Cherry MX Switch Types Explained: Choosing the Right Switch for Your Vortex Keyboard Build

Quick answer

For most people, a tactile Cherry MX switch such as Brown is the safest all-round choice: it gives you feedback without the noise of a clicky switch. If you type in a shared space or stream with a microphone, choose a linear switch like Red or Silent Red. If you want the classic mechanical sound and feel, choose a clicky switch like Blue. On a hot-swap Vortex board you can change your mind later without soldering.

Cherry MX switches are still the reference point for mechanical keyboards, and they are available in several distinct feels. The problem is that names like Red, Brown, and Blue tell you almost nothing about what you will actually feel under your fingers. This guide explains the real differences and helps you pick the right switch for a Vortex keyboard build.

You do not need to memorize force curves. You need to know three things: whether you want a bump, whether you want a click, and how heavy you like your keys. Everything else is fine-tuning. The sections below give you decision rules you can apply before you order, plus notes on which Vortex models make switching easier.

The three Cherry MX families, in plain terms

Linear switches, such as Cherry MX Red, travel straight down with no bump and no click. They feel smooth and are popular for gaming because there is nothing to push past. The trade-off is that you get no tactile warning that the key has registered, so heavy typists sometimes bottom out and make more noise than they expect.

Tactile switches, such as Cherry MX Brown, have a small bump partway down. You feel the activation point without a loud click. This is the middle ground most people should start with. Clicky switches, such as Cherry MX Blue, add an audible click on top of the bump. They are satisfying to type on but noticeably louder, which matters in offices, shared rooms, and open microphones.

• Linear: smooth, quiet-ish, best for fast repeated presses
• Tactile: a bump you can feel, no click, good for typing and gaming
• Clicky: bump plus audible click, best for solo typing sessions

How to choose switches for a mechanical keyboard you will actually keep

Start with your environment, not your preferences. If anyone else can hear your keyboard, a clicky switch is usually the wrong first purchase. Next, think about how you type. If you rest your fingers on the keys and press lightly, a lighter linear or tactile switch will feel easier. If you hit keys hard, a slightly heavier switch can reduce accidental presses.

Then consider whether you want to experiment. Hot-swap sockets let you pull switches out and push new ones in without soldering, so your first choice is not permanent. If you are unsure, buy a board with hot-swap support and one set of switches, then try a second type later. That is cheaper than buying two keyboards.

• Shared space or microphone: avoid clicky switches
• First mechanical keyboard: tactile is the safest default
• Plan to experiment: prioritize a hot-swap PCB

Vortex keyboard switch compatibility and hot-swap reality

Cherry MX switches use the standard MX footprint, and the Vortex boards listed here accept that footprint. The bigger question is whether the board is hot-swap or soldered. Hot-swap means you can change switch types later with a puller, which is the single most useful feature for anyone still deciding between linear, tactile, and clicky.

The Vortex Model M SSK Kit is fully hot swappable and supports QMK/VIA/Vial for remapping, so you can change both the feel and the layout after assembly. The multix-104-via-f6392f9bfad984607c2b4bcf-2573475">Multix 104 VIA V2 uses Gateron hot-swap sockets and accepts Gateron G Pro and Cherry MX switches. The M0110 Triple-mode Version offers a QMK hot-swap PCB option in ANSI or ISO. If you want to try multiple switch types, these are the models to consider first.

• Check whether the PCB is hot-swap before assuming you can swap switches
• ISO vs ANSI layout affects keycaps, not switch compatibility
• QMK/VIA/Vial support is separate from switch choice but useful for remapping

Weight, sound, and the details that change the feel

Switch weight is measured by how much force it takes to press the key. Lighter switches feel faster but can be pressed by accident; heavier switches feel more deliberate but tire some hands. Cherry MX Red and Brown are common middle-ground weights, while Silent Red variants reduce noise. If you already know you prefer a heavy switch, look for a heavier linear or tactile option rather than a clicky one.

Sound is not just the switch. Keycap material, case material, and whether the board has dampening all change what you hear. The Multix 104 VIA V2 includes two dampeners, which reduce resonance, while the Vortex 10 uses an acrylic bottom for RGB under-glow. Two boards with the same switches can sound different, so treat switch choice as one part of the recipe.

• Lighter switches suit light, fast typists; heavier switches suit deliberate pressers
• Dampening and case material change sound as much as the switch
• Silent variants exist for linear switches if noise is the main concern

Decision rules: pick your switch in under a minute

• If you share a room or record audio: Choose a linear switch such as Cherry MX Red or a silent linear variant. Avoid clicky switches like Blue, which add an audible click on every press. Noise is the hardest thing to fix later, so decide it first.
• If you want one switch for typing and gaming: Choose a tactile switch such as Cherry MX Brown. You get a bump you can feel without the click, which works for both long typing sessions and games. Tactile is the safest single-switch compromise.
• If you want the classic mechanical experience: Choose a clicky switch such as Cherry MX Blue. The bump and click are satisfying, but plan for the noise and consider a board with dampening. Clicky is a preference, not a default.
• If you are not sure yet: Buy a hot-swap board such as the Vortex Model M SSK Kit or a Multix model with hot-swap sockets, then try a second switch type later. Hot-swap turns one purchase into a long-term experiment.

Vortex models and what they mean for switch choice

• Vortex Model M SSK Kit - ANSI Layout (Assembly Service): Retro inspired fully CNC aluminum mechanical keyboard with RGB backlit fully hot swappable function; NKRO and supports QMK/VIA/Vial for key remapping or macros. The hot-swap socket means you can try linear, tactile, and clicky switches without soldering, and QMK/VIA/Vial lets you remap keys after you settle on a feel.
• Vortex Model M SSK Kit - ISO Layout (Assembly Service): ISO version is available with ISO-UK keycaps; choose your preferred switch type and the kit is assembled for you. If you type on an ISO-UK layout, this is the version to pick, and the assembly service removes the build step if you would rather not assemble it yourself.
• Multix 104 VIA V2: Gateron G pro and Cherry MX switches, Gateron hot-swap socket, USB Type-C connectivity, Cherry Profile Two-Tone Double Shot PBT keycaps, and two dampeners. It accepts both Gateron and Cherry MX switches, so you can compare brands on one board, and the dampeners reduce case resonance if you want a quieter result.
• M0110 Triple-mode Version: Supports triple mode (wired, Bluetooth 5.1, and 2.4GHz), programmable via the Vortex GUi, and a QMK hot-swap PCB option in ANSI or ISO. The hot-swap PCB option lets you change switch types later, and triple-mode connectivity means your switch choice is not tied to a single device or cable.

Who this advice fits

Best for

• First-time mechanical keyboard buyers who want a clear switch recommendation
• Typists who want tactile feedback without clicky noise
• Anyone planning to try multiple switch types on a hot-swap Vortex board

Not for

• Buyers who already know they want a specific boutique switch and do not need a Cherry MX comparison
• Shoppers looking for a fully assembled keyboard with no interest in choosing switches
• Users who need a silent keyboard for a shared office and will not consider linear or silent variants

Pick your switch by environment first, feel second, and brand third. On a hot-swap Vortex board, that first choice is reversible, so start with a tactile switch if you are unsure and adjust from there.