Are Cherry Northern Lights Switches Worth the Premium Price?
content: Cherry's Comeback Bid
Keyboard enthusiasts have long debated Cherry MX switches. Once the industry standard, many now consider them outdated compared to newer competitors. When Cherry announced the Northern Lights switches promising significant improvements, I tested them in a premium Zoom 75 build. After extensive hands-on evaluation, I'll answer the critical question: Do these switches redeem Cherry's reputation or fall short despite genuine improvements?
Technical Improvements and Performance
Cherry made meaningful upgrades to the Northern Lights switches. The factory lubrication shows noticeable refinement compared to their inconsistent MX 2.0 lineup. Lubricant application is more thorough and consistent, covering nearly all contact points. This results in their smoothest switch yet—a significant achievement given Cherry's history with scratchy stems.
The silent mechanism deserves special attention. Using stem-integrated dampening similar to Cherry Silent Reds, these switches effectively reduce noise without sacrificing tactility. However, our sound tests reveal they don't outperform premium silent competitors like Wu Studio or Kailh Prestige switches in noise reduction.
Critical finding: While the stem design is effective, Cherry's proprietary mold geometry still creates subtle friction points that premium competitors have engineered out. During typing sessions, you'll notice these switches are smoother than previous Cherry offerings but not class-leading.
The Manufacturing Shift and Pricing Dilemma
Cherry recently announced they're discontinuing switch production at their German factory in Arbach, moving manufacturing to China. This explains their improved factory lube application—Chinese facilities have perfected this process for enthusiast-grade switches.
However, this relocation creates a pricing paradox. At $30 for 36 switches (approximately $0.83 per switch), they're nearly double the cost of comparable silent switches:
| Switch Model | Price for 36 | Price per Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Northern Lights | $30 | $0.83 |
| Kailh Prestige Silent | $16 | $0.44 |
| Wu Studio Silent Reds | $18 | $0.50 |
Expert perspective: The manufacturing shift to China should reduce production costs, yet Cherry maintains premium pricing. This contradicts industry trends where brands like Kailh pass savings to consumers when production scales efficiently.
Silent Switch Alternatives Compared
For those prioritizing value without sacrificing quality, consider these alternatives:
Kailh Prestige Silent ($0.44/switch): My top budget recommendation. These offer comparable noise reduction to the Northern Lights with a marginally smoother feel. Their factory lube consistency rivals premium brands.
Wu Studio Silent Linears ($0.50/switch): Better for RGB enthusiasts. Their light diffusion design outperforms Cherry's modest shine-through while offering similar acoustics.
Gazzew Boba U4 Silent ($0.65/switch): The premium choice for true silence. Though more expensive than Kailh or Wu, they still undercut Cherry's pricing while delivering superior dampening.
Practical tip: If you already own older Cherry switches, hand-lubing them yields 80% of the Northern Lights' performance at minimal cost—a smart solution for budget-conscious builders.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
Cherry's Northern Lights represent their most significant improvement in years. The refined lube application and smoothness show they've addressed past criticisms. However, at nearly double competitors' prices without matching their performance, these switches become a hard recommendation.
Action steps:
- Choose Kailh Prestige for budget silent builds
- Opt for Wu Studios if RGB is essential
- Consider Boba U4 for maximum noise reduction
- Hand-lube existing Cherry switches for similar results
For Cherry engineers: This proves you can innovate. Keep iterating at competitive prices, and enthusiasts will return. But today, these switches remain a curiosity rather than a compelling choice against established alternatives.
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