Full Specifications
| Switch Type | Clicky |
| Stem Material | POM |
| Housing Material | Nylon |
| Spring Type | Single-stage |
| Factory Lubed | Unlubed |
| PCB Compatibility | 3-pin or 5-pin |
| Actuation Force | 50g |
| Bottom-Out Force | 60g |
| Pre-Travel | 2mm |
| Total Travel | 4mm |
| Sound Profile | Loud Click |
| Price | $5.00 per 10 switches |
Editorial Review
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.
Best Keyboards For These Switches
Filco Majestouch
The quintessential Cherry Blue board — paired for decades with good reason.
Ducky One 3
Modern board with MX Blue as a core option for clicky enthusiasts.
Varmilo VA87M
Premium aluminum tenkeyless that makes MX Blues sound their best.
Similar Switches
Where This Switch Fits
As the switch that made clicky mechanical keyboards mainstream, the Cherry MX Blue's 50g actuation and traditional click-jacket mechanism are the baseline every other clicky switch on this list gets measured against. At $5.00 per 10, it's also the priciest of the three clicky options here, sitting above both the Kailh Box White ($3.00) and Kailh Blueberry ($3.50).
The tradeoff for that price is brand recognition and broad compatibility rather than a technically superior click — Kailh's box-stem (Box White) and click-bar (Blueberry) mechanisms are generally considered more refined and consistent click implementations by switch enthusiasts, which is part of why both undercut the MX Blue on price despite being newer designs. For buyers who specifically want the "classic" clicky sound and don't mind paying a premium for the original mechanism, the MX Blue remains the default; buyers optimizing for click quality per dollar are usually better served by one of the Kailh alternatives.