What's the Difference Between Blue, Red, and Brown Keyboard Switches?

Whether you are a gamer, typing enthusiast, or streamer, a keyboard that caters to your needs is essential. Mechanical keyboards are highly customizable and provide broad varieties that facilitate users' specific needs. It is the best type of keyboard that primarily relies on a switch component that determines its operability. There are plenty of options in mechanical keyboard switches varying in brand, feel, response, height, lubrication, dust-proof, noiseless, clicky, tactile, and whatnot. Manufacturers try to give the sense of a switch by marking them as blue, red, and brown. But how do you decide which is the best for you?

This article will dive into what these colors mean and their differences. What can a user do to get the on-hand feel of each type without spending a fortune? We will also mention some tips for specific use scenarios and provide details of which switch is best for what kind of users. Let's continue to the next section for more insight!

1. What are Keyboard Switches?

Every keyboard has a mechanism that provides force to initiate a keypress, the distance at which it registers a keypress, overtravel length, and then the release force returning it to the initial position. All these mechanisms depend on the type of keyboard. There are mainly two types: membrane and mechanical keyboards. We will focus on mechanical keyboards as they are the best for gaming and typing enthusiasts.

Mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches to perform all the above mechanisms. It consists of a stem, spring, metal contact leaves, slider, and housing. Many manufacturers produce switches, such as Cherry MX, Outemu, Gateron, and Kailh. Some brands like Razer, Logitech, and SteelSeries also make custom switches, but they are device-specific and not customizable.

While Cherry MX is widely considered to be the top manufacturer of switches, for the purposes of our discussion, we will focus on the merits of Outemu, since it offers an exceptional price-to-performance ratio and has the most variety with maximum customization capability.

2. Why do Keyboard Switches Come in Different Colors?

Colors represent the overall feel of the keyboard's mechanical switch. There are switch types, and then there is a color subcategory. We will mention the types of switches later. Color represents sound, force for actuation, travel length for actuation, overtravel, and return force. Here are some examples with their feel and best-use scenarios:

Outemu Blue Switches

Type: Regular

Feel: Clicky

Actuation Force: 46g

Bottom Out Force: 60g

Travel Limit: 2.2mm

Bottom Out Distance: 4mm

Best Use: Casual Gaming and Typing Enthusiasts

These are the most popular type of keyboard switches as they are tactile and provide an audible click. Casual gamers prefer this type as it gives them a sense of feedback and affirmation. The key does not bottom out with blue switches, which is more comfortable for typists and gamers alike.

Outemu Red Switches

Type: Regular

Feel: Linear

Actuation Force: 47g

Bottom Out Force: 60g

Travel Limit: 2mm

Bottom Out Distance: 4mm

Best Use: Competitive Gamers and Silent Users

Red linear switches are the favorites of professional gamers. The rapid response and smooth movement of red switches are ideal for competitive conditions. The keycap will move linearly with no tactile or audible click. They are not as satisfying to type on compared to blue and brown switches. Therefore, we would not recommend them to the typing enthusiasts. However, in places where a quiet environment is vital, red switches provide the ideal silent operation.

Outemu Brown Switches

Type: Regular

Feel: Clicky

Actuation Force: 46g

Bottom Out Force: 60g

Travel Limit: 2.2mm

Bottom Out Distance: 4mm

Best Use: Office and Industrial Environment

Compared to the blue and red colors, brown switches are somewhere in the middle. They are not loud and tactile like the blue switch. Neither are they linear and fast like red switches. These are the best types for office environments and data entry operators that perform long typing sessions. It gives less fatigue while ensuring a satisfactory click.

Other Colors

The list of colors does not end here. Outemu has black, green (teal), purple, silver, orange, gold, golden pink, sky, ocean and more. As we mentioned earlier, each of them has their unique characteristics. In addition, these are only some of the colors that Outemu offers. There are different types of switches with designs meant for specific use. Take a look at the next section to understand.

3. Types of Switches

There is around 8 type of switches that Outemu offers, and each of them has its unique feel and purpose. Each of the following categories has a subdivision in terms of colors. The variety is unprecedented:

Regular Switches

These are the most common types of mechanical switches as they are very similar to other manufacturers like Cherry MX and Kailh. Many keyboards and keycaps are 100% compatible with these switches. MEETION mechanical keyboard MK007 PRO features the same switches that are also hot-swappable for maintenance. Regular switches are best if you want broader compatibility and easy after-market availability for repair.

Low-Profile Switches

Keyboards that are slim and meant to be travel-friendly utilize the low height of a low-profile switch, which provide tactical, clicky, and linear options like a regular switch. Outemu produces high-quality, low-profile, slightly higher than a Cherry MX switch.

Dust-proof Switches

Sometimes, working in an industrial or open area where keeping dust away from computer components is challenging. Outemu has a dust-proof mechanical switch lineup that prevents fine particles from entering the switch and damaging the mechanism.

ICE Switches

These are transparent Outemu’s premium switches for high-end devices. They have a higher degree of manufacturing accuracy and offer Ice Light Purple, Ice Dark Purple, Ice Grey, and Ice Clear. All of them have designs for tactile functionality.

Silent Switches

Each brand in the market offers a range of silent switches, and Outemu switches present a cost-effective and quiet performance, which are widely available in the aftermarket. They can feel a bit mushy, like a membrane keyboard, but a simple addition of lubrication can altogether remove the feeling.

GAOTE Switches

There are Oetumu switches that use the word GAOTE as a prefix. It indicates that the switches are of regular type but have a superior quality for better accuracy. It also presents the name of the Outemu switch manufacturer, Dongguan Gaote Electronics.

Cream Switches

If you want a smooth performance in rough situations, then cream switches are an excellent choice. They combine dust-proof characteristics with ultra-slick key movement. And the switch comes pre-lubed and sealed to protect the mechanism from fine particles.

Milk Switches

Milk, as the name suggests, has the purpose of providing a smooth typing experience. It is reasonably priced and comes factory-lubricated. They work with most conventional hot-swap circuits with three distinct colors and activation forces.

*TIP: If you are confused about which switch is best for you, then order a keyboard mechanical switch tester with the switches that you desire to test. Pick out the best switch and order for all your keyboard keys.

Let's take the color blue for making a table that represents all the types of mechanical switches. It will help our reader understand their specific differences:

4. Conclusion

Considering all the types and colors of a mechanical switch, Outemu has options for every kind of user. Cherry MX and Kailh also provide equally good opportunities, but they are generally on the higher side regarding the price tag. A powerful keyboard like the MEETION mechanical keyboard MK005BT is ideal for portability and performance. Packed with Outemu blue switches, it provides good customization options and an excellent layout.

If you are aiming for an elite experience, then go for the Outemu GAOTE type switches and pick the color you consider best for your needs. So what are you waiting for? Pick the best switch for your device! Visit the MEETION mechanical keyboard for high-end mechanical keyboards with Outemu switches.