Last Updated: August 19, 2026
Switch choice is the single biggest factor in how a mechanical keyboard feels and sounds, more than the case material, the keycaps, or even the switch brand’s marketing copy. Whether you’re building a hot-swap board from scratch or replacing a handful of switches on an existing one, understanding the difference between clicky, tactile, and linear mechanisms will save you from buying twice.
Below we compare six of the most relevant switch options on the market right now, from premium German-engineered kits to budget-friendly clones that punch well above their price point. We’ll break down feel, sound, and which use cases each one actually suits.
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📄 In This Review
Watch: Mechanical Keyboard Switches Explained: Cherry MX vs Gateron vs Kailh 2026 — Video Review
Quick Verdict
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If you want the gold standard for tactile typing feedback, the CHERRY MX2A Brown Switch Kit is the safest all-around pick for both work and light gaming. If you’re not sure which switch type suits you, start with the CHERRY MX2A Experience Box before committing to 36 or more of any single switch. Budget builders should look at the Outemu Blue or Outemu Red packs, which deliver 80-90% of the premium feel at a fraction of the cost.
Key Differences
- Actuation force: Outemu Red switches actuate at just 45gf, CHERRY MX2A Browns and Falcons sit around 55gf tactile peak, and MX2A Blues require roughly 60gf to click through.
- Feedback type: Blues (CHERRY and Outemu) give an audible click plus tactile bump, Browns and Outemu Blues without the click give tactile-only feedback, and Reds are smooth linear with no bump at all.
- Noise level: Clicky switches are 8-10dB louder than linear ones in practice, which matters a lot in shared offices or open-plan apartments.
- Build quality and pin count: CHERRY MX2A switches use 5-pin PCB mounting with tighter stem tolerances for less wobble, while Outemu’s 3-pin switches need a bit more care during hot-swap installation.
- Sampling vs. committing: The Experience Box gives you 10 pieces across multiple switch types for about the price of a coffee run, versus committing to a 36-piece kit sight unseen.
- Price per switch: Outemu packs typically run under $1 per switch, while CHERRY MX2A kits land closer to $1.50-$2 per switch for the OEM quality bump.
CHERRY MX2A RGB Brown Switch Kit
The MX2A Brown is the switch most people should default to if they split time between typing and gaming. It retains CHERRY’s signature tactile bump at around 55gf actuation without the click noise, making it office-friendly while still giving your fingers clear feedback on each keystroke. The MX2A generation specifically addressed the scratchiness and stem wobble that some users noticed in older MX Browns, so the travel feels noticeably smoother out of the box.
Each kit ships with 36 switches, enough to fully populate a 60% or TKL board with a few spares left over for future repairs. If you’re building a hot-swap keyboard and want one switch type that won’t fatigue your ears or your coworkers, this is the least risky choice on this list.
CHERRY MX Falcon Switch Kit
The Falcon is CHERRY’s heavy-tactile option, built for typists who find Browns a bit too subtle. It’s described as “heavy-tactile,” and in practice that means a firmer, more pronounced bump partway through the keystroke, similar in spirit to switches like Zealios but with CHERRY’s manufacturing consistency behind it. There’s no audible click, so it stays reasonably quiet despite the extra resistance.
This switch suits writers, programmers, and anyone doing long typing sessions who wants strong physical confirmation that a key registered, without tipping into clicky-switch territory. At 36 switches per kit, it’s a direct drop-in replacement for a full keyboard build.
Which Should You Buy?
- Choose the CHERRY MX2A Blue Kit if you love loud, satisfying clicks and don’t share a workspace.
- Choose the CHERRY MX2A Experience Box if you’ve never tried multiple switch types and want to test before buying 36+ of one kind.
- Choose the MX Falcon Kit if standard Browns feel too soft and you want a heavier tactile bump.
- Choose the Outemu Blue or Red 20-packs if you’re on a budget or just need spares for a repair rather than a full rebuild.
- Choose the MX2A Brown Kit if you want the safest, most versatile daily-driver switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CHERRY MX2A switches worth the extra cost over Outemu clones?
For daily typing over years of use, yes. CHERRY’s tighter manufacturing tolerances mean less stem wobble and more consistent actuation across all 36 switches in a kit. Outemu switches are genuinely good for the price, but you’ll notice more unit-to-unit variance.
Can I mix switch types on one keyboard?
Yes, this is common on hot-swap boards. Many builders use tactile or clicky switches on letter keys and linear switches on modifiers, or vice versa. Just make sure your board’s hot-swap sockets support the pin count (3-pin or 5-pin) of whichever switches you’re using.
What’s the difference between tactile and clicky switches?
Both have a physical bump partway through the keystroke that signals actuation. Clicky switches add a mechanical click sound on top of that bump, while tactile switches like the MX2A Brown or Falcon give you the same feedback silently.
How many switches do I need for a full keyboard?
A full-size board needs around 104-108 switches, a TKL needs about 87, and a 60% board needs roughly 61-68. That’s why 36-piece kits are usually sold in pairs, or paired with a second kit for larger layouts.
Final Verdict
For most people building or upgrading a mechanical keyboard in 2026, the CHERRY MX2A Brown Switch Kit remains the best balance of feel, sound, and reliability. If you’re still deciding what you like, spend a little extra on the Experience Box first, and if budget is the deciding factor, the Outemu packs are a genuinely solid fallback rather than a compromise.
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