Myths about brown switches have been circulating for decades. Do these legends hold truth? We’ll explore the truth behind the rumors to help you evaluate whether or not brown switches are good for gaming.
Brown switches are, in fact, good for gaming. While they will not feel as snappy as red or black switches, it is actually good. Because of their snappiness, many typists and gamers suffer from RSI (repetitive stress injuries). Switches that are not as snappy are much safer for typing, and those that are not as snappy don’t wear out as fast.
This guide will help you evaluate whether or not brown switches are good for gaming.
Let’s get started.
What Are Brown Switches?
Brown switches are a tactile switch. This means they will have a noticeable bump or tactile response when fully depressed.
The bump feels like a soft spring resistance as the mechanism is activated.
The tactile response is slightly less pronounced than black switches but far more pronounced than red switches.
Browns are often compared to blue switches since both of them feel very similar in use. However, browns do not require as much pressure to activate, and the bump is not as pronounced.
Reasons Why Brown Switches Are Good for Gaming?
Here are ten reasons why brown switches are good for gaming.
1. They’re Good for Typing
Brown switches are considered a “middle-of-the-road” switch. Browns are the best place to start if you’ve never used mechanical keyboards. When using a mechanical keyboard for typing, it is incredibly important to find a switch that is tactile but not too clicky. The tactile bump on brown switches is subtle and quiet enough for typing without causing any discomfort.
Brown switches are especially useful when typing for hours at a time. Typing on mechanical keyboards provides such a clear, crisp action that they’re popular among typists.
However, it’s easy to become overstimulated by the loud click of blue switches and the clicky sound of red switches. This is why brown switches are excellent for people who type a lot without headsets.
2. They’re Good for Gaming
Brown switches are also good for gaming and FPS (first-person shooter) games. Brown switches were originally designed for gaming due to the slow speed of keyboards that did not have tactile function keys.
The brown switch keyboards are typically so slow because they do not have a tactile function row, but this is changing with technology. An example of a brown switch keyboard with tactile function keys is the Razer BlackWidow mechanical keyboard Pro model.
Brown switches are great for FPS gaming because they activate quickly. Because of the way most FPS games are designed, any delay in keypress is a serious drawback to playing on a keyboard.
This is where brown switches show their true colors: they’re fast enough to compete with marginally-fast keyboards.
3. They’re Great for Rapid-Fire in MMOs
Another reason why brown switches are good for gaming is that they make rapid-fire possible.
When an ordinary membrane keyboard is used, your fingers will press on a key, and it will instantly bounce back. This bouncing back of the keys prevents you from firing off a quick succession of clicks in games like MMOs (massively-multiplayer online games).
But with mechanical keyboards, there is no bouncing back. So if you rapidly fire off 60 clicks per minute, each action registers in rapid succession. When you are playing an MMO like WoW, the ability to press fast can mean the difference between life and death for your characters.
4. They’re Durable
People love mechanical keyboards, but durability is one of the biggest cons. Even without taking into account people that get carpal tunnel from typing all day, most mechanical keyboards still wear out within a year or two, compared to membrane keyboards that can last five years or more.
This is because every time you press a key on a membrane keyboard, it only uses one rubber dome. This allows the domes to extend their lifespan far beyond their normal limits.
However, the entire mechanism of a mechanical keyboard replaces the rubber domes with mechanical switches.
When you press a key on a mechanical keyboard, it uses every single switch. This makes mechanical keyboards slightly more durable but also wears out individual switches much faster.
Even though brown switches are designed to be safe for typing, they can wear out faster than membrane keyboards. However, this is only sometimes true for gaming-only mechanical keyboards.
Over the years, many companies have implemented a variety of design changes that prevent brown switches from wearing out as fast.
In fact, many gaming-only mechanical keyboards are designed for speed and rapid-fire, which can cause wear and tear on your brown switches at a faster pace.
However, with proper care, it is possible to increase your mechanical keyboard’s longevity to last for years. Various mechanical keyboard maintenance guides on the internet will help you maintain your keys for a long time.
5. They’re Quieter and more Elegant
Many mechanical keyboards have no tactile function keys. This can be a problem if you prefer using keyboard shortcuts. But those with brown switches can experience the full range of settings in Windows without ever needing to touch the keyboard.
The brown switches give you a subtle tactile bump when you press a key, but they don’t make clicking sounds. This gives them an elegant, quiet appearance that blends well with any computer or office environment.
6. They’re Often Affordable
As with any other mechanical keyboards, brown switches are often expensive and hard to get your hands on. This is why they are rarely used in gaming peripherals and are often frowned upon by keyboard enthusiasts.
However, brown switches can still be affordable if you know how to shop around. There are many cheaper models of mechanical keyboards with brown switches that only cost about $40-50, much cheaper than many other models on the market.
7. They’re Perfect for Typing and Media Control
Brown switches are great for both typing and media control. The tactile function row is great for controlling multimedia applications, so you can easily switch tracks, pause music, or adjust the volume on your headphones when editing a document.
8. They’re Good for Typing in the Dark
The subtle bump of brown switches doesn’t make much noise. This makes them some of the most silent mechanical keyboards on the market. Even better, the slight bump of brown switches can be felt even in dark rooms.
You can also easily find other keyboards with only blue and red switches in the Dark. However, it is often very hard to find a keyboard with only brown switches, which makes them an excellent choice for typing at night and in dark rooms.
9. They Have Clear Keysights
The reason why many people prefer membrane keyboards over mechanical ones is because they believe that they look more elegant when compared to mechanical keyboards.
However, brown switches can be a better choice if you want the look of a membrane keyboard without having to deal with any clicky sounds during gaming.
The letters on the keys are often more precise on mechanical keyboards than they are on membrane ones. This is because electronic circuitry is placed on top of the keys. In contrast, most membranes have to line up each key individually.
But with brown switches and other mechanical keypads, the keys are placed directly over circuitry that is printed right onto the keys themselves. This allows for clear lettering that can be very difficult to find with other keyboards.
10. They’re Greater for Repetitive Actions
If you use your keyboard to repeat actions over and over again, such as in a typing job, then you will have no problem using brown switches.
Your fingers’ repeated pressure and friction against the switches will only wear out the keys as fast as other types of keys on membrane keyboards. Even typing for eight hours a day for three straight days won’t result in any significant wear and tear of your keys.
However, suppose you are going to be using your keyboard for repetitive actions over and over. In that case, using a heavy mechanical keyboard with thick aluminum or steel top plates is a good idea.
This can prevent accidental damage to the keys from everyday wear and tear while also increasing the longevity of your keyboard.
Different Brown Switches
There are many types of switches that are used in mechanical keyboards. Some of these switches were explicitly designed for typing, while others were designed for gaming.
Some of these switches are slightly different from others, and there’s even a slight difference in Brown switches. The most common ones you’ll find are:
1. Cherry MX Brown
The Cherry MX Brown switches are often considered to be the best switches for both typing and gaming, as they have a light pressure that is great for typing but also have a slightly heavier pressure that allows them to be used for gaming.
These switches are very popular and widely used in mechanical keyboards for the past few decades. They are tactile and have an actuation force of 55g, but they have a total traveling distance of 4 mm.
This means that they are the perfect middle ground between both typing and gaming switches. They have a 2mm actuation distance, which means that they are perfect for gamers and heavy typists.
Pros
- Light and Cheap
- Great for Typing
- Good for Gaming
Con
- Colors are limited – These switches have only a few colors, and they are not available in keycap sets or keycap colors.
2. Gateron Brown
Gateron Brown switches are often considered by many to be an even better alternative to Cherry MX Brown switches. They have a total travel distance of only 4 mm and an actuation force of 55g.
They have a total travel distance of only 4mm and an actuation distance of 2mm. This means that they are very similar to the Cherry MX Brown switches but slightly less heavy. They are generally considered even better than the Cherry’s, owing to their lower actuation force and lower noise levels.
Pros
- Darker and Stronger Tactile Switches
- Great for gaming as well as Typing
- On the Cheaper End of Top-Tier Switches
Cons
- Slightly Lower Quality Switch
- Not Available in Keycap Colors
3. Gateron Optical Brown
Gateron Optical Brown switches are very similar to the Gateron Brown switches but have a slightly lower actuation force, which makes them perfect for typists. They have a total travel distance of 4mm, but their actuation distance is only 2 mm.
The travel distance is atypical for optical switches, as most optical switches have a travel distance of 4mm or 5mm. However, the shorter actuation distance and loud click sound on these switches make them perfect for typing in noisy environments.
Pros
- Great for Gaming
- Slightly Less Quiet Switch
- The noise level is average for a mechanical switch
- Great for Typing
Cons
- The actuation force is a bit too high for a 52g actuation force on its own.
- The sensors are very firm, making them unsuitable for typing.
4. Kailh Box Brown
Kailh Box Brown switches are very similar to Gateron Brown switches but have a slightly lower actuation distance. They have a total travel distance of only 4 mm, but their actuation distance is only 2 mm.
The travel distance is atypical for optical switches, as most optical switches have a travel distance of 4mm or 5mm. However, the shorter actuation distance and loud click sound on these switches make them perfect for typing in noisy environments.
Pros
- Great for Gaming
- Slightly Less Quiet Switch
- The noise level is average for a mechanical switch
- Great for Typing
Con
- Kailh Box Brown switches are not easily available, as they are not in stock at the moment.
Conclusion
Brown switches are a great alternative to blue switches if you want to avoid all of the clicky sounds that come with gaming. However, it is important to remember that brown switches are still mechanical, so they will wear out faster than other keys on your keyboard.
If you’re looking for a long lifespan, investing in a heavier mechanical keyboard with thicker steel or aluminum top plates is best. This can prevent accidental damage to your keys while also increasing the longevity of your keyboard.