Cherry MX Illuma switches mark the biggest refresh of the company’s mechanical switch housings in years, pairing a redesigned stem guidance system with built-in lenses for cleaner RGB lighting. The German switch maker has also released the community-shaped MX Emerald Reef and a second MX Experience Box, giving builders more ways to try the expanded range before committing to a full set.
Key takeaways
- ✓Cherry's new MX Illuma Red and Brown switches use a redesigned housing to cut wobble and noise
- ✓Both Illuma switches rely on Gold Crosspoint contacts rated for over 100 million keystrokes
- ✓The tactile MX Emerald Reef was shaped by keyboard community feedback and dampens noise on press and release
- ✓MX Emerald Reef has a 41cN actuation force, 2.0mm actuation point and 50 million keystroke rating
- ✓A second MX Experience Box bundles 10 hot-swappable switch types in plastic-free packaging
The announcement lands at a moment when hot-swappable keyboards have made switch choice a mainstream decision rather than a niche hobby. Cherry, the company that effectively invented the modern mechanical switch, is clearly aiming to stay relevant against newer rivals such as Gateron and Kailh by tightening tolerances and adding factory-level polish rather than just releasing new colourways.
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What’s changed in the Cherry MX Illuma switches
The redesigned housing is the headline change. Cherry says the updated internal guidance system reduces stem wobble, which in turn cuts down on the scratchy or rattly feel some typists associate with budget switches. Less wobble generally means a more consistent keystroke and quieter operation, two things enthusiasts have been requesting for years.
Both the linear linear MX Illuma Red and the tactile MX Illuma Brown use Cherry’s Gold Crosspoint contact technology, which the company rates for more than 100 million keystrokes. That durability figure has long been a selling point for Cherry’s switches and remains unchanged here, even as the housing itself gets an overhaul.
A smaller but practical addition is the integrated light lens built into each switch. Rather than relying on a translucent housing alone to spread light from an RGB LED, the lens is designed to diffuse it more evenly, which should mean fewer dull patches or inconsistent glow across a keyboard’s legends. The MX Illuma Red is rated at 45cN of actuation force, while the tactile Brown needs 55cN to register a keystroke. Both ship in packs of 36.
MX Emerald Reef takes cues from the keyboard community
Alongside the Illuma pair, Cherry has introduced the MX Emerald Reef, a tactile switch built on the same platform but developed with direct input from keyboard enthusiasts. It stands out visually with a turquoise top, light blue base and neon green stem, a combination that leans into the custom keyboard scene’s appetite for distinctive aesthetics rather than the usual black or clear housings.
Functionally, the MX Emerald Reef adds noise dampening on both the downstroke and the return, which should soften the clack that some tactile switches produce when the stem bottoms out or resets. Cherry lists a 41cN actuation force, a 2.0mm actuation point and a 50 million keystroke lifespan, a lower rating than the Illuma pair but still well above what most typists will ever wear through in practice.
Specifications at a glance
| Switch | Type | Actuation force | Actuation point | Rated lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX Illuma Red | Linear | 45cN | Not specified | 100 million+ |
| MX Illuma Brown | Tactile | 55cN | Not specified | 100 million+ |
| MX Emerald Reef | Tactile | 41cN | 2.0mm | 50 million |
For anyone keen to compare switches side by side before building or modding a keyboard, Cherry’s second MX Experience Box packages 10 different 5-pin hot-swappable switches in plastic-free packaging. The bundle spans the new Illuma and Emerald Reef designs through to existing MX2A models, giving buyers a practical way to feel the differences in actuation force and tactility before buying in bulk.
Why the refresh matters for keyboard builders
Cherry’s switches have historically been judged on reliability rather than feel, with enthusiasts often favouring competitors for smoother linear travel or more pronounced tactile bumps. This update directly targets that gap by addressing wobble and acoustics at the housing level, the same area where brands like Gateron’s own push into quieter low-profile switches has been gaining attention among custom keyboard builders.
The inclusion of hot-swappable, 5-pin compatible designs also reflects how much the market has shifted. Soldering switches into a board is increasingly a last resort rather than the default, and manufacturers that make it easy to try before committing stand to win over builders who might otherwise default to whichever switch shipped with their keyboard. Cherry’s updated Experience Box is a clear nod to that buying behaviour.
None of this changes the fundamentals of how a mechanical switch works, but refinements to wobble, noise and lighting consistency are the kind of incremental gains that add up over thousands of keystrokes. For a company whose name is practically synonymous with the mechanical switch category, staying competitive on feel and polish, not just keystroke ratings, is increasingly the battleground.
Frequently asked questions
What is different about the Cherry MX Illuma switches compared to older Cherry switches?
The MX Illuma Red and Brown use a redesigned housing and internal guidance system aimed at reducing stem wobble and noise, plus an integrated lens for more even RGB lighting, while keeping Cherry’s Gold Crosspoint contacts rated for over 100 million keystrokes.
Is the MX Emerald Reef a linear or tactile switch?
The MX Emerald Reef is a tactile switch, with a 41cN actuation force, a 2.0mm actuation point and noise dampening built in for both the press and the release of the keystroke.
Are these switches hot-swappable?
Yes, the switches included in Cherry’s MX Experience Box 2nd Edition use a 5-pin design compatible with hot-swappable keyboard sockets, allowing them to be tested or swapped without soldering.
How long are Cherry’s new switches rated to last?
The MX Illuma Red and Brown are rated for more than 100 million keystrokes, while the MX Emerald Reef carries a 50 million keystroke rating, still well beyond typical everyday use.
