When it comes to competitive PC gaming, speed and consistency are everything. If you are playing fast-paced shooters or MOBAs, the physical “bump” of a tactile switch or the loud click of a blue switch will only slow down your inputs and fatigue your fingers.
The best linear switch for gaming overall is the Gateron Ink V2 Black due to its incredibly smooth travel and satisfying sound profile. For competitive esports players who need maximum speed, magnetic linear switches (like the Lekker60) offer unparalleled Rapid Trigger performance.
Whether you are building a custom hot-swappable keyboard or just want to know what switches to look for in a pre-built board, here are the top 5 linear switches for gaming available this year.
For more on choosing the right switch (and everything else that goes into a great board), see our complete mechanical keyboard guide.
Why Pro Gamers Only Use Linear Switches
If you look at the setups of professional Valorant, CS2, or Apex Legends players, almost 100% of them use linear switches.
Linear switches travel straight down and straight back up with zero physical resistance. This allows you to rapidly “flutter” or double-tap keys without having to wait for the switch to reset past a tactile bump. When you are jiggle-peeking a corner or executing complex movement tech, that smooth, uninterrupted travel path ensures your inputs are registered the exact millisecond you press the key.
(Not sure how linear switches compare to the alternatives? Read our Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard Switches Guide for a full breakdown of Linear vs Tactile vs Clicky).
At a Glance: Top Linear Switches
| Best For | Switch Name | Actuation Force | Travel Distance | Switch Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Gateron Ink V2 Black | 60g | 4.0mm | Standard Mechanical |
| Best for Esports | Lekker Linear60 | Adjustable | 4.0mm | Magnetic (Hall Effect) |
| Best Budget | Gateron Milky Yellow Pro | 50g | 4.0mm | Standard Mechanical |
| Best Speed | Cherry MX Speed Silver | 45g | 3.4mm | Standard Mechanical |
| Best Silent | Durock Silent Linear (Dolphin) | 62g | 3.8mm | Standard Mechanical |
1. Best Overall: Gateron Ink V2 Black
The Gateron Ink V2 Black is widely considered the gold standard of linear switches in the custom keyboard community. They feature a slightly heavier 60g actuation force, which is perfect for gamers who tend to rest their heavy hands on the WASD keys and want to avoid accidental presses.
Constructed with a proprietary smoky housing material, they offer an incredibly smooth keystroke straight out of the box. When lubricated, they produce a deep, premium “thock” sound that puts standard gaming keyboards to shame. (If you are chasing the perfect acoustic profile, read our deep-dive into the Best Sounding Linear Switches).
2. Best for Esports: Lekker Linear60 (Magnetic)
If you are playing tactical shooters, traditional mechanical switches are becoming obsolete. The Lekker Linear60 switches (found in the Wooting 60HE) do not use metal contacts; they use magnets.
This allows you to set a custom actuation point anywhere from 0.1mm to 4.0mm. More importantly, they support Rapid Trigger, meaning the switch resets the exact millisecond you lift your finger, allowing for instantaneous counter-strafing. (To see how these switches perform in-game, read our guide to the Best Keyboard for Valorant and Best Keyboard for CS2).
3. Best Budget Linear: Gateron Milky Yellow Pro
You do not need to spend $1 per switch to get a premium gaming experience. The Gateron Milky Yellow Pro is the undisputed king of budget linear switches.
They feature a 50g actuation force, which sits perfectly between the hyper-light feel of a Red switch and the heavy feel of a Black switch. The “Pro” version comes lightly factory-lubed, making them incredibly smooth for the price. If you are building your first custom keyboard on a budget, these are the only switches you should consider.
4. Best Speed Switch: Cherry MX Speed Silver
If you cannot use magnetic Rapid Trigger switches, but you still want the fastest possible input registration, the Cherry MX Speed Silver is the industry standard.
While standard switches actuate at 2.0mm, the Speed Silver actuates at a shallow 1.2mm. Combined with a very light 45g spring, these switches register your inputs almost instantly. They are highly recommended for fast-paced games like Apex Legends or Fortnite, where you need to rapidly spam crouch and movement keys. (Want to optimize your movement further? Check out our Best Apex Legends Keybinds).
5. Best Silent Linear: Durock Silent Linear (Dolphin)
If you stream on Twitch or use an open microphone on Discord, the loud “clack” of a mechanical keyboard can ruin your audio quality and annoy your teammates.
The Durock Silent Linear (often called the Dolphin) solves this by placing tiny silicone dampening pads on the switch stem. These pads absorb the impact when the key bottoms out and when it springs back up, resulting in a whisper-quiet keystroke that won’t bleed through your microphone.
Advanced Switch Modifications
Modifying your linear switches can significantly enhance their performance and feel. From lubrication to dampening, these tweaks are aimed at achieving a consistently smooth, stable, and precise keystroke.
Lubrication Techniques
When you lubricate your switches, you aim for a smoother operation and reduced friction. Select a lube appropriate for linear switches, typically a thin grease like Krytox 205g0.
- Stem: Apply a thin layer on the stem’s sides.
- Housing: Lightly coat the bottom housing’s interior where the stem slides.
- Note: For pre-lubed switches (like Gateron Yellow Pros), assess their consistency prior to adding more lube. Over-lubing can make the switch feel sluggish.
Film and Dampening
Adding films and dampeners can improve stability and reduce keycap wobble:
- Switch Film: Install thin polycarbonate films between the upper and lower switch housing to tighten the housing and enhance stability.
- O-Rings: Apply o-rings on keycaps to dampen the sound upon bottoming out.
Switch Springs and Actuation
Customizing springs affects the actuation force and can make a switch more sensitive or firm. A heavier spring increases resistance, potentially leading to a more deliberate keystroke (great for avoiding accidental presses). A lighter spring creates an easier press, making the switch more sensitive for gaming.
Cherry MX Speed Silver vs Razer Linear Optical
Choosing between Cherry MX Speed Silver and Razer Linear Optical switches depends on your preference for speed and feel during competitive gaming.
- Cherry MX Speed Silver switches offer a light actuation force and a quick response with their 1.2mm actuation point. They use traditional metal contacts and are known for reliability.
- Razer Linear Optical switches, utilizing light-based actuation, provide an incredibly fast response with the same actuation distance but boast a longer lifespan due to less physical wear. Because they use infrared light instead of metal leaves, they completely eliminate “debounce delay,” which can be crucial for competitive gaming.
Sound and typing experience are subjective; some may find Cherry MX switches smoother, while others prefer the Razer’s unique optical feel.
