Mechanical keyboards are getting known by increasing people now. As a senior user of mechanical keyboards, how would you guide a beginner to choose a mechanical keyboard? You may ask about how much the budget is, what will they use it for, and where they are gonna use it, and etc.. After knowing some basic information and requirements, you start searching the optimum choices in your mind.
Why purchase Chinese mechanical switches?
Most first-entry level users of mechanical keyboards may not invest too much in their first mechanical keyboards, so their budgets are most likely at the middle level. They are not heavy game players if so they can’t know mechanical keyboards so late. Naturally, they mostly use mechanical keyboards for work or study, which means typing is the basic requirement. Their usages also can indicate the using condition mostly can be in the office, classroom, library or some quiet places. They don’t like to annoy their neighbor. They don’t need too flashy RGB backlight, which could distract them too much. A white LED backlight can satisfy their needs of working in a dim environment.
Once you analyze all these elements, you have to find out which switch they would like to use. Choosing a mechanical switch is a critical point, and kind of personalized. Objectively, the best typing mechanical switch can be Brown Switch. Subjectively, you are free to select any kind. As the most famous mechanical brand, absolutely No. 1, Cherry is a reliable and reasonable choice. Naturally, Cherry Brown Switch mechanical keyboard is an excellent typing option, but it is possibly an excess budget. We all know Cherry switch mechanical keyboards are at a relatively high price. Now an affordable and decent switch is your goal. You have to admit some Chinese mechanical switches are good at price and commit a decent quality in recent years. An affordable and qualified mechanical keyboard with LED backlight, equipped with Chinese mechanical switches, can be a smart choice. Chinese mechanical switches are not known by most people. Here is a general introduction. Hope to help you know more and better. You are well welcome to add and correct.
Main Chinese Mechanical Switches
Kailh/Kaihua
One of the most famous Chinese mechanical switch brands, it’s referred to as “Cherry MX clones”. It was founded in the 1990s, experienced almost 30 years of development, having gained a good reputation worldwide. As the earliest known mechanical switch manufacturer in China, Kailh mechanical switches have the identical feeling and construction to Cherry MX switches.
| Kailh Red | Kailh Black | Kailh Brown | Kailh Blue | |
| Behavior | Linear | Linear | Tactile | Clicky |
| Feel | Light | Light | Medium | Heavy |
| Actuation Force | 50g | 60g | 35g | 60g |
| Actuation Point | 2mm | 2mm | 2mm | 2mm |
| Total Travel Distance | 4mm | 4mm | 4mm | 4mm |
| Sound Lever | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet | Loud |
Razer & Rapoo (OEM Kailh)
In 2014, Razer cooperated with Kailh to develop a series of the Razer mechanical switches, which are applied on the Razer BlackWindow series. Since Razer mechanical keyboards are for game players mostly, and the price is not cheap, which are not suitable for first-entry users.
Rapoo works with Kailh to develop Yellow Switch. If you feel the Cherry MX Black is too heavy and Cherry MX Red is too light, you can choose Rapoo Yellow Switch. The feeling is medium. Continuous cooperation with international brands has proved the capability of Kailh manufacturer.
Outemu (OTM-Switch)
Outemu mechanical switch is also called OTM switch. Now there are MX series, RGB series, SMD LED series, swappable series, and etc.. Outemu MX series are also clone to Cherry MX. They have similar tactile feelings, and because they are cheaper than Kailh switches, Outemu MX switches win some customers’ preferences when they first entered the market. As the varying demands of the market, Outemu has upgraded and developed some new series, such as SMD LED switch. It applies with the latest technology, the LED backlight directly installing on the PCB plate. It has a transparent switch cover, which is good for LED backlighting through.
Outemu MX Brown Switch
Outemu SMD LED Brown Switch
TKL78 & TKL01 & VM01
Content
Most of you may not hear about Content mechanical switches. It’s a fast-developing switch brand, founded in 1999. It has identical performance to Outemu mechanical switch.
Compare the sound of Content Brown Switch and Outemu Brown Switch. Watch Now!
Newly released TKL02 series and VM02WS are introduced with Content Brown Switch. The mechanical keyboards have solid quality, upgraded large-capacity (1850 mAH) battery, and LED white backlighting. Content Brown Switches offer soft tactile feedback when you type. We are trying to work with more mechanical switch brands to bring a better typing experience to you. We would like to hear your feedback on the new Brown Switch. Send us your feedback here.
Gateron (G-Switch)
One of the newly-developing mechanical switch brands, Gateron mechanical switch is characterized by its transparent material. The axis of Gateron switch is a little bigger than Cherry switch, so the keycap for Cherry switch can’t fit perfectly with the Gateron switch. However, its outstanding appearance and design help it earn its place.
Greentech
Greetech switches resemble most to the outlook of Cherry MX. You can only identify them from the printed logo on the switch housing. They have the red, black, brown, and blue mechanical switch, equipped with linear, soft tactile, and clicking feels.
As the expanding of the mechanical keyboard’s market, more and more Chinese mechanical switch brands are into our view. Some of them have already known by you, and others are just popping up. They still need more time to be accepted by you. We’d like to give you a comprehensive introduction to Chinese mechanical switches this time, and we will uncover more information about Chinese mechanical switches later.
