Based off of reviews from companies and gamers, the Cherry MX Speed Silver is the best Cherry MX Switch for gaming. Because of it's quick reaction time to your finger press and smooth linear feel, it's optimal for a variety of different games.
I preach this in every article I write about when it comes to switches and gaming. All of us have different preferences, and just because something is noted as 'the best switch', it doesn't mean it's the best switch for you.
We
will cover the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches, as well as
others. You know, gotta cover all bases!
Let's talk about the popular options:
Cherry MX Silver
Cherry MX Red
Cherry MX Brown
Cherry MX Blue
Cherry MX Speed Silvers
This is it, the optimal gaming switch made by Cherry MX (and perhaps over other varieties of other switches as well). So why is it? A lot of games require quick movement, especially when you're running for your life. That horde of zombies is running after you wildly and they come from the left, okay time to tap that key! Ooof! More on right, tap right! Or maybe you're trying to avoid that grenade that was aimed at you. That quick response from your switch is imperative and your timing, too. Your switch can only perform when you ask it to.
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Cherry MX Silver Facts
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Actuation Force
45cN
Actuation Point
1.2mm
Tot. Travel Distance
3.4mm
Behavior
Linear
Noise Level
Quiet
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
First let me quickly address, because it can be confusing, the Cherry MX Silver switches are also known commonly as the Cherry MX Speed switches, leaving out the Silver in some reviews and product searches. The name in full is the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches.
According to Meesh, Computer Product Analyst, "The Cherry MX Silver switch feels different to what you are probably used to. They are similar to Cherry MX Reds; however, it feels more shallow when you're pressing on the key." That makes sense if you look at the actuation point and the total travel distance. It's shorter than what you find on your average red, blue or brown. So the effort it takes for you to tap the key and bottom out to move around is considerably less.
In fact, the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches are about 40 - 45% faster than the Cherry MX Reds, making them far more sensitive. I have the Cherry MX Silent Reds and their actuation force is the same as the Cherry MX Reds, but they're less in pre travel and total travel. If you like the Silent Reds but want something a little bit faster, then give the Silvers a try.
They are quieter than the Cherry MX Blue switches. They may sound slightly less than the Cherry MX Reds, but that's up for your interpretation. And like all Cherry MX Switches, they come in the RGB LED option if you want something a little bit flashy and exciting (maybe even distracting).
Cherry MX Reds
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Cherry MX Red Facts
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Actuation Force
45cN
Actuation Point
2.0mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4.0mm
Behavior
Linear
Noise Level
Quiet
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Cherry MX Reds are very common for gaming, if not the most common. Personally, Cherry MX Reds are the typical switch found in my family and my friends mechanical keyboards. Of course, as new switches are developed, our keyboards began to form with those changes. But one of those fall back to, you can always count on, genuinely good switches are the Cherry MX Reds. They're a linear switch, which is one of the most favored kinds. And because they are linear switches, they tend to be on the quieter side, while also being consistent in their movement.
Going back to the quieter side, Cherry MX Reds are toned down further with the use of an O-ring. They are not as silent as the Cherry MX Silent Reds, but they are less discernible with the O-ring while you're gaming. And even further reduced in noise in comparison to the Cherry MX Blues. On the other hand, Cherry MX Reds are about the same in sound as the Cherry MX Browns. And again, the Reds are found in the RGB LED variety as well.
Cherry MX Browns
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Cherry MX Brown Facts
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Actuation Force
55cN
Actuation Point
2mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4mm
Behavior
Tactile
Noise Level
Quiet
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Cherry MX Browns are a versatile switch. From experience, they're a good switch to play games with and type. They're silent for tactile switches, especially with the addition of O-rings. Cherry MX Reds and Browns are very similar, the only real difference between them is the feel when you push the key down: tactile vs linear. However, it is considered the pleasant medium type of switch because it's a good choice for both gaming and writing. If you would like a mixture between a linear and tactile switch, the Cherry MX Brown is that mixture. The tactile bump is not as pronounced as the Blues, defined more along the lines of 'soft'.
They are the most popular variety of the Cherry MX tactile switch options. And to be honest, that's mostly because of the sound and it's feel. Other than that, the rest of the aspects of the Cherry MX Browns are like the Cherry MX Blues. Besides the fact that they also come in RGB LED lighting, there isn't much else to say about the Cherry MX Brown switches.
Cherry MX Blues
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Cherry MX Blue Facts
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Actuation Force
60cN
Actuation Point
2.0mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4.0mm
Behavior
Tactile
Noise Level
Loud
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Cherry MX Blues are one of the most audible click-style switches. With click-style switches, it tends to require more of an actuation force, as you can see above. Because of this actuation force, performing swiftly may be not be as suitable like other switches will provide. This is also due to the higher reset positions they have need of.
If you prefer the tactile feel, Cherry MX Blues also provide the 'bump' response with each key press. I've come across gamer friends that actually preferred blues more than Cherry MX Reds or Silvers. They liked hearing their key click because it was confirming that they were ready for the next movement. Another benefit for the Cherry MX Blue switch is the inability to painstakingly double tap your key when you don't mean to.
On the downside, they are so loud that it can be annoying after a period of time to the user, but also the people that the user could be playing with. If you have a sensitive mic, your friends will have to hear that 'click click' as you move or type into the lobby. I believe it's a great beginner switch, in a sense, but that's my opinion. They also come in RGB LED like the others. The consensus on Cherry MX Blues are varied. You're either die hard Blue or you're not a fan.
For the heavy handed gamer
While it is claimed the Silvers are in fact the best switch for gaming, that's for those who like the lighter typing feel! It's important to cover the entire basis of notorious gaming switches made by Cherry MX.
Cherry MX has created:
Cherry MX Green
Cherry MX Clear
Cherry MX Grey
Cherry MX Black
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Cherry MX Green Facts
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Actuation Force
80cN
Actuation Point
2.0mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4.0mm
Behavior
Tactile
Noise Level
Loud
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Cherry MX Green switches are the loud and more 'clicky' manner of the Cherry MX Blue. When you click the switch, you know that you have. Unlike it's counterpart, it's actuation force is more, creating a wonderful switch for gamers that don't like the light feel of the other Cherry MX Switches.
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Cherry MX Clear Facts
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Actuation Force
65cN
Actuation Point
2.0mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4.0mm
Behavior
Tactile
Noise Level
Quiet
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Cherry MX Clear switches are great middle-ground territory. You want more actuation force, but you don't want to go all the way up to 80cN. As well, you want a quiet and tactile switch! This is a switch of the happy in between of Cherry MX Browns and Greys. The tactile bump is more pronounced than the Brown and also higher resistance in order to prevent you from bottoming out.
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Cherry MX Grey Facts
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Actuation Force
80cN
Actuation Point
2.0mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4.0mm
Behavior
Tactile
Noise Level
Quiet
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Cherry MX Greys are a variant of the Cherry MX Brown switches. One of the most noted parts of the grey switches are the less audible feedback and their firm feel. They are also noted for having an increased actuation force in comparison to the Cherry MX Brown.
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Cherry MX Black Facts
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Actuation Force
60cN
Actuation Point
2.0mm
Tot. Travel Distance
4.0mm
Behavior
Linear
Noise Level
Quiet
Lifespan
50 million keystrokes
Cherry MX Blacks are the lightest of the heavier Cherry MX Switches. They are some of the best switches for the long run – those long games where you stay up all night long fragging or raiding with your friends. (It's also great for long term writing, by the way.) It's got a strong and smooth spring that guides the bottoming out. Some people have even compared it to some of the older IBM (as an example) keyboards. In fact, the Cherry MX Black is one of the oldest, starting in 1984.
Based on reviews, a lot of people who use the Cherry MX Green, Clear, Grey and Black like them as heavy handed typist keyboards or just heavy handed gamers. Not everyone is heavy handed and it can cause finger exhaustion – this is important to mention when gamers hold the shift button for longer periods of time.
This does not mean that these switches are not gaming switches. That is very important to note. Just from what I have collected, people do convey that these are great gaming switches for those who like to give a little 'umph' into their key press.
The rundown
For whatever game you play, from WoW to Fortnite, these switches are versatile and easy to use. Their swift reaction time is great for moving while waiting for your mana to fill back up again or to move out of the way while you're reloading. You need to look no farther than the Cherry MX Speed Silver.
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