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Are you searching for the best linear switches for gaming? Then, you’ve come to the right place. Not only have we highlighted a list of linear switches we’ve battle-tested ourselves, but we’ve also answered some of your burning questions.
Linear switches are the type of mechanical switches that gives out no noisy clicks and bumpy feeling. These switches are known for their excellent buttery-smooth actuation and exceptional fast clicks.
Their smooth key presses which help in executing rapid responses in fast-paced games and their well-known low actuation force and no noise make them famous in the gaming community.
In this article, we’ll share with you some of the best linear switches for gaming you can find on the market.
10 Best Linear Switches For Gaming
Here are the top 10 must-have linear switches for gaming to get your hands on today.
1. Cherry MX black
Cherry MX Black switches are popular In the gaming community due to their extreme durability, consistency, and being an all-rounder switch. Their durability is highly rated and they mostly last up to 100 million keystrokes.
Cherry MX Black switches are rare to find due to their being a Vintage switch. “Vintage” is the older switches manufactured with the first and original tooling at the Cherry Factory in Germany.
It has a high spring resistance and produces no audible click. This means noise will be produced while bottoming out.
Cherry MX Black switches are quite scratchy while typing which can be a discomfort for users. They also have an actuation force of 60g which is a bit high and might need more pressure for keystrokes.
2. NovelKeys Cream
NovelKeys Cream switches are unique switches because of their deep sound profile which differentiates them from others. They have a creamy color which makes them beautiful and comes in a POM Plastic design.
They have an amazing travel distance and a self-lubricating design that allows smoothness as you use them despite the initial scratchy feel.
However, you will have to get the switches separately and install them yourselves as no keyboards are pre-installed with them.
3. Gateron Yellow Switches
Gateron Yellow switch has a medium resistance, making it super easy for new linear switch users. It is a fantastic option for gamers. It is very quiet, smooth, and has a pressing sensation. It has an actuation force of 50g.
It is generally regarded as the best affordable linear switch. It has a very low actuation force with 4mm travel distance between switches. This switch is made of very high-quality material and a small soft plastic stem that resulted in a smooth typing experience.
4. Cherry MX Speed Silver
Cherry MX Speed Silver switches are great switches because of their shorter actuation distance which gives you faster reaction speeds. They are high-quality switches that are durable and very reliable.
They have an actuation force of 45g and a travel distance of 3.4mm. They are very quick and manufactured using plastic polymer. However, its shorter travel distance can be a great discomfort for typing for a long time.
5. Gateron Ink Black
Gateron Ink Black switches are one of the most popular switches around because of the premium high-quality plastic material used in manufacturing them.
The production of lower-pitched sound with the Smoky top and bottom housing and its jet black stem makes this switch exceptional.
They are the smoothest switches currently, courtesy of their top-notch smoothness. They also have an amazing build quality. However, Gateron Ink Black switches need to be installed separately in order to have a customized mechanical keyboard.
6. Cherry MX Red
Cherry MX Red switches are the popular choice for new gamers. They are also one of the best around due to their incredible features.
They have an actuation force of 45g and a travel distance of 4mm. Cherry MX Red switches are quiet and have high-quality clicks. They are also really affordable and won’t cost you much.
Also, there is a silent variant of the Cherry MX Red switch. This variant is even quieter than the main variant. The silent variant has an actuation force of 45g but with a travel distance of 3.7mm. It has a low spring force and an exclusive component that minimizes noise.
7. Razer Yellow Switches
Razer Yellow switches are great switches due to their speed feature. They are reliable, durable, smooth, and consistent.
They have an actuation force of 45g and a travel distance of 3.5mm. The shorter actuation distance of 1.2mm means they are more reactive and faster than some keyboards on this list. Razer Yellow switches are also very quiet too and have no bump.
8. C3 Tangerine
C3 Tangerine switches are among the smoothest linear switches you can find. They are super smooth to the extent that some gamers call them the smoothest linear switch.
Their colors give them a beautiful aesthetic look. They are durable because they are manufactured using Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, which also consists of a PCB mount and gold springs.
However, they give out an uncharacteristic loud sound for a linear switch. Also, you might feel a little vibration on the top-out and bottom-out, and can also notice little wobbles too.
9. Outemu Red Switches
Outemu Red switches are one of the low-priced yet fantastic switches in the market and just because they are affordable does not mean they give out an average performance. Instead, they deliver exceptional performance and have excellent functionalities.
They have an actuation force of 50g which is very good and also means minimal pressure is required to perform keystrokes. They also have a travel distance of 4mm. Their high-quality inaudible clicks are an amazing and standout feature which are perfect for gaming.
However, compared to other switches, they are not durable due to their instability.
10. Durock Linear Switches
Durock Linear Switches are one of the best-performing linear switches in the gaming community. Their efficiency is top level and guarantees you exceptional performance.
They offer a smooth experience with fast typing due to their solid and decent firm feel and are made with the POM stem which increases the typing speed and smoothness.
However, a spring wobble and ping may occur whenever you are typing fast on it. Also, the switches do not have pre-lubing at first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are linear switches good for gaming?
Linear switches focus on providing a noiseless experience that does not have tactical feedback. This gives players smoothness that other switches don’t offer, and that’s why it’s preferred by gamers all over the world.
Can I mix different types of switches on the same keyboard?
It’s technically possible if you manually put in the effort – but it’s not recommended at all. It’s always a better idea to just make the entire keyboard the same type, such as linear or tactile. So that one side wouldn’t be louder than the other.
Can I buy an entire keyboard with linear switches?
Yes, there are keyboards that already use linear switches from the start – so you don’t have to manually buy and add them in later. The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard in our recommended list is one such example.
What is the difference between linear switches and mechanical keyboard?
Mechanical keyboards come with both linear and tactile switches, depending on which one you get. So, some of them have no difference from linear switches, while others are completely different things.
Are linear switches good for working?
Linear switches are considered the best for gaming due to their lack of tactile feedback. Thus, they’re not considered the best for typing. You can still type perfectly with linear switches, but you will have a better experience typing on a tactile keyboard.
Wrapping it up
These are the best linear switches for gaming you can get on the market today alongside a list of your frequently asked questions, answered. If you’re looking for a list of tactile switches to compare, tap this link to see our recommended options.
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