Cherry MX Brown vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Cherry MX Brown and the Cherry MX Silent Red. The Cherry MX Brown switch is known for its subtlety, offering a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red maintains the slightly heftier feel of the classic MX Red switch but operates silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. While the MX Brown is more textured and bassy, the MX Silent Red is muted and thocky. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on personal preference and specific needs, 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Silent Red switches, both switches use nylon for their top and bottom housings. This means that both switches will exhibit similar qualities in terms of sound profile and feel when typing. The nylon material in both switches is known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to switches made with harder plastics. Additionally, the softer nature of nylon contributes to a duller and rounder sound, creating a more satisfying typing experience for users of both switches.
Despite the similarities in housing materials, there are slight differences in the overall feel of the Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Silent Red switches. The bottom housing of a switch typically has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. This means that while both switches may offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile, the Cherry MX Silent Red may have a slightly quieter bottom-out sound due to the design of its housing compared to the Cherry MX Brown.
Overall, the housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Silent Red switches contribute to a similar typing experience characterized by a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material used in both switches absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a more satisfying typing experience for users who prefer switches with a quieter sound profile. While there may be slight differences in the feel of typing on each switch due to the design of their housing, both the Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Silent Red offer a high-quality typing experience suitable for different preferences in terms of sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Cherry MX Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams while the bottom out force of the Cherry MX Silent Red is unknown. This makes the MX Brown a slightly heavier switch in terms of bottoming out. The actuation force of both switches being the same means that users can expect a similar feel when triggering a keystroke, but the heavier bottom out force of the MX Brown may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the MX Brown being the slightly heavier option in terms of bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the MX Silent Red has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the MX Brown. The MX Brown is more traditional in terms of travel distance, offering a slightly deeper keystroke feel. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red is slightly shallower, making it a popular choice for gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding the keystroke depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
The Cherry MX Brown 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
When it comes to sound, the Cherry MX Brown switches are often described as bassy and low-pitched, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switches are known for their muted and thocky sound, offering a softer and quieter typing experience that minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Both switches have a low-pitched sound, but the Silent Red variant stands out for its significantly quieter operation, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments.
In terms of feel, both the Cherry MX Brown and Silent Red switches are described as textured, indicating that they have noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this subtle texture for added tactile feedback, while others might prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience. Ultimately, the feel of the switches comes down to personal preference and typing style.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Brown switches excel in offering a subtle tactile experience with a light typing feel and gentle tactility, accompanied by a bassy sound profile. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switches provide a similar typing experience with a slightly heftier feel, but with the added benefit of operating silently, making it a great choice for quiet environments. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to individual priorities when choosing between the two.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you prioritize a tactile typing experience with gentle feedback and a subtle sound profile, the MX Brown may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the smooth linear feel, the MX Silent Red is the way to go. Ultimately, the decision between these switches comes down to whether you value tactility and slight noise or prefer a silent typing experience. It's important to test out both switches if possible to determine which one suits your typing style best.
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