CHERRY MX Falcon Review: Heavy-Tactile, Longpole Stem Switch

If you've been chasing that perfect tactile switch — one that actually talks back to your fingertips without screaming at the whole office — the CHERRY MX Falcon Switch Kit might be exactly what you didn't know you needed. I dug deep into this one, combing through real verified buyer feedback and the full tech specs, and here's my honest, complete breakdown.

What Is the CHERRY MX Falcon?

The MX Falcon is CHERRY's newest addition to its MX2A family and, notably, CHERRY's first ever longpole stem switch. Inspired by the crisp, punchy feel of vintage typewriters, it's engineered for heavy typists, keyboard enthusiasts, and gamers who want bold tactile feedback without any audible click. CHERRY calls it "Heavy-Tactile & Heavy-Satisfying" — and that description is surprisingly accurate.

It comes in a 36-switch kit priced at $19.99 — roughly $0.55 per switch — in 100% plastic-free cardboard packaging.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Design & Build Quality: Made in Germany Still Means Something

From the moment you handle a Falcon, the German engineering heritage is unmistakable. The switch features:

• Ivory nylon upper housing with a tolerance of less than 0.01 mm — precision-machined for smooth stem travel
• Navy nylon lower housing that doubles as the PCB mounting base
• Orange POM stem — the longpole design is the headline feature here, giving shorter total travel before bottom-out and a distinctly "thockier" sound signature
• CHERRY Gold Crosspoint contacts — self-cleaning, corrosion-resistant, and rated for 50+ million keystrokes without degradation
• Barrel spring — single-stage, well-tuned from the factory

The longpole stem is what makes the Falcon stand apart from every other MX switch in CHERRY's lineup. Where traditional MX stems have more travel after the bump, the Falcon's extended stem reaches the bottom sooner — creating that satisfying early bottom-out feel typewriter fans crave.

How Does It Actually Feel?

Let's be direct: this is one of the heaviest tactile bumps on the market. The 70 cN tactile force figure isn't a typo. If you're coming from MX Browns (45 cN tactile) or even MX Clears (65 cN), the Falcon will feel noticeably more demanding. Multiple reviewers with keyboard experience confirmed it's the heaviest tactile bump they've personally encountered.

The bump is positioned early in the stroke, meaning you feel it almost immediately as the key depresses — consistent with the pre-travel spec of just 1.7 mm. This placement makes the actuation feel very direct and deliberate. There's also a short travel before the bump begins, giving the keystroke a slightly "loose" lead-in that some users love and others find takes getting used to.

What kind of typist is this for?

• You type hard — you bottom out linears constantly and want a switch that pushes back
• You want tactile confirmation without the click sound (office-friendly, late-night gaming friendly)
• You love the feel of vintage typing machines
• You're building a custom board and want a switch with real personality

What kind of typist should look elsewhere?

• If you want a light or medium tactile (look at MX Browns or MX Clears instead)
• If you're a pure speed gamer who wants fast, light actuation (consider MX Speed Silver)
• If RGB lighting is a priority — the Falcon's opaque housing with a small north-facing LED hole limits light bleed significantly

Sound Profile: That Signature "Thock"

One of the Falcon's most talked-about qualities is its sound. The longpole design combined with the POM stem and nylon housing creates a dense, low-pitched "thock" on bottom-out — the kind of sound keyboard enthusiasts actively seek out.

Out of the box, the factory lube contributes to a relatively smooth sound, though some experienced switch modders note that a careful re-lube with quality switch lubricant (like Krytox 205g0 or Tribosys 3203) elevates the sound profile further — reducing any residual dryness and making the thock even more pronounced. For casual users, stock performance is solid and enjoyable. For enthusiasts who love to tinker, lubing makes these a different switch entirely.

Keep in mind the Falcon is not a silent switch — it has the natural sound of a tactile MX switch impacting the housing. It's significantly quieter than clicky variants (MX Blue, MX Green) but louder than CHERRY's dedicated silent switches (MX Silent Red, MX2A Honey).

Compatibility: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Hot-swap keyboards: The Falcon is plug-and-play. If your board supports hot-swap sockets (common on enthusiast boards and many gaming keyboards), installation is tool-free and takes seconds per switch.

Solder keyboards: These work in any standard MX-compatible PCB, but you'll need soldering equipment.

Important: 5-pin vs 3-pin. The Falcon is a 5-pin (PCB-mount) switch. If your keyboard only has 3-pin (plate-mount) sockets, you'll need to clip the two extra plastic pins on each switch with flush cutters. This is a simple, reversible modification and takes about 10 seconds per switch — it doesn't affect performance.

Proprietary keyboards: The Falcon follows the universal MX standard and will NOT fit keyboards using proprietary switches from brands that don't support standard MX sizing (some Logitech, some Razer older models, etc.). Check your board's compatibility before purchasing.

RGB: The opaque housing limits LED light transmission. Best results are with north-facing keyboards using shine-through keycaps with upper-center legends. South-facing setups or side-legend keycaps won't illuminate well.

What Real Buyers Are Saying

With 14 verified reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5 stars, the consensus from Amazon buyers is clear:

The feel is exceptional. Multiple reviewers described the tactile bump as unlike anything else they've tried — precise, intentional, and deeply satisfying. One buyer called it "the heaviest tactile bump I have used yet." Another long-time MX Clear fan said lubing the Falcon made it a 5-star switch in feel alone.

The longpole design works. The early bottom-out and denser sound are consistently praised as delivering on CHERRY's vintage typewriter inspiration.

A few caveats from buyers:

• Packaging is minimal — switches arrive loose in a cardboard box with tissue paper. A small number of buyers reported slightly bent pins on arrival (easy to straighten, but worth inspecting before installation). CHERRY's eco-packaging decision draws mixed opinions.
• The heaviness isn't for everyone. One reviewer removed the Falcon from their pinky keys after half a day because the actuation force fatigued their hands. If you're unsure, consider buying a small sample pack before committing to a full board.
• Not ideal for RGB builds due to the opaque housing.

Value: Is $19.99 for 36 Switches Worth It?

At approximately $0.55 per switch, the Falcon sits in the mid-to-premium range for enthusiast switches. Budget alternatives can be had for $0.20–$0.35 per switch, while ultra-premium switches can exceed $1.00 each.

For what CHERRY is delivering — German manufacturing, Gold Crosspoint contacts, factory lube, and a genuinely unique longpole tactile feel — the price is fair for enthusiasts. If you're building or upgrading a 60% or TKL board and want a premium switch with serious personality, the 36-pack covers your alphas comfortably or your entire smaller layout.

For full-size keyboard builds (100+ keys), you'll likely need 3 packs. At $60 for a full set, that's a real investment — but on par with other quality switch kits in this tier.

CHERRY MX Falcon vs. The Lineup

To put the Falcon in context within the CHERRY MX ecosystem:

The Falcon fills a gap no other MX switch addressed: a heavy, silent tactile with a longpole stem. It's a uniquely positioned switch.

The CHERRY MX Falcon Switch Kit is an outstanding choice for heavy typists and tactile enthusiasts who want maximum feedback without the noise. The longpole design delivers a distinctive bottom-out feel and a rich thock that stands out in a crowded switch market. CHERRY's Gold Crosspoint contacts and German manufacturing ensure longevity and consistency across every single keystroke.

The trade-offs — limited RGB compatibility, minimal packaging, and the sheer weight of the actuation — are real, but they're also well-documented. Go in knowing what you're getting: a heavy, deliberate, personality-rich tactile switch built for people who mean business at their keyboard.

If you've been searching for a tactile upgrade that makes every keystroke feel intentional, the Falcon is the switch worth trying.

→ Check current price & availability on Amazon

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This article is part of the Amazon Creator Connections program. I earn a commission on qualifying purchases through the links above. All opinions are based on verified customer data and product research. I was not provided a sample for this review.*