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I want a comfortable, responsive mechanical switch keyboard. My only concern about mechanical switch keyboards is the noise. Boards based off of the Cherry MX Blue seem to be the loudest, but apparently offer increased tactility. I don't mind a clicky noise (I would actually prefer a bit of noise), I just don't want anything overpowering.

What are the different types of Cherry mechanical switches are out there, and what separates one from the other?

Also, where would I be able to test one out?

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Model Ms are not that expensive - i'd be using one, but my order got cancelled for some reason. I'd also note with a few exceptions (the black widow, i believe some steel series models, and maybe deck), you're likely to end up ordering a keyboard online anyway - and there's always ebay so getting a cheap second hand keyboard is an option. – Journeyman Geek Dec 11 '11 at 10:37
@jour rolling this back; the OP specifically mentions Cherry blue -- and Cherry is by far the most common option -- and I think this question is best when it is specific. It is fine for other answers to go above and beyond to touch on different switch types, of course. (The OP also said he was concerned about noise and buckling springs are deafening, even louder than the blues which are quite loud, so personally I think that's a very unlikely choice.) edit: see this video youtube.com/watch?v=9J0ZAKd8mF4 – Jeff Atwood♦ Dec 11 '11 at 10:54
Precisely why they should be mentioned. OP mentioned the cherry cause its common, but having the question general seems to be the best fit to me. The wider question is really about keyboards than the nitty gritty of switches to me. I'd really wish we could get some input from the original poster on this, rather than have a rollback war, and guessing on intent. – Journeyman Geek Dec 11 '11 at 10:57
@jour based on three bits of data -- 1. OP explicitly mentioned cherry blue 2. OP specifically mentioned noise (see my video link above) 3. OP said "being sold in keyboards for a sane price" it is clear that we're in "let's compare the most common mechanical switch type" territory. As I've said repeatedly, it is fine and encouraged even for some answers to provide more than what was asked for. I don't think a "let's compare all the really obscure mechanical keyboard switch types in ridiculous detail" question would be particularly useful to the OP. Let's focus on specifics. – Jeff Atwood♦ Dec 11 '11 at 11:03
@jour also, I challenge anyone to try buying a new mechanical keyboard right now, today, without being forced to learn about cherry switch colors. It is literally impossible, since the vast, vast majority of new mechanical keyboards being sold use Cherry switches in a rainbow of incomphrehensible colors... part of the reason I wrote the answer I did is because I needed to remind myself what the differences are when looking at the new Corsair keyboard, etc, and I already went through the mechanical keyboard buying process once! – Jeff Atwood♦ Dec 11 '11 at 11:23
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4 Answers

up vote 23 down vote accepted

I'd REALLY suggest trying the keyboard before buying it if you can, since there's a lot of variation. Unfortunately, the best way to test a keyboard really, is to find someone with one, or hope for a demo model. The one I have bought had a window to press the arrow keys, and felt good.

I do think mechanical keyboards are the bees knees (and often quite well made to boot), so, as long as you do your homework, you probably will find the right keyboard.

That said, I use a black widow ultimate, and the major issue I have with it is it makes every other keyboard I have feel crappy- mechanical keyboards are AWESOME in my opinion. In addition to OCN, I've found geekhack has a really good guide to mechanical keyboards.

My experience with cherry blues is, as with any mechanical keyboard, you need to unlearn some membrane keyboard bad habits, such as bottoming out keys, but once you do, its fast. They aren't also mushy, which to me, even the best laptop and membrane keyboards are in comparison.

The loudest, supposedly best keyboards are based on the model M keyboard and use buckling springs. Only unicomp makes them, and they use a buckling spring design. These need quite a bit of actuation force.

Cherry makes 4 different types of switches, and most mechanical keyboards seem based on "Click Tactile" is Blue or "Ergonomic" which is brown. There are three other types - "Soft Tactile" which is clear is Clear as well as "Linear" is Black and Red. "Ergonomic" is Brown. Tactile keyboards don't have a linear force curve - you feel a point where the force of the key you press changes, and you can release the key then. The keyboard I have is loud and clacky, but there's a stealth version with cherry browns. With most smaller keyboard makers, you can probably specify which switch type you want, apparently - so if you're going for a quieter mechanical keyboard, cherry browns are a good bet. I like the clackyness, since I often touchtype, and its oddly reassuring. Once you've gotten used to it, the low actuation weight and the activation point being midway through the stroke, least to me makes a big difference.

Practically most mechanical keyboards I've seen tend to be cherry mx blue (clicky) or brown (silent), though there's some alps and topre ones - for example the happy hacking keyboard uses Topre capacitive keys iirc, which are nicer than your standard membrane keyboard, and are worth looking at for silent keys.

I prefer clicky keyboards since, well, I use the noise to tell when I hit the actuation point - and as such its better for the first timer. Silent keyboards may be better in work environments.

While the key types determine noise levels, its also a matter of design - geekhack has a forum full of sound clips if you want a rough idea of how they sound - two keyboards of the same switch type may sound different based off physical design. You can also retrofit a keyboard with rubber o rings, or by other means to quieten it apparently, if its too loud. I don't find my specific keyboard ( a razer blackwidow ultimate) to be that much louder than a cheap membrane keyboard (and there's differences there. I have an extremely horrible mushy silent perx keyboard, and a slightly louder, but decent Logitech - both membrane based), but it apparently seems to be built with good sound damping.

I also have a video here, comparing an utterly cheap mushy membrane keyboard (apparently a'perx Windows keyboard') a generic Logitech, and a standard blackwidow ultimate with cherry mx keys - your Compaq should be similar to the Logitech.

Some folk also consider being able to press more than x keys at once (NKRO) essential for a good keyboard. It's less of a factor in typing IMO, but something that's mentioned a lot on keyboard sites.

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also, there may be a blog entry on this topic in future. I am currently polishing up my own article on it, either for SU blog or for my own personal wiki ;p – Journeyman Geek Dec 9 '11 at 7:21
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How can you try a keyboard before buying it? Maybe if you can go into a store, but keyboards like these are not likely to be at BestBuy (and even if they are, they won’t be at a good price). :-( – Synetech Dec 10 '11 at 22:16
The keyboard i ended up getting an open window in the box for poking at keys ;p. I rather miss the good ol days when they had demo units for everything though. – Journeyman Geek Dec 10 '11 at 23:18
FWIW I had a Topre Realforce ($250+) and I did not care at all for the feel of the capacitive keys, way too mushy for me. I sold that off quickly. Definitely illustrates how the "you gotta try it yourself to see" factor can be a challenge for the more obscure keyboards... – Jeff Atwood♦ Dec 11 '11 at 11:36
up vote 52 down vote

First, be warned: all mechanical keyboards are going to be substantially louder than typical rubber dome keyboards you may be familiar with. However there are "quieter" mechanical switches.

I've attempted to summarize the most common Cherry switch information in the below diagrams derived from the original overclock.net thread. That thread has a lot more detailed information about each switch, so definitely click through to learn more..

Cherry Black

Cherry black mechanical keyboard switch actuation graph Cherry black mechanical keyboard switch animation

No tactile bump when key actuates. Considered by some to be better for "gaming" than typing for that reason, but I think it's personal preference.

Cherry Blue

Cherry blue mechanical keyboard switch actuation graph Cherry blue mechanical keyboard switch animation

Very commonly used on "clicky" mechanical keyboards. For example the Das Keyboard and Razer BlackWidow use this switch. It's a fine switch but quite loud in my opinion, so be careful! My wife complained when I had keyboards using this switch in the house..

Cherry Brown

Cherry brown mechanical keyboard switch actuation graph Cherry brown mechanical keyboard switch animation

I've tried this switch and IMO it is basically a Blue without the extra noise. For example the Das Keyboard S (silent) uses this switch.

Cherry Clear

Cherry clear mechanical keyboard switch actuation graph Cherry clear mechanical keyboard switch animation

This one, for what it's worth, is my personal favorite. Considered a "stiffer, slightly more tactile brown". It is not a huge difference but I prefer it over the brown.

Cherry Red

Cherry red mechanical keyboard switch actuation graph Cherry red mechanical keyboard switch animation

Rare variant of Cherry Black, also no tactile bump but with different parameters. Available on the Corsair Vengeance K60 and K90, though.

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Could you let us know what keyboard you are currently using after trying all these? – Saeb Feb 13 at 6:08
up vote -2 down vote

In a universe that contains the IBM model-m (see unicomp for modern versions of the same keyboard) with the buckling spring technology, all of these other switch technologies are simply pointless redundancy. Just get a model-m.

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IMO the other sort of switch keyboards also have a place. The model M is lovely brutal oldschool loud typing. There's a place for less in your face tools ;p. Its worth looking at other keyswitch technologies as well. That said, i'd love a Model M/unicomp customiser some day. – Journeyman Geek Dec 11 '11 at 10:32
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OP said "I don't mind a clicky noise (I would actually prefer a bit of noise), I just don't want anything overpowering.". Buckling spring is the loudest option there is, short of typing by firing handguns at the keyboard.. youtube.com/watch?v=9J0ZAKd8mF4 – Jeff Atwood♦ Dec 11 '11 at 12:08
up vote 4 down vote

There is an in-depth guide to mechanical keyboards with diagrams, animations, and more information that you could ask for. Click the Search This Thread link and enter “noise” to view the posts discussing noise levels.

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just to note, there's a bit of apparent rivalry between OCN and geekhack, Check both, and have a nice healthy pinch of salt when reading reviews anywhere ;p – Journeyman Geek Dec 9 '11 at 9:32
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it would be more helpful if you summarized the relevant threads here... – Jeff Atwood♦ Dec 11 '11 at 10:20

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