2022 Double Twelve, Cherry Switch Mechanical Keyboard Selection Guide

During Double Eleven, I posted a large collection of peripheral recommendations, and then some friends asked: "I don't have so many needs, and I hardly know how to toss, I just want to buy a keyboard for three to five years, and why do you collect it? There are so few Cherry switch keyboards in the car? Is the cherry switch keyboard not easy to use now?"

Although domestic keyboards and switches have developed rapidly in recent years, it has to be said that Cherry switch keyboards still occupy a large part of the market, especially in the mid-to-high-end market and there are still many fans. Moreover, the durability and stability of the Cherry switch has been verified for decades. The Cherry switch keyboard I use most frequently is the Cooler Master aluminum element that was launched in 2013. The screws on the upper panel are all rusted, but it is still None of the shafts were faulty. Therefore, for users who are buying mechanical keyboards for the first time, in fact, Cherry switches and conventional configurations will be more in line with their needs. Today, I would like to briefly introduce to you which Cherry axis keyboards currently in mass production on the market are worth buying~~

Now that we are talking about Cherry switch keyboards, it is necessary to introduce the more common Cherry switches. Cherry MX shafts were first developed and launched by Cherry in the 1980s. The name of the shafts is basically determined by the color of the shaft. At present, the more common ones on the market are: black shafts, green shafts, brown shafts, red shafts, and silver shafts. , as well as the silent red switch and the silent black switch, and some other rare switches that have basically been withdrawn from the market will not be mentioned.

Following the launch of the Cherry silver switch in 2016, Cherry launched a brand new MX-LP short switch in 2018. While retaining the mechanical feel similar to the traditional red switch, the overall height of the switch body has been reduced, and a dust-proof wall has been added to make it While the axis is more stable, it also directly doubles the theoretical life of the axis from 50 million times to 100 million times.

There is also a Cherry switch called "Viola switch", which feels similar to the red switch, but the overall structure is very different from the traditional MX switch. The trigger depends on the contact between the metal sheet inside the switch and the shrapnel on the PCB. The service life needs to be tested, and there are very few mass-produced finished keyboards at this stage. People who like to try new things can try it. Overall, it is not recommended.

Cherry red axis operation diagram

The mechanical axis can be simply divided into two types according to the feel: linear axis and paragraph axis. The difference between the black axis and the red axis, which belong to the same linear axis, is only the difference in the strength of pressing the axis body. The silver axis further shortens the trigger stroke to achieve faster triggering.

Cherry Green Axis Operation Schematic Diagram

Both the green axis and the tea axis belong to the paragraph axis, and the main difference between the two is the strength of the paragraph. Many people who come into contact with mechanical keyboards for the first time will feel that the "click" green switch is more mechanical. The green switch has a louder sound, and the brown switch is almost a combination of the green switch and the red switch. The sense of paragraph is not as strong as the green switch, but the sound is much smaller than the green switch.

Some people preach views such as "black switches are suitable for games, and green switches are suitable for typing". In fact, this is not true. Everyone has different preferences and acceptance of the shaft. For example, although I like linear axes, my finger strength is relatively small, so I can’t use black axes at all; some people are born with strong finger strength, and silver axes are easy to touch by mistake, so I just like black axes; I also know many friends, I just like the feel of the paragraph axis, no matter what the scene is, the paragraph axis dominates the world. Therefore, there is no certain axis that is suitable for any scene, and everything should be done according to your own comfort. If you really don't understand the difference in the feel of various shafts, it is very convenient for e-commerce for seven days without reason.

RK987/988 is almost the cheapest Cherry switch keyboard that can be found in the conventional configuration (87/104) on the market. Basically, it can be regarded as buying a switch and getting a keyboard. As for the quality of keycaps, you can get it in the early 200s. What more bike for the price?

The GS87/GS104 of GANSS, these two models took the cost-effective route at the beginning of their birth. Although the price is about 30 yuan more expensive than RK, it should be said that it is better than RK in terms of keycap quality and overall workmanship. During the one or two years when the Cherry axis was scarce, only GANSS among domestic brands could guarantee sufficient shipments, which shows the depth of cooperation between the two brands.

IKBC's C87/C104 is also a classic model of quite a long time. It has been competing fiercely with GANSS' GS87/104 at the entry level, and it has always been the goalkeeper of the 300 yuan Cherry axis keyboard. Many years ago, I made a very detailed comparison of these two keyboards. At that time, I concluded that the workmanship and materials of GANSS are more solid, and the appearance perception of IKBC will be slightly better. exist.

This KC200 from Cherry should be the most Cherry keyboard. This keyboard should be a representative of Cherry's compromise to the market. The aluminum alloy top panel, the black version of the keycap is ABS laser engraving, and other colors are equipped with PBT ball caps, plus Cherry faith bonus, the price is already very good.

I hesitated for a long time between Logitech's K845 and G610, and finally decided to recommend the K845. The simple shape design, plus the standard length keycap, is more suitable for ordinary players than G610. Personally, I don’t really like the mechanical keyboards of the Logitech G series. Logitech is indeed the best in the mouse industry, but I always feel that the mechanical keyboard is still a little tasteless.

Dujia's K320/K310 matte version is also two very stable and low-key Cherry axis mechanical keyboards. Within the price of 400 yuan, it is almost difficult to find a better feel than them. There are also many extended versions of these two models, such as different colors, different backlights, etc., you can choose according to your needs and budget. Of course, if you want to say that it is the most cost-effective, it must be the most basic matte version.

This MX2.0S keyboard is a three-mode RGB keyboard with Cherry switches without steel structure. The appearance is relatively traditional and simple, and the overall layout is relatively compact. The biggest highlight is that the delay in 2.4G mode is less than 1ms, which is almost the same as that in wired mode. In addition, the difference between MX3.0S and MX2.0S is only the difference in the aluminum alloy frame, and there is no difference in function.

The Cherry switch keyboard cannot be separated from the model: G80-3000/3494, of which the 3494 steel-free red switch is one of the "Four Great Artifacts" of the year. However, the price of G80-3000 is less than 700, while the price of G80-3494 is close to 1100. If you don’t have special belief in artifacts, it’s still not recommended to buy 3494. After all, the only difference between these two models is the shaft. The size of this keyboard is relatively large, and the wide frame is jokingly called staking, but it is this model that has been selling well for decades. This model is one of the most recommended if you are looking for a Cherry switch keyboard and you are on a budget.

Except for the non-standard length of the bottom row of keys, the CORSAIR K70 MK.2 is, in my opinion, the best cost-effective and comprehensive performance keyboard under CORSAIR. Although there are higher-end K95/K100, the macro keys on the left will make many people uncomfortable, and the price is too much higher. If you think the K70 MK.2 is too expensive, you can choose the next best thing and choose the Punisher MK.2. The appearance of the K70 MK.2 is not much different from that of the K70 MK.2. The main reason is that the shell has shrunk to a plastic material.

These two 68-key configuration keyboards should not have been included, but because the MX-LP short switches on the two keyboards are worth a try, I decided to add them in for everyone to briefly talk about. The biggest features of these two models are their thinness and small size, which are about the same size as a PAD. It is about one-third thinner than the traditional mechanical keyboard, and the trigger speed is 40% faster than the traditional MX switch. The delay of the 2.4G connection is also less than 1ms.

Based on the MX-LP2.1, the MX-LP6.1 shell is upgraded to an aluminum alloy material, and a double-layer sound-absorbing structure is added to eliminate unnecessary noise. The functions of the two keyboards are basically the same, but the configuration is different. These two keyboards are very suitable for taking out, and the three-mode connection can also perfectly adapt to various platforms.

Leobold's feel and keycaps are remarkable, especially keycaps have always been a hard currency in the seafood market. However, in recent years, this brand has lost popularity due to some patent disputes in Guodai. It used to be comparable to the existence of Big F, but the current situation feels more embarrassing.

Strictly speaking, Amilo's workmanship and feel are definitely not as good as Leobold's, and even compared to the earlier Duga, it is not obvious that it is much stronger. Amilo's original design is his biggest trump card, and what he buys is the design and the so-called "cultural heritage". Many friends I know outside the circle, especially many young ladies, choose and choose among the models I recommend to them, and finally choose the Amilo keyboard. In their original words, "It shouldn't be bad if it's so expensive." Anyway, they basically only plan to buy a mechanical keyboard, so buy an expensive and eye-catching one.

ROG Yaoguang is also an old product. The biggest feature is that there is a customizable acrylic light guide plate in the upper right corner. I have bought a pink version of Yaoguang, and its performance in all aspects can also support its own price positioning. However, this model does not seem to be mass-produced at present, and now ROG is mainly promoting the Yaoguang 2 series equipped with an independent axis.

The term "ammunition box" should also be popular with Cherry. Cherry is definitely not the only brand that has produced aluminum alloy storage boxes in these years, but the Cherry family is really remembered by the public and is still continuing to ship. The opening ceremony of the Cherry MX8 series even surpasses the keyboard itself. Many players joked that buying a box will give you a keyboard. This series is also one of Cherry’s most popular series in the past two years.

The shell and panel of the MX8.0 keyboard are made of aluminum alloy, and are equipped with Cherry MX original switches, rotating multi-segment feet and RGB lighting effects as standard. MX8.2 also adds a double-layer noise reduction design, which greatly improves the input experience. Although it is usually said that the MX8 series is a no-brainer of faith, but the price cut on Double Eleven this time is really big, it is time to recharge the faith.

Although the development of domestic switches and domestic keyboards is very prosperous now, it is also more difficult for many new users who have not had too much contact with mechanical keyboards to choose. The Cherry axis keyboard is not necessarily the best, but as a pit keyboard, it will definitely not let you step on the pit. There are many domestic switch keyboards at different price points, and I also highly recommend players with a certain foundation to try new ones, which is of great significance to the progress of domestic switch bodies and domestic keyboards. However, for many ordinary users who do not have the time and energy to focus on it, the Cherry axis keyboard is solid, stable, and durable. Isn’t that enough?