If you are an extreme-level gamer, typist, or programmer then you should know it mechanical keyboards are the best computer keyboard in this competitive world. And you should also know these are mechanical switches that make mechanical keyboards such an awesome thing.
And in order to do your highest, you should know about these mechanical switches deep. What are mechanical switches, how do they work, what major types of mechanical switches, etc here we will only share experts’ thoughts about red switch vs blue switch?
Table of Contents
What Are Mechanical Switches
When it comes to mechanical keyboards the only thing that makes them so special is mechanical switches. In mechanical keyboards an advanced type of key input system is used under every key, this combined key input mechanism makes a switch called a mechanical switch. This switch makes key inputs faster and smoother, softer, and more reliable. Due to this mechanical keyboards are highly productive.
How Does Mechanical Switch Work
A mechanical switch consists of three major parts, a stem, a spring, and a base, these parts are fitted in a shell as you can see in the image. A switch is fixed in the keyboard and keycaps are placed above the switch contacting the switch through its stem.
When someone presses a key, keycaps pull the stem down where a spring exists, this stem touches to base of the switch and creates a signal for input, then the spring helps the stem to go back to its original place. In this way, a key input is registered through a switch. Now I think you have a clear idea of how a mechanical switch works, but if you still have any questions then comment to us.
What is a Cherry MX Switch
If you are a die heart fan of mechanical keyboards then you should know about the Cherry MX switch and if you do not then let me explain. Cherry MX is a German company producing mechanical switches, their mechanical switches are considered as best mechanical switches. There are some great properties of Cherry MX switches that make them so special.
- Cherry MX switches are considered the most durable mechanical switches. They are tested for 100 million keystrokes.
- There is a big variety of Cherry MX switches, linear, tactile, clicky, and mixed. That increases the usability of other mechanical switches.
- Cherry MX switches are smooth, quickly responsive, reliable, ergonomic, and simple to replace, etc which makes Cherry MX switches the best mechanical switches.
These are some common characteristics of Cherry MX switches that make them preferable mechanical switches.
What are Cherry MX Red Switches
Cherry MX red switches are the most linear mechanical switches provided by Cherry MX. They have very low spring resistance and quick responsiveness which makes them the best mechanical switches for gaming.
Technical Information about Red Switches
| Switch Type | Linear |
| Click Sound | Quiet |
| Force Required to Press | 45 cN |
| Switch Down Travel | 2.0 mm |
Sound of Cherry MX Red Switch:
Now a few questions arise are red switches good for gaming, are red switches good for typing, etc wait I will explain it with proper details below.
Read Also: Best Budget Mechanical Keyboards
Now we are going to explore Red Switch vs Blue Switch in detail.
What are Cherry MX Blue Switches
When it comes to typing blue switches are on the top, Cherry MX Blue switches are the most tactile switch type in the variants of Cherry MX switches. They are loud, bump noise, and have more resistance than other MX Cherry mechanical switches. That is the reason why experts say Blue switches are not for gaming.
Technical Information about Blue Switches
| Switch Type | Tactile |
| Click Sound | Audible |
| Force Required to Press | 60 cN |
| Switch Down Travel | 2.2 mm |
Sound of Cherry MX Blue Switch:
This is some basic information about red and blue switches now we are going to discuss it in detail. Again there are some questions about blue switches are blue switches good for gaming, are blue switches good for typing let me explain this below.
A Basic Comparison between Red switch and Blue Switch
If you have some technical background and want to compare the red switch and blue switch briefly then this table is for you. Note this table includes only the difference between them not all the properties of red and blue switches.
| Description | RED SWITCH | BLUE SWITCH |
| Type | Linear | Tactile |
| Click Sound | Quieter | Audible |
| Operating For Required | 45 cN | 60 cN |
| Pre Travel | 2.0 mm | 2.2 mm |
| Resistance | No | Yes |
| Recommended For | Gaming | Typing |
I think this table will clarify your idea about the red switch and blue switch, and still, if someone cannot get it below I am going to explain it.
Which Switch is Good for Gaming
The red switch is on top if you are looking for a gaming mechanical keyboard. And here is how red switches are best for gaming. If you are a gamer then you should know clearly how much silence matters for good gaming.
Blue switches produce too much sound that will ruin your gaming. But not only your game, but will also distract your teammates, and roommates too. On the other hand, red switches are quiet which makes them best for gaming.
Actuation force required a red switch needs a little actuation force with no resistance that enables you to press the again and again keys endlessly without any hesitation. And if you look at the blue switch, the blue switch requires much more energy to press a key and also has resistance.
That will irritate your finger and for longer use they can cause injuries so again, red switches have an edge over blue switches in terms of gaming.
By summarizing these two points that are clear red switches are good for gaming. If you need to know more about red switches then visit this page are red switches good for gaming?
Which Switch is Best for Typing
Now the scenario is different things are almost opposite if you compare a gamer’s keyboard needs and a typist’s keyboard needs. For typing blue switches are the best choice, here is how blue switches are good for typing.
Blue switches produce audible feedback when a keystroke gets registered, and this sound also feels good to typists. And on the other hand, red switches are quiet which makes them a little bit disqualified for typing.
The second thing that makes blue switches best for typing is their heavier nature, which controls accidental key inputs. Which is again good for typing while red switches have a little resistance against accidental key inputs that can cause problems.
By abstracting information from the above that we can say that blue switches are good for typing. And they are also recommended for typing by experts. For more details visit this page.
Which Switch is Good for Programming
Here things are greatly different because some programmers also are gamers, so they will like gaming mechanical switches. But some programmers are tending to the typist category and they like tactile mechanical switches.
Although if you look at real-time statics then blue switches are good for programming because programming is just another name for typing. So it is proven that blue switches are good for coding. Regards Red Switch vs Blue Switch.
Feeling Difference: Red Switch vs Blue Switch
Basically, there is almost no feeling difference between the red switch and blue switch but you can differentiate them using the feeling phenomenon again it depends upon personal preferences. Blue switches are tactile so they will feel like a harder key switch. And red switches are linear and will feel soft. So there is the result that the red switch has a softer feeling than the blue switch.
Accuracy Difference
Fundamentally there is no accuracy difference between the red switch and blue switch but their nature can impact user input accuracy inputs here is how. When you press a blue switch it has some bump, and audible feedback that will let the user know a key is registered and the user can input keys more accurately.
On the other hand, red switches have no audible feedback due to which the user cannot determine if any key is registered or not. In that way, accuracy can differentiate between red and blue switches but it does not matter too much because it can affect only rare chances so you can neglect this point.
Difference Between Red Switch And Blue Switch
The Red Switch and Blue Switch are two types of Cherry MX switches that are available on the market. Both of these switches offer their own unique set of features and benefits. So, what is the difference between the two?
Let’s start with the Red Switch. This keyboard is designed for gamers who need a fast and responsive gaming experience. The Red Switch keyboard features a linear keypress design, which means that there is no tactile feedback or “bounce” when you press a key. This makes it ideal for gamers who need to press keys quickly and accurately. Red switches require less actuation force on the keypress compared to blue switches.
The Blue Switch, on the other hand, is designed for gamers who want a more relaxed and comfortable gaming experience. The Blue Switch keyboard features a tactile keypress design, which means that there is a slight “bounce” when you press a key. This makes it more comfortable for gamers who want to take their time when gaming.
So, which one should you choose? It really depends on your gaming style and needs. If you need a fast and responsive keyboard for gaming, then the Red Switch is the way to go. If you want a more relaxed and comfortable gaming experience, then the Blue Switch is the way to go.
| Feature | Red Switch | Blue Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Better For Gaming | Yes | No |
| Better For Typing | No | Yes |
| Keypress Sound | Quiet | Loud |
| Actuation Force | Lower | Higher |
| Build Type | Linear | Tactile |
Which Is Better Red Switch Or Blue Switch
It’s a question that’s been asked since the beginning of time, “Which is better, the red switch or the blue switch?”The answer, of course, is that it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a switch that’s more responsive and has a shorter travel time, then you want a red switch. If you want a switch that’s more comfortable to type on and has a longer travel time, then you want a blue switch.
There are also other factors to consider, such as the switch type (linear, tactile, or clicky), the switch size (full size, TKL, or mini), and the switching material (plastic or metal).
In the end, it really comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the responsiveness of a red switch, while others prefer the comfort of a blue switch. There’s no right or wrong answer, so it’s ultimately up to you to decide which is best for you.
Wrapping Things Up: Red Switch vs Blue Switch
These are the main points that make the red and blue switches different, the red switch is best for gaming, and makes the blue switch is good for typing here is again a table.
| Best For | Red Switch | Blue Switch |
| Gaming | Yes | No |
| Typing | No | Yes |
Note, all of the comparison data and media are extracted from product information, feedback, user experience, and lab test information provided by Cherry MX producers of Cherry MX Red and Cherry MX blue switches.
Is Red Switch Better Than Blue
It depends upon your needs. Both switches are best in their fields, for example, red switch is better for gaming and the blue switch is better for typing. It means if you are looking for a good gaming switch then red switch is better than blue one. But, if you are looking for a keyboard for a good typing experience then blue switches are better than red switches.
Which Is Better Red Switch Or Blue Switch
It depends upon your point of view both switches are better but in different situations. Red switches are better for gaming while blue switches are better for typing.
If you want a smooth, quiet, easy-to-press switch then red switch is better for you. But if you want a switch that has tactile feedback and produces a sound on the keypress then a blue switch will be better for you.
Conclusion
End of the day we are going to summarize this comparison of Red Switch vs Blue Switch as the red switch is best for gaming because the red switch is quiet, soft, smooth, and rapidly responsive which are demanding traits for good gaming performance. On the other hand, the blue switch is good for typing since the blue switch has tactile nature, produces audible sound, and has the anti-ghosting ability that is essential needs for typing.
These are some major points from which we can differentiate between red switch and blue switch, now it depends upon you which switch to choose. But let me clear it red switches are recommended for gaming while blue switches are recommended for typing by the mechanical switch engineers. The main differences between the red switch and blue switch are switch type and sound red switch is linear and produces no sound while the blue switch is tactile and louder.
If you have something in mind then comment down below.