Cherry MX Brown vs. Sarokeys Purple Sakura
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a tactile mechanical keyboard switch, the Cherry MX Brown and Sarokeys Purple Sakura both offer unique features worth considering. The Cherry MX Brown is revered for its subtle typing experience, gentle tactility, and subdued audio feedback. In contrast, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura stands out for its snappy response, decadently buttery downstroke, and pronounced yet not overpowering tactility. While the MX Brown is known for its textured, bassy, and low-pitched characteristics, the Purple Sakura is categorized as buttery, mild, neutral, and snappy. Each switch has its own strengths and advantages, making them appealing options for different preferences and typing styles. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
One key difference between the Cherry MX Brown and Sarokeys Purple Sakura is the material used for their top housings. The MX Brown utilizes nylon, which gives it a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Purple Sakura opts for a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While the MX Brown's nylon offers a duller and rounder sound, the Purple Sakura's polycarbonate provides a more clear and resonant sound experience. Aesthetically, the clear polycarbonate top housing of the Purple Sakura allows for RGB lighting effects, enhancing the visual appeal of the switch.
On the other hand, both the MX Brown and Purple Sakura switches share the same nylon material for their bottom housings. This choice of material in the bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for its sound-absorbing properties. This similarity in the bottom housing material ensures that both switches deliver a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. Despite the different top housing materials, the shared nylon bottom housing allows for a familiar typing experience regardless of the switch being used.
Overall, the use of different materials in the top and bottom housings of the Cherry MX Brown and Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches results in distinct sound profiles. While the MX Brown offers a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon top and bottom housings, the Purple Sakura provides a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing. The choice of housing materials highlights the impact that the construction of a switch can have on the typing experience, with each material offering unique qualities that cater to different preferences for sound and feel. Despite these differences, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a common element in both switches, maintaining a consistent typing experience at its core.
Weight
The actuation force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is 45 grams, while the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch has an actuation force of 50 grams, making the Purple Sakura slightly heavier. When it comes to bottom out force, the MX Brown requires 55 grams, whereas the Purple Sakura needs 60 grams, again making the Purple Sakura the heavier option. Both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range in terms of force required, making them suitable for a variety of typing preferences. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the MX Brown, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Purple Sakura. In general, choosing either switch will provide a similar typing result, with the main difference being the slight variance in actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, we can see that the MX Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Purple Sakura has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. In this case, the Purple Sakura has a shorter travel distance compared to the MX Brown. The MX Brown falls in the more traditional range of 4.0 mm, while the Purple Sakura provides a shallower depth of 3.2 mm. Gamers may prefer the Purple Sakura for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial depth in their key presses may opt for the MX Brown with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Sarokeys Purple Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Sakura for $3.15.
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 having a bassy and low-pitched profile, providing a deeper and richer tone during key presses. On the other hand, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches offer a more neutral sound, suitable for various preferences and environments. Both switches offer a pleasant typing experience with subtle differences in sound, ultimately depending on personal preference and additional factors like keyboard construction and keycaps.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cherry MX Brown switches are known for their textured feel, which some users may appreciate for the feedback it provides during typing. In contrast, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches are praised for their buttery and mild tactile feel, offering a smooth and effortless typing sensation. The addition of a snappy response in the Purple Sakura switches also enhances the typing experience, making each keystroke feel more alive compared to the gentle tactility of the MX Brown switches.
In conclusion, while the Cherry MX Brown and Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches offer distinct characteristics in sound and feel, both provide a satisfying typing experience. The Cherry MX Brown switches lean towards a subtle and subdued typing feel and sound, while the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches offer a more pronounced tactile response with a delicate sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience desired. Either way, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch that offers a subtle typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a snappy response and a buttery downstroke that strikes a delicate balance between pronounced tactility and subdued sound, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch might be the better option for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and actuation force. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style and needs.
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