Gateron Switches

Gateron Main

Color Type Operating Force Activation Point Noise Level
Clear Linear 35cN 2mm Low
Red Linear 45cN 2mm Low
Yellow Linear 50cN 2mm Low
Black Linear 60cN 2mm Low
Blue Clicky 60cN 2.3mm Loud
Green Clicky 80cN 2.4mm Loud
Brown Tactile 55cN 2mm Medium

The main Gateron switch lineup consists of the typical switches: Red, Blue, Brown, etc.

All of the switches in this classification are considered “clones” since they mirror the design of the Cherry MX switch and use the same descriptive names where the colors represent the actuation type and spring force.

The only switch that differs slightly is the Gateron Clear switch which is totally different from the Cherry MX Clear. Instead of being a heavy tactile, the Gateron Clear is a super-light linear switch.

While being Cherry MX clones, Gateron’s main switch lineup does differ slightly from Cherry MX. Gateron switches are typically smoother due to a slightly smaller stem which can make using a Gateron linear switch much more enjoyable than a Cherry MX one.

Gateron Silent Switches

Color Type Operating Force Activation Point Noise Level
Silent Clear Linear 35cN 2mm Silent
Silent Red Linear 45cN 2mm Silent
Silent Yellow Linear 50cN 2mm Silent
Silent Black Linear 60cN 2mm Silent
Silent Brown Tactile 45cN 2mm Silent

A silent switch is different from a normal switch because the stem has small rubber padding on the top and bottom, so the sound is dampened when striking and bouncing back.

Gateron Milk/Milky Switches

Color Type Operating Force Activation Point Noise Level
Milk Clear Linear 35cN 2mm Low
Milk Red Linear 45cN 2mm Low
Milk Yellow Linear 50cN 2mm Low
Milk Black Linear 60cN 2mm Low
Milk Blue Clicky 60cN 2.3mm Loud
Milk Green Clicky 80cN 2.4mm Loud
Milk Brown Tactile 55cN 2mm Medium

Gateron Milk switches are pretty interesting. They are very similar to normal Gateron switches except they come with a different housing design. Instead of the typical clear top housing and black bottom housing, the milk switches come with a “milky” tinted housing that help diffuse the RGB lights.

Gateron Ink Switches

Color Type Operating Force Activation Point Noise Level
Ink Red Linear 45cN 2mm Low
Ink Yellow Linear 50cN 2mm Low
Ink Black Linear 60cN 2mm Low
Ink Blue Clicky 60cN 2.3mm Loud
Silent Ink Black Linear 60cN 2mm Silent

Gateron Ink switches are a bit different from the normal Gateron switch, they are what we would consider Gateron’s “premium switch” due to the higher price point.

The hallmark differences of the Ink switches are the clear smoky housing, different plastic material, lower pitch sound, and smoother feel.

The smoky housing is what gives the Ink’s their name, both the lower and upper housing are the same colors depending on what type of switch you use.

Gateron Low-Profile Switches

Color Type Operating Force Activation Point Noise Level
Low-Profile Red Linear 45cN 1.5mm Low
Low-Profile Brown Tactile 55cN 1.5mm Medium
Low-Profile Blue Clicky 50cN 1.5mm Loud

Gateron low profile switches have a completely different design than a normal switch. Gateron low-profile switches have a different shaped stem and a much short actuation and travel distance.