Cherry launches new MX keyboard switches sampler box

CHERRY has launched the MX ILLUMA RED, MX ILLUMA BROWN and MX EMERALD REEF mechanical keyboard switches, expanding its MX switch range and adding the new models to its latest switch sampler box.

The products are aimed at users seeking different typing characteristics, with a focus on switch stability, RGB light distribution and lower noise. The launches reflect growing scrutiny among keyboard buyers over how switches feel, sound and look.

New switches

Two of the additions are part of the new MX ILLUMA line. The MX ILLUMA RED is a linear switch designed to deliver smooth keystrokes, while the MX ILLUMA BROWN is a tactile variant intended to provide feedback without sacrificing stability.

Both ILLUMA models use CHERRY's Gold Crosspoint technology and are rated for more than 100 million keystrokes. A redesigned housing and updated internal guidance system are intended to reduce movement inside the switch and cut noise during use.

The switches also include integrated lenses designed to improve the spread of RGB lighting across keyboards that support illuminated switches, producing brighter and more even lighting effects than earlier designs.

The MX ILLUMA RED has an actuation force of 45 cN, while the MX ILLUMA BROWN has a tactile force of 55 cN. Both are sold in packs of 36 switches.

Quieter tactile option

The third launch, MX EMERALD REEF, is built on the MX ILLUMA platform but targets users who want tactile feedback with less sound. It was developed with input from the keyboard enthusiast community.

According to CHERRY, the switch combines a pronounced tactile bump with noise-dampening elements that reduce sound when keys are pressed and released. It also uses an enhanced stem guidance system to reduce wobble and improve stability.

CHERRY has given the model a more distinctive appearance than its other switches, with a turquoise top housing, a light blue base and a neon green stem. The design takes its cue from coral reef colours.

The MX EMERALD REEF has an actuation force of 41 cN and actuates at 2.0mm. It is rated for more than 50 million keystrokes, supports RGB lighting and is also sold in packs of 36.

Sampler box

Alongside the switch launches, CHERRY has updated its MX EXPERIENCE BOX with a second edition containing sample versions of 10 different MX switches. The box is designed for users who want to compare switch feel, sound and response before buying a full set.

The 10 included models are MX EMERALD REEF, MX ILLUMA RED, MX ILLUMA BROWN, MX PETAL, MX BLOSSOM, MX2A HONEY, MX FALCON, MX NORTHERN LIGHT, MX2A BLACK and MX2A SILENT RED. All use a 5-pin design and work with hot-swap keyboards.

CHERRY said the plastic-free cardboard packaging is intended to protect the switches' contact pins during transport. Users can test the switches side by side in compatible keyboards to compare their characteristics directly.

The sampler box addresses a longstanding issue in the mechanical keyboard market, where buying decisions often depend on subjective preferences that are difficult to judge from written specifications alone. Force figures and switch type provide a rough guide, but enthusiasts often focus just as heavily on subtle differences in travel, sound profile and stability.

That has helped create a market for tester packs and switch samplers across the keyboard sector. By including its latest products alongside established switch types, CHERRY is positioning the box as both a trial format for new users and a comparison tool for more experienced buyers.

Gunnar Schreck, Head of Product Management at CHERRY, outlined the reasoning behind the launch.

"The keyboard community is paying closer attention than ever to how a switch feels, sounds and looks. With MX ILLUMA and MX EMERALD REEF, CHERRY has introduced switches that deliver a refined typing experience, whether that's smoother keystrokes, quieter tactility or enhanced RGB effects. Combined with the MX EXPERIENCE BOX, we're also making it easier for people to discover the switch that matches their preferred typing feel," said Schreck.