CHERRY MX2A SPEED SILVER
Fast and direct
Linear. Precise. Built for performance.
CHERRY MX ILLUMA RED
The CHERRY MX ILLUMA RED advances the MX switch platform with a refined focus on precision, stability and lighting. Its smooth linear response ensures fast, effortless input, while optimized mechanics reduce wobble for greater stability and control. Improved light guidance delivers sharper, more consistent RGB illumination and the redesigned housing enables more flexible keyboard layouts. Building on the iconic Gold Crosspoint contact technology, it guarantees long-lasting reliability and consistent performance – making every keystroke feel precise, responsive and built for the long run.
Highlights
- Linear switching characteristic
- 45 cN operating force
- 2.0 mm pre-travel
- 4.0 mm total travel
- >100 million actuations
- Optimized stem centering
- Reduced keycap collision risk
- Optional lens integration for enhanced RGB illumination
- 5-pin RGB variants
CHERRY MX ILLUMA RED
REFINED TO PERFORM.
The CHERRY MX ILLUMA RED represents the next evolutionary step in the MX switch platform - a refined design built to deliver greater precision, stability and visual performance. Enjoy fast, smooth linear response paired with optimized mechanics that reduce wobble and improve overall stability. Brilliantly refined RGB illumination brings your keyboard to life, while the redesigned housing unlocks new creative freedom in layout and design. Built on CHERRY’s proven Gold Crosspoint technology, the Switch maintains the long-lasting reliability and precision the MX name is known for – for those who expect more from every keystroke.
CHERRY MX.
THE BENCHMARK FOR MECHANICAL SWITCHES.
Every great keyboard starts with a feeling - the subtle feedback beneath your fingertips, the confidence in every press. For decades, CHERRY MX has defined that standard in mechanical switches. The MX ILLUMA RED builds on this legacy, introducing a more refined switch design that improves stability, smoothness and lighting performance. The result is a fast, fluid keystroke that feels more precise from top to bottom – consistent, clean and effortlessly responsive. It’s the MX experience, evolved.
GREATER STABILITY. MORE CONTROL.
Refinement starts with feel. Optimized mechanics, an extended actuator guide and tighter tolerances work together to reduce wobble and unwanted noise. The result is a more stable, grounded keystroke that inspires confidence. Every press lands exactly where you expect it. Every reset is crisp and reliable. Whether gaming or creating, you stay focused on what matters.
SHARPER LIGHT. STRONGER IMPACT.
Lighting is more than an effect – it’s part of the experience. The MX ILLUMA RED features improved internal geometry and optimized light guidance for brighter, clearer and more even RGB illumination. With integrated lens support and expanded customization options, each key becomes more defined, giving your keyboard a sharper, more premium visual presence.
DESIGNED FOR MODERN KEYBOARDS.
The redesigned top housing reduces interference and opens up new layout possibilities. From flexible 90° mounting to improved keycap spacing, the MX ILLUMA RED enables more creative freedom in keyboard design. Whether minimal or expressive, it gives designers and enthusiasts the flexibility to build without compromise.
RELIABILITY, REFINED.
Behind every refinement is the same trusted foundation. CHERRY’s Gold Crosspoint technology ensures millions of actuations with no loss of feel or precision. No degradation. No inconsistency. Just dependable performance – now in a more refined form.
The Original
Inside CHERRY MX ILLUMA RED
1 ILLUMINATION LENS
The CHERRY MX ILLUMA RED is available in two versions: with or without an integrated lens. The version with lens is designed to guide and distribute RGB light more effectively, supporting bright and even illumination of the keycap.The version without lens offers the same fundamental switch characteristics while omitting the additional light-guiding element. This provides two configurations for different keyboard designs and illumination requirements.
2 UPPER HOUSING
The redesigned upper housing is a high-precision CAD component made of advanced polymer. With tight tolerances, it ensures precise guidance of the switching slide while reducing keycap collision risk. The optimized geometry also improves light diffusion and supports optional lens integration for enhanced RGB performance.3 SWITCHING SLIDE / STEM
The optimized stem is a high-precision CAD component engineered for smooth, linear keystrokes. Enhanced stem centering and reduced clearance minimize wobble and key rattle, resulting in a stable, consistent typing experience. The refined design ensures a clean bottom-out and precise reset, while securely supporting the keycap.4 GOLD CROSSPOINT CONTACT
Gold-based, the crosspoint contact is the heart of every CHERRY MX keyswitch and the basis of its incredible reliability and durability. With absolute precision, these triangular cross-contacts meet each other at precise right angles. This unique CHERRY innovation and ornate gold-plating make the electrical contact enclosure self-cleaning and gives the keyswitch permanent protection against corrosion, guaranteeing the keyswitch for more than 100 million operations.5 PRECISION COIL SPRING
The keyswitch’s coil spring pressure resistance is the CHERRY MX’s sparring partner for your fingers. The high-density molecular structure of the spring’s metal alloy is calculated individually on the keyswitch and consistently optimized for the keyswitch’s specific pressure force.6 HOUSING BASE
Dual-functional, the housing base component is made of plastic polymer and glass fibre. The inner part forms the mounting for the CHERRY MX keyswitch’s switching mechanism. The outer part is both the base and mounting surface for CHERRY’s mechanical keyboards.| CHERRY MX Switch | How does it type? | Switch characteristics | Keystrokes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX BLACK | powerful and direct | linear (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX BLACK CLEAR TOP | powerful, direct and retro | linear (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX BLOSSOM | featherlight and direct | linear (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX BLUE | powerful and noticeable | tactile and acoustic (with click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX BROWN | targeted and noticeable | tactile (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX CLEAR | focused, powerful and noticeable | tactile (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX EMERALD REEF | precise and quiet | tactile (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX ERGO CLEAR | targeted, smooth and noticeable | tactile (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX FALCON | heavy-tactile - heavy-satisfying | tactile (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX GREEN | loud, robust and noticeable | tactile and acoustic (with click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX GREY | purposeful, robust and noticeable | tactile (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX HONEY | tactile and silent | tactile (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX ILLUMA BROWN | precise and noticeable | tactile (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX ILLUMA RED | smooth and responsive | linear (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX NORTHERN LIGHT | ultra-smooth and silent | linear (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX PURPLE | reactive and tactile | tactile (without click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX RED | smooth-running and directly | linear (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX SILENT BLACK | powerful and quiet | linear (without click + quiet) | > 50 mil. |
| MX SILENT RED | smooth-running and quiet | linear (without click + quiet) | > 50 mil. |
| MX SPEED SILVER | fast and direct | linear (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX LOW PROFILE RED | quick-witted, smooth and direct | linear (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX LOW PROFILE SPEED | quick-witted, fast and direct | linear (without click) | > 100 mil. |
| MX ULP CLICK | ultra-low profile, clicky and noticeable | tactile and acoustic (with click) | > 50 mil. |
| MX ULP TACTILE | ultra-low profile, focused and noticeable | tactile (without click) | > 50 mil. |
CHERRY MX are the best switches on the market
Discover the variety of CHERRY switches
CHERRY MX2A SILENT RED
Smooth and silent
CHERRY MX2A SILENT BLACK
Powerful and silent
CHERRY MX2A RED
Smooth and direct
CHERRY MX2A BROWN
Focused and noticeable
CHERRY MX2A BLUE
Clicky and noticeable
CHERRY MX2A BLACK
Powerful and direct
CHERRY MX ULP TACTILE
Ultra-low profile, focused and noticeable
CHERRY MX ULP CLICK
Ultra-low profile, clicky and noticeable
CHERRY MX2A PURPLE
Reactive and tactile
CHERRY MX2A ORANGE
The revival of a long-lost legend
CHERRY MX MULTIPOINT SILVER
Fast and inductive
CHERRY MX MULTIPOINT CYAN
Controllable and inductive
CHERRY MX MULTIPOINT BLACK
Powerful and inductive
CHERRY MX LOW PROFILE 2.0 SPEED
Quick-witted, fast and direct
CHERRY MX LOW PROFILE 2.0 RED
Quick-witted, smooth and direct
CHERRY MX TACTILE GREY
Focused, robust and noticeable
CHERRY MX GREEN
Clicky, robust and noticeable
CHERRY MX CLEAR
Focused, powerful and noticeable
CHERRY MX BLACK CLEAR-TOP
Powerful, direct and retro
CHERRY MX BLOSSOM
Featherlight and direct
CHERRY MX2A ERGO CLEAR
Focused, smooth and noticeable
CHERRY MX NORTHERN LIGHT
Ultra-Smooth and silent
CHERRY MX2A HONEY
Tactile and silent
CHERRY MX FALCON
Heavy-Tactile - Heavy-Satisfying
CHERRY MX PETAL
Smooth and tactile
CHERRY MX ILLUMA BROWN
Tactile. Controlled. Precisely defined.
CHERRY MX EMERALD REEF
Precise. Silent. No compromise.
CHERRY MX ILLUMA RED
Linear. Precise. Built for performance.
CHERRY MX EXPERIENCE BOX 2ND EDITION
The diversity of the CHERRY MX world in one box
Properties
| stem colour | red |
|---|---|
| Actuator travel | 4 mm |
| Pre-Travel | 2 mm |
| Contact system | MX Gold Crosspoint |
| Actuation characteristic | linear |
| Actuation force | 45 cN |
| Initial force | 30 cN |
| Final force | 100 cN |
