Cherry MX Brown (MX1A) vs Cherry MX2A Brown – Classic Tactile vs Modern MX2A Tactile

Cherry MX Brown (MX1A) has been the standard tactile switch without click sound for years: a mild bump, neutral sound and very versatile use. With Cherry MX2A Brown, Cherry has improved the internal geometry, lubrication and stability. In this comparison we look at how the modern MX2A Brown differs from the classic MX Brown in feel, sound and real-world usage.

1. Construction & Materials

• Cherry MX Brown (MX1A) – Nylon housing with a classic Cherry tactile slider. The tactile bump is relatively mild and sits around the actuation point. Stock MX Browns can feel a bit scratchy or “sandy”, especially compared to newer tactile switches.
• Cherry MX2A Brown – Updated MX2A housing with optimized rail guidance, improved spring geometry and factory lubrication. The bump is similar in position and strength, but key travel feels smoother, more stable and more consistent than on the older MX1A Brown.

2. Technical Specifications

Cherry MX Brown (MX1A)

• Type: Tactile (mild tactile bump, no click sound)
• Actuation: approx. 45 cN
• Bottom-out: approx. 55–60 cN
• Pre-travel: 2.0 mm
• Total travel: 4.0 mm
• Housing: Nylon top & bottom
• Stem: POM
• Lifespan: up to 100 million actuations
• Character: Mild tactile, neutral sound, all-round use

Cherry MX2A Brown

• Type: Tactile (mild bump, refined feedback)
• Actuation: approx. 45 cN
• Bottom-out: approx. 55–60 cN
• Pre-travel: 2.0 mm
• Total travel: 4.0 mm
• Housing: MX2A housing with improved rails
• Stem: POM with tighter guidance
• Lifespan: up to 100 million actuations
• Character: Same mild bump, but smoother travel, less wobble and quieter than MX1A

3. Sound & Typing Feel

Switch	Sound	Typing feel	Ideal for
Cherry MX Brown (MX1A)	Soft, neutral, slightly scratchy stock	Mild tactile bump, fairly linear after the bump; can feel a bit grainy	Beginners and all-round use (work, gaming, home)
Cherry MX2A Brown	Slightly deeper and quieter, less friction noise	Same bump strength but noticeably smoother and more consistent across keys	Users who want a quiet, comfortable tactile switch for long sessions
Cherry MX Red	Soft, linear	No bump, fully linear and lighter	Users who do not need tactile feedback and want the lightest key press

4. Community Impressions

About Cherry MX Brown (MX1A)

“A safe choice – not too loud, not too heavy, but also not very exciting.”

“Fine for everyday use, but feels a bit ‘grainy’ compared to modern tactiles.”

About Cherry MX2A Brown

“Feels like a cleaned-up MX Brown: same bump, but much smoother.”

“Perfect if you want a quiet tactile that you can use all day without getting tired.”

5. Pros & Cons

Cherry MX Brown (MX1A)

Pros:

• Extremely versatile, neutral tactile switch
• Not too loud – suitable for shared spaces
• Widely used standard in office and gaming keyboards

Cons:

• Can feel a bit boring or characterless for switch enthusiasts
• Stock feel is often slightly scratchy and not super smooth
• Less refined tactile feedback than modern tactiles (Type R, Baby Kangaroo, etc.)

Cherry MX2A Brown

Pros:

• Smoother keystroke thanks to improved rails and factory lubrication
• Less wobble and more consistent feedback across the whole keyboard
• Keeps the mild, accessible bump – ideal for long workdays

Cons:

• If you want a strong tactile bump, Brown (even MX2A) is still too mild
• Factory lube is not perfect; some users will relube for maximum smoothness
• For fans of the “vintage Brown feel”, MX2A can feel a bit too clean

6. When to Choose Which?

• Choose Cherry MX Brown (MX1A) if you want the classic, neutral tactile experience found in many prebuilts and you do not mind a slightly grainy stock feel.
• Choose Cherry MX2A Brown if you want the same mild tactile bump, but smoother, quieter and more consistent. Ideal for home office, workplace and long typing sessions without much noise or fatigue.

7. Where to Buy

• Cherry MX Brown (MX1A) – search on RGBKeys
• Cherry MX2A Brown – search on RGBKeys

Conclusion

Cherry MX Brown (MX1A) and Cherry MX2A Brown target the same audience: users who want a quiet, non-clicky tactile that works everywhere. MX Brown is the classic safe choice you see in many office and gaming keyboards. MX2A Brown feels like the modern, cleaned-up version: less friction, less wobble and a slightly more mature sound profile.

If you just want a reliable tactile without extra fuss, Cherry MX Brown (MX1A) is still fine. If you want a bit more comfort, smoothness and consistency in the long run, Cherry MX2A Brown is the logical upgrade.

Also explore other tactile, linear and clicky options in our full Switch Collection at RGBKeys.