Which Switches are Best For You? Kailh vs Cherry MX Switches

Kailh vs Cherry MX switches have long been a topic of debate among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Cherry MX switches originated in Germany in the 1980s, becoming popular for their durability and variety. Kailh, a Chinese company, emerged later, offering a range of switches at competitive prices while expanding the clicky switch market.

Types	Cherry MX Switches	Kailh Switches
Linear Switches	Regular Switches:  Red,  Black Speed: Silver Low Profile: Red, Speed Silver Silent Switches: Red, Black	Regular switches: Red Speed: Silver Low Profile: ML Choc Red Kailh Box: Red,  Dark Yellow, Black Pro: Pro Burgundy Silent Switches: Pink
Tactile Switches	Regular Switches: Brown, Clear, Grey	Regular switches:  Brown Speed: Copper, Gold Low Profile: ML Choc Brown Kailh Box: Brown,  Burnt Orange Pro: Pro Purple Silent Switches: Brown
Clicky Switches	Regular Switches: Blue, Green, White	Regular switches: Blue Speed: Bronze, Pink Low Profile: ML Choc White Kailh Box: White, Navy, Jade, Pale Blue Pro: Pro Light Green

Let’s discuss the Kailh Cherry clones, which perform almost identically to Cherry switches. First, we will discuss Kailh vs Cherry linear switches and their features!

Cherry MX Switches

Not only the one starting the mechanical switches ‘ wave but also Cherry MX is the top dog of this market, despite the non-stop coming of other promising switch brands.

Everything about the Cherry MX switches becomes the standard for the others, including the idea that each switch type goes with a certain color and the conventional design of plus-shaped stems.

	Linear Type	Tactile Type	Clicky Type
Standard	MX Red, MX Silent Red MX Black, MX Silent Black	MX Brown	MX Blue
Low-Profile	MX Low-Profile Red, MX Low-Profile Speed	MX Low-Profile Tactile	MX Low-Profile Click
Special	MX Speed Silver	MX Clear, MX Grey	MX Green

The Cherry MX Linear Switches

Technical Data:

	MX Red	MX Black	MX Speed Silver	MX Red Silent
Actuation Force (gf)	45	60	45	45
Travel Distance (mm)	2 - 4	2 - 4	1.2 - 3.4	1.9 - 3.7
Sound	No click	No click	No click	Silent
Life Cycle	100 million actuations	100 million actuations	100 million actuations	50 million actuations

Most of the products from Cherry MX are of the linear type. That is sufficient to get how popular those Cherry linear switches are. If the tactile and clicky switch has only one variant in the standard line, linear has two different variants, Red for light actuation force and Black for heavy typists.

Besides, they introduced special linear switches such as the Cherry MX Speed Silver  - one of the mega-fast switches currently, and Cherry Silent - for those who hate the typing sounds.

Cherry MX Tactile Switches

	MX Brown Tactile	MX Blue Clicky
Actuation Force (gf)	55	60
Travel Distance (mm)	2 - 4	2 - 4
Sound	No click	Audible click
Life Cycle	100 million actuations	50 million actuations

The tactile switches of Cherry MX are ones of the highest quality that you should not miss out on. The tactile bumpy feedback from the Brown tactile switches is phenomenal while that of Blue clicky is strong and sharp.

Furthermore, their durability and longevity are and will always stand at the top. There must be a reason for that much money we pay for those awesome Cherry tactile ones.

Apart from this brief introduction, we have a complete article about Cherry MX mechanical switches that you should check out. 

Kailh Switches

Among many brands that cloned Cherry MX mechanical switches, Kailh is able to stand out with its decent-quality and long product lines. Their first products are the exact copy of Cherry so not a surprise, but reasonable with that much money. However, later on, they launched their own lineups that are good enough to hype up the keyboard community.

Kailh tactile or linear switches are pretty nice to use, but the most loved ones are those Kailh clicky switches. With the ‘click bar’ method only Kailh has, clicky lovers usually come for it if they want a satisfying tactile response.

	Linear Type	Tactile Type	Clicky Type
Standard	Red, BOX Red, Black, BOX Black	Brown, BOX Brown	MX Blue, BOX Blue
Low-Profile	ML Choc Red	ML Choc Brown	ML Choc White
Speed	Speed Silver	Speed Copper, SPeed Gold	Speed Bronze
Pro	Pro Burgundy	Pro Purple	Pro Light Green

Kailh Linear Switches

	Kailh Red	Kailh Black
Actuation Force (gf)	50	60
Travel Distance (mm)	2 - 4	2 - 4
Sound	No click	No click
Life Cycle	50 million actuations	50 million actuations

Kailh has Red and Black switches as Cherry MX. Overall, their smoothness and tactility are quite good, enough to please beginners who are not familiar with the mechanical keyboard world. Moreover, there are a lot of actuation-force options to choose from, ranging from very heavy to very light.

Kailh Tactile Switches

	Kailh Brown Tactile	Kailh Blue Clicky
Actuation Force (gf)	50	50
Travel Distance (mm)	2 - 4	2 - 4
Sound	No click	Audible click
Life Cycle	50 million actuations	50 million actuations

Typically, Kailh also has Brown for tactile and Blue for Clicky but they do not stop from there. The brand provides people with many tactile and clicky versions like Kailh Speed Gold, Kailh Speed Bronze, and Kailh Pro Burgundy, to name but a few.

Regarding the clicky type, as we have mentioned above, Kailh’s options are of the best in the market. Thanks to a unique design, there is double feedback when pressing the key, making the whole typing experience peculiar.

Asides from this short overview, you should go read our article about Kailh, which covers almost mechanical switch lineups in detail.

Kailh vs Cherry Switches

The time for the truth is coming. Are you thrilled? Now, let’s discover the benefits and drawbacks of Kailh and Cherry MX switches.

Cherry MX Switches Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
1000 million keystrokes so it’s a promise to last with you for the longest time All the keyswitches are durable You can feel stable and consistent when typing Wide variety to choose from	The price is very high It has a limited option for the special lineups

Kailh Switches Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Very affordable switches Good quality that can satisfy a lot of people The BOX version achieves an IP56 rating More switch types to choose from than Cherry in the Speed and Silent collection	The regular lineup is not impressive Keyswitches have rattle issues Less durable than Cherry MX

Kailh vs Cherry Linear Switches (Kailh Cherry linear clones)

Both Kailh and Cherry linear switches are available in red, black, and silver, with Kailh's Cherry replicas appearing oddly scratched compared to the originals. Take a look at their tech specs in the table below!

Color	Cherry Linear Switches	Kailh Linear Switches
Red	Actuation Force: 45g Bottom-Out Force: 75g Actuation Distance: 2mm Travel Distance: 4mm	Actuation Force: 50g Bottom-Out Force: 66g Actuation Distance: 1.8mm Travel Distance: 3.6 ± 0.3mm
Black	Actuation Force: 60g Bottom-Out Force: 85g Actuation Distance: 2mm Travel Distance: 4mm	Actuation Force: 60g Bottom-Out Force: 70g Actuation Distance: 1.8mm Travel Distance: 3.6mm
Silver	Actuation Force: 45g Bottom-Out Force: 80g Actuation Distance: 1.2mm Travel Distance: 3.4mm	Actuation Force: 40g Bottom-Out Force: 70g Actuation Distance:  1.1 ± 0.3mm Travel Distance: 3.5 ± 0.3mm

In general, the specs of Kailh and Cherry mechanical switches are nearly similar in terms of travel distance and actuation force. However, Kailh Red requires 5g more force and it is also more rigid. Besides, Cherry MX Red switches also have a longer travel distance of 4mm, while Kailh ones have a shorter stroke at about 3.6mm. This difference can affect typing feel and gaming performance, with Cherry being slightly quieter overall.

Cherry Black linear switches feel heavier with a 60g actuation force and longer travel distance, great for typing precision. Kailh Black linear switches are lighter at 50g and have a shorter travel, making them responsive and ideal for fast-paced gaming.

Users praise Cherry Silver’s heavier actuation force (60g) for precise typing but note a firmer feel in gaming. In contrast, Kailh Linear switches with a lighter actuation (40g) provide a smoother, faster response, appreciated for gaming, though some find them too soft for extended typing.

Besides Red, Black, and Silver, Cherry MX also offers other linear switch options. Check out the table below to see the full lineup!

	Cherry MX Low Profile Red	Cherry MX Silent Red	Cherry MX Silent Black	Cherry MX Speed Silver	Cherry MX Low Profile Speed Silver
Actuation Force (g)	45	45	60	45	45
Bottom-Out Force (g)	75	75	85	80	80
Actuation Distance (mm)	2	2	2	1.2	1.2
Travel Distance (mm)	4	4	4	3.4	3.2
Feel/Sound	Smooth and extra quiet	Smooth and extra quiet	Smooth and quiet	Smooth and quiet	Smooth and quiet

Kailh provides several linear switch options beyond the regular Red, Black, and Silver for varied typing experiences.

	Kailh Box Red	Kailh Box Black	Kailh BOX Dark Yellow	Pro Burgundy Switch	Kailh ML Choc Red Low-profile Switch
Actuation Force (g)	45	60	70	50	50
Bottom-Out Force (g)	66	75	80	60	60
Actuation Distance (mm)	1.8 ± 0.3	1.8 ± 0.4	1.8 ± 0.4	1.7 ± 0.6	1.5 ± 0.3
Travel Distance (mm)	3.6 ± 0.3	3.6 ± 0.3	3.6 ± 0.3	3.6 ± 0.6	3.0 ± 0.3
Feel/Sound	Quiet	Low sound level	Low sound level	Low sound level	Low sound level

Kailh vs Cherry Tactile Switches (Kailh Cherry Tactile clones)

Brown is the only color that both the Cherry tactile switch and Kailh tactile switch are available. Let's see how they differ!

Color	Cherry Tactile Switches	Kailh Tactile Switches
Brown	Actuation Force: 55g Bottom-Out Force: 60g Actuation Distance: 2mm Travel Distance: 4mm	Actuation Force: 41g Bottom-Out Force: 60g Actuation Distance: 1.9mm Travel Distance: 4mm

Cherry Brown offers a bumpy feel with medium resistance, making them great for both typing and gaming. Besides, they require an actuation force of 55g and create a moderate sound, striking a nice balance for many users.

In contrast, Kailh Brown switches are smoother and easier to press, ideal for office and gaming use, requiring only 41g of actuation force. Both have the same bottom-out force but differ in actuation distance, with Cherry at 2mm and Kailh slightly shorter at 1.9mm.

Cherry also offers MX Clears and Greys for tactile fans. MX Clears provide a strong bump and 65g actuation, while MX Greys are heavier at 80g, offering intense feedback for heavy typists.

	Cherry MX Clear	Cherry MX Grey
Actuation Force (g)	65	80
Bottom-Out Force (g)	95	120
Actuation Distance (mm)	2	2
Travel Distance (mm)	4	4
Feel/Sound	Bumpy, moderately loud	Bumpy, moderately loud

Besides Brown in regular switches, Kailh tactile offers various other tactile options. Refer to the table below for the specifications of these different switch types.

	Kailh Box Brown	Kailh BOX Burnt Orange	Kailh BOX Silent Brown	Pro Purple Switch	Kailh Speed Copper	Kailh Speed Gold	Kailh Low Profile ML Choc Brown Switch
Actuation Force (g)	45	60	45	50	40	50	50
Bottom-Out Force (g)	55	80	60	60	62	60	60
Actuation Distance (mm)	1.8 ± 0.4	2.0 ± 0.4	1.8	1.7 ± 0.6	1.1 ± 0.3	1.4 ± 0.3	1.3 ± 0.3
Travel Distance (mm)	3.6 ± 0.3	3.6 ± 0.3	3.6 ± 0.3	3.6 ± 0.6	3.5 ± 0.3	3.5 ± 0.3	3.2 ± 0.25
Feel/Sound	Gentle	Quiet sound	Fairly silent	Medium	Gentle	Gentle	Medium sound level

Kailh vs Cherry Clicky Switches

If you’re a fan of clicky switches, Kailh vs Cherry both have you covered with Blue, Green, and White options for a distinct typing feel.

Color	Cherry Clicky Switches	Kailh Clicky Switches
Blue	Actuation Force: 60g Bottom-Out Force: 60g Actuation Distance: 2mm Travel Distance: 4mm	Actuation Force: 60g Bottom-Out Force: 60g Actuation Distance: 1.9mm Travel Distance: 4mm
Green	Actuation Force: 80g Bottom-Out Force: 90g Actuation Distance: 2.2mm Travel Distance: 4mm	Actuation Force: 75g Bottom-Out Force: 77g Actuation Distance: 1.7mm Travel Distance: 3.6 mm
White	Actuation Force: 80g Bottom-Out Force: 90g Actuation Distance: 2mm Travel Distance: 4mm	Actuation Force: 50g Bottom-Out Force: 60g Actuation Distance: 1.8mm Travel Distance: 3.6mm

Both Cherry vs Kailh Blue switches share a 60g actuation force and 4mm travel distance, but Kailh’s 1.9mm actuation distance gives a slightly quicker response for typing or gaming.

Cherry Green switches have a heavier actuation force of 80g, offering solid feedback, while Kailh Green switches are lighter at 75g, providing quicker response times, ideal for gaming. Cherry’s longer actuation distance of 2.2mm and travel distance of 4mm create a more tactile feel, while Kailh’s shorter 1.7mm actuation and 3.6mm travel make it easier to type quickly.

Cherry white switches require a heavier actuation force (80g) and have a longer travel distance (4mm), giving a robust feel for typing. In contrast, Kailh white switches are lighter (50g) with a shorter actuation distance (1.8mm), making them faster for gaming.

Kailh not only provides blue, green, and white color options for that satisfying clicky typing experience but also offers a variety of lines designed to enhance this enjoyable feature even more.

	Kailh Box White	Kailh Speed Bronze	Kailh Speed Pink	Pro Light Green Switch	Kailh BOX Navy	Kailh Low Profile ML Choc White Switch
Actuation Force (g)	45	50	50	50	75	50
Bottom-Out Force (g)	60	65	65	60	95	60
Actuation Distance (mm)	1.8 ± 0.3	1.1 ± 0.3	1.1 ± 0.4	1.7 ± 0.6	1.8 ± 0.4	1.5
Travel Distance (mm)	3.6 ± 0.3	3.5 ± 0.3	3.5 ± 0.4	3.6 ± 0.6	3.6 ± 0.3	3.0
Feel/Sound	Clicky	Clicky	Clicky	Loud	Loud	Audible

Kailh Original Switches: Are they good?

Kailh not only offers switches similar to Cherry but also has its own unique designs with BOX switch line products. They include the original BOX switches and the Kailh Silent BOX switches, which stand out among Cherry MX clones.

• Kailh BOX switches stand out with their box-shaped stem, offering great stability and minimal wobble. They’re a top pick for clicky-switch fans, though they can feel a bit scratchy. However, they’re tricky to modify and can’t be lubed due to a housing hole that might leak.

• Kailh Silent BOX switches use a unique circular stem instead of the usual BOX design. Their rubber dampening creates a soft, slightly rubbery typing feel. While this can be great for quiet typing, it might feel strange if you’re used to traditional mechanical switches.

Color	Types	Actuation Force	Actuation Point
Original BOX switches
Kailh BOX Dark Yellow	Linear	70g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX Black	Linear	60g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX Red	Linear	50g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX Burnt Orange	Tactile	60g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX White	Clicky	50g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX Navy	Clicky	75g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX Jade	Clicky	65g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX Pale Blue	Clicky	60g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX Silent Switches
Kailh BOX Silent Pink	Linear	35g	1.8mm
Kailh BOX Silent Brown	Tactile	45g	1.8mm

These switches feature a unique design with an outer box surrounding the stem and an inner box protecting the metal leaf. This design makes them much more stable and eliminates the scratchy feel found in earlier clones. Additionally, the box keeps out dust and moisture, helping the switches last longer.

Kailh BOX switch lines also offer a wide variety of weight forces to suit different preferences. The typing experience is fantastic - there’s no wobbling or mushiness, just solid feedback with every keystroke. We recommend the BOX line for anyone looking for a great typing experience!

Check out the table below for a clear summary of the pros and cons of Kailh BOX switches, helping you decide if they're right for you.

Pros	Cons
Stable design, minimal wobble Dust and moisture resistant Variety of weight options Solid, satisfying typing feedback Great for clicky-switch lovers	Scratchy feel for some users Difficult to modify or lube Silent BOX switches feel rubbery Not ideal for traditional switch fans

In addition to Kailh switches, Gateron is also considered a worthy alternative for those who want a smoother typing experience than the original Cherrys. If you want to learn more, we have a complete guide on Gateron switches that you might find helpful!

So, are Kailh Box switches better than Gateron’s? Overall, Gateron is smoother and softer and Kailh Box is sharper and faster. Read this article to see the difference between Kailh Box vs Gateron in the most detail!

Kailh vs Cherry MX Switches: Which should you choose?

Factors	Cherry MX Switches	Kailh Switches
Typing experience	Consistent, smooth feel	Slightly scratchy
Gaming experience	Best for fast-paced gaming	Balanced for gaming/office
Sound	Smooth, consistent options	Crisp, diverse sound
Availability	Accessible through various retailers and online platforms	Available on online platforms, retailers
Durability	Better with a lifespan of 100 million keystrokes	Less durable with a lifespan of 60 million keystrokes
Stability	Consistent, tight stem fit	Slight less consistent
Variety of options	Fewer switch types	Broad range (BOX, Speed, etc.)
Price	More expensive	Affordable, budget-friendly

Typing experience

Cherry MX switches are known for their smooth, consistent typing experience, making them popular among gamers and typists. In contrast, Kailh switches can feel scratchy and less reliable, leading to a less satisfying typing experience.

Gaming experience

When comparing Kailh and Cherry MX switches for gaming, Cherry MX switches, like the Red and Speed Silver, are known for their speed. The Cherry MX Red has a 45g actuation force and 2mm actuation, making it light and fast, ideal for gaming. The Speed Silver is even quicker with a 1.2mm actuation and 3.4mm travel, perfect for fast-paced games.

In contrast, Kailh switches offer a good balance for both gaming and office use, with various types catering to different preferences.

Sound

Cherry MX switches are known for their smooth and consistent sounds, with options like the quiet MX Silent and the clicky MX Blue. In contrast, Kailh switches offer a wider variety of sounds, including unique options like the Kailh Box switches, which can be crisp and satisfying.

Plus, Kailh also has its own Silent switches, which are equipped with rubber dampening on the stem to reduce key impact noise. These Kailh switches make them ideal for quiet office environments or late-night gaming sessions without disturbing family members. Overall, Kailh provides more diverse auditory experiences.

Now, let’s take a listen to the sound of Cherry’s Standard, Silent, and Speed switches to hear how each one sounds and feels!

Let’s dive into the sound of Kailh switches - Box, Regular, and Speed - in this test, revealing how each type makes your keyboard feel and sound unique!

Availability

Both are widely accessible through various retailers and online platforms. Cherry, being a longstanding brand, often has a broader presence in mainstream keyboards and accessories. Kailh, known for its diverse switch options, is also readily available, especially among custom keyboard enthusiasts seeking unique switch types such as the "Kailh Box" switches.

Durability

When comparing Kailh and Cherry MX switches, Kailh switches are known for their impressive lifespan of 60 million keystrokes. However, Cherry MX switches take the crown with an even longer lifespan of 100 million keystrokes. While both are durable and reliable, Cherry MX may be the better choice for those who prioritize longevity in their keyboard.

Stability

Cherry MX switches are often considered to have a more consistent feel across different switch types within their line, with a slightly tighter stem fit contributing to stability as well.

However, Kailh box switch lines generally offer greater stability due to their "box" design stem, which provides more resistance to wobble and keycap rocking, making them particularly stable compared to standard Cherry MX switches.

Variety of options

Cherry MX switches offer a solid range of options, typically featuring main types like Red, Brown, and Blue, each catering to different preferences. In contrast, Kailh switches, including Kailh Box variants, provide a wider variety with numerous tactile, linear, and clicky options, appealing to a wider audience.

Price

Genuine Cherry MX switches are more expensive than Kailh switches, typically ranging from $0.50 to $1 per switch, reflecting their premium quality. In contrast, Kailh switches are more budget-friendly, generally costing between $0.30 and $0.50 per switch, depending on the model. This makes Kailh an attractive option for those seeking quality switches at a lower price point.

Cherry MX vs Kailh switches are both great options, but your choice really depends on your personal preferences and budget. Cherry MX switches, like the popular MX Red, Black, and Brown, are known for their smooth performance and reliability, making them a safe investment despite being a bit more expensive.  On the flip side, Kailh Box switches are fantastic for those who love clicky feedback, with models like Box Jade, Box Pink, and Box Navy offering unique sounds and great stability at a more affordable price.

Conclusion

Kailh and Cherry MX have truly awesome mechanical switches but of course, the clones cannot win over the original. In short, we think the Cherry dupes from Kailh are nice given the price but not special enough to put Cherry and its clones on hold.

Nevertheless, Kailh BOX switches are a different matter. With good prices and superb quality, you should put them on your list. We truly mean it.

This long journey of Cherry MX vs Kailh is finally closed. Have you picked up your right one yet?

FAQs

Where does Cherry MX come from?

Cherry MX is a brand from Germany.

Where does Kailh come from?

Kailh is from China, by an electronic company.

Are Kailh switches compatible with Cherry MX?

Yes, they are as they share the same stem design. But, the Kailh BOX switches are not due to their covering box. 

Are Kailh switches better than Cherry?

No, they are not since Cherry MX has a better build, resulting in stability, durability, longevity and is the first-rate in the mechanical switch market.

Are Kailh switches Cherry MX style?

Yes, they are. The regular lineup with Red, Brown, Blue, and Black switches has an identical build, especially the cross-shaped stem and similar technical data.