Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red and Huano Sakura present two compelling yet distinct options. The Cherry MX Silent Red, a linear switch, is celebrated for maintaining the beloved feel of the original MX Red while featuring a silent operation, making it an excellent choice for noise-sensitive environments. Its muted, thocky sounds and low-pitched texture provide a satisfying typing experience without the clicky distractions of other switches. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura offers a feather-light touch with medium acoustics, catering to those who prioritize comfort during extended typing sessions. While the Sakura’s lighter actuation force can enhance speed for gamers or fast typists, the Silent Red ensures a quieter operation without sacrificing the tactile satisfaction. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Cherry MX Silent Red and the Huano Sakura switches employ distinct materials for their top housings, which leads to differences in sound and feel during use. The MX Silent Red features a nylon top housing, which is known for its softer characteristics that contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This nylon material absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a quieter typing experience that users often describe as rounder and more muted. In contrast, the Sakura uses a POK top housing, a polyketone material recognized for its impressive smoothness and durability. With a higher coefficient of friction than nylon, POK enables greater tactile responsiveness, while its properties ensure a more pronounced clacky sound profile. Although both materials can create engaging typing experiences, the MX Silent Red focuses on sound absorption and deeper tones, while the Sakura leans towards a sharper, more tactile output.
The bottom housing of both switches, however, utilizes nylon, which leads to similarities in sound characteristics despite the differences in their top housings. As nylon is classified as a classic switch housing material, it contributes to a deeper, more rounded sound due to its sound-dampening qualities. This consistent use of nylon in the bottom housings allows both switches to elicit a similar sound profile upon bottoming out, which can be quite satisfying for typists. Therefore, while the top housings diverge in material and tactile feedback, the shared nylon bottom housing creates a uniformity in sound, blending the individual characteristics of each switch’s top housing.
When using these switches, the ergonomics and acoustic output can be influenced by the combination of housing materials. With the MX Silent Red, the softer nylon top housing will help moderate the sound when releasing a key, while the nylon bottom will ensure a muted bottom-out experience. The Huano Sakura switch, with its POK top housing, will deliver a more pronounced sound upon key release due to its sharper plastic while maintaining a cushioned landing thanks to the nylon bottom. Ultimately, those who appreciate the deeper, quieter sound may lean towards the Silent Red, while enthusiasts of tactile typing will find the Sakura's feedback more engaging, showcasing how different materials in switch construction impact the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, we can see distinct differences in their actuation forces that cater to varying preferences among users. The Cherry MX Silent Red requires an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Huano Sakura is lighter at 35 grams for its actuation. This makes the MX Silent Red heavier and potentially better suited for users seeking a more substantial typing experience. On the contrary, the Sakura's lighter force may appeal to those who favor longer typing sessions without fatigue. However, the bottom out force for the Cherry MX Silent Red is unknown, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison in that regard. In contrast, the Huano Sakura has a known bottom out force of 45 grams, which aligns with its actuation force and indicates a consistent feel throughout the keypress. Overall, users looking for a lighter feel should opt for the Huano Sakura, while those who might prefer a firmer activation will find the Cherry MX Silent Red more appealing.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, the MX Silent Red offers a travel distance of 3.7 mm, whereas the Sakura has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This indicates that if you're looking for swift and responsive key presses, the Sakura may provide a marginally faster response due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red offers a bit more depth, which some users may prefer for a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, choosing between these two will depend on your personal preference for depth versus responsiveness; if you favor an overall quicker engagement, the Sakura may be the better option, while those who appreciate a richer typing experience might lean towards the MX Silent Red.
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 Huano Sakura comes in at $3.50 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 Silent Red switches are designed to operate quietly, maintaining a muted profile that minimizes the traditional clack of mechanical keyboards. They produce a thocky sound, characterized by a deep, rich tone that provides a satisfying auditory feedback without overwhelming noise, making them suitable for quiet environments. In contrast, there is no specific sound profile provided for the Huano Sakura switches, but they are noted to have medium acoustics, suggesting a more moderate sound level. This means that while the MX Silent Red excels in producing a quieter typing experience catered to noise-sensitive situations, the Sakura switches may create a sound profile that leans towards being more audible but not excessively loud.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red switches are described as textured, giving a distinct sensation during key presses due to the noticeable friction they present. This textured feel may resonate with users who appreciate a bit of resistance, enhancing the typing experience for those who prefer tactile feedback. The Huano Sakura switches, however, lack any detailed description regarding their tactile feel. Therefore, it’s uncertain how they compare in terms of typing feedback and resistance; this might lead to a significantly lighter, smoother feel based on the description of their feather-light touch, ideal for long typing sessions without fatigue.
In conclusion, both switches provide unique qualities suited to different user preferences and environments. Users who prioritize a quieter typing experience with textured feedback might lean towards the Cherry MX Silent Red, while those seeking a potentially smoother and lighter feel—albeit with unclear tactile qualities—might find the Huano Sakura appealing. The choice ultimately depends on individual typing styles and noise sensitivity, leading to an overall experience that can be enjoyable with either switch type, albeit through very different auditory and tactile experiences.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Huano Sakura linear switches, it’s essential to consider your specific typing needs and environment. If you find yourself in a noise-sensitive setting, such as an office or shared living space, the Cherry MX Silent Red is an excellent choice due to its silent operation and muted sound profile, allowing you to type without disturbing those around you. Its slightly heavier feel also caters to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience while benefiting from the smooth actuation of a linear switch. On the other hand, if you seek a lightweight option that offers a more tactile feedback and a satisfying auditory experience without being overly loud, the Huano Sakura switch could be the perfect pick. Its soft 45-gram bottom-out force is ideal for extended typing sessions, allowing you to type with ease and comfort. Ultimately, your decision should reflect not only your desired sound profile and force sensitivity but also the overall sensation you seek in your daily typing travels.
Mentioned in this article
