Cherry MX Blue $5.00 / 10

Cherry MX Blues are the switch that made "mechanical keyboard" synonymous with "clicky keyboard" in popular culture. That reputation is earned — the MX Blue produces a distinctive, sharp click on both the downstroke actuation event and the upstroke reset that is immediately recognizable and deeply satisfying to those who love it. It is also genuinely audible in any shared space, which is the primary reason many users eventually move on.

The click mechanism in the MX Blue is a two-part affair. The stem contacts a click jacket during downstroke, producing the characteristic click sound and tactile bump simultaneously. The click jacket then rides back over the stem on the upstroke, creating a second, softer click. This double-click character is part of what makes Blues distinctive and is responsible for the slight "clickety-clack" sound pattern some people find satisfying and others find grating.

At 50g actuation, Blues require slightly more force than MX Reds or Browns. The tactile-click event is pronounced enough that you know precisely when actuation occurs, making them excellent for typing accuracy. Touch typists who type deliberately and want clear audible/tactile confirmation of each keypress find Blues deeply satisfying.

For gaming, Blues are less popular. The click mechanism introduces a slight delay between when you feel the click and when the next keypress can begin, and the louder sound in gaming contexts (headset on, team chat active) can be distracting. They are perfectly functional for gaming but are not the first recommendation for competitive play.

Lubing MX Blues is generally not recommended — applying lube to a click mechanism tends to mute the click and create an inconsistent, "sloshy" sound rather than a clean click. If you want a clicky switch that can be lubed, look at Kailh Box Whites or click bar designs instead. MX Blues are best enjoyed stock or not at all.