Gateron Yellow Switch Review
For a first linear switch or a budget build, Gateron Yellow is the recommendation.
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Gateron Yellow Switch
View on AmazonOur 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
View on AmazonFAQ
Common questions
Should I lube Gateron Yellow switches?
Stock Gateron Yellows are already smoother than many switches that cost more, but lubing them with Krytox 205g0 produces a dramatic improvement, the scratchy high-frequency sound becomes a low, consistent thock and the keystroke feels significantly smoother. If you are comfortable lubing, Gateron Yellow lubed is competitive with switches that cost 3-4x more.
Are Gateron Yellow switches good for gaming?
The 35g actuation is lighter than the Cherry MX Red standard (45g), which reduces the force required for repeated keypresses during gaming. Light actuation is a meaningful advantage for rapid input in fast-paced games. The tradeoff is a slightly higher risk of accidental keypresses during non-gaming desktop use.
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