Keygeek Keygeek Raw vs. Cherry MX Black
An in-depth look at the Keygeek Keygeek Raw and the Cherry MX Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Keygeek Raw and Cherry MX Black both offer unique advantages to users. The Keygeek Raw stands out for its blend of Nylon, UMPE, and Silicon materials that create a creamy yet lightweight feel. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black, with Cherry's Hyperglide tooling, provides a classic textured smoothness and deep sound profile. While the Keygeek Raw is more textured, mild, and subtle, the Cherry MX Black is low-pitched, textured, and stiff. Overall, both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
57.5g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon & UPE blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UMPE & Si blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Keygeek Raw and the Cherry MX Black switches differ in terms of their composition and exclusive blend. Keygeek Raw uses a Nylon & UPE blend for its top housing, while Cherry MX Black utilizes a classic nylon material. The Nylon & UPE blend in Keygeek Raw switches offers a unique sound profile due to its softer plastic properties, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, Cherry MX Black's nylon top housing also provides a deeper and fuller sound when typing, thanks to its ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics.
In terms of the bottom housing material, Keygeek Raw features a UMPE & Si blend, exclusive to their switches, while Cherry MX Black relies on nylon for its bottom housing. The UMPE & Si blend in Keygeek Raw switches offers distinct qualities to the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, contributing to a unique typing experience. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing in Cherry MX Black switches also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience with its softer plastic properties.
Overall, while the housing materials for the Keygeek Raw and Cherry MX Black switches may differ in composition, both offer unique qualities that enhance the typing experience. The exclusive blends used in the Keygeek Raw switches set them apart from the classic nylon material in the Cherry MX Black switches, providing a different sound profile and feel when typing. However, both switches aim to provide a deep and full sound when typing, with the housing materials playing a significant role in creating a satisfying tactile experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the Keygeek Raw linear switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Keygeek Raw has a lower actuation force of None grams, making it lighter and easier to trigger keystrokes compared to the Cherry MX Black with an actuation force of 60 grams. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Keygeek Raw requires 57.5 grams, while the Cherry MX Black demands a heavier 80 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Keygeek Raw, as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black provides a more substantial feel with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, which some users may prefer for a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Keygeek Raw linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4mm, making it shorter than the Cherry MX Black linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4mm. The Keygeek Raw offers a slightly quicker response time, which is favored by gamers looking for fast reactions. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black provides a slightly deeper key press, which some users may find more satisfying for typing or gaming. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Cherry MX Black being on the longer end and the Keygeek Raw being on the shorter end. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Keygeek Raw has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keygeek Raw for $3.51.
The Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Keygeek Raw switch offers a neutral sound that is suitable for most users, whether beginners or advanced typists, and for various environments such as home or work. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black switch provides a low-pitched sound profile that is bass-heavy and mellow compared to higher-pitched switches. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors like the keyboard itself and the keycaps being used.
Moving on to feel, the Keygeek Raw switch is known for its textured feel, providing noticeable friction when pressed, which can be either preferred or disliked depending on the user's preference. Additionally, it offers a mild typing experience that falls in the safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. The MX Black switch also provides a textured feel that some users may enjoy, along with a stiff typing experience that requires a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches.
Taking all the available information into consideration, both the Keygeek Raw and Cherry MX Black switches exhibit unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Keygeek Raw switch offers a neutral sound profile and a textured feel with a mild typing experience, the Cherry MX Black switch provides a low-pitched sound and a textured, stiff typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience depending on individual taste.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Keygeek Raw linear switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, consider the bottom out force, material blend, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a unique material blend for a creamy yet lightweight feel, the Keygeek Raw switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and a classic smoothness with a deep sound profile, the Cherry MX Black switch is the better choice for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound.
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