We regularly review and update our guides to ensure keyboard recommendations, specs, and software information stay current with the latest releases and updates.
Affiliate disclosure: this article contains Amazon affiliate links. Purchases made through these links support Clickyboard at no extra cost to you.
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend switches we would put in our own boards.
Lubing switches by hand is the single best way to make them smoother, but it is slow, fiddly, and not for everyone. Factory-lubed linear switches skip that step: they come lubricated from the factory, so they feel smooth and sound good the moment you drop them in. Below are the best factory-lubed linear switches in 2026, so you can get a premium feel with zero extra work.
⚡ Quick take
The Gateron Oil King is the best factory-lubed linear for most people: smooth, deep, and available everywhere. On a budget, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro is unbeatable value, and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro is the easiest all-rounder. Want the full picture on linears first? See our best linear switches roundup.
How we picked
Every switch here ships factory-lubed and is a true linear, smooth all the way down with no bump. We judged them on how good the factory lube actually is (some are lubed better than others), smoothness, sound, spring weight, and value. Each pick lists an honest downside, because even good factory lube is not perfect.
Factory-lubed linear switches compared
| Switch | Weight (approx) | Feel and sound | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateron Oil King | ~55 g | Very smooth, deep | Best overall |
| Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro | ~50 g | Smooth, rounded | Best all-rounder |
| Gateron Milky Yellow Pro | ~50 g | Smooth for the price | Best budget |
| Akko V3 Piano Pro | ~63 g | Deep, musical | Best sound |
| Cherry MX2A Red | ~45 g | Light, refined | Best from Cherry |
| Gateron Baby Raccoon | ~62 g | Thocky, full | Thocky sound |
| Akko V3 Cream Black Pro | ~60 g | Firm, controlled | Heavier typists |
| Gateron Ink Black V2 | ~60 g | Premium, deep | Enthusiast pick |
The best factory-lubed linear switches
1. Gateron Oil King, the best overall
Why it is here. The Oil King is the switch that made factory lube respectable. It comes lubed well from the factory, feels genuinely smooth, and has a deep, satisfying sound around 55 g. It is the easy default. Best for: anyone who wants a premium feel with no work.
Watch out: the deep, medium-heavy feel is not for people who prefer a very light, fast switch.
2. Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro, the best all-rounder
Why it is here. A pre-lubed medium linear around 50 g that feels smooth and sounds rounded straight out of the box, at a lower price than most premium switches. A superb first factory-lubed switch. Best for: an easy, affordable all-rounder for typing and gaming.
Watch out: it is a touch heavier than speed switches, so competitive gamers may want something lighter.
3. Gateron Milky Yellow Pro, the best budget pick
Why it is here. The value champion. It is lightly factory-lubed, smooth for the money, and one of the cheapest ways to fill a whole board with a decent linear. Best for: filling a full board on a tight budget.
Watch out: the factory lube is lighter than premium switches, so a few units can feel slightly less consistent. A quick extra lube makes them excellent.
4. Akko V3 Piano Pro, the best sound
Why it is here. Pre-lubed and tuned for a deep, musical sound, the Piano Pro is the pick if a full, thocky tone matters most to you. Smooth out of the box with a heavier press. Best for: sound-focused builds.
Watch out: the heavier spring and higher price make it overkill if you just want a cheap, light linear.
5. Cherry MX2A Red, the best from Cherry
Why it is here. The MX2A is Cherry’s overhaul of its classic Red, with a smoother stem and factory lube that finally fixes the scratchiness the old MX Red was known for. Light at around 45 g and very reliable. Best for: fans of the classic Cherry feel who want it smoother.
Watch out: it is smoother than before but still not as deep-sounding as the Gateron or Akko picks.
6. Gateron Baby Raccoon, the thocky pick
Why it is here. A factory-lubed linear around 62 g with a deep, full sound that people chase for a thocky build. Smooth out of the box with a rounded bottom-out. Best for: a deep, thocky sound with no lubing.
Watch out: the heavier spring is not for everyone, and stock can come and go by batch.
7. Akko V3 Cream Black Pro, for heavier typists
Why it is here. A pre-lubed linear around 60 g with a firmer, more deliberate press and a deep sound. If you bottom out hard and want control, this is the factory-lubed pick. Best for: heavy-handed typists.
Watch out: the heavier spring tires out light typists and is not ideal for fast gaming.
8. Gateron Ink Black V2, the enthusiast pick
Why it is here. The Ink Black pairs a special ink housing with a smooth, slightly heavier linear feel around 60 g and a deep, premium sound. It is a community favorite that needs no extra lube. Best for: enthusiasts who want smoothness and a deep sound in one switch.
Watch out: it costs more than standard Gateron linears, and the heavier spring is not ideal if you like a light touch.
Does factory lube mean you never need to lube again?
Mostly, yes. A well factory-lubed switch like the Oil King feels great with no extra work, which is the whole point. But factory lube is applied by machine, so it is lighter and less precise than a careful hand lube. If you want the absolute smoothest result, you can still hand-lube a factory-lubed switch, and budget picks like the Milky Yellow benefit the most. Our switch lubing guide walks through it if you decide to go further.
Three of the picks above are Akko V3 Pro switches, because Akko lubes well at a low price. If you have already settled on the brand, our best Akko linear switches guide ranks the full range including the CS budget line.
Frequently asked questions
What does factory-lubed mean?
Factory-lubed means the switch comes with lubricant already applied to the stem and rails when you buy it, so it feels smoother out of the box. It saves you the slow job of lubing each switch by hand, though a careful hand lube can still improve them further.
What is the best factory-lubed linear switch?
For most people the Gateron Oil King is the best factory-lubed linear, with excellent factory lube, a smooth feel, and a deep sound. On a budget the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro is the value pick, and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro is the easiest affordable all-rounder.
Do I still need to lube factory-lubed switches?
No, not for a great experience. A well factory-lubed switch feels smooth as-is. Enthusiasts sometimes add a hand lube for the last bit of smoothness, and cheaper factory-lubed switches benefit the most, but it is optional, not required.
Are factory-lubed switches good for gaming?
Yes. Factory-lubed linears are smooth and consistent, which suits gaming well. For speed, pick a lighter factory-lubed switch, and for the lowest latency use a wired board. Most of the picks here work well for both typing and gaming.
Verdict: which factory-lubed linear should you buy?
If you want one easy answer, buy the Gateron Oil King. Its factory lube is genuinely good, it feels smooth, and it sounds deep with no extra work. Budget builders should grab the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro is the friendliest affordable all-rounder, and sound chasers should try the Akko V3 Piano Pro.
Factory lube gets you most of the way to a premium feel with none of the effort. If you later want to go further, our best linear switches roundup and lubing guide cover the next steps, and you can pair these switches with a board from our best Akko keyboards guide.
We update this roundup as new factory-lubed switches launch, so the picks stay current.