Keyboard Switches Explained: Blue, Red, or Brown?

“Which switches should I get?” is the first question when it comes to a mechanical keyboard. The answer depends on how and where you type.

The Three Basic Switch Types, Explained Briefly

Mechanical switches can be roughly divided into three types: linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear means the key travel from top to bottom feels uniform, without a noticeable point of resistance. Tactile creates a small, perceptible resistance exactly at the point where the key actuates. Clicky creates an audible click in addition to the perceptible resistance at that point. The color designations (Red, Brown, Blue) have become an informal standard for these three types, across manufacturers.

Red Switches: Linear and Quiet

Red switches are linear and actuate with relatively low resistance, usually around 45 grams of actuation force. Without a clicking sound or a perceptible pressure point, they are the quietest option among mechanical switches. However, many people miss the feedback that indicates when a key has actually been actuated when typing.

Blue Switches: Clicky and Loud

Blue switches provide the most pronounced feedback: a clear, perceptible pressure point combined with a loud, audible click with each key press. Many people find this particularly precise for typing. In an open-plan office or at a shared desk, blue switches are almost always the wrong choice – the clicking will disturb not only your colleagues but often yourself as well.

Brown Switches: The Compromise for the Office

Brown switches are tactile, but without the audible click of the blue variant. You feel the actuation point when typing, without it producing a loud noise – a middle ground that provides more feedback than red switches, but remains quieter than blue. That’s why brown switches are by far the most common choice for office keyboards.

Why Dampened Switches Make a Difference

Dampened switches, often with the addition of “Silent” in the name, have small dampers in the switch. They cushion the key press and the return, making even a linear or tactile switch noticeably quieter. For open-plan offices and video calls, this is often a bigger benefit than choosing between red and brown.

Our Assessment

If you type a lot and sit in an office or at a shared desk, brown switches are the best choice – feedback when typing, without disturbing the surroundings. Red switches are worthwhile primarily when speed in gaming is more important than typing feedback. We would only recommend blue switches if the keyboard is exclusively used in a private, separate room. The Keychron K2 Pro is available with various switches: Pay attention to the designation of the variant and the German ISO layout when purchasing.