Okay, so I’ve been on this quest to find the “best” linear switches for my keyboard. It’s been a journey, let me tell you!
I started by watching a bunch of YouTube videos and reading some forum posts. Everyone seemed to have a different opinion, which was kinda overwhelming. I decided to just pick a few popular options and try them myself.
The Contenders
- Gateron Reds: These were my baseline. Cheap, readily available, and I already had them in an old keyboard. I knew what they felt like, so it was a good starting point.
- Cherry MX Reds: The “classic” linear switch. I figured I should try the original to see what all the fuss was about.
- Gateron Yellows: I kept hearing these were smoother than Reds, so I was curious.
- NovelKeys Creams: These were hyped up a lot as being super smooth, especially after lubing.
- Tealios V2: Another “premium” option that a lot of people seemed to love.
The Testing Process
First, I got myself a switch tester. It’s this little plastic thing with slots for different switches. I popped in all the switches I mentioned above and just started typing. I paid attention to how they felt, how they sounded, and how much force I needed to press them.
The Gateron Reds, I already knew. They’re… fine. Nothing special, a little scratchy. The Cherry MX Reds felt pretty similar, maybe a tiny bit more scratchy. Gateron Yellows were definitely smoother than the Reds, I could feel that right away. They also felt a little heavier, which I liked.
Then came the Creams. Honestly, out of the box, they weren’t that impressive. Kinda scratchy, like the Reds. But I knew the secret was to lube them. So, I watched some more YouTube videos, bought some Krytox 205g0, and spent a whole afternoon carefully lubing each switch. It was tedious, but man, it made a difference. The lubed Creams were so smooth. Like typing on clouds (cliché, I know, but it’s true!).
Finally, the Tealios V2. These were smooth right out of the box, no lubing needed. They felt amazing, very similar to the lubed Creams, but maybe a little bit “cleaner” feeling, if that makes sense. They also had a slightly higher-pitched sound, which I personally enjoyed.
The Verdict (For Now!)
After all that testing, I have got to pick a winner, it’d be the Tealios V2. They’re just so smooth and satisfying to type on. But they’re also pretty expensive. The lubed Creams are a very close second, and they’re a bit more affordable, but you have to factor in the time and effort of lubing them.
For a budget option, the Gateron Yellows are fantastic. Definitely an upgrade from Reds, and they don’t necessarily need to be lubed (though it would probably help).
This is just my personal experience, of course. Everyone has different preferences. The best way to find your “best” linear switch is to try a bunch of them yourself! It’s a fun (and sometimes frustrating) process, but totally worth it in the end.