Cherry MX Brown vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Cherry MX Brown and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, it becomes evident that they offer distinct typing experiences. The MX Brown is renowned for its subtlety, providing a light typing feel with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Venus stands out with its unique internal configuration, offering a seamless glide and a distinctive "Q-texture" that adds a springy resistance to each key press. While the MX Brown is categorized as textured, bassy, and low-pitched, the Venus is described as buttery, gummy, frictionless, low-pitched, mild, muted, neutral, polished, subdued, and thocky. If you prioritize a light and tactile typing experience, the MX Brown may be the ideal choice for you. However, if you prefer a smooth and engaging typing sensation with very light actuation and a muted sound signature, the Venus could be the perfect fit. 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
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the TTC Venus switches, one key difference is in the top housing material. The MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature absorbing more sound. On the other hand, the Venus switch features a POM top housing, known for its unique and pleasing sound profile that is on the deeper side and more muted. While both materials offer different sound profiles, they both provide a pleasant typing experience for users.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the MX Brown and the TTC Venus switches differ once again. The MX Brown incorporates a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile that enhances the typing experience. In contrast, the Venus switch uses a polycarbonate bottom housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile that is more resonant and clear. Despite the differences in sound profiles between the two housing materials, both switches offer a satisfying typing feel for users to enjoy.
Overall, the choice between the Cherry MX Brown and the TTC Venus switches may come down to personal preference in sound and feel. The MX Brown's combination of nylon top and bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Venus switch with POM and polycarbonate housing materials offers a unique and crisp sound experience. However, both switches provide a quality typing experience with their respective housing materials, allowing users to find the perfect match for their preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch both have a light actuation force of 45 grams, making them easy to press for quick typing or gaming. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the MX Brown requires 55 grams, while the TTC Venus only needs 52 grams. This means that the Venus switch provides a slightly lighter feel when fully pressed compared to the MX Brown. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with their medium-light actuation forces, but the slight difference in bottom out force may be noticeable to those who prefer a more substantial push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing or gaming style.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Venus switch slightly shorter in terms of travel distance compared to the MX Brown. The shorter travel distance of the Venus switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the slightly longer travel distance of the MX Brown may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feel. Despite the slight difference in travel distance, both switches offer a similar typing experience overall. So whether you choose the Cherry MX Brown or the TTC Venus, you can expect to get similar results in terms of travel distance and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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
In terms of sound, the Cherry MX Brown switch is often described as having a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. On the other hand, the TTC Venus switch is known for its low-pitched and muted sound, providing a softer and quieter auditory experience. The Venus switch also has a neutral and subdued sound, creating a dampened yet satisfying sound signature. Both switches offer a more subtle and gentle sound compared to louder, clackier switches, providing a more pleasant typing experience for those who prefer a quieter environment.
When it comes to feel, the Cherry MX Brown switch is often noted for its textured feel, offering a slightly scratchy sensation when pressed. In contrast, the TTC Venus switch is praised for its buttery and frictionless feel, providing a smooth and effortless keystroke experience. The Venus switch also offers a gummy feel when bottoming out, adding a unique and enjoyable tactile element to typing. With its polished finish, the Venus switch ensures a refined and sleek typing experience, minimizing any resistance or friction during key presses. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable and satisfying typing feel, with the Venus switch emphasizing a smoother and more fluid typing experience.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Brown and TTC Venus switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The MX Brown switch provides a subtle and muted sound with a textured typing feel, while the Venus switch delivers a smoother and quieter sound with a buttery and frictionless typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can provide a pleasant and enjoyable typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile and tactile feel, but rest assured that both options offer a quality typing experience with their unique characteristics.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, you should consider the typing experience you prefer. If you value a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a nearly frictionless glide with a unique "matte" sensation and very light actuation for rapid typing, the TTC Venus linear switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize subtlety and gentle tactility or a seamless, engaging typing sensation with a muted sound profile. Consider your preferences and needs to select the switch that best aligns with your typing style.
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