The quick background

Cherry MX is the original. German-made, they defined what a mechanical keyboard sounds like for most of the past two decades. Gateron came later, also from China, with a focus on smoother switches and slightly different sound profiles.

In practice, most people can't tell them apart on a blind test unless they've spent time with both. But there are real differences, and they matter once you've typed on both for a few hours.

Cherry MX Blue vs Gateron Blue

Cherry MX Blue is the classic clicky switch. Sharp, high- pitched, with a distinct click and a tactile bump. It's the loudest common switch and the most recognizable.

Gateron Blue is similar but slightly higher-pitched and arguably a touch crisper. Some people describe it as "sharper" and Cherry as "deeper," though the difference is subtle. If you like clicky switches, both are good.

Pick Cherry Blue for a warmer click. Pick Gateron Blue for a sharper one.

Cherry MX Brown vs Gateron Brown

Cherry MX Brown is the "quiet tactile" - a soft bump with no audible click. It's the standard recommendation for people who want mechanical feedback without the noise.

Gateron Brown is similar but smoother out of the box. Cherry Browns are known for being slightly scratchy until they're broken in; Gateron Browns feel smoother from day one. Sound-wise, Gateron is a bit softer and more muted.

Pick Cherry Brown if you want a slightly more pronounced bump. Pick Gateron Brown if you want smoother and quieter.

Cherry MX Red vs Gateron Red

Both are linear switches - smooth from top to bottom, no bump. Cherry MX Red is the baseline gaming switch, quiet but crisp. Gateron Red is smoother and slightly softer- sounding, which is why it's popular with people who want a "buttery" typing feel.

In sound terms, the difference is minor. Gateron tends to be a bit lower-pitched. Cherry tends to be a bit more defined. For most people, both work fine.

Gateron Yellow - the standout

Gateron Yellow is not a Cherry MX equivalent. It's a heavier linear switch - around 50g actuation - with a deeper, smoother sound than either Red. It's become the go-to switch for people who want a "thock" instead of a "click."

If you're curious about the switch that everyone in the mechanical keyboard community has been recommending for the past few years, this is the one. It's the pack we'd recommend first to anyone who wants a soft, satisfying sound.

How they differ in practice

Click: Cherry is deeper, Gateron is sharper. Blue variants.

Volume: Similar in each tier, but Gateron tends to be slightly quieter overall.

Smoothness: Gateron wins. Their switches are noticeably smoother from new, which affects both feel and sound texture.

Pitch: Cherry sounds slightly lower, Gateron slightly higher, in most tiers.

Consistency: Both are excellent. Cherry has a longer track record; Gateron has caught up and in some lines surpassed it.

Which one should you use?

Honestly, try both. The differences are small enough that your preference will come down to how you type and what kind of sound you find satisfying. In Mechro, both sets are free, and you can switch between them in seconds.

The best way to decide: use Cherry for a day, then Gateron for a day. You'll know within an hour which one feels right to you.

A note about other switch makers

Cherry and Gateron aren't the only options. Kailh, Zeal, and many others make excellent switches with distinct sound profiles. Mechro includes several of these as well, and it's worth exploring once you have a baseline. Holy Panda, Alpaca, Tangerine, and Zealios are all worth trying if you want to hear what the boutique side of the hobby sounds like.