Best Linear Switches in 2025 (Ranked by Gamers & Typists)

If you’re building a custom mechanical keyboard or upgrading your current one, you’re probably wondering, what are the best linear switches in 2025? Whether you’re a competitive gamer looking for fast actuation or a typist who loves buttery smooth keystrokes, linear switches are often the go-to choice.

Unlike tactile or clicky switches, linear switches offer a smooth, uninterrupted key press without tactile bumps or loud clicks. That makes them ideal for fast-paced gameplay and silent workspaces alike.

In this guide, we’ve ranked the top linear switches in 2025 based on real-world testing, user feedback from communities like Reddit , and specs like smoothness, sound profile, and actuation force.

🧠 Quick Overview: Top Picks for 2025

Here’s a fast look at our top-rated linear switches this year:

• 🥇 Gateron Ink Black V2 – Best Overall Linear Switch
• 🤫 Akko Piano Pro – Best for Quiet Typing
• 🔊 Gateron Oil King – Best Thocky Sound
• ⚡ Kailh Super Speed Silver – Best for Gaming
• ❤️ Gateron Smoothie – Most Loved by the Community
• 🧰 Cherry MX Red – Best Classic Option
• 💸 Ajazz Diced Fruit Red – Best Budget Linear Switch

We’ll explore each switch in detail below with expert insights, sound and feel comparisons, and use-case recommendations.

What Are Linear Switches and Why Are They So Popular?

🔧 What Are Linear Switches?

Linear switches are a type of mechanical key switch characterized by their smooth and consistent keystroke from top to bottom. When you press a key with a linear switch, there’s no tactile bump or audible click, just a straight-down, uninterrupted motion.

This makes the switch feel fast and fluid, with a quiet press that doesn’t distract. The lack of resistance or feedback means your fingers glide across the keyboard without interruption.

“What is a linear switch?”
A linear switch is a mechanical key switch that moves straight down when pressed, without any bump or click. It’s smooth, quiet, and great for fast typing or gaming.

📊 Quick Comparison – Linear vs Tactile vs Clicky

🔬 How Do They Work?

All mechanical switches operate using a spring-loaded mechanism, but linear switches stand out because:

• There’s no actuation bump like in tactile switches
• There’s no clicky mechanism like in clicky switches
• Actuation force is typically light to medium (35g–60g range)
• Travel distance usually falls between 3.5 mm and 4 mm

When you press down, the keystroke is linear in feel and sound—perfect for people who prefer speed and subtlety.

📈 Why Are They So Popular in 2025?

In the last few years, the mechanical keyboard space has exploded. With it, linear switches have evolved, both in terms of quality and variety. Here’s why they’re dominating in 2025:

✅ 1. Gaming Performance

For gamers, response time is everything. Linear switches enable rapid key presses without interference from tactile bumps. That’s a big deal in fast-paced games like Valorant, CS2, or Fortnite, where every millisecond matters.

Some switches, like Kailh Super Speed Silver, are designed specifically for gaming, offering shorter actuation points and quicker resets.

✅ 2. Quiet Workspaces

Whether you’re in an open office, recording content, or working late at night, sound matters. Linear switches are naturally quieter than clicky or tactile alternatives. And with the rise of pre-lubed options like Akko Piano Pro or Gateron Smoothie, switches are even more silent and smoother straight from the box.

✅ 3. Typing Comfort & Low Fatigue

The absence of tactile resistance means your fingers don’t need to work as hard per keystroke. Over time, that leads to less strain and fatigue, especially for writers, programmers, and students. Many report feeling like their hands are “gliding” across the board with a good linear setup.

✅ 4. Customization & Sound Tuning

With the growth of custom keyboard culture, more users are experimenting with switch lubing, films, and sound dampening foam. Linear switches offer a clean “canvas” to build your preferred sound profile, from deep “thock” to subtle pop, depending on the housing and keycap material.

If you’re after a seamless, noise-free, and ultra-responsive keyboard experience, linear switches are your best bet in 2025.

How We Ranked the Best Linear Switches (Testing Criteria)

With so many linear switches on the market in 2025, ranging from budget-friendly to enthusiast-grade, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why we created a rigorous, hands-on evaluation process to test each switch fairly and help you find the best option for your needs.

Here’s a breakdown of the criteria we used to rank the top linear switches this year:

🔍 1. Smoothness of Keystroke

Smoothness is the heart of what makes a linear switch great. We tested each switch for any signs of:

• Scratchiness (especially stock, unlubed versions)
• Resistance inconsistencies
• Ping or spring noise during rapid typing

Switches like the Gateron Ink Black V2 and Gateron Smoothie scored extremely high here for their buttery-smooth feel right out of the box.

🎧 2. Sound Profile (Thock vs Clack)

Sound matters more than people realize, especially if you’re typing for hours a day. We rated switches based on:

• Deep “thock” sounds (lower-pitched, softer noise)
• Higher-pitched “clack” sounds (sharper, louder press)
• Ping, spring noise, or housing echo

We used both stock and lubed setups with PBT and ABS keycaps on various boards to judge how the switch sound changed across different environments.

⚡ 3. Actuation Force & Speed

Gamers care about response time, while typists often want a consistent actuation feel that prevents accidental key presses.

• Light switches (35g–45g) were tested for gaming speed
• Medium-heavy switches (55g–67g) were tested for typing precision
• We evaluated pre-travel and total travel distances, especially in ultra-fast switches like Kailh Super Speed Silver

⌨️ 4. Typing Experience

We spent extended time typing and gaming on each switch to assess:

• Finger fatigue
• Smooth bottom-out feel
• Consistency across the board

This helped determine how comfortable each switch is during long sessions, important for writers, programmers, and students.

🔧 5. Build Quality & Factory Lubing

Not all linear switches are created equal—especially when it comes to stock quality.

• Are the housings tight and wobble-free?
• Do they come pre-lubed? If so, how clean and even is the lube job?
• Are they consistent across a full 70–100 switch batch?

Premium switches like Oil Kings and Akko’s Pro line earned high marks for their factory consistency and smoothness.

💵 6. Price-to-Performance Ratio

Finally, we factored in value. Some linear switches cost over $1 per switch, while others deliver nearly the same feel for half that.

We compared switches across three price ranges:

• 💸 Budget (under $0.30/switch)
• 💼 Mid-range ($0.30–$0.70/switch)
• 🏆 Premium ($0.70+/switch)

Surprisingly, some budget options like Ajazz Diced Fruit Red performed well enough to earn a spot on this year’s list.

📌 Our Testing Setup Included:

• Boards: GMMK Pro, Keychron Q1, Monsgeek M1, and a custom FR4 build
• Keycaps: PBT Doubleshot, ABS OEM, Cherry Profile
• Lube: Krytox 205g0, Tribosys 3204 (where applicable)
• Film: TX switch films (for consistency testing)
• Sound Recording: Foam-insulated environment with sound level readings

Top 7 Best Linear Switches in 2025 (Reviewed & Ranked)

Hand-tested. Sound-tested. Typist and gamer approved.

After putting dozens of linear switches through real-world testing, on everything from game-heavy setups to writing marathons these are the 7 best linear switches in 2025 that truly stood out. Each offers a unique typing feel, sound signature, and use case. Whether you’re building your first custom board or upgrading a daily driver, there’s something here for you.

1. Gateron Ink Black V2 — Best All-Around Performer

• Actuation Force: ~60g
• Pre-travel: 2.0mm
• Total Travel: 4.0mm
• Factory Lubed: Light factory lube
• Sound Profile: Deep “thock,” minimal spring ping
• Price: ~$0.72 each (18‑pack: $12.96)

📝 Review:

The Gateron Ink Black V2 continues to be the gold standard for smooth, premium-feel linear switches. Thanks to its proprietary smoky polycarbonate housing and improved stem design, it delivers a luxurious keypress—deep, refined, and addictively smooth.

Out of the box, there’s little to no scratchiness, even when unlubed. The stem wobble is minimal, and with even a light application of Krytox 205g0, it becomes whisper-quiet with a rich, satisfying “thock.”

💬 Best For:

• Enthusiasts who want both gaming speed and typing comfort
• Streamers and writers looking for a quieter switch without sacrificing feel

🎯 Verdict:

The top-tier choice for anyone who wants a switch that feels premium in every way.

2. Akko Piano Pro — Best Silent Linear for Office & Streamers

• Actuation Force: ~45g
• Pre-travel: 1.9mm
• Total Travel: 3.8mm
• Factory Lubed: Yes (Akko’s Pro lube process)
• Sound Profile: Extremely quiet, soft bottom-out
• Price: $0.30 each ($3.00 per 10‑pack)

📝 Review:

The Akko Piano Pro is a standout in the silent switch category. Don’t let the low price fool you—these are shockingly smooth for the money, and the factory lube job is one of the best among mid-range switches.

They’re ideal for streamers, remote workers, or late-night typers who need to keep it quiet. With soft, dampened bottom-out and a consistent feel across batches, these switches feel custom without the custom price.

💬 Best For:

• Quiet work environments
• Typists who want a smooth, low-resistance feel
• Anyone upgrading from membrane or scissor-switch keyboards

🎯 Verdict:

A near-silent switch that doesn’t compromise on feel. A sleeper hit in 2025.

3. Gateron Smoothie — Most Luxurious Factory-Lubed Experience

• Actuation Force: 45g
• Pre-travel: 2.0mm
• Total Travel: 3.6mm
• Factory Lubed: Yes (ultra-smooth coating)
• Sound Profile: Low-pitched thock, almost zero friction
• Price: ~$0.26 each (18‑pack: $4.68)

📝 Review:

Gateron went all out with the Smoothie, and the name isn’t just for branding—it’s unreal how polished these feel out of the box. If you’re the kind of user who wants a premium typing experience without having to mod anything, this is the one.

The switch design includes a multi-stage spring and highly polished stem rails, giving it a near-frictionless glide that feels soft and fast at the same time.

💬 Best For:

• Users who don’t want to lube or mod
• Enthusiasts seeking top-tier factory performance
• Premium board builds where every component matters

🎯 Verdict:

Possibly the smoothest stock switch ever made pure elegance.

4. Kailh Super Speed Silver — Best for Competitive Gaming

• Actuation Force: ~40g
• Pre-travel: 1.1mm
• Total Travel: 3.5mm
• Factory Lubed: No
• Sound Profile: Light and crisp
• Price: ~$0.22 each (110‑pack for $21.99)

📝 Review:

Speed is everything in games like Valorant and CS2, and the Kailh Super Speed Silver is built for it. With one of the shortest actuation points on the market, this switch responds faster than you can blink.

While not as buttery smooth as Gaterons out of the box, a bit of lube transforms them into lightning-fast, low-resistance switches ideal for fast-paced games. Their tight tolerances and snappy return make them a gamer’s dream.

💬 Best For:

• Competitive gamers
• Users who prefer ultra-light keypresses
• FPS & MOBA players

🎯 Verdict:

If every millisecond counts, this is your switch.

5. Oil King — Best for Deep “Thock” Typing

• Actuation Force: 55g
• Pre-travel: 2.0mm
• Total Travel: 4.0mm
• Factory Lubed: Yes
• Sound Profile: Deep, resonant “thock”
• Price: ~$0.65 each (18‑pack: $11.70)

📝 Review:

Oil Kings have become almost legendary in the custom keyboard space, and for good reason. With a nylon top and bottom housing and long-pole stem, they deliver a signature deep thocky sound that’s hard to match.

They’re incredibly satisfying to type on and feel weighty in a good way. Best of all? They come beautifully pre-lubed, so you don’t need to mod unless you really want to.

💬 Best For:

• Typists and writers
• Sound-focused keyboard builders
• Anyone chasing that “deep thock” aesthetic

🎯 Verdict:

The go-to switch for sound lovers. Feels and sounds premium.

6. Ajazz Diced Fruit Red — Best Budget Linear

• Actuation Force: ~45g
• Pre-travel: 2.0mm
• Total Travel: 4.0mm
• Factory Lubed: Lightly
• Sound Profile: Medium clack, quiet when lubed
• Price: ~$0.27–$0.30 each (45‑pack: ₹1,399 / $17 ≈ $0.38)

📝 Review:

Looking for an entry-level linear switch that still performs well? The Ajazz Diced Fruit Reds are the perfect place to start. They’re impressively smooth for a switch under $0.30, and with a little lube, they rival some mid-tier switches in feel.

While the sound is a bit higher-pitched and not as refined as others on this list, it’s a solid pick for budget builds and beginner customizers.

💬 Best For:

• Budget builds
• Beginners trying out their first switch swap
• Users looking to experiment with lubing

🎯 Verdict:

Great feel for the price. Punches well above its weight.

7. NovelKeys Cream — Best for Modding Enthusiasts

• Actuation Force: 55g
• Pre-travel: 2.0mm
• Total Travel: 4.0mm
• Factory Lubed: No
• Sound Profile: Unique, marbly pop (after break-in)
• Price: ~$0.65–$0.85 each (18‑pack: $11.70–$15.30)

📝 Review:

The NovelKeys Cream is a cult favorite, known for its self-lubricating POM construction that gets smoother over time. Right out of the box, they feel a bit scratchy—but give them a week or two and they’ll break in beautifully.

These are also a modder’s dream. Add films, lube them with 205g0, and pair with a gasket-mount board—you’ll unlock a switch that’s custom to the core.

💬 Best For:

• Modding lovers
• Enthusiasts who enjoy tuning and customizing their sound
• Builders who want switches that evolve with use

🎯 Verdict:

A legendary switch that rewards those who love the process.

🧩 Best Linear Switches in 2025 – Quick Comparison Table

What to Look for in a Linear Switch (Before You Buy)

Not all linear switches are built the same. Here’s how to choose the one that actually fits your fingers, your setup, and your style.

Linear switches might look similar on paper, but a lot of small differences can make or break your experience—especially if you’re typing for hours or grinding competitive games. Before you click “Add to Cart,” here’s what you need to know:

1. Actuation Force (How Hard You Need to Press)

Actuation force is measured in grams (g) and determines how much pressure you need to press the key. Lower force (35g–45g) gives a lighter, more effortless feel—ideal for gaming. Heavier switches (55g–65g) offer more control and prevent accidental presses, which many typists and coders prefer.

Voice search-friendly tip:

“What is the best actuation force for linear switches?” – The sweet spot for most users is between 45g–60g.

2. Total Travel Distance

Most linear switches bottom out at around 4mm, but some are designed to actuate and bottom out faster (like speed switches with 3.4mm or less). If you like quick taps, go for short travel; if you prefer more feedback, a longer travel might suit you better.

3. Factory Lubed vs. Unlubed

Lubing a switch reduces friction and improves sound—but not all users want to do it manually.

• Factory-lubed switches like Gateron Smoothie or Oil King are ready to go out of the box.
• Unlubed switches like Creams are ideal for enthusiasts who love to mod and tune.

SEO Tip: Use natural terms like smooth linear switches, pre-lubed gaming switches, and best switches for lubing in subheadings or image alt text.

4. Sound Profile

Even linear switches can have personality in sound. Some are:

• Deep and thocky – great for acoustic satisfaction.
• Soft and silent – ideal for open offices or late-night gaming.
• Plastic-y or clacky – typical in budget switches, but can be modded.

Consider sound preferences before buying, especially if you live with others.

5. Build Material

• POM (Polyoxymethylene): Naturally smooth, great for self-lubing switches like Creams.
• Nylon: Softer feel, deeper sound.
• Polycarbonate (PC): Clear and higher-pitched; used in many budget switches.
• Mixed materials: Premium switches often blend materials to optimize feel and acoustics.

6. Price & Value for Money

Some premium switches cost over $1.00 per switch, while others like Ajazz Diced Fruit go for under $0.30. Decide based on your goals:

• Budget build? Stick with affordable switches and mod later.
• Luxury custom board? Go all in with Smoothies or Oil Kings.

🔄 Tip: Always order a switch tester or 10-pack sample before committing to a full set.

7. Compatibility & Mounting Style

Check whether your board supports:

• 3-pin or 5-pin switches
• North- or South-facing LEDs
• Hot-swap sockets or soldered PCBs

Getting the wrong type can cause installation headaches. Make sure your switches fit your board before you check out.

FAQs About Linear Switches (2025 Edition)

Still unsure which switch is right for you? These frequently asked questions will help clear up any confusion.

Q1. Are linear switches good for gaming?

Absolutely. Linear switches are the go-to choice for many gamers because they offer a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke with no tactile bump. This allows for faster reaction times and less finger fatigue in games where precision and speed matter — especially FPS and MOBA titles. For the most competitive edge, consider Kailh Super Speed Silver or Gateron Red Pro 3.0.

Q2. What is the quietest linear switch?

The quietest linear switch in 2025 is the Akko Piano Pro. It comes factory-lubed with sound-dampening features that minimize bottom-out noise, making it ideal for quiet workspaces, streamers, or anyone living with roommates.

Tip: Pair silent switches with a dampening mat and thick PBT keycaps for an even quieter experience.

Q3. Are linear switches good for typing?

Yes, but with a caveat. Linear switches can be great for typing if you prefer a buttery smooth feel and minimal resistance. However, some typists miss the tactile bump found in tactile switches. If you’re a coder, writer, or office worker, you may want to try Gateron Ink Black V2 or NovelKeys Cream, both of which offer a controlled feel and a satisfying sound.

Q4. What’s the smoothest linear switch in 2025?

The crown for smoothest goes to the Gateron Smoothie. These premium switches are known for their glass-like glide, exceptional consistency, and luxurious keypress feel straight out of the box. No lubing needed.

Q5. Should I lube my linear switches?

If your switches aren’t factory-lubed, yes lubing can make a huge difference. It reduces scratchiness, deepens the sound, and enhances overall feel. But if you’re not into modding, choose factory-lubed switches like Oil Kings or Smoothies for that silky smoothness right away.

Q6. What’s the best linear switch for beginners?

If you’re new to mechanical keyboards and want a reliable switch without breaking the bank, go for the Ajazz Diced Fruit Red or Gateron Yellow. They offer a balanced experience, are budget-friendly, and are compatible with most hot-swap boards.

Q7. Do linear switches make a lot of noise?

Not necessarily. While they’re generally quieter than tactile or clicky switches, the actual noise depends on your typing style, keycap material, lubing and modding, and keyboard case design. Use foam mods, dampening mats, and PBT caps to reduce unwanted sound.

Final Thoughts: Which Linear Switch Is Right for You in 2025?

Choosing the best linear switch in 2025 depends on your goals whether you’re chasing ultra-fast inputs for gaming, a buttery smooth typing experience, or a quiet switch for your shared space.

Here’s a quick recap to help guide your choice:

• For Gamers: Go with something snappy and lightweight like Kailh Super Speed Silver or Gateron Red Pro 3.0. These are designed for fast actuation and quick rebounds perfect for FPS and eSports.
• For Typists & Office Use: You’ll appreciate the control and acoustics of NovelKeys Cream or Gateron Ink Black V2. Their heavier actuation offers precision and comfort over long sessions.
• For Quiet Environments: Akko Piano Pro is the top silent performer, making it ideal for work-from-home setups or shared spaces.
• For Enthusiasts: Want the best out-of-box smoothness? Gateron Smoothie is the current gold standard, blending luxury feel with zero scratch.

No matter your pick, remember: the right switch isn’t just about specs—it’s about feel, sound, and how it fits your daily routine.

🧠 Pro Tip: Always test a few before committing. A $5 switch tester kit can save you from a $100 regret.

✅ Ready to Build Your Dream Keyboard?

Explore switch samples, tester kits, and full switch sets from trusted vendors like:

• KBDfans
• Drop
• MechanicalKeyboards.com

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