback.
The upper housing of the Cherry MX Brown is made out of a CAD (computer-aided design) component of plastic polymer. As stated before, the MX Browns have a low resistance, as in the tolerance is less than 0.01 mm. This low tolerance lets the component guide the switch meticulously, creating the keyswitch's switching mechanism housing.
Cherry MX Brown Facts
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Actuation Force
55cN
Actuation Point
2mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4mm
Behavior
Tactile
Noise Level
Quiet
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Tactile Switch
It's important to understand what the difference is between a tactile and a linear switch. Linear switches, such as Cherry MX Reds, have a smooth actuation resulting in very little tactile feedback – there's no bump and the key is typically pressed all the way down. Tactile switches are notable for having a bump when pressing down on the key. This bump happens before the actuation point. In order for the circuitry to act with a tactile switch, the keycap only has to be pressed about halfway before moving on to the next key. Cherry MX Brown switches are enjoyed by writers and coders due to the fact that they only have to press down about half way for the key to register. As a gamer myself, it's been a while for me since I've used a Cherry MX Brown mechanical keyboard to say that they are not as great as the other switches for gaming. I had a Ducky with Cherry MX Brown switches, but I let a friend borrow it because she had never had a mechanical keyboard and was finally turning to the PC Master Race. Though, I soon plan to remedy this and I will come back with a better review. But please, don't count out what I have to say in this article just because it's been a hot minute.
They Are More Silent
There is a reason why the Cherry MX Browns are so popular. They are one of the best options out there for a quieter game play or writing experience. If you pop some O-rings on the keycaps, it will help out even more with the audible feedback. Everyone of my keyboards (besides my Varmilo with the silent reds) have O-rings on them. I can contest to the softer click because my co-worker who sits next to me (and the one I let use my keyboard) is an application developer. Obviously she codes a lot, which sometimes can require a lot of typing if you're starting from scratch, and she also types very fast. When the office is dead quiet, her typing doesn't echo or annoy our fellow co-workers. Though to add, she wasn't exactly a heavy typist, either. Okay, so Cherry MX Browns are not as silent as the Cherry MX Red Silents, but they are not any louder than the Cherry MX Red switches. In fact, they sound about the same.
Other Available Brown Switches
Cherry MX Brown switches are not the only option available. There are other top brands like Gateron, Titan, and Kailh.
Gateron Browns
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Actuation Force
55cN
Actuation Point
2mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4mm
Behavior
Tactile
Noise Level
Quiet-ish
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Gateron Brown Switches are not an uncommon switch type for gamers. They are a cheaper brand, but that doesn't mean what you receive is a cheaper performance. Gateron Brown Switches are smoother and have a better feel than other Cherry switches. Gateron Brown Switches are also known for their durability. They are a very popular option, which ultimately speaks for itself.
Titan Browns
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Actuation Force
55cN
Actuation Point
1.8mm
Tot. Travel Distance
1.4mm
Behavior
Linear
Noise Level
Quiet-ish
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
These switches are a creation of the brand Roccat (you know, the one that Dr. Disrespect sponsors – or well maybe they sponsor him?). Titan Brown switches are supposed to be more for the gamer than the writer, meaning it has more precision and performance. My friend has the Roccat Vulcan 80 with the Titan Brown switches and she says that she loves the sound, but they are a bit more loudish. It's quieter than her husbands Redragon 'Silent Red' switches, however. Which I don't know if that really tells us anything. A lot of switches are quieter than those. (Although I still love Redrgaon and will always support them as being the best bang for your buck on mechanical keyboards.)
Kailh Browns
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Actuation Force
45cN
Actuation Point
2mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4mm
Behavior
Tactile
Noise Level
Quiet-ish
Lifespan
70-80 million keystrokes
Over all, Kailh Browns Switches are a decent brand of switches, legal clones of the Cherry MXs. I've noticed over multiple websites that the actuation force and point specs vary. Some say that the actuation force requires a little bit more pressure. Reviews of this switch also depend on the users. The typing seems to be relatively the same. Some users have said they are heavier than the Cherry MX Browns. They are said to have great tactility and are good for typing.
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