Okay, so I’ve been messing around with mechanical keyboards for a while now, and I always hear people talking about Cherry MX Browns and Clears. I figured it was time to see what the fuss was all about, and more importantly, figure out which one I liked better. So, I got my hands on a couple of keyboards – one with Browns and one with Clears.
Getting Started
First thing I did was just plop them both down on my desk. Gotta get a feel for them, right? I started typing on the Brown one first. You know, just regular stuff – emails, some random documents, you name it.
Typing Feel – Browns
The Browns, they’ve got that little bump when you press them, which is supposed to give you some feedback. I guess it’s okay. It’s definitely noticeable, but it’s not like, “WHOA, THERE’S A BUMP!” It’s pretty subtle. Kinda like driving over a tiny pebble.
Typing Feel – Clears
Then I switched over to the Clears. Oh, man, these were different. The bump on these things is WAY more pronounced. It’s like, “BAM, you pressed a key!” It takes more force to push them down, too. It’s like the Browns are saying “please press me gently” and clears are shouting “PRESS ME, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!”.
Sound Differences
- Browns: Pretty quiet. They make a little noise, but nothing crazy. You could probably use these in an office without everyone hating you.
- Clears: Not as quiet. They’ve got a deeper, more “thocky” sound. Still not super loud, but definitely more noticeable than the Browns.
My Experiment
I spent a few days with each keyboard. Just using them for my everyday stuff. I wanted to see which one I naturally gravitated towards. I even tried closing my eyes and just typing on both to see which felt better without looking.
The Verdict
After a good bit of back and forth, I gotta say, I’m leaning towards the Clears. That bigger bump just feels more satisfying to me. It’s like, I know for sure I pressed the key. The Browns, they’re fine, but they just feel a little…mushy? I don’t know, maybe that’s just me. The extra force needed for the Clears also makes me feel like I am typing with purpose.
I did bottom out with brown switches often, while I felt like a cushion at bottom with clear switches. It’s subtle but indeed influences the feeling.
It really comes down to personal preference, though. If you like a lighter touch and a quieter keyboard, Browns might be your jam. But if you want something with more oomph, give the Clears a shot. You might just like ’em!
