What Is The Difference Between Red And Blue Keyboard Switches?

Have you ever considered which keyboard makes you feel comfortable as a computer user? There are different types of keyboards available in the market. Among all the types, keyboards with mechanical switches are famous, versatile, and preferred by professionals.

Let’s start with the mechanical keyboards specially designed to satisfy a gamer. These keyboards are smooth and fast with low response time. Gamers pick mechanical keyboards with linear-type or red switches. In comparison, typists require a clicky sound as blue switch-based mechanical keyboards are tactile and loud. The choice of switch depends entirely on the user and their requirement.

If you want to know which keyboard suits you the best and why you should choose a keyboard with blue or red switches, continue reading! We will guide you in selecting the best switch between red and blue types by defining different keyboards and their types. There are varying working mechanisms of switches used in keyboards. If you have chosen a mechanical keyboard, you need to know some crucial facts coming up next!

1. Types of Keyboard Switch

Keyboards come with different types of switches that define their working mechanism. Selecting the right keyboard becomes easy if you have background knowledge of the technology. A keyboard can consist of mechanical, optical, membrane, low-profile, and silent switches.

● Mechanical

A mechanical keyboard comes with mechanical switches that come in 3 basic types. Linear-type switches that are silent with no tactile feedback. Tactile-type switches make low sounds and provide satisfactory tactile feedback, like in the MEETION MK005BT. Clicky type switches make a click sound in addition to tactile feedback.

● Optical

Optical switches in keyboards use infrared light to send a signal when we press the key with less physical contact, and they are much more durable than other conventional switches, with more than 100 million clicks life. Optical switches are renowned for their expeditious response time due to their reduced number of physical contacts, albeit still containing certain mechanical components.

● Membrane

Membrane-type keyboards are affordable, readily available, and designed to serve most people who do not require advanced keyboard features. These keyboards use a thin membrane to send signals to the computer. These keyboards consist of multiple layers, with the top layer made of plastic. The rubber-type material makes up the middle layer with conductive traces printed at the bottom, and the third layer connects to the keyboard circuit with printed conductive traces.

● Low Profile

Low-profile switches are mechanical, but differ in the sense that their height is reduced by approximately 30-40%, making use of shorter keycaps. Keyboards using these switches are thinner and lighter, therefore these keyboards are slimmer than regular mechanical keyboards. They perform faster, but they are also less tactile.

● Silent

Silent switches are also mechanical switches used in keyboards to make less sound than standard ones. These keyboards are ideal when used in a shared room with 2 or more people. Also, they provide the same satisfaction to gamers as regular mechanical keyboards.

2. How Do Red and Blue Mechanical Switches Work?

Let’s talk about how this switch works. The stem moves up and down with a spring that returns it to its original position. The terminal blade connects to the lower part. This terminal blade registers a keystroke when we press the key. The lower and upper housing are also attached.

● Base

The lower housing has lead contacts at the back and a hole in the middle for the stem post on the front. Sliding guides on the side keep the stem movement straight. The lower housing is different for PCB mount and plate mount since PCB mount has 5 pins while plat mount has 3 to connect to the PCB.

● Upper Housing

The keyboard holds together the mechanical switches through the upper and lower housing. The upper housing has a hole at the center of the stem. At the bottom, it has feet to attach it with a lower housing or base. There is a hole for an LED on the side of the upper housing.

● Spring

Spring is the most important part of mechanical switches that decides how much force you need to press the key. There are 2 types of primary springs used in mechanical switches, including the linear one or the progressive one. The factors that affect the switch's feel are the spring material, the number of coils, the length of the spring, and the distance between the coils.

● Stem

The construction stem makes a switch linear, tactile, and clicky. Two feet in the stem contact the metal and register the keystroke when we press the key. Stem for linear, tactile, and clicky switches are different in structure. Linear switches have feet that are straight and smooth. At the same time, tactile is a little elevated. Clicky switches have a very different stem as they have two parts: mounting mechanics with a pole and click jacket with feet. Gliding slides are on the sides of the stem, working to guide the stem up and down.

● Lead Contact (Shrapnel):

Lead contacts sit inside the lower housing or base of the switch. When the stem moves downward, its feet press the lead contact and complete the electrical circuit. It will register the keystroke.

3. What is the Difference between Red and Blue Keyboard Switches?

The blue switch keyboard has a tactile or clicky sound and requires more force(60g) on every stroke. They are faster and more accurate for typing purposes. They give you the feeling of every stroke you make, providing a satisfying sound. As a linear type, red switches have a less noisy keyboard than blue one. They are very silent, so you won’t hear any clicky sound or tactile feedback, but they are not entirely silent. Their response is speedy and requires very little force to press the keys.

● Red Keyboard Switches

Red switches are silent switches with no extra sound and no extra bump. They are famous among professional gamers because they need a keyboard that actuates keys very fast.

We recommend something other than red switch keyboards for typing professionals as they lack tactile feedback and are more sensitive, making it easy to make mistakes while typing. These switches make only a slight sound after a complete keypress. If you have a roommate, you might need a silent keyboard with red switches.

● Blue Keyboard Switches

Blue switches are known for their tactile feedback and loud, clicky sound. They require a more significant force to press every key. Blue switches require (60 g) of force, which is more than red switches (40 g), and are more accurate, reliable, and fast for typing.

Pressing the blue switch will make you feel and hear a sound to improve your typing experience. As these switches are stiffer to press, gamers won’t be using them because they push keys harder, gamers will get tired early, and the clicking sound makes it difficult for them to hear the gaming sound. However, some gamers love the tactile feedback from a high-end keyboard like the MEETION MK005BT. It's a matter of choice.

4. Red vs. Blue: What's the Best Mechanical Keyboard Switch?

It all depends on your use. If you are a gamer, you need a fast, less noisy keyboard that won't make you tired while playing games and let you hear your game. Red switches are best if your requirements stay in the above-said group. However, red switches are not too accurate, which causes typists to make more mistakes. Blue switches were more precise for professional typists while typing with tactile and clicky sounds.

5. Conclusion

We have had a long discussion till now, and after all this discussion, we can conclude that if you are a gamer, you can select a red switch keyboard with quiet and fast response, and if you are a professional typist, find the best accurate blue switch keyboard with a loud sound. We leave the decision to our readers as everyone can decide what's best for their usage. Check out the fantastic gaming keyboard line-up from MEETION and decide for yourself!