One of the great things about mechanical keyboards is that you can completely transform how they sound and feel simply by changing the switches.
The biggest issue is that there are so many options available that one might feel lost and unsure of where to start or what to choose.
So we decided to address that. We got all the most popular Gateron switches and tested them for you.
We'll help you choose from the wide range of switches that Gateron has to offer. From fan favorites such as the Oil Kings and the Baby Kangaroos, to special editions like the Azure Dragon or the Sillyworks Type R.
We'll include critical information such as type of switch, operating force, activation distance, total travel, lubrication, construction, and, of course, a sound test and a description of how they feel compared to other similar alternatives.
For reference, all these switches have been tested on our keyboards, the Dygma Defy and Dygma Raise 2, which have sound-dampening foam inside, but not as much as other custom mechanical keyboards focused on sound.
Oil King
Let's start from the top with the Oil Kings, a linear switch that's slightly heavier, but not too much.
It has an activation point of 55 gf and a classic activation distance of 2mm, with a total travel of 4 mm.
The housing is entirely black, so even though it has a slot to let light shine through, it will be dimmer compared to switches with transparent top housing.
On the other hand, the nylon housing, combined with factory lubrication, eliminates ping and makes this switch sound more bassy than similar alternatives, such as the Gateron Yellow.
This is a great switch if you want to try something slightly heavier than your average linear switch or with a more "rounded" sound profile.
Baby Kangaroo 2.0
Let's continue with one of the most popular tactile switches out there, the Baby Kangaroos 2.0.
This is a relatively heavy linear switch with an operating force of 59g. The activation distance is 2mm, and the total travel is 3.4 mm.
One interesting aspect of this switch is that you can notice the tactile bump almost immediately, which, combined with a long, reinforced spring that helps with the recovery, makes this switch particularly pleasant to type on if you prefer tactile feedback.
Another highlight is the diffuser included in the housing to enhance LED consistency and brightness.
Finally, there's the sound profile, which will leave no one indifferent. People describe it as marbly, and I think that's accurate. They are loud, but soothing.
This is a great switch if you are looking for noticeable tactile feedback, or if you like your keyboard to sound like marbles rubbing against each other.
Zero Degree Silent
Now let's talk about the Zero Degree Silent, a linear switch that combines a medium activation force (45 gf) with a super silent construction.
The activation distance is 1.8 mm, with a total travel of 3.6 mm.
The interesting thing about these switches is that they are designed to reduce the typical "mushy" feeling associated with silent switches. They have a double rail for the stem with silent pads in the bottom housing to prevent any noise.
They also have the same light diffuser as the Baby Kangaroos, so the LEDs shine through nicely.
These are an excellent option if you are looking for a silent linear switch that doesn't have that typical mushy feeling, or if you want something heavier than the Kailh Silent Pink (35 gf). However, keep in mind that they are not as silent.
Melodic
And now, let's make some noise with the Gateron Melodic. These are clicky switches with a fairly standard operating force for clicky switches (60 gf), an activation distance of 2 mm, and a total travel of 4 mm.
What makes these switches special is their click leaf design, which results in a unique sound profile. Most clicky switches use either a click bar, such as the Kailh Box White, or a click jacket, like the MX Blue.
Some argue that the sound produced by a click leaf is the cleanest and most satisfying. The sound is a bit less metallic, kind of like popping the bubbles on a bubble bag.
But, as is often the case with clickies, the sound is polarizing; people either like or dislike it.
These switches also include all the standard Gateron improvements, such as the consistent factory lubrication, the aforementioned light diffuser and premium molds and bottom housing.
Quinn
The Gateron Quinns are similar to the Baby Kangaroo, with the same 59 gf operating force, 2mm activation distance and total travel of 3.4 mm.
The primary difference is the nylon housing, similar to the one used in the Oily Kings, which alters the sound profile. They are described as thocky.
These are a good choice if you like switches like the Boba U4T. Your keyboard will be loud, but pleasing to hear. However, keep in mind that these are relatively heavy switches compared to a standard tactile switch, such as the Kailh Silent Brown.
Let's now analyze the interesting Gateron Smoothie Collection.
Gateron Smoothie
All the switches from this collection share three key qualities:
- A POM housing, which absorbs high-pitched sounds, making these switches sound more bassy.
- A light diffuser that helps redirect the light toward the keycap, making these switches surprisingly good for RGB keyboards, regardless of the opaque housing.
- A very even factory lubrication, which provides a satisfying typing experience; hence the "smoothie" name.
There's a Gateron Smoothie flavour for every taste.
- Classic: A light linear, with an operating force of 40 gf.
- Sea Salt: A balanced linear, with an operating force of 48 gf
- Banana: A heavy tactile, with an operating force of 60 gf
- Mint: A balanced linear, slightly lighter than the Sea Salt, with an operating force of 45 gf
- Chocolate: A marginally lighter tactile than the Banana, with an operating force of 55 gf
- Strawberry: A light linear, very similar to the Classic. They have the same operating force of 40 gf, but the Classics have a total travel distance of 3.8 mm compared to 4 mm for these.
Finally, we want to talk about a couple of other switches, special collaborations with Nuphy and Sillyworks, the Azure Dragon V4 and the Sillyworks Type R.
Azure Dragon V4
The Azure Dragon V4 is a very special switch. It's tactile, but while most tactile switches have a short, noticeable bump, these have a longer bump. The operating force is 65 gf, so quite heavy, and they are also quite short, with a total travel disatance of only 3mm.
This makes them feel a bit of a linear/tactile hybrid.
Sound-wise, they have nothing special going for them, although they are lubed. They also have the light diffuser we mentioned earlier.
Sillyworks Type R
The Sillyworks Type R is another attempt to make different tactile switches. In this case, you notice the bump immediately; there's no linear travel beforehand, unlike most tactile switches.
Another thing to highlight, or should I say, "highdark", is that there's no gap for the light to improve the housing closure, which means that these are absolutely not recommended if you have an RGB keyboard.
What Gateron Switch should I get?
I hope this has helped you better understand the differences among the most popular Gateron switches.
If you've fancied the Oil Kings, the Baby Kangaroos or the Zero Degree Silent, we have started offering them on Dygma.com/switches.
And if you'd like us to test other switches or offer a different model, please let us know on Discord or Reddit.
