KiiwiCherry MX Red vs Gateron Red sound
Hear Cherry MX Red vs Gateron Red on Mac: they play in your browser as you type below. The two most common light linears: Cherry's original and Gateron's budget favourite. Both are 45cN with no bump and no click. Type below and switch between them.
Type the words below, then switch above. Headphones make the difference obvious.
The short answer
They're very close. Both are light 45cN linears, so the sound is almost all bottom-out. The MX Red, recorded on ABS keycaps, is bright and a little clacky; the Gateron Red is a clean, modest clack.
Cherry MX Red
Cherry's light 45cN linear and the classic smooth switch in gaming keyboards. With a light spring and no bump, presses come quickly and evenly, and on ABS keycaps the sound is bright with a crisp bottom-out.
Gateron Red
Gateron's 45cN linear sits inside countless budget and mid-range boards. It's light and smooth, and its sound is a clean, modest clack at the bottom.
At a glance
| Cherry MX Red | Gateron Red | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Weight | 45cN | 45cN |
| Sound | Bright, a little clacky | Clean, modest clack |
| Click | No | No |
Keep exploring
Open each switch Cherry MX Red, Gateron Red
Choosing an app Kiiwi vs Typemac, more switch vs switch pairs
Questions
Is Gateron Red the same as Cherry MX Red?
Not the same switch, but very similar: both are light 45cN linears with no bump and no click. Gateron Reds are common in budget and mid-range boards; the MX Red is Cherry's original.
Which sounds better, Cherry MX Red or Gateron Red?
It's personal, and they're close. Type the same words on both above and pick the one you prefer.
Are Red switches good for typing?
If you like smooth, light presses, yes. With no bump, Reds take very little effort, which many people like for fast typing and gaming.
Can I hear the Cherry MX Red and Gateron Red on my Mac?
Yes. Kiiwi plays the Cherry MX Red and Gateron Red, 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