What is the differance between cherry, gateron and kailh switches ?

[Grimy_RIck]

I always see people say cherry are the best is this fan boy opinion or fact, is there much between them ?

[r.linder]

Cherry was one of the first manufacturers of mechanical switches for keyboards, and they held the patent until it expired some time ago, which was when other types like Razer, Romer-G, Kailh, Gateron, and Outemu surfaced.

The ones you mentioned are the same as Cherry, but cheaper. If price is a huge concern, then those types are better, but Cherry's quality is a tiny bit better and more consistent. I find that a lot of clicky switch clones like Outemu Blues have horrible consistency when it comes to how each key sounds and are considerably louder than Cherry MX Blue and Razer Green.

There's many people that stick by Cherry or Razer, but there's also people that adamantly prefer the clones. Personally, I prefer the "premium" switches over the cheap clones.

[Supafly]

Only ever used Cherry Reds. I did try a key switch testers for Cherry and Kailh to see which ones I prefered before going Cherry Mx Reds and added O rings.

For example
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1587230194

[_I_]

gateron and kailh are chinene clones of the cherry switches

they are not bad, but not the original
the average user will no be able to tell the differences

cherry will have a longer life and a higher quality

[Talby]

My preference is Gateron Brown, smooth consistent action - there is a very slight variance in the stem wobble (could be Cherry is better in that respect), however when typing I don't notice it at all. That being said, I am not a coder so I do not type as much, possible it is just a function of how bad your ADD is lol.

Good read regarding cherry vs gateron internals:

Macro Shots of Gateron & Cherry Switch Stems/Leafs[geekhack.org]

Search up some of the other topics in geekhack good keyboard switch info there

[Autumn_]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Grimy_RIck:

I always see people say cherry are the best is this fan boy opinion or fact, is there much between them ?

Cherry held the original patent of the switch, then the patent ran out, and clones started coming in. Over time, the clones got better quality than cherry, for a time the clones were better than cherry's own ♥♥♥♥♥. That's still the case with some brands like Gateron (and offshoot of gateron, I think Zealio?)
They have outstanding quality compared to cherry.
Cherry's stem/slider, the plastic on it is very poor mould, whereas Gateron/Zealios is near perfect.
This would improve the feel of the switch.
The metal contacts in the switch are also pretty bad in cherry switches.

But, cherry are decent switches. But people saying they're the best (from an objective/quality standpoing) are wrong/fanboys.
The days where cherry were the best is over.

Kailh are also decent switches, Razer uses a modified version of them in their keyboards.

HyperX is also starting to make their own Cherry MX pattern switch.

Steelseries has their own mechanical switches.

Outemu aren't the greatest quality, but they get the job done, and feel a ton better than mem(e)brane.

Początkowo opublikowane przez Suicidal Monkey:

oing Cherry Mx Reds and added O rings.

I do recommend looking into a set of O-rings too, they do improve the feel of the board. Imo.
That's why I double o-ringed mine.

Początkowo opublikowane przez _I_:

the average user will no be able to tell the differences

I agree, you probably won't be able to tell.

But, Gateron/Zelios offers BETTER quality than cherry, and is cheaper.
With cherry switches, you pay a premium, for nothing.

Początkowo opublikowane przez Escorve:

Personally, I prefer the "premium" switches over the cheap clones.

Currently in the Razer switch boat, until I can get my hands on some Gateron Reds or Blues.
I'm loving the feel of Razer Greens.
I've compared them to Outemu Blues, and browns. I've also typed on Cherry Reds and Browns. And I can say, I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ hate linear switches. Lots of people said to me ''LINEARS ARE THE ♥♥♥♥ MAN!! GET THEM IT'S GREAT.'', but in actual use, I couldn't stand typing on them. Especially browns, it felt like someone spilled something on the keyboard, or that there was foam under the keys. It didn't feel right. ''Clicky'' (Tactiles that make an audiable sound when pressed) are my taste of switch. Paired with some O-rings, it makes a great combo.

(Escorve, not talking directly to you, just kinda using yours as a starting point, for telling OP.)

But yeah, switches are personal preference, try them out before you buy them, or buy some ♥♥♥♥ switch tester to feel what they're like.

Edit ;

Początkowo opublikowane przez Talby:

Good read regarding cherry vs gateron internals:

Macro Shots of Gateron & Cherry Switch Stems/Leafs[geekhack.org]

Search up some of the other topics in geekhack good keyboard switch info there

This is exactly the place I got my information from, I read it a while back.
OP, if you're looking for a decent guide on switch quality, give this a read.