Gateron Yellow Switch Review: The Best Budget Linear Switch

Budget linear switches usually mean a tradeoff: pay less, get a scratchier keystroke.

Gateron Yellow breaks that pattern.

Stock, it feels smoother than Cherry MX Red, the switch most people compare it against. It actuates at 35g rather than 45g, which means less force per keypress. And it costs less than either of those advantages would suggest.

We tested it over three months of daily typing and gaming, stock and lubed, against Cherry MX Red directly.

Stock vs Lubed Feel

Stock: smooth for a budget switch. Some subtle friction is present during stem travel, producing a slightly high-pitched sound on bottom-out.

Lubed with Krytox 205g0: the friction is eliminated. The sound drops to a deeper, more consistent thock. The performance is competitive with Gateron Ink Black (which costs roughly 4x more).

Lubing is optional but highly recommended if you have the time.

Comparison with Cherry MX Red

Cherry MX Red (45g) is the other common linear benchmark:

• Smoothness: Gateron Yellow wins stock. With a premium PCB, the difference is smaller but still perceptible.
• Actuation force: Gateron Yellow (35g) is 10g lighter than MX Red. Most users prefer this for gaming; some prefer the heavier feel of MX Red for typing.
• Consistency: Cherry MX Red wins. Cherry's quality control is tighter, producing more consistent actuation force across the full key matrix.

Verdict

For a first linear switch or a budget build, Gateron Yellow is the recommendation. When consistency and longevity matter more than raw smoothness, Cherry MX Red is the alternative.

Related Guides

• Cherry MX vs Gateron vs Kailh - brand comparison
• Best Linear Switches - all linear options
• How to Lube Keyboard Switches - improve feel