Is it true that Cherry MX Browns are so bad?
Cherry MX Browns are a switch with a long and glorious history.
Although that MX Brown is one of the most popular and widely available switches, it is also one of the most disliked and mocked in the mechanical keyboard community.
Is it really necessary to dump Cherry MX Browns down the toilet? Or are they simply a victim of toxic people, irritating meme culture, and an echo chamber of stupidity, misunderstood and bullied?
What are MX Brown switches?
Cherry MX Brown is a light tactile switch that is designed to represent the middle ground between the Cherry MX Red and Blue switches.
The Brown switches from Cherry have a 55g actuation force and a 60g bottom-out. It is, in fact, a pretty steady weight.
The tactile bump is smoother and more gentle than the clicky blue switch’s tactile force.
Although the peak force needed to trigger an MX Brown switch is more than on the red linear switch, the feel is somewhat less smooth.
They’re “focused and noticeable,” according to Cherry, and they’re the “perfect switch for precision typing.”
The MX Brown appears to be a really appealing switch in idea and design.
The MX Brown really sounds better on paper than it does on a keyboard.
Are MX Browns a bad switch?
MX Browns are not a bad switch. This isn’t to say they’re wonderful; it just means they’re not as bad as the alternative.
To suggest that any switch is fundamentally, objectively “bad” is absolutely sarcastically, contritely, ignorantly, and pedantically ridiculous.
While Cherry MX Browns do not have the same strength, responsiveness, or tactile feel as a Holy Panda, T1, they are a viable alternative if Cherry Reds are too light.
One of the most common complaints with Cherry Reds as well as light linear switches is that resting your fingertips on keys can result in an unintentional key press.
Even carelessly touching your finger across the keys can produce an actuation.
The Cherry MX Brown provides a little extra resistance at the peak of the key press, reducing the likelihood of typing errors.
For people near you, Cherry Blues may be too loud, and for you, it may be too wobbly.
Cherry MX Brown provides a similar level of resistance and spring weight.
Browns are much smoother than the gritty feel of normal Blueberry switches, yet they are not as smooth as a normal Cherry Red.
What’s to dislike if the MX Brown is your only option, or your first switch?
You’ve never felt a “proper” switch, let alone a stronger tactile response.
Maybe you only want a switch to help you improve the accuracy and prefer a softer, more subtle tactile bump.
When you compare it to the more powerful – stronger tactile switches, as well as versions of the same design as the Gateron Brown or Kailh Box Brown, you can see why the MX Brown is labeled a “dirty linear.”
Why do so many users hate Cherry MX Browns?
MX Browns have been stigmatized and mocked as the toilet-tier switch since the growth of mechanical gaming keyboards and fan keyboard communities like Reddit, geek hack, etc. in the last decade.
MX Browns have been called a scratchy linear or dirty Red, although they were once considered the “safe” and even the ideal and recommended alternative.
It is usual for a community or a family to make fun of something in a friendly, lovable way.
In an effort to care via criticisms, to express compassion by making fun of self-conscious qualities.
What else are friends for if not to call out every weakness, error, and inadequacy, no matter how minor or insignificant? Surely, it’s all out of love.
But there is truth in every joke and critique.
Why do people think that the MX Browns are so bad?
MX Sand is the common name for Cherry Browns. Sand is hated by most people. It’s all scratchy, rough, and irritable, and it’s all over the place.
But what is the reason for the mockery?
Mediocrity at its pinnacle
It’s not smooth enough to be considered a linear. It’s not tactile enough to be considered a clicky. It’s not even tactile enough to qualify as such. What a disgusting steaming heap of switch.
You were the one who was picked. You were supposed to bring the tactile force back into equilibrium, not leave it in the dark.
The MX Brown and tactile switch are intended to motivate you to switch to a mechanical keyboard theoretically and concept.
The Brown switch is a bad excuse for an envoy because it is the gateway switch to a long journey and many people’s first introduction to the mechanical keyboard world.
Instead of providing membrane users with a fresh, clear, quick tactility that makes them cry and revel in its magnificence, the MX Brown provides a dull, unnoticeable, and otherwise uninteresting experience.
The issue is that no one forgets their first love.
Especially when the situation is as horrible as it is.
The most of us in the community went from OEM membrane keyboard that came with your PC, was usually a 2nd keyboard, or was even purchased with actual money (how horrible!)
A membrane keyboard, in fact, is extremely tactile.
So tactile, in fact, that it outperforms even a Holy Panda or T1 switch about tactile force.
The issue is that every keypress on a membrane keyboard has a very floppy, squishy feel to it.
If you’re coming from a membrane keyboard, and you’re looking for anything to amaze you and tempt you away from it…
A Cherry MX Brown will most likely disappoint you.
What about the other Cherry Switches?
The Cherry MX Browns might not even be “tactile enough,” but neither are the others popular.
What is the community’s opinion on them? Remove every switch for the sake of great justice.
When compared to Gateron Yellows, MX Reds are just too lightweight and the springs aren’t suited for linear switches.
When compared to a Kailh Box Clickbar, MX Blues and Whites are too shaky, and the clicks are intended for weak chilly people.
MX Greens? If you’re advocating “greens” as a worthwhile clicky switch, you must know what you’re talking about.
To be called a tactile switch, MX Clears must have their springs replaced.
To be called the only valid MX switch, MX Blacks must be extremely old and worn. Highly priced tatty old plastic and spring steel are referred to as “Vintage MX Blacks.” There’s a reason they don’t produce them like they used to, boomer.
Silent Cherry Switches? You might as well go back to membrane if you prefer mushy switches.
Don’t even get me going on the MX Grey and MX Speed switches, which are both very bad.
Read more: Cherry MX Switch Guide
Are Cherry MX Switches Bad?
Clearly, not every switch is bad. Obviously, not every switch may be considered objectively terrible.
Cherry switches aren’t intrinsically bad, but after losing the patents, several clones have appeared in the recent decade, including options from JWK, Kailh, and Gateron.
Cherry’s switches are still more expensive than the competitors, charging as much as $1 per switch, despite the fact that the competition offers cheaper but superior solutions.
Persecution and practicality can sometimes go together.
Why you should try Cherry MX Brown Switches
Browns are really popular.
Despite what the meme-lords and noisy minority would have you believe, MX Browns have consistently been voted “best MX-style mechanical switch” in various polls, including this one from Drop and other communities.
Pre-built keyboards, which were dominant until recently, owing to Glorious and their rebirth of the hotswap custom keyboard, are abundantly available in MX Browns.
Because they are so widely available and used, they are, without a doubt, the most popular switch.
Browns is where most folks begin, and while it is the switch that people move away from the most, it is also the switch that many people return to.
MX Browns are available in a variety of popular keyboards.
Why are they so popular?
The MX Browns are the “safe bet.” They’re one of the most popular switches since you can tell right away if you like it, or if you’d like something smoother or even something more tactile and clicky.
But enjoying a typing experience is about more than simply the switch and the keycap that lies on top.
MX Browns are a common addition to prebuilt keyboards from major brands like Logitech, Corsair, Filco, Leopold, etc.
Cherry MX is used by even smaller, community-approved manufacturers like Varmilo and Ducky.
However, there is a significant difference between these two brands. The lack of quality that almost always comes with profit-driven mass-production is the difference.
Cut-corner keyboards are very popular in gaming keyboards and mainstream keyboards that are widely available and mass manufactured.
Stabilizers are shaky and rattle with each press.
Steel plates that are used to add weight to a somewhat low-cost structure.
Cheap, thin keycaps that “do the job” yet highlight all flaws.
Hollow plastic housings that bounce and amplify the reverb from the cheap plate.
While a hobbyist could tweak all of these items, the average user or gamer is unlikely to have the knowledge or inclination to do so, especially if it involves voiding the warranty.
Regardless of the switch used, all of these cost-cutting techniques add up to a poor typing and gaming experience.
You’d have a same bad time with the MX Red, Blue, or even Vintage Blacks.
Using a quality switch like the Gateron Black Ink or Holy Panda would highlight all of the keyboard’s shortcomings even more prominently and painfully.
Despite of switch, mass-produced gaming keyboards have always been awful.
Not all of the prebuilt Brown keyboard are bad.
Browns aren’t bad, but can they be great?
As previously said, several people enjoy modifying the Cherry MX Clear.
You’ve essentially produced an Ergo Clear switch by swapping the MX Brown stem with a Cherry MX Clear stem.
This is the same housing and spring as the Cherry MX Brown, but with a greater bump that feels more like a true tactile switch.
However, you don’t want to work a ton of works to make Brown a great switch.
To make your Brown experience a little smoother and more pleasurable, all you need is a little lubricant in the correct spots.
You’ll love the MX Browns if you pair them with beautiful thick keycaps, a well-built keyboard with sound absorption and good stabilizers.
Conclusion
MX Browns may be the puny, dumb middle child who is harassed by everyone, but their anger is usually based on some profound weakness within them.
Browns are perfectly good. Browns can actually be beneficial to your health. Look into your feelings; you know it’s true.
