KiiwiCherry MX Blue vs Brown sound
Hear Cherry MX Blue vs Brown on Mac: they play in your browser as you type below. Cherry's clicky switch against its gentle tactile. Type below and switch between them.
Type the words below, then switch above. Headphones make the difference obvious.
The short answer
The MX Blue clicks loudly on every press; the MX Brown has a small bump and no click. If you share a room, the Brown is the quiet one. If you want the sound most people picture from a mechanical keyboard, it is the Blue.
Cherry MX Blue
A click jacket snaps as the key goes down, giving a sharp click on top of the bottom-out. Recorded on ABS and PBT keycaps.
Cherry MX Brown
A small bump partway down that you feel more than hear, with no click. Soft and close to a linear in sound. Recorded stock and on ABS and PBT keycaps.
At a glance
| Cherry MX Blue | Cherry MX Brown | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Clicky | Tactile |
| Maker | Cherry | Cherry |
| Click | Yes, on every press | No |
| Loudness | Loud | Quiet |
| Recorded on | ABS and PBT keycaps | Stock, ABS and PBT keycaps |
Keep exploring
Open each switch Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Brown
Choosing an app Kiiwi vs Typemac, more switch vs switch pairs
Questions
What is the difference between Cherry MX Blue and Brown?
The Blue is clicky: a plastic click jacket gives a sharp click on every press. The Brown is tactile: a small bump you feel, with no click. The Brown is much quieter.
Which is louder, MX Blue or MX Brown?
The MX Blue. Type the same words on each above to hear the gap.
Is MX Brown or Blue better for an office?
The Brown is the usual pick for a shared room because it has no click. The Blue is better if you want the loud, classic mechanical sound and nobody else is nearby, or you are in headphones.
Does the keycap change the sound?
Yes. On the Blue, ABS keycaps sound sharper and louder than PBT. On the Brown, ABS is higher pitched and PBT more muted. Both switches have ABS and PBT recordings on their own pages.
Can I hear the Cherry MX Blue and Brown on my Mac?
Yes. Kiiwi plays the Cherry MX Blue and Brown, recorded from real switches, under the keyboard you already own, from the menu bar, in every app.
Get these sounds on your Mac
Kiiwi has all 36 recordings, these included, and plays them under the keyboard you already own, in every app, from the menu bar. It needs macOS 14 or later, costs $4.99 once, and hears that a key was pressed, never what you typed.
Download for macOS