Mechanical keyboards are as good as their switches. How premium your keyboard switch is determines the level of keystrokes you get.
To further improve your workspace productivity, you can customize your keyboard typing experience with a premium switch option. Gateron switches are better alternatives to the rubber switches featured in most workplace keyboards.
Gateron switches will offer you an unprecedented level of smoothness. They’re currently recognized as the smoothest mass-produced switch in the market due to the silky smooth experience they provide.
Many gaming enthusiasts regard Cherry switches as the pinnacle of switches in the mechanical gaming world. Honestly, there’s nothing you’re looking for that a Gateron switch won’t offer, regardless of the type.
In this guide, we’ll talk about the several arrays of Gateron switch options and why getting them for your setup is such a great idea.
What are Gateron Switches?
Gateron switches are MX-style SMD-LED compatible switches with premium-like qualities and feel. With a guaranteed 50 million keystroke lifespan for each switch, you’re sure to get value for your money when you buy one.
Additionally, many friendly options for users on a budget without affecting their typing experience.
Types of Gateron Switches
Gateron switches are known to have some of the smoothest keystrokes available in several categories with each switch having a 50 million keystroke lifespan.
Main Gateron Switches
Gateron Black Switch
If you fancy smooth and stiff feedback, the Gateron Black switches are a match made in heaven for you. One significant advantage of having the Gateron Black switch is the stronger mechanical feedback you get because the switch is lined with greater strength than most standard mass-produced switches.
Its strong actuation force adds more pressure to each keypress, making it very hard to press the wrong key while typing. Keyboard enthusiasts with a strong penchant for mechanical keyboards with a stronger trigger force will find the Gateron Black switches very pleasing.
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 60 g
Travel distance: 2mm
Pressing feeling: vertical, strong pressing force, hard rebound
Sound: medium
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Blue Switch
Gateron Blue switches have all the typical characteristics of the Gateron switch but are louder than usual with a unique clicky touch feel. Typing with the Gateron Blue is smooth with tactile feedback, meaning you can be at your keyboard and type for hours without getting tired.
You should only pay attention to the audible feedback the switch gives off. You may want to use it in a setting that doesn’t affect the work of others.
Type: Clicky
Actuation force: 60 g
Travel distance: 2 mm
Pressing feeling: clicky, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: clicky
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Brown Switch
The vertical press of the Gateron Brown feels smooth and like a bump. It’s the combination of the Red and Blue Gateron switch. You’re getting a mechanical keyboard but without too much sound.
Type: Tactile
Actuation force: 55 g
Travel distance: 2 mm
Pressing feeling: bump, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: medium
Scene: games, typing, daily work (all scenes)
Gateron Clear Switch
Of all Gateron’s linear switches, the Clear switch has the lightest actuation force. It’s effortless to type since it requires you not to use too much heavy force. Naturally, the sound of typing will be relatively low.
The smooth transitions on Gateron switches make it easy to trigger the Clear switch with light force. Those who love their mechanical keyboard with smooth stronger feedback will find the Clear switch too soft.
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 35 g
Travel distance: 2 mm
Pressing feeling: vertical, very light pressing force, mild rebound
Sound: quiet
Scenario: typing, all types of daily work
Gateron Green Switch
With the Gateron Green switch, you get 80g of press force, adding a retro typewriter feel with high intensity. It’s a total upgrade on the Gateron Blue switch, which has a 20g less press force than the green switch.
We recommend you go for the Green switch if you want something with stronger feedback and a harder rebound.
Type: Clicky
Actuation force: 80 g
Travel distance: 2 mm
Pressing feeling: clicky, strong pressing force, hard rebound, high-intensity
Scene: typing
Sound: clicky
Gateron Red Switch
Ticking all boxes is the Gateron Red switch, and that makes it the most commonly used Gateron switch. The typing sounds really quiet, majorly because it’s a linear switch. So you won’t get tired quickly when you spend prolonged time on your keyboard.
The keyboard works for a lot of people in many different ways because of its light and a moderate feel.
Type: linear
Actuation force: 45 g
Travel distance: 2 mm
Pressing feeling: vertical, light pressing force, soft rebound
Sound: quiet
Scene: game, typing, all types of daily work
Gateron Yellow Switch
Gateron Yellow switches are starting to grow on a lot of people. Although it shares many similarities with the Red switch, the only difference is its 5g bigger departure strength making it feel differently when typing.
You don’t need heavy force to trigger the Gateron Yellow, even though the feedback is very rigid. This switch is perfect for people who want to have a sense of pressure and want something with a fast rebound and much more rigid.
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 50 g
Travel distance: 2 mm
Pressing feeling: vertical, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: relatively quiet
Scene: games, typing, all types of daily work
Gateron Silent Switches
Available in either tactile or linear are the Gateron Silent switches. They are the noiseless bunch of the group of Gateron’s fine line of switches. They are perfect for use in an environment with sound restrictions.
The Gateron Silent switches come in original colors of Red, Black, Brown, Clear, and Yellow. If you work in general space with others and won’t want the click-clack of your keyboard to disturb others, or you like gaming into the night with your family, we highly recommend the Gateron Silent switches.
All options are PCB mount switches. The two plastic pins can be clipped off to fit plate mount PCBs.
Gateron Silent Black Switch
Among all the other Gateron Silent switches, the black switch has the highest actuation force at 60g. It’s a linear switch with also the highest bottom-out force. So even though it’s a silent switch, you still enjoy the feel of typing on a mechanical keyboard.
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 60g
Travel distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, strong pressing force, hard rebound
Sound: silent
Scene: light gaming, typing
Gateron Silent Brown Switch
Gateron Silent Brown switches are tactile switches with 15g less actuation force than the Black switches. You’ll feel a small bump on each keystroke, but it’ll be without any audible feedback.
Type: Tactile
Actuation force: 45g
Travel distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Bump, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: silent
Scene: light gaming, typing
Gateron Silent Clear Switch
The most silent of all the Gateron Silent switches. The Gateron Silent Clear practically lets you type without any audible feedback of any sort.
Type: Tactile
Actuation force: 35g
Travel distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, very light pressing force, soft rebound
Sound: silent
Scene: light gaming, typing
Gateron Silent Red Switch
The Silent Red switches are much more similar to the Silent Brown. The only difference is they offer quiet, smooth keystrokes without any bumps.
Type: Tactile
Actuation force: 45g
Travel distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, light pressing force, soft rebound
Sound: silent
Scene: light gaming, typing
Gateron Silent Yellow Switch
The Silent Yellow switches offer almost the same level of press force as the Black switch. They are linear switches with a relatively high actuation and bottom force.
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 50g
Travel distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: silent
Scene: light gaming, typing
Gateron Milk Switches
The housing of the Gateron milk switches makes them different. They are made with opaque plastics that differ from the regular housing tops in regular Gateron switches.
Because the plastics have milky-like features, the switch dims LED lights and diffuses both the lights and the sound with a little less intensity in the keycaps. This makes the lights more even and sounds deeper and fuller.
Gateron Milk Black Switch
The Gateron Milk Black switch features a black bottom housing, a milky top housing, and a black stem, all powered by a 60g spring. They feature all the properties of Gateron Milky Yellows with a slightly heavier spring weight.
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 60g
Travel distance: 2mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, strong pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: low
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Milk Blue Switch
Milky Blue switches are clicky switches with a milky top and white nylon bottom housing.
Type: Clicky
Actuation force: 60g
Travel distance: 2.3mm
Pressing feeling: clicky, moderate pressing force, hard rebound
Sound: loud
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Milk Brown Switch
Type: Tactile
Actuation force: 55g
Travel distance: 2mm
Pressing feeling: Bump, light pressing force, soft rebound
Sound: medium
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Milk Clear Switch
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 35g
Travel distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, light pressing force, soft rebound
Sound: low
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Milk Green Switch
Type: Clicky
Actuation force: 80g
Travel distance: 2.4mm
Pressing feeling: Clicky, strong pressing force, hard rebound
Sound: loud
Scene: typing
Gateron Milk Red Switch
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 45g
Travel distance: 2mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, moderate pressing force, soft rebound
Sound: low
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Milk Yellow Switch
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 50g
Travel distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Smooth, light pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: low
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Ink Switches
Gateron Ink Switches come in a smokey-transparent housing made of translucent plastics, black-plated springs, and a metal contact blade. The design allows better light transmissions and reduces its opacity.
Each key press feels very natural with little spring crunch, giving off a really deep and rich sound. All Gateron Ink switches have an operating life of up to 50M cycles.
Gateron Ink Black Switch
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 60g
Travel distance: 2mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, strong pressing force, hard rebound
Sound: low
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Ink Blue Switch
Type: Clicky
Actuation Force: 60g
Travel Distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Clicky, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: loud
Scene: typing
Gateron Ink Red Switch
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 45g
Travel distance: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, light pressing force, soft rebound
Sound:
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Ink Yellow Switch
Type: Linear
Actuation force: 60g
Travel distance: 3.4mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound:
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Silent Ink Black Switch
Type: Silent Linear
Actuation Force: 60g
Travel: 4mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound:
Scene: game, typing
Gateron Low-Profile Switches
Gateron low-profile switches are designed specifically for gamers in mind. The switches have a smaller travel distance, making them have different sounds compared to regular switches.
Boards with low profile switches can be far more comfortable because you won’t have to raise your hands up as much when typing.
With normal keyboards people often need a wrist rest for comfort when typing or gaming for long. The shorter height of mechanical keyboards with low-profile switches can provide you with a more competitive edge and still relieve your wrists of pains.
Gateron Low-Profile Blue Switch
Type: Clicky
Actuation Force: 65g
Travel: 2.5mm
Pressing feeling: Fast tactile typing, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: Loud
Scene: typing
Gateron Low-Profile Brown Switch
Type: Tactile
Actuation Force: 55g
Travel: 2.5mm
Pressing feeling: Bump, tactile responsive, moderate pressing force, clear rebound
Sound: Medium
Scene: light gaming, office use
Gateron Low-Profile Red Switch
Type: Linear
Actuation Force: 50g
Travel: 2.5mm
Pressing feeling: Vertical, fast and responsive, light pressing force, soft rebound
Sound: Low
Scene: gaming, office use
Choosing a Gateron Switch
In a world of overpriced keyboard accessories, Gateron switches are the budgets go-to switch option. They offer so many ranges of options while maintaining quality.
Choosing a Gateron Switch can feel a bit overwhelming due to the availability of several options on the market. The switch sound, feel, and force should be your focal point.
Whether gaming is your primary need or you want excellent switches for your regular office work. Whatever the case may be, select an option that makes you feel comfortable.
Choose a linear Gateron Switch if you want a noiseless keystroke with a smooth feel or tactile if you like your keyboard with a slight bump.
Best Gateron Switch Keyboards
Womier K66 Compact Mechanical Keyboard
The Womier K66 is a compact 65% mechanical keyboard with 66 keys in total. It features a Hot swappable Gateron Switch with 3/5 pin switch compatibility. Made with transparent thermoplastics, the K66 has an acrylic body which makes light transmission even.
When you buy this mechanical keyboard, you get a detachable USB Type-C cable, data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, and RGB lights with cool, customizable lighting effects. Everything about the Womier K66 has been optimized to provide an ultimate gaming performance.
- 【60% Compact Mechanical Keyboard+ Type-C cable USB】Gateron Switch esports level mechanical keyboard switch, Anti Ghosting, ALL 66 keys are conflict free n-Key Rollover for ultimate Gaming performance. Compatible with Windows,Mac OS,Linus,Xbox,Play Station.
- 【HOT-Swappable Gaming Keyboard-Portable Mini Keyboard】Hot swappable Gateron Switch esports level mechanical switch, to meet the player's hand. Compatible With 3/5 Pin Switch. Compact, portable and easy to use, increase the independent direction key control. Ergonomic design, no feel fatigue after long term use.
- 【Unique Keyboard Structure & With Lubricating Mechanical Switch】 Unique bottom shell structure which absorbs any pinging noises that might occur when the keys are bottomed out, reduce the empty noise of keyboard every time it hits, the purity of every keystroke is improved, and a very satisfying typing experience is provided. This ergonomic keyboard uses all switches with added lubricant, which makes it feel more comfortable to use and has a better sound.
- 【RGB Keyboard + Drive Free Setting】This 60% keyboard has partitioned RGB modes with main keyboard RGB and around light RGB, showing different backlight effects and waves, double the playability. personality adjustment their favorite color.6 themed lighting effects, a total of 18 cool lighting effects you can customize the lighting effects as you want, much more than simple colors and breathing effects. Plug and play, drive free setting, FN adjustment light effect.
- 【Acrylic Material White Mechanical Keyboard】PMMA acrylic casting body, implicit and publicity. Glaze appearance, at the same time increase the surface of atomization treatment, more even light transmission.
Keychron K4 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The Keychron K4 is built with Gateron G Pro brown switches to provide you with unrivaled tactile responsiveness and up to 50 million keystroke lifespan. The keyboard has a unique 96% layout with 100 keys, including a number pad built specifically for productivity.
You can connect up to 3 Bluetooth devices with the K4 and switch between them effortlessly. It has a white LED backlight, and its 4000 mAh battery can last up to 240 hours without backlights. You can’t go wrong with the Keychron K4’s Mac layout, and while it features all the necessary Mac function keys, it’s also compatible with windows devices.
the K4 is perfect for your home or office space and light gaming if necessary. You can connect it to your smartphone and iPad. It also has a wired mode to connect with USB Type-C and use N-key rollover (NKRO).
- A 96% layout (100-key) white LED backlight wireless mechanical keyboard with a number pad in a compact design that’s built for productivity and a tactile typing experience.
- Connects with up to 3 devices via Bluetooth and switch among them easily. With high reliable and broad compatibility Broadcom Bluetooth 5.1 chipset, the K4 version 2 is best to fit home, office and light gaming use while connecting with your smartphone, laptop and iPad. It also has wired mode with USB Type-C connection.
- With a unique Mac layout, the K4 has all the necessary Mac function keys while still being compatible with Windows. Extra keycaps for both Windows and Mac operating systems are included.
- The K4 can last up to 240 hours (with backlit disabled) with a 4000 mAh big battery, which is one of the biggest in mechanical keyboards. N-key rollover (NKRO) on wired mode or 6KRO on wireless mode.
- With the Gateron G Pro Mechanical Brown switch providing unrivaled tactile responsiveness with up to 50 million keystroke lifespan. The K4 has enchanting white LED backlight with modern keycap legends to sync with your mood; available in static white or flashing light mode.
The 60% mechanical keyboard is available in both wired and wireless modes. It features gateron red switches with double shot PBT keycaps. It comes in a minimalist design that compliments the Compact and Portable shape to provide a clean look.
The ANNE PRO 2 is RGB Backlit with tap arrow keys that make navigation easy. Complementing the RGB lights is the obinskit starter software that lets you create macros and change the lighting as you wish.
You’ll save a ton of desk space with the ANNE PRO 2, plus it’s easy to carry around and use on the go. The keyboard has fully programmable keys with M key rollover that lets you easily combine keys. In addition, you can connect up to 4 devices via Bluetooth and switch seamlessly back and forth.
- Minimalistic design doing more with less. Requires less hand movement while still being able to access all the functionalities
- Compact and Portable . It saves desk space and easy to carry around. Fits right in backpack. Perfect for home, work and on the go
- Decent bluetooth connectivity enables wireless connection up to 4 devices and switch seamlessly back and forth
- Revamped obinskit starter software simplifies the way to set up your own key layout, lighting and to create macros
- The “Magic Fn” on the Caps Lock button makes it easier to utilize the F1-F12 keys while gaming
Final Thoughts
When it comes to smoothness, the Gateron switches are a match for many premium switches in the market especially when you factor in the price. In terms of tolerances, the Gateron switches will wow you.
Whether you’re an avid typist with a desire for audible, clicky, or tactile feedback, or a gamer with the need for maximum responsiveness while gaming, you’re certain to have the best experience possible.
Gateron switches are a smooth budget option for beginners getting their first switch or even keyboard enthusiasts who have gone through myriad brands. They are a better alternative to the Cherry MX switches of the world and with plenty of great options that’ll suit your style.
Now, with all the money you’ve saved buying affordable Gateron switches, we highly recommend that you spend it on a lube deck and some lube to apply to your Gateron switches.
Type on!