Cherry MX Red vs Cherry MX Brown
The Cherry MX Red is linear while the Cherry MX Brown is tactile, so the feel is fundamentally different. They actuate at the same 45gf.
| Cherry MX Red | Cherry MX Brown | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Tactile |
| Actuation force | 45 gf | 45 gf |
| Bottom-out force | 60 gf | 60 gf |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Mount | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Factory lubed | No | No |
| Stem | Red POM | Brown POM |
| Sound | Moderate, smooth linear with a light stem scratch, no click or bump | Quiet with a soft, rounded tactile event, no audible click |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
Whichever wins, put it in something worth building.
I hand-build small-batch programmable macropads (QMK/VIA) in Barcelona, and repair keyboard PCBs. Pick your switch, pick your layout with the Shortcut Library, and stop reaching for chords.