Linear switches are smooth and fast, and many typists appreciate how consistent they feel across the board. While some options are fairly loud, they're often quieter than tactile or clicky alternatives.
We've tested over 150 switches, including over 80 linear models. Below are our picks for the best linear switches. Pricing can vary quite a bit depending on where you buy and how many you purchase, so it's worth shopping around.
For more recommendations, see our picks for the best tactile switches, the best clicky switches, the best gaming switches, and the best keyboard switches.
We've tested over a hundred keyboard switches, and to maintain our independence, we buy them all ourselves. We don't just rely on subjective testing. Instead, we rigorously test each switch on the same standardized test bench so you can compare them on equal ground. We use specialized tools, including a Mecmesin force tester for force curves and a Beagle 480 USB analyzer for latency. Multiple teams contribute to each review in a process that can take days or weeks.
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Best Linear Switch
Initial Force:41gfActuation Force:54gfBottom-Out Force:67gfActuation Distance (Pre-Travel):2.4 mmBottom-Out Distance:3.9 mmSee all our test resultsPin Count:5The best linear switches we recommend for most people are the Gateron Ink Black V2. This switch is a longstanding favorite in enthusiast circles, and for good reason. People gravitate towards linear switches for the unrivaled smoothness they bring to the table, and these are among the smoothest ones you can get right out of the box without needing any home-lubing on your part. They've also got an attractive sound profile that's still fairly quiet and almost muffled-sounding, which is great if you're concerned about disrupting anyone around you while typing.
The only real downside is that these switches also carry a reputation for being a tiny bit wobbly to type on, which is unusual since they're 5-pin switches and are typically more stable. If you want to elevate your experience with these switches, you can add switch films to increase the stability and get the full premium typing experience. Also, if your keyboard's PCB has 3-pin sockets, you'll need to clip the extra two pins for compatibility, but the added effort is certainly worth it.
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Best Mid-Range Linear Switch
Initial Force:33gfActuation Force:37gfBottom-Out Force:48gfActuation Distance (Pre-Travel):1.2 mmBottom-Out Distance:3.9 mmSee all our test resultsPin Count:5For a mid-range option, we recommend the Keygeek Blue Cheese V2 switches. They have a powder blue and white colorway and are available in two spring weights, 45 g and 52 g. We tested the heavier variant, but the main difference comes down to whether you prefer a mid-weight or slightly heavier bottom-out feel. They occasionally go out of stock, but you can most reliably find them through their official seller, KeyBay Tech.
These switches are generally known for a deep, thocky sound profile, especially in this V2 revision. That said, they also have a slightly sharp bottom-out that gives them a slightly poppy edge, depending on your keyboard build. This overall sound profile is widely admired, but they're louder than more muted options like the TTC Frozen Silent V2 recommended later in this article.
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Best Budget Linear Switch
Initial Force:44gfActuation Force:46gfBottom-Out Force:61gfActuation Distance (Pre-Travel):1.7 mmBottom-Out Distance:3.9 mmSee all our test resultsPin Count:3At a budget price point, we recommend the Gateron G Pro Yellow switches. Gateron has many versions of Yellow switches that stretch across different lineups or families of switches. When shopping, you may see Yellow Ink, Yellow Cap V2, KS-8 Yellow, and more. While all these different models are somewhat similar linear switches, comparing the different versions and generations can be confusing. Most of what sets Gateron's various Yellow models apart are small cosmetic changes, often different housing colors or finishes, or tiny differences in the geometry that produce slightly tweaked typing elements or sound signatures.
Ultimately, we recommend the G Pro Yellow switches because they're a clear community favorite made from new molds with tighter tolerances for their stems and housings. Notably, unlike older Gateron Yellow switches, these newer ones are pre-lubed from the factory, making them a surprisingly smooth and no-fuss linear option at a budget price point.
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Best Cheap Linear Switch
Initial Force:38gfActuation Force:45gfBottom-Out Force:50gfActuation Distance (Pre-Travel):2.0 mmBottom-Out Distance:3.3 mmSee all our test resultsPin Count:5If you're working on a cheaper build, we recommend the Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro switches. These switches are Akko's most recent iteration in a lineup of affordable Creamy Yellow linear switches. This newest version boasts some small material upgrades over the previous Akko V3 Cream Yellows, aimed at improving their overall durability and consistency in the long run. They also have newly lubed rails, significantly boosting their smoothness. In addition, these switches now have a 5-pin design, which provides better stability but also means you'll need to clip the support pins if you have a 3-pin PCB.
Altogether, these switches offer surprisingly high-level stability, smoothness, and consistency, considering they're significantly less expensive than some premium favorites among linear advocates. Unless you're looking for a specific attribute in one of the more premium switches above, these switches are worth considering for builds at any budget.
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Best Silent Linear Switch
Initial Force:31gfActuation Force:38gfBottom-Out Force:45gfActuation Distance (Pre-Travel):2.0 mmBottom-Out Distance:3.4 mmSee all our test resultsPin Count:3If you'd like to keep things as quiet as possible, we recommend the TTC Frozen Silent V2 switches. These lightweight linears feel surprisingly premium for their price. They have a lengthened spring that provides a lively rebound, and they're whisper-quiet thanks to a silicone ring at the top of travel and a silicone pad when they bottom out that effectively mutes noise without introducing any unwanted mushiness. They also come factory-lubed, and their clear top housing makes them a great fit if you want your RGB lighting to take center stage.
Notable Mentions
- Gateron Oil King: Gateron Oil King switches are a bit newer, and many people find they offer a similar experience to the Gateron Ink Black V2 switches. They're also typically a bit less expensive. However, our tests found they weren't quite as smooth out of the box, and their opaque black upper housing means that any RGB illumination is significantly dampened. See our review
Recent Updates
Apr 24, 2026:
We've replaced our mid-range pick, Kailh X Cream switches, which are no longer widely available, with the Keygeek Blue Cheese V2 switches. We've also streamlined the article, removing the 'Best Linear Switch for Gaming,' the 'Best Budget Linear Switch For Gaming,' and the 'Best Budget Silent Linear' categories.
Oct 27, 2025:
We've added new 'Best Silent Linear' and 'Best Budget Silent Linear' categories, with the TTC Frozen Silent V2 and the Outemu Silent Peach V3 switches as our picks. We've also added the Keygeek Blue Cheese V2 switches to our Notable Mentions list.
Apr 25, 2025:
We aren't making any changes to our picks at the moment, but we're keeping a close eye as trade conditions evolve. If you notice unusual pricing or availability issues, we'd appreciate you letting us know so we can keep our recommendations as accurate and helpful as possible.
Jan 24, 2025:
We've reviewed our recommendations to ensure their relevance, pricing, and availability remain up to date, but our lineup remains unchanged.
Oct 29, 2024:
We've reviewed our current recommendations and verified their price and continued availability. No changes to our lineup with this update.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best linear switches for most people. While no switch is perfect for every person and every use, most will perform adequately in any role.
When choosing our recommendations, we factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability. If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's a list of all the tactile keyboard switches we've tested below.