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This is the comparison most people run into first when buying linear switches: the budget switch everyone recommends against the industry standard that costs more. The answer is less obvious than brand loyalty suggests, and it has changed over the last few years.
⚡ Quick answer: Gateron Yellow wins on value and, for most people, on feel. It is smoother out of the box and costs noticeably less. Cherry MX Red wins on availability, consistency across batches, and warranty backing. If you are buying loose switches, get the Gateron.
Side by side
| Gateron Yellow | Cherry MX Red | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Actuation force | ~50g | 45g |
| Actuation point | 2.0mm | 2.0mm |
| Total travel | 4.0mm | 4.0mm |
| Smoothness (stock) | Noticeably smoother | Slightly scratchy |
| Sound | Deeper, fuller | Higher, thinner |
| Price | Much cheaper | Premium for the name |
Where Gateron Yellow wins
Smoothness. This is the one that matters. Stock Gateron Yellows glide in a way stock Cherry Reds do not. Cherry’s scratchiness is well documented and is the main reason people lube them; Yellows need far less help.
Sound. Yellows are deeper and fuller, closer to the “thock” people chase. Reds sound thinner and higher-pitched by comparison, particularly in a plastic case.
Price. Not close. You can often buy roughly twice as many Yellows for the same money, which matters when a full board needs 60 to 100 switches.
Where Cherry MX Red wins
Consistency. Cherry’s manufacturing tolerances are tight and predictable. Gateron quality has improved enormously but still varies more between batches.
Availability. Reds are fitted to a huge number of prebuilt keyboards and stocked everywhere. If you need switches today from a high-street retailer, that is a real advantage.
Weight. At 45g versus roughly 50g, Reds are lighter. Some gamers genuinely prefer that, and it is the one spec where the choice is preference rather than quality.
💡 Worth knowing: Cherry addressed the scratchiness complaint with the MX2A redesign, which is meaningfully smoother than the older Reds most comparisons are based on. If you are comparing current stock rather than switches bought years ago, the gap is narrower than its reputation.
Which should you buy?
Choose Gateron Yellow
You are buying loose switches, filling a whole board, or you want the best feel per pound without lubing anything.
Choose Cherry MX Red
You want the lighter 45g press, you are buying a prebuilt that ships with them, or batch-to-batch consistency matters to you.
Neither is the smoothest linear you can buy. If you want to see what else is out there at both ends of the budget, our best linear switches roundup ranks the full field, and the factory-lubed guide covers switches that arrive smoother than either of these.
Frequently asked questions
Are Gateron Yellows good for gaming?
Very. They are the most commonly recommended budget gaming linear, and the slightly heavier 50g spring helps avoid accidental presses without slowing you down. See our best linear switches for gaming guide for the alternatives.
Do Gateron Yellows need lubing?
No, and that is much of their appeal. They are smooth enough stock that most people leave them alone. Lubing still improves them, but it is optional rather than a fix.
Will Gateron switches fit a Cherry keyboard?
Yes. Both use the standard MX stem and mount, so they are interchangeable in any MX-compatible board. Check the pin count, since 5-pin switches need a PCB with the extra holes. Our 3-pin vs 5-pin guide explains it.
Is Gateron Yellow the same as Gateron Milky Yellow?
Not quite. Milky Yellow uses an opaque housing that gives a deeper, fuller sound, and the Pro version arrives factory lubed. The stem and weighting are similar, so the choice is mostly about sound and whether you want it pre-lubed.