Cherry MX Brown vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options stand out: the Cherry MX Brown and the Gateron Weightlessness. Both are tactile switches, providing users with a satisfying feel during typing, but they cater to slightly different preferences. The Cherry MX Brown is renowned for its subtlety, featuring a relatively light typing experience that combines gentle tactility with modest auditory feedback. Those who appreciate a smooth, understated typing experience may gravitate toward these switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness offers a versatile blend of subtle to moderate tactile feedback, accompanied by a balanced sound profile that enhances its tactile characteristics. This makes it a great choice for users who enjoy a bit more engagement without overwhelming noise. While both switches have their unique allure, they cater to different typists' styles and expectations. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Cherry MX Brown and Gateron Weightlessness switches both utilize nylon for their top and bottom housings, which plays a significant role in the overall typing experience. Nylon is known for its softer texture, allowing it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. This shared characteristic results in both switches producing a deeper and fuller sound profile, making them appealing to users who favor a more muted keystroke rather than a sharp, clattering noise. As a result, both the MX Brown and Gateron Weightlessness deliver a similar auditory experience, which can enhance user enjoyment during extended typing sessions or gaming.
While the housing materials of both switches are identical in terms of composition and sound absorbing capabilities, the impact on the typing feel might still differ slightly. The bottom housing is particularly influential when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Although both switches are built with nylon, subtle variations in design, such as the molds and internal structures, can lead to a slightly different tactile feedback upon key press. This means that even though they share the same nylon material, the specific implementation can affect the feel at the bottom of the keystroke, presenting unique experiences for each switch type.
In summary, while both the Cherry MX Brown and Gateron Weightlessness switches incorporate nylon in their top and bottom housings, enhancing their acoustic properties and enabling a satisfying typing sound, the potential for subtle differences in feel remains due to variations in manufacturing techniques. Users may still find comfort in the knowledge that, regardless of these small distinctions, the fundamental qualities of the nylon material will afford them a consistent and rounded auditory experience. This makes both switches excellent choices for keyboard enthusiasts looking to achieve a particular sound profile without sacrificing comfort.
Weight
When comparing the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation forces, as well as some ambiguity regarding the bottom out force of the latter. The Cherry MX Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it a medium-light switch, while the Gateron Weightlessness requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams. This means that for users who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Cherry MX Brown would be the better choice. Conversely, the Gateron Weightlessness, with its increased actuation force, may appeal to those who favor a more substantial typing experience. Furthermore, the bottom out force for the Gateron Weightlessness is unknown, while the Cherry MX Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams. Thus, should the bottom-out force of the Weightlessness be similar and unspecified, users may experience a range of results in tactile feedback and overall actuation feel. Overall, the MX Brown is the lighter option in terms of actuation force, while the Weightlessness leans towards the heavier side.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, it's clear that the MX Brown offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Weightlessness features a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This difference highlights a significant choice for users, as the MX Brown provides a more traditional feel and depth that many typists and gamers appreciate for a more tactile experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness caters to those who prefer a quicker response time, making it ideal for gamers who favor faster engagement with less travel. While both switches have their unique advantages, the MX Brown stands out with its longer travel distance, catering more toward those who seek a substantial feel in their keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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 switch produces a unique audio profile characterized as bassy and low-pitched. This results in a deeper, richer sound during key presses, contributing to an overall auditory experience that many find satisfying yet non-intrusive. Its sound can be described as having a lower frequency range, which makes it ideal for users seeking a more subdued auditory feedback without being overly distracting. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness switch has a more balanced sound profile that complements its tactile characteristics, although specific descriptors are not provided. Given these attributes, the MX Brown offers a distinct auditory engagement, while the Weightlessness may provide a broader yet less defined tonal quality.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Brown switch is known for its textured experience, offering noticeable friction when pressed. This texture can enhance the typing experience for some users, giving them positive tactile feedback as they type. The gentle tactility of the switch makes it suitable for both typing and gaming, striking a balance between responsiveness and comfort. Conversely, there isn't specific information available about the feel of the Gateron Weightlessness switches, making it difficult to compare its tactile characteristics directly. However, with both switches falling under the tactile category, users can generally expect a similar typing sensation that combines feedback with a mild resistance during key presses.
In conclusion, while the Cherry MX Brown switch is known for its bassy and low-pitched sound coupled with a textured feel, the Gateron Weightlessness offers a more balanced auditory experience that remains subtly tactile. Although the specific feel of the Weightlessness switch is unknown, both switches promise a tactile typing experience that appeals to a broad audience. Those valuing sound and feel may find that either choice caters to their preferences, leading to a satisfying typing experience overall.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between Cherry MX Brown tactile switches and Gateron Weightlessness switches largely depends on your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard. If you appreciate a medium-light feel with a gentle tactile response and a subdued audio profile, the MX Brown is an excellent choice for everyday typing and moderate gaming. Its bassy and low-pitched sound can provide a satisfying auditory feedback that many typists enjoy, especially in quieter settings. On the other hand, if you desire a switch that offers a more subtle to moderate tactile experience while maintaining a balanced sound profile, the Gateron Weightlessness might be the better option for you. Its unique characteristics can provide a smoother typing experience without the pronounced sound and feel of the MX Browns, making it ideal for those who prefer a less intrusive switch for long hours of typing or in collaborative workspaces. Ultimately, consider how you type, your surroundings, and what level of tactile feedback you prefer to determine which switch aligns with your needs.
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