Kailh Blue Switches Review: Are They Better Than Cherry?

If you recently purchased a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard from Amazon, there is a very high chance it came equipped with Kailh Blue switches. For years, Kailh was dismissed as a cheap “clone” brand. Today, they are one of the most respected switch manufacturers in the custom keyboard hobby.

Kailh Blue switches are tactile, clicky mechanical switches with a 50g actuation force. They are an excellent, budget-friendly alternative to Cherry MX Blues, offering a slightly higher-pitched “click” sound and a very distinct tactile bump that is perfect for heavy typists.

If you are wondering if these switches are actually good for gaming, or if you should upgrade them immediately, here is our complete review and comparison of the Kailh Blue.

The Specs: What is a Kailh Blue Switch?

Before we compare it to the competition, you need to understand the physical mechanics of the switch.

• Switch Type: Clicky / Tactile
• Actuation Force: 50g
• Bottom-Out Force: 60g
• Actuation Point: 2.0mm
• Total Travel: 4.0mm
• Lifespan: 50 Million Keystrokes

When you press a Kailh Blue switch, the plastic stem slides past a metal leaf, creating a physical “bump.” Immediately after the bump, a plastic “click jacket” snaps down, creating a sharp, high-pitched audible click. (Want to learn more about how these mechanisms work? Read our Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard Switches Guide).

Kailh Blue vs. Cherry MX Blue

The most common question beginners ask is how Kailh compares to the industry standard, Cherry MX.

• The Feel: Cherry MX Blues require a slightly heavier actuation force (60g) compared to Kailh Blues (50g). This makes the Kailh switch feel slightly lighter and faster to press, which some typists prefer for long writing sessions to prevent finger fatigue.
• The Sound: Cherry MX Blues have a slightly deeper, more robust “click” sound. Kailh Blues are noticeably higher-pitched and “rattly.”
• The Price: This is where Kailh wins. Kailh switches are significantly cheaper to manufacture, which is why they are so common in pre-built keyboards under $50.

Are Kailh Blue Switches Good for Gaming?

Generally, no. While you can game on them, clicky switches are highly discouraged in the modern PC gaming community for two reasons:

1. Hysteresis (Speed): The mechanism that creates the click adds a massive amount of friction to the keystroke. The reset point of the switch is higher than the actuation point, making it incredibly difficult to rapidly double-tap a key (like trying to jiggle-peek a corner in Valorant).
2. The Noise: If you join a Discord call with an open microphone while typing on Kailh Blues, the sharp, high-pitched noise will bleed through your mic and annoy your teammates.

If you are a competitive gamer, you should swap your clicky switches for smooth, silent linear switches. (Read our guide to the 5 Best Linear Switches for Gaming to see our top recommendations).

The Better Alternative: Kailh Box White

If you love the clicky sound but hate the scratchy feeling of a traditional Kailh Blue, you should upgrade to the 

 or .

Instead of using a cheap plastic “click jacket” like the Blue switch, Kailh’s “Box” lineup uses a thick metal “Click Bar.” When the stem pushes past it, the bar snaps back and hits the plastic housing. This creates an incredibly crisp, tactile, and premium click that sounds like a vintage typewriter. (See our full breakdown of Click Bars in our guide to the 5 Best Clicky Keyboard Switches).

Frequently Asked Questions