Cherry MX Red vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Red and Outemu Crystal Brown are popular choices, each offering distinct typing experiences. The MX Red is a linear switch known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown is a tactile switch that offers a different typing sensation altogether. While the MX Red is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured', the Crystal Brown lacks specific descriptors. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on your personal preference for key feel and sound. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Overall, the housing materials of the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Crystal Brown are quite different. The MX Red uses nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer plastic absorbing more sound. In contrast, the Crystal Brown utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing is also beneficial for RGB lighting due to its translucency. This difference in materials ultimately creates distinct typing experiences for users of these switches.
Despite their differences, both switches share the use of nylon for the bottom housing. This results in a similar deeper and fuller sound profile for both the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Crystal Brown. While the top housing material plays a significant role in the sound when pressing or letting go of a key, the similarities in the bottom housing material ensure that users will experience consistent sound characteristics related to the bottom-out sound and feel of each keystroke. This shared material also contributes to the overall durability and longevity of both switches.
In conclusion, the choice between Cherry MX Red and Outemu Crystal Brown switches will come down to personal preferences in sound profile and typing experience. The nylon top housing of the MX Red creates a duller and rounder sound, ideal for those seeking a softer typing experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Crystal Brown produces a crisper and more resonant sound, making it a great option for those who prefer a sharper typing experience. Despite the differences in top housing material, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that users will still get consistent results in terms of sound and feel when using either of these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Cherry MX Red has a bottom out force that is unspecified, while the Outemu Crystal Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a slightly heavier option. The Cherry MX Red is lighter in terms of bottom out force compared to the Outemu Crystal Brown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Cherry MX Red may be the more suitable choice, as it allows for longer typing sessions without much strain. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown provides a more substantial typing feel due to its higher bottom out force, appealing to users who prefer a stronger push. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same amount of distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This means that whether you choose the MX Red or the Crystal Brown switch, you can expect a consistent travel experience with similar results. The tactile feedback from the Crystal Brown switch may provide a slightly different sensation compared to the linear feel of the MX Red, but in terms of travel distance, both switches offer the same level of key press movement.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
The Outemu Crystal Brown comes in at $3.10 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 comparing the Cherry MX Red linear switch to the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch in terms of sound, the MX Red is known for its thocky and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deep and satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Crystal Brown switch is unknown, making it difficult to directly compare to the MX Red. Sound perception can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard casing and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the MX Red is described as having a textured feel, which may provide some users with a tactile feedback during typing. However, the specific texture quality of the Crystal Brown switch is not provided in the information available, making it challenging to directly compare the tactile feel between the two switches.
Taking into consideration all available information, it is apparent that the Cherry MX Red linear switch offers a unique combination of a slightly heftier feel and a deep, thocky sound profile, suitable for those who value both responsiveness and auditory satisfaction. While the subjective qualities of the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch remain unknown in terms of sound and feel, it is essential to consider individual preferences and overall typing experience when choosing between these two switches. If the Crystal Brown switch offers similar characteristics to the MX Red based on personal preferences, it is likely that users will achieve comparable results in terms of typing experience and satisfaction.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when making a decision between the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience with a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, the Cherry MX Red linear switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and are looking for a tactile typing experience, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of feel, sound, and typing experience. Make sure to test out both switches if possible to determine which one aligns best with your preferences.
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