Glorious Gateron, Linear Silent - Brown Switches

Product Information

With a lifespan of 60 million keystrokes, you should get plenty of time out of these switches before they start to break down, but compared to Cherry MX, that’s not very impressive. We require all brands to provide us with proof of any certifications they say they have. The onus is still on them of course. If a manufacturer cannot produce for example their RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) when they are supposed to be able to, we will not work with them. While we do not know of all licenses, permits, and certifications, we try our best to keep an eye out.

Kailh Box Brown switches are a cool option because the actual shape of the stem is a bit different. While being Cherry MX clones, Gateron’s main switch lineup does differ slightly from Cherry MX. Gateron switches are typically smoother due to a slightly smaller stem which can make using a Gateron linear switch much more enjoyable than a Cherry MX one. The benefits of this switch design are the fact that they allow a mechanical keyboard to be designed to be thinner and have a shorter actuation distance, which is in theory is faster for gaming. One of our favorite keyboards out-fitted with Gateron low-profile switches is the Keychron K1v4. Which Gateron Switch is the Best? Brown switches are named that way because the color of the stem is brown. The stem is the section of the switch that moves up and down on each keystroke. Best Use For Brown SwitchesWhen gaming, you want a switch that is light and fast actuating. For that reason, linear switches, such as a red switchare preferred. If you are playing a non-competitive game however, the type of switch you use won’t matter too much. For that reason, if you’re thinking about getting a Gateron switch we recommend going with a linear actuating switch. That being said, if you work in a super quiet office, your keyboard may stand out a little bit. The brown switches are not most quiet option, unless you go for a Gateron Silent Brown. Otherwise, a linear switch is your best bet as they produce the least amount of noise. This makes optical switches a really good option for gaming because the faster actuation can help boost your competitive level. Those extra milliseconds can make a difference in a game where you need to have a really fast reaction time.

There are a ton of different brown switch options out there. Let’s take a look at the most popular ones and talk about the specifications and benefits of each switch. Cherry MX Brown Type: Tactile They also tend to be scratchier than other brown switch options and produce a metallic tinging noise. It’s speculated that the switch feels and sounds this way due to the tight tolerancing of Cherry MX switches. Others use low-profile switches purely for gaming purposes because of the lower actuation distance, but based on a test that I did, I found no improvement when using a shorter actuation distance for gaming. The sound levels with a silent switch are significantly lower, in a test we found that silent switches are 16% more quiet than a normal switch. The Gateron Red and the Gateron browns have the excellent build quality, and the Gateron brand manufactures them.The bump also prevents you from bottoming-out, which happens when you press the key too hard and slam it down into the keyboard. Bottoming-out is common for those who are new to mechanical switches and choose a switch such as a red option. Brown switches are tactile. They have a slight bump on each keystroke which makes them excellent for typing and programming but they are not the best for gaming. Brown switches produce a moderate amount of noise. The Cherry MX Brown switch is considered extremely high quality. The switch has a lifespan of 100 million keystrokes, which means you can use this switch for years without worrying about it breaking down.