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. We’ve tested out hundreds of switches, so we’ll also give you our thoughts on each style of Gateron switch to help you give an idea of how they feel and sound (along with our opinions). Gateron Switches: A Deeper Look Activation Point – this indicates at which point the switch is pressed down hard enough to translate information from keyboard to computer. Most switches will have an actuation point of around 2mm unless the switch is low-profile, in which case the activation point is shorter. This pressure point is measured in millimeters (mm). Travel Distance – the travel distance of a switch is the distance from the top of the key (un-pressed) to the bottom of the key (when pressed all the way down.) The point at which the switch is fully bottomed out is the end of the travel distance. It is also measured in millimeters (mm).

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. If you are playing a non-competitive game however, the type of switch you use won’t matter too much. The hallmark differences of the Ink switches are the clear smoky housing, different plastic material, lower pitch sound, and smoother feel. Brown switches only produce a moderate amount of noise so they can be a good option for the office and you won’t have to worry too much about how loud the keyboard is.

With the seemingly absent tactile bump, typing on them felt flat and boring. Why offer a so called – “tactile switch” when tactility is the least important aspect? I don’t understand. At this point, its smoothness is what’s keeping it below a 5/10. The feel of the Gateron Brown switches is similar to Cherry MX Browns but they just aren’t as durable. Gateron Optical Brown Type: Tactile 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 way the switch is held together is also a bit strange. Instead of four clips holding the upper and lower housing together, it has two large clips. This makes it difficult to open them up if you want to lubricate the switches or install switch film. Gateron switches are a clone switch, but they are considered mid-tier. They aren’t the cheapest but are still a fraction of the price of Cherry MX.

The 45g keypress is very minimal and hence is a great thing to have. Are the Gateron Brown Switches Good? https://youtu.be/Xq3mtW3B5F0 Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Anne Pro 2 Gateron Brown Review – Best 60% Mechanical Keyboard! (https://youtu.be/Xq3mtW3B5F0) 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. Overall, the ink switches are a great way to get a different colored housing and a super smooth keystroke if you’re willing to pay the premium. Gateron Low-Profile Switches COLOR The Gateron specialty switches are where things get especially interesting. The different housing designs of the Milk and Ink switches really bring a unique design to the playing field and allows Gateron to show everybody they are more than just a Cherry MX clone company.The Gateron red switches and the Gateron Brown switches can be used for intensive gaming, easily performing well there. They are durable enough to handle regular tasks and gaming. Typing Experience The Gateron Red and the Gateron browns have the excellent build quality, and the Gateron brand manufactures them. For that reason, if you’re thinking about getting a Gateron switch we recommend going with a linear actuating switch.

The plastic is different for the Inks although Gateron will not release the specifics. We can tell by the feel that the plastic most likely has a lower coefficient of friction due to the increased smoothness of the keystroke.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. Cherry MX Browns are an excellent option if you can afford the price and want your keyboard to last forever. Gateron Brown Type: Tactile The main lineup is based on the Cherry MX switches, while the rest are more adventurous and interesting. Gateron has designed several additional switches such as their own silent switches, milk switches, ink switches, and low-profile switches. We’ll explain the differences below. The Main Line-Up COLOR

Some keyboard users are not a fan of silent switches due to the rubbery feel when logging a keystroke and the fact that the sound is muted, while others really enjoy this aspect of the switch. It makes for a decent gaming switch, as its essentially not even tactile, so you’ll barely even feel them when dominating the enemy team. I bet with the right amount of lube; you can make them even less tactile! I didn’t do that of, course, but I can see it being a fun experiment. Final Score = 26/50 (52%) Due to the smoothness of Gateron switches, we definitely prefer their silent switches to other switches. But if you want a stable switch with minimal wobble, this can be a great option. Outemu Brown Type: Tactile

Regardless of the type of Gateron switch, you can rest assured that you will get a 50 million keystroke lifespan for each switch. Gateron is known to have some of the smoothest keystrokes on the market. Gateron switches are not rated as high for durability as Cherry MX. Due to their rigorous testing and standards, Cherry MX switches are rated for 100 million keystrokes, while Gateron are 50 million. 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 Switches