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The best linear switch depends on what you want to optimize: smoothness, sound, RGB brightness, low operating force, silent operation, or short actuation. A Gateron Oil King is a very different choice from a TTC Frozen Silent V2, even though both are linear. Hall-effect switches such as Gateron Magnetic Jade are a separate category entirely and cannot be installed in a normal MX mechanical hot-swap keyboard.
This comparison covers current options and separates manufacturer specifications from third-party measurements. Force figures are not always directly comparable because manufacturers and reviewers use different test methods.
Quick recommendations
| Best for | Switch | Why choose it | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium all-round use | Gateron Oil King | Smooth, factory-lubed feel with a substantial bottom-out | Opaque housing reduces RGB brightness; not objectively the smoothest in every test |
| Traditional, dependable typing | Cherry MX Red | Familiar light linear action, broad availability, long rated life | Less refined stock feel than many newer pre-lubed switches |
| Competitive gaming with a standard mechanical board | Cherry MX Speed Silver | 1.2 mm actuation point | Short actuation can cause accidental key presses |
| Value upgrade | Gateron Milky Yellow Pro | Light, factory-lubed feel and deeper sound | “Gateron Yellow” specifications vary between versions |
| Light, smooth, shorter-travel typing | Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro | Low measured force and 3.3 mm bottom-out distance | 5-pin fit may require modification on a 3-pin PCB |
| Quiet office or shared-room use | TTC Frozen Silent V2 | Silicone dampening at top-out and bottom-out | Dampeners change the feel and reduce impact crispness |
| Short travel without Hall-effect hardware | Kailh Super Speed Silver | 1.1 mm nominal actuation travel and 3.5 mm total travel | Still has a fixed mechanical actuation point |
| Adjustable actuation | Gateron Magnetic Jade series | Hall-effect sensing enables software-configurable actuation | Requires a compatible magnetic keyboard system |
What to look for in a linear switch
Linear switches move straight down without the tactile bump of a tactile switch or the click mechanism of a clicky switch. That does not automatically make them quiet or faster. Noise comes from the spring, housing, keycap, top-out, bottom-out, keyboard case, plate, desk, and stabilizers. Likewise, total input latency depends on the keyboard controller, scan rate, firmware, connection, and actuation point—not only on the switch type.
Force and travel
A switch’s actuation force is the force needed to register a press. Initial force describes the force near the top of the stroke, while bottom-out force describes the force near the end. Two switches with the same advertised actuation force can still feel different if one has a progressive spring or a different force curve.
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#1 Best Overall
- Newest Gateron Oil King V2 switch prelubed switches-New upgraded Enhanced pins version.
- Oil King Switches:5-pin Linear Switch,Actuation Force:55gf±5gf,Bottom Force:65±10gf,Total travel:4mm Max,Life:60000000 cycles(min).
- Gold touching Point, supports 2-pin or 4-pin LED lights, and non-protruding SMD lights.
- Gateron Oil Kings are the best switch out of the box.
- These switches are packaged in OEM individual plastic trays in a box that leaves the switches intact.
Pre-travel is the distance before the key registers. Total travel is the full downward movement. A shorter pre-travel can make a key register sooner, but it also leaves less room for resting your fingers without triggering inputs.
Housing and lubrication
Factory lubrication can reduce scratchiness and spring noise, but it is not a guarantee of perfect consistency. Modern pre-lubed switches are generally usable without modification, although batches can differ. Housing color also has a practical effect: dark or opaque tops block more RGB light, while clear tops are better for illuminated keyboards.
Best premium linear switch: Gateron Oil King
The Gateron Oil King remains a strong choice for a smooth, heavier-feeling linear build. Gateron specifies a 55±5 gf operating force, 2.0 mm pre-travel, 4.0 mm total travel, approximately 80 gf bottom-out, and a lifespan of up to 60 million cycles. It uses a POM stem, a Nylon PA66 top housing, Gateron’s proprietary Ink bottom housing, a 20 mm black-plated spring, and factory lubrication. It is a 5-pin MX-style switch with plug-in LED support.
Its relatively heavy bottom-out gives it more resistance than a conventional Cherry MX Red. That can feel controlled for normal typing and gaming, especially if you dislike very light switches. The Ink-style housing also gives the switch a full sound, although the result depends heavily on the board and keycaps.
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Gateron’s product specifications are the better reference for its current force and travel figures. The often-repeated 65 g bottom-out figure does not match the manufacturer’s current approximately 80 gf specification.
Best familiar linear switch: Cherry MX Red
Cherry MX Red is the safe, widely recognized choice. Cherry’s datasheet lists approximately 45 cN actuation force, 2.0 mm pre-travel, 4.0 mm total travel, and more than 100 million actuations for the listed RGB MX Red module. In RTINGS’ tested sample, the switch measured 50 gf actuation, 63 gf bottom-out, 2.3 mm pre-travel, and 4.0 mm bottom-out distance.
Those numbers are not necessarily contradictory. A manufacturer’s nominal specification and a reviewer’s measurement of one sample use different tolerances and methods. The practical advantage of MX Red is consistency of availability, keycap compatibility, and replacement support rather than a particularly luxurious stock feel.
Rank #2
- 【Unmatched Smoothness】 Experience the pinnacle of smooth typing with the Gateron Oil King switches. Their factory-applied, thick lubrication and polished stems eliminate friction and scratchiness, providing a buttery smooth keystroke from top to bottom.
- 【Deep & Muted Sound Profile】 Enjoy a satisfyingly deep and consistent thocky sound with each press. The Oil King's unique nylon housing and long-term lubrication create a more muted, pleasant acoustic signature that is perfect for both office and gaming environments.
- 【Premium Full Nylon Housing】 Crafted with a proprietary full-nylon housing, these switches offer a uniquely deep and resonant sound. The material absorbs high-pitched noises, enhancing the rich, low-pitched sound profile that enthusiasts love.
- 【Reliable & Dust-Resistant】 The innovative dust-proof design features extended top housing poles that protect the internal stem from dust and debris. This ensures long-term stability, consistent performance, and protects the integrity of the smooth feel over time.
- 【Ready-to-Use Excellence】 These switches are meticulously lubed and tested at the factory, saving you the time and effort of manual modification. They are PCB-mount compatible (5-pin) and deliver a premium, consistent out-of-the-box experience for your next custom keyboard build.
Cherry’s RGB housing is designed for SMD LED illumination, making it a more sensible option than an opaque switch for an RGB-focused board. RTINGS lists the tested MX Red as a 3-pin switch, so check the exact version before ordering if your PCB requires 5-pin support or if you want additional plastic alignment legs.
Best for short actuation: Cherry MX Speed Silver
Cherry MX Speed Silver is designed around a short 1.2 mm pre-travel and a 45 cN actuation force. Cherry rates it for 100 million actuations. The shorter actuation point can be useful for movement keys and other inputs where registering a press early matters.
It should not be described as automatically 40% faster in real use. That type of figure is based on actuation distance, not a universal reduction in keyboard or game latency. Your keyboard’s scan and USB path still matter. A shallow actuation point can also produce accidental inputs when you rest a finger on a key or type quickly.
For a gaming keyboard used mainly for fast movement, Speed Silver is more defensible than for a general-purpose office board. If you want shallow actuation with adjustable behavior, use a compatible Hall-effect board instead of assuming a short-travel mechanical switch provides rapid-trigger functionality.
Best value option: Gateron Milky Yellow Pro
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro is a practical middle-ground switch for builders who want a lighter, smoother stock linear without paying premium-switch prices. A 2025 comparison lists approximately 50 g actuation force. The Pro version is factory-lubed, and its milky housing generally produces a softer, deeper sound than a clear, RGB-focused housing.
The name needs care: “Gateron Yellow” is not one fixed specification. Older and newer versions can use different molds, tolerances, spring behavior, and lubrication. Confirm the seller’s current listing rather than relying on a force number from an older review.
It is a good fit for a budget-to-midrange typing board where sound matters more than maximum RGB brightness. For a transparent RGB build, a clear-top switch is usually a better starting point.
Best light linear: Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro
Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro is notably light in RTINGS’ measurements: 38 gf initial force, 45 gf actuation, and 50 gf bottom-out. It measured 2.0 mm pre-travel and a 3.3 mm bottom-out distance, shorter than the conventional 4.0 mm travel found on many Cherry-style switches. The latest version uses a 5-pin design and newly lubed rails.
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- [Quality]: Newest Gateron Oil King V2 switch prelubed switches-New upgraded Enhanced pins version.Life:60000000 cycles(min)
- [Features]: Linear switches (vertical up-and-down movement), factory-pre-lubricated for are the best switch out of the box; compatible with 2-pin, 4-pin, and non-protruding SMD backlighting
- [Packaging]: Each switch is individually sealed in a PVC plastic case to protect it from damage and prevent contact bending. The packaging design is elegant and recyclable, and can also be used for everyday switch storage
- [Features 2]: Compatible with MX-series mechanical keyboards. The packaging is exquisite and attractive, making it the perfect Christmas or New Year’s gift for mechanical keyboard DIY enthusiasts
- [Product Specifications]: Actuation force: 55 gf ± 5gf; Release force: 65 gf ± 5gf; Total travel:4mm Max
This makes it appealing if you want a low-effort linear that does not feel as deep or heavy as an Oil King. The lighter force can reduce fatigue, but it may feel too easy for users who frequently bottom out keys or rest their hands on the keyboard.
Check the PCB before buying. A 5-pin switch has two plastic guide legs in addition to its two metal electrical pins and central stem. On a 3-pin-only PCB, the plastic legs can generally be clipped, but the metal pins must not be cut. Test one switch first, because a badly aligned or modified switch can damage the socket.
Best silent linear: TTC Frozen Silent V2
TTC Frozen Silent V2 is the strongest choice here when noise reduction is the priority. RTINGS measured 31 gf initial force, 38 gf actuation, 45 gf bottom-out, 2.0 mm pre-travel, and 3.4 mm bottom-out distance. It is listed as a 3-pin switch.
Its clear top housing works well in an RGB board. More importantly, it uses a silicone ring for top-out and a silicone pad for bottom-out. Those dampening components make it a genuinely silent linear rather than an ordinary linear that merely happens to be quiet in one keyboard.
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Best short-travel alternative: Kailh Super Speed Silver
Kailh Super Speed Silver specifies 38 gf actuation force, 1.1±0.3 mm actuation travel, 50 gf bottom-out, and 3.5±0.3 mm total travel. Kailh lists more than 15 gf return force and an 80-million-cycle mechanical life.
It is a useful option when you want a shorter mechanical actuation point but do not want a Cherry Speed Silver. It is still a standard switch with a fixed physical actuation position. It does not offer rapid trigger, adjustable actuation, or the continuous sensing behavior associated with Hall-effect keyboards.
Best deeper-sounding modern option: Keygeek Blue Cheese V2
Keygeek Blue Cheese V2 is available with 45 g and 52 g spring options. RTINGS tested the 52 g version and measured 33 gf initial force, 37 gf actuation, 48 gf bottom-out, 1.2 mm pre-travel, and 3.9 mm bottom-out distance. It is a 5-pin switch.
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Rank #4
- [Keyboard Switch] Gateron Oil King Black Keyboard Switches – Gateron Key switches are 5-pin custom switches made for mechanical keyboard DIY enthusiasts to obtain satisfying typing feelings with more affordable options.eyboard DIY enthusiasts to obtain satisfying typing feelings with more affordable options.
- Gateron Oil King Black Keyboard Switches 55gf Linear Switch – Gateron Oil King is heavier than Gateron Milky Yellow Pro Keyboard Switches and provides unique smooth typing experiences. Pre-Lubed Switches – Pre-lubed at the factory. Lubed switches shall effectively reduce ping for average users and maintain fast actuation. More and thick lubes can be applied afterward by individual users based on personal preference.
- Durability – Approximate lifespan of 60 million times of keystrokes based on laboratory durability test. Meanwhile, a single package comes with 35 switches with a plastic tray that can securely house switches and can be served as a lubing station if necessary. Compatibility – Gateron Oil King Keyboard switches come with an MX style structure so they would fit most keycap sets with (X) cross stem. Note: switch opener is not included.
- Actuation Force: 55gf, Pre Travel Distance: 2mm, Total Travel Distance: 4mm, Stem Material: POM, Top Housing Material: Nylon, Bottom Housing Material: Ink housing material, Spring: 20 mm Black-plated Spring, LED Support: Plug In, Pins: 5-Pin, Pre-lubed: Yes
- Built-in LED Slot – Gateron Oil King Keyboard switches are equipped with an LED slot ready for LED Mod/Assembly and aren't SMD compatible (LED underneath the switch).
The switch has a deeper sound profile than many lightweight linears, but it can produce a sharper bottom-out than the TTC Frozen Silent V2 and is not a quiet switch. The bigger practical issue is supply: availability can be inconsistent, with the official seller generally the safer source.
Availability matters when building a full keyboard. A switch that sounds excellent in a review is less useful if you cannot buy enough matching units or replace damaged switches later.
Hall-effect option: Gateron Magnetic Jade series
Gateron Magnetic Jade, Jade Pro, and Jade Max switches are not conventional MX mechanical switches. They use magnetic sensing and work with compatible Hall-effect PCBs, sensors, firmware, and keyboard software. The system can provide configurable pre-travel and rapid-trigger-style behavior, depending on the keyboard implementation.
Gateron lists the Jade at 30±7 gf initial force, 3.5±0.2 mm total travel, and 100 million keystrokes. Jade Pro and Jade Max are listed at 36±5 gf and 3.5±0.1 mm total travel, with more than 100 million and 150 million keystrokes respectively.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsDo not buy these as an upgrade for a normal MX hot-swap keyboard. A magnetic switch cannot be made compatible merely by matching the stem and switch footprint. The PCB needs the correct Hall-effect sensors and electronics, and the firmware must support the feature. Adjustable actuation is a property of the complete keyboard system, not the loose switch alone.
Where CORSAIR MLX Red fits
CORSAIR MLX Red is a conventional factory-lubricated linear switch with 45 g actuation force, a 1.9 mm actuation point, and 4.0 mm total travel. Corsair lists a 70-million-keystroke life.
It is aimed at general typing and gaming rather than extreme short-actuation performance. That makes it a sensible choice for a Corsair keyboard or replacement project when you want a conventional red linear. Do not confuse it with Corsair OPX optical switches, which Corsair lists at 1.0 mm actuation and 3.2 mm total travel, or MGX switches, which provide 0.4–3.6 mm adjustable actuation.
Compatibility checklist before buying
- Identify the sensing technology. Standard MX mechanical switches are not interchangeable with optical, magnetic, low-profile, or proprietary switches.
- Check the pin layout. Confirm whether the PCB accepts 3-pin or 5-pin switches. Clip only the two plastic support legs when necessary; never cut the metal contacts.
- Check the keycap profile and LED orientation. Some Cherry-profile keycaps can interfere with north-facing LEDs, depending on the switch and board geometry.
- Plan the quantity. Use the manufacturer’s or keyboard vendor’s layout specifications to determine how many switches your board needs, and buy extras for bent pins and future replacements. For general layout estimates, Position Is Everything lists about 67–70 switches for a 65% board, 80–84 for a 75%, around 87 for a TKL, and 104–108 for a full-size board.
- Set sound expectations. A “deep” switch can sound clacky in a thin case, while a supposedly loud switch can sound restrained in a damped build. Case, plate, keycaps, foam, stabilizers, and desk surface all matter.
- Verify the exact revision. Product names are reused. Milky Yellow, Cream Yellow, and other families can change between generations, and availability can change faster than published comparison lists.
Which switch should you buy?
Choose Gateron Oil King for a premium, heavier smooth linear and do not mind reduced RGB brightness. Choose Cherry MX Red when availability, familiarity, and straightforward compatibility matter more than the newest stock feel. Pick Cherry MX Speed Silver or Kailh Super Speed Silver for short mechanical actuation, but use caution if you often make accidental presses.
Best Value
- Newest Gateron Oil King V2 switch prelubed switches-New upgraded Enhanced pins version.
- Oil King Switch:5-pin Linear Switch,Actuation Force:55gf±5gf,Bottom Force:65±10gf,Total travel:4mm Max,Life:60000000 cycles(min).
- Gold touching Point, supports 2-pin or 4-pin LED lights, and non-protruding SMD lights.
- Gateron Oil Kings are the best switch out of the box.
- These switches are packaged in OEM individual plastic trays in a box that leaves the switches intact.
For a lighter modern switch, the Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro is the most compelling measured option in this group, while the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro is a sensible value choice. Use TTC Frozen Silent V2 when shared-room noise is the deciding factor. If you specifically want adjustable actuation or rapid-trigger functionality, skip ordinary MX switches and choose a complete Hall-effect keyboard built around the Gateron Magnetic Jade ecosystem.
FAQ
Are linear switches better for gaming?
They can suit gaming because they have no tactile bump or click, but the category alone does not determine latency. Controller scan rate, firmware, connection type, debounce behavior, and actuation distance also matter. A short actuation point can help some movement inputs while increasing accidental presses.
Is the Gateron Oil King the smoothest linear switch?
It is a popular smooth stock switch, but that is not a universal result. RTINGS found the Oil King less smooth out of the box than the Gateron Ink Black V2. Batch variation, measurement method, lubrication, and break-in can all affect the result.
Are Gateron Oil King switches loud?
They are not silent switches. Their sound comes from top-out, bottom-out, spring, housing, keycaps, and the keyboard build. The Oil King’s opaque housing can also reduce RGB brightness.
Can 5-pin switches go into a 3-pin PCB?
Usually, yes, if the PCB’s switch socket and plate allow it. The two extra plastic guide legs can generally be clipped, while the metal electrical pins must remain intact. Test one modified switch before installing a full set.
Do Hall-effect switches work in a normal hot-swap mechanical keyboard?
No. Gateron Magnetic Jade, Jade Pro, and Jade Max require a compatible Hall-effect PCB, sensors, electronics, and firmware. They are not drop-in replacements for ordinary MX mechanical switches.
What is the quietest switch in this comparison?
The TTC Frozen Silent V2 is the dedicated silent option. Its silicone top-out and bottom-out dampeners reduce impact noise. It will still be affected by stabilizers, keycaps, spring noise, the case, and the desk surface.
How many switches should I buy?
Check your keyboard’s layout or switch-count specification, then buy a few extras for bent pins and replacements. Position Is Everything gives approximate counts of 67–70 for a 65% board, 80–84 for a 75%, around 87 for a TKL, and 104–108 for a full-size board.
The Bottom Line
For most standard MX mechanical builds, the Gateron Oil King is the premium all-round recommendation, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro is the practical value pick, and the TTC Frozen Silent V2 is the clear choice for quiet operation. Choose Cherry Speed Silver or Kailh Super Speed Silver only when short fixed actuation is more important than mistake resistance. For adjustable actuation, use a complete Hall-effect keyboard rather than trying to mix magnetic switches with a conventional PCB.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
