Cherry MX Black vs Cherry MX Silent Black
The Cherry MX Black and the Cherry MX Silent Black are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Cherry MX Black is linear and the Cherry MX Silent Black is silent linear; travel is 4 mm on the Cherry MX Black and 3.7 mm on the Cherry MX Silent Black; stock they sound different: deep, muted versus hushed, firm.
- Cheaper per switchCherry MX Black$0.35 versus $0.45
Choose the Cherry MX Black if
- you want a switch popular for heavy linears.
- you want a switch popular for vintage feel.
- you want a switch popular for spring swaps.
- you prefer a linear feel.
Choose the Cherry MX Silent Black if
- you want a switch popular for quiet offices.
- you want a switch popular for heavy linear fans.
- you prefer a silent linear feel.
Cherry MX Black vs Cherry MX Silent Black, spec by spec
| Cherry MX Black | Cherry MX Silent Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Silent linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 60g | 60g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 1.9 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 3.7 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM with dampeners |
| Top housing | nylon | nylon |
| Bottom housing | nylon | nylon |
| Spring | single-stage | single-stage |
| Factory lube | none | none |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.35 (stronger spec) | $0.45 |
| Sound profile | deep, muted | hushed, firm |
| Released | 1984 | 2016 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Cherry MX Black; 82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Cherry MX Silent Black.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Cherry MX Black; 46% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Cherry MX Silent Black.
30% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Cherry MX Black; 56% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Cherry MX Silent Black.
Where to buy the Cherry MX Black
Where to buy the Cherry MX Silent Black
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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