Gateron Jupiter Brown vs. Cherry MX Orange

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Cherry MX Orange offer distinctive experiences that cater to different preferences. The Jupiter Brown is a tactile switch known for its blend of traditional feel and modern innovation. With a medium-heavy weight and a single-stage spring, it provides a satisfying tactile bump that many typists and gamers appreciate for its feedback without being overly loud. Its high-precision molds and enhanced backlight effects also add an aesthetic touch that enhances its appeal. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange is a linear switch that emphasizes a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke, ideal for users who prefer quiet operation. The reissued MX Orange switches are designed with improvements that maintain the original's sought-after characteristics while meeting modern standards, making them a popular choice among gamers looking for rapid key presses without tactile distractions. Both switches bring their unique strengths to the table: the Jupiter Brown appeals to those who enjoy tactile feedback, whereas the MX Orange suits users who value a fluid typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

Cherry MX Orange Linear

$2.80 per 10

$4.10

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Cherry MX Orange switches illustrate a distinct contrast between their sound profiles, influenced heavily by the choice of materials used. The Jupiter Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and clarity in sound production. This stiffer plastic contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound that resonates more clearly, making it ideal for scenarios where RGB lighting is incorporated. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Orange utilizes nylon for its top housing, a material renowned for its softer characteristics that inherently dampen sound. This results in a deeper, fuller sound profile that is rounder and more subdued, highlighting the contrast between the two switches' audible experiences.

When examining the bottom housings, both the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Cherry MX Orange are made from nylon, pointing to a shared characteristic that impacts typing feel and sound. Nylon, as a bottom housing material, provides a consistent experience across both switches, offering a depth and fullness that absorbs sound. This commonality enhances the bottom-out experience, with both switches delivering a softer, more cushioned response as users press down on the keys. Thus, while the top housings produce distinctly different sound profiles, the fact that both switches share nylon as their bottom housing material means they will have a similar influence on the overall typing experience during key presses.

In summary, the differing top housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Cherry MX Orange create contrasting sound profiles that cater to different preferences—either a crisp, resonant tone or a deep, rich sound. However, the shared nylon bottom housing serves as a unifying feature, ensuring that the tactile feedback and bottom-out sound experience remain consistent between the two switches. Therefore, users may find similar experiences in terms of feel and sound when bottoms are engaged, while they may prefer one switch over the other based on the tonal qualities produced by the top housing materials. This dynamic interplay between top and bottom housings ultimately influences the overall sound, feel, and acoustics of each switch.

Weight

The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch share an actuation force of 55 grams, making them equal in this regard. This means that both switches require the same amount of pressure to initiate a keystroke, suitable for users who appreciate a balance between tactile feedback and ease of typing. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Jupiter Brown has a defined bottom out force of 70 grams, which indicates a heftier feel upon fully depressing the key. On the other hand, the bottom out force for the Cherry MX Orange is unavailable, leaving a gap in comparing this aspect directly. The Jupiter Brown's 70 grams bottom out force makes it heavier in overall feel than the Cherry MX Orange, which would likely provide a slightly less forceful experience, albeit we cannot quantify its bottom out pressure. The choice between the two may ultimately depend on personal preference: those who favor a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Jupiter Brown, while users looking for sustained comfort may still find the MX Orange appealing, even without clear data on its bottom out force.

Travel distance

The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch both feature a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that when pressed, they travel the same distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity results in an identical feel in terms of the key's depth, allowing users to experience comparable actuation with either switch. Consequently, whether you choose the tactile feedback of the Jupiter Brown or the smoothness of the MX Orange, both will provide a consistent travel experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches typically produce a soft, muted click due to their tactile nature, which tends to absorb some of the acoustic energy instead of amplifying it. This makes them relatively quiet in comparison to more pronounced tactile or clicky switches. The Cherry MX Orange switches, on the other hand, are linear and therefore render a quieter experience without any tactile feedback that would produce a noticeable sound during the actuation. Consequently, both switches deliver a more subdued auditory profile, making them suitable for quieter environments or shared workspaces.

When it comes to feel, the Jupiter Brown switches present a unique blend of attributes that cater to a comfortable typing experience. They offer a mild tactile sensation, which feels approachable to both newcomers and seasoned typists alike, making them versatile for various types of use. Coupled with their polished finish, these switches provide smooth keystrokes with minimal friction that can enhance the typing experience further. The stepped design of the switch means that users can feel a distinct actuation point without an overwhelming bump, allowing for a more fluid transition between keystrokes. In contrast, the MX Orange switches are designed primarily as linear switches which lack tactile feedback, delivering a consistent and smooth keystroke from top to bottom without any tactile interruptions. This characteristic makes them particularly appealing for gamers or users who prefer a noiseless typing experience, although their lack of tactile presence can be disorienting for those who benefit from distinct feedback.

In summary, both the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Cherry MX Orange switches offer unique benefits that cater to different preferences. The Jupiter Brown excels in delivering tactile feedback with a mild, polished feel and a soft sound profile, making it a great option for typing enthusiasts seeking a balanced experience. Meanwhile, the MX Orange provides a seamless, linear keystroke without tactile distraction, ideal for those who prefer smooth actuation over feedback. Although there are differences in their tactile responses, both switches share a subdued sound quality, ensuring a relatively quiet operation that won't disturb others around you. Whether one leans towards tactile or linear characteristics, both types promise a satisfying typing experience, demonstrating that personal preference plays a pivotal role in switch selection.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a switch that provides tactile feedback, the Jupiter Brown might be your best pick. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 70 grams allows for a satisfying, yet controlled keystroke, making it ideal for typists who enjoy feeling their key presses without excessive resistance. The mild and polished feel of this switch makes it approachable for diverse users, while its stepped design ensures a smooth yet noticeable transition in keystroke, enhancing your typing experience without being overly aggressive. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a smoother and more fluid experience, particularly for gaming or rapid typing, the Cherry MX Orange could be more suitable. While specific sound characteristics weren't detailed here, linear switches like the MX Orange typically offer a quieter operation, which can be appealing in shared spaces. Overall, consider your priorities—whether you value tactile feedback for general typing or require the smoothness and speed of a linear switch for fast-paced tasks—before making your final choice.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

$2.80 per 10

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Cherry MX Orange Linear

$4.10

$3.89 per 10

Learn more