Mx Browns vs Mx Reds - not a which is better question

[sanctions23]

I know this is not a new issue but I have been trying to decide what switch I like better and in my testing the other day I had a realization that felt strange to me.  When using a board with cherry browns, I noticed that they somehow felt heavier to press (if only slightly) than the switches on my cherry red board.  Now the browns are on a Ducky Shine 3 tkl and the reds are on a Corsair K70.  I know that reds and browns both require only 45cn of force to actuate so I was wondering if anyone could explain why the browns felt slightly heavier (note: I actually like that they felt slightly heavier because I feel that reds are too light for me when I'm typing).  Does this have to do with manufacturer, i.e. will a Ducky board with reds feel more like the Ducky board with browns or is this something that is a common feeling between reds and browns?  Thank you for your insights.

[HotRoderX]

The browns are heaver switch by about 10 grams

reds would equal 45grams

Browns would equal 55grams bottom out force.

They are indeed heavier

[Puddsy]

https://input.club/the-comparative-guide-to-mechanical-switches/tactile/cherry-mx-brown/

https://input.club/the-comparative-guide-to-mechanical-switches/linear/cherry-mx-red/

the browns have a bump, which makes them slightly harder to press down

[sanctions23]

The browns are heaver switch by about 10 grams

reds would equal 45grams

Browns would equal 55grams bottom out force.

They are indeed heavier

According to Cherry's own information, the actuation force of the brown switch is 45cn of force, the same as the reds.  http://cherryamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CHERRY_MX1A-Gxxx.brownpdf-1.pdf

[sanctions23]

https://input.club/the-comparative-guide-to-mechanical-switches/tactile/cherry-mx-brown/

https://input.club/the-comparative-guide-to-mechanical-switches/linear/cherry-mx-red/

the browns have a bump, which makes them slightly harder to press down

Thanks! I am aware that one is linear and one is tactile, but I wasn't sure if the bump was really creating that feeling of slight firmness because I don't really feel the bump when typing.  But I am also a savage who bottoms out all keys when typing.

[Duckyreddy]

The browns are 45g for sure, It could be the tactile bump that makes it feel heavier to press down.

[tp4tissue]

MX blue is by far the Smoothest actuating switch because the mechanism of the internal slide sheath greatly reducing perceived friction.


If you take either the brown or red or clear, and move it up and down slowly, you can tell there's a bit of Grinding at the top and bottom of the keystroke..

This is due to the leaf spring.


whereas with MX blue, because the slider is only in point-contact with the internal sheath, it feels MUCH smoother throughout the keystroke.

[Polymer]

I think people don't understand what they mean by 45g.

45g at actuation..that doesn't mean it is 45g to get to actuation. 

The difference is, for reds, it is linear so it ramps up all the way to 45g and then actuates.
Browns, they ramp up to the BUMP which is 55g to overcome and then there is a drop off...and where the switch actuates (after the bump) is 45g.

[sanctions23]

I think people don't understand what they mean by 45g.

45g at actuation..that doesn't mean it is 45g to get to actuation. 

The difference is, for reds, it is linear so it ramps up all the way to 45g and then actuates.
Browns, they ramp up to the BUMP which is 55g to overcome and then there is a drop off...and where the switch actuates (after the bump) is 45g.

Very interesting, I was not aware of this and would definitely explain what I was feeling and why I seem to prefer (and type better on browns) Thank you for your response.

[Leslieann]

MX blue is by far the Smoothest actuating switch because the mechanism of the internal slide sheath greatly reducing perceived friction.


If you take either the brown or red or clear, and move it up and down slowly, you can tell there's a bit of Grinding at the top and bottom of the keystroke..

This is due to the leaf spring.


whereas with MX blue, because the slider is only in point-contact with the internal sheath, it feels MUCH smoother throughout the keystroke.

That's not entirely true, smaller point of contact also means a higher pounds per square inch, which can dig and create friction.

Other possible explanations... As the slider slips down, it actually creates a longer groove to more effectively guide the stem (even if the points of contact are smaller), a more precise guide will bind less. There is also a differing of plastics involved, even if only dyes, differing plastics slide better against one another than identical plastics. It could also be that the freefalling clicker or the clicker hitting bottom creates a sense of less friction even if it hasn't actually changed.

[Hyde]

I think people don't understand what they mean by 45g.

45g at actuation..that doesn't mean it is 45g to get to actuation. 

The difference is, for reds, it is linear so it ramps up all the way to 45g and then actuates.
Browns, they ramp up to the BUMP which is 55g to overcome and then there is a drop off...and where the switch actuates (after the bump) is 45g.

I've been wondering about the same thing before too, but this is the best explanation anyone ever did so far.

Good job!

I do find MX Brown has the perfect weight, and I do like typing on MX Brown better but I like MX Red better for gaming.

[Erikdayo]

Depends on other factors too. My POK3R with non-backlit reds feels a bit heavy because of friction with the sliders. More rough/grainy feeling. They almost feel like Blacks in comparison. The difference is very noticeable. My browns are silvers which are the RGB variation feel much lighter. Very smooth. Going to try the RGB variation of a POK3R with Reds soon to see if the sliders seem any more smooth.