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.
Gateron Yellow vs Cherry MX Red is the comparison most people run into first when buying linear switches: the budget favourite against the industry standard. The catch is that both names now cover several generations, and most comparisons online pit a current Gateron against an old Cherry. This guide compares like with like, using current specifications and prices.
⚡ Quick answer: Compared generation for generation, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow is cheaper (about $0.24–0.40 per switch vs $0.40–0.55 for the Cherry MX2A Red) and slightly heavier (50 gf vs 45 cN at actuation). Both are factory-lubed, so the old “Cherry is scratchy” gap is much smaller than its reputation. Buy the Yellow for value on a full board; buy the Red if you want the lighter press or Cherry’s consistency.
Which Gateron Yellow, and which Cherry Red?
Both names have changed under the same colour. Make sure the two switches you’re comparing are from the same era.
| Generation | What it is | Lubed from factory? |
|---|---|---|
| Gateron Yellow (original) | The long-running budget linear, clear top housing | No |
| Gateron G Pro 2.0 / 3.0 Yellow | Current version of the Yellow; 3.0 is the latest | Yes |
| Gateron Milky Yellow / Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) | Same weight, milky nylon housing for a deeper sound; Pro is lightly lubed | Pro only |
| Cherry MX Red (original) | The classic, pre-2020 version behind the “scratchy” reputation | No |
| Cherry MX Red Hyperglide | 2020 retooling for a smoother stroke | No |
| Cherry MX2A Red | Current generation, with factory lube and a redesigned spring | Yes |
The fair comparison today is G Pro 3.0 Yellow vs MX2A Red: both are current, both are factory-lubed and both are easy to buy. If you’re comparing older stock, the original Yellow vs the original Red is where the “Gateron is smoother” reputation comes from.
Specifications side by side
Manufacturer and retailer figures, not our own measurements. Gateron quotes force in grams-force (gf) and Cherry in centinewtons (cN); the two units are close enough to compare directly (1 cN ≈ 1.02 gf).
| Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow | Cherry MX2A Red | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Operating (actuation) force | 50 ±15 gf | 45 cN |
| Bottom-out force | 67 gf | about 75 g (retailer-listed) |
| Pre-travel | 2.0 ±0.6 mm | 2.0 mm |
| Total travel | 4.0 mm | 4.0 mm |
| Factory lubed | Yes | Yes |
| Housing | PC top, nylon bottom | Nylon (MX standard) |
| Pins | 3-pin or 5-pin versions | 3-pin or 5-pin versions |
| Rated lifespan | Not prominently stated by Gateron | 100 million keystrokes |
| Typical price per switch (Oct 2026) | ~$0.24–0.40 | ~$0.40–0.55 |
Note the tolerance: Gateron lists 50 gf ±15, a wider range than Cherry publishes. In practice that’s one reason Cherry keeps its reputation for consistency between batches.
What a full keyboard costs
Prices change often and vary by pack size and retailer, so treat these as ranges based on typical October 2026 prices. Buy a few spares; 5–10% extra covers duds and future swaps.
| Board size | Switches needed | Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow | Cherry MX2A Red |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 61 | ~$15–24 | ~$25–34 |
| 65% | 68 | ~$16–27 | ~$27–37 |
| TKL | 87 | ~$21–35 | ~$35–48 |
| Full-size | 104 | ~$25–42 | ~$42–57 |
Feel and sound
Weight. The clearest difference. The MX2A Red actuates at 45 cN and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow at about 50 gf, so the Red feels a little lighter and the Yellow a little more deliberate. Many gamers like the Red for that; many typists prefer the Yellow’s slightly firmer bottom-out.
Smoothness. Original Gateron Yellows were widely considered smoother out of the box than original Cherry Reds, which is why the Yellow became the budget favourite. Both current versions are factory-lubed, and most reviewers now describe the gap between the G Pro 3.0 Yellow and MX2A Red as small. Lubing either is optional.
Sound. Both are fairly quiet linears. The Yellow’s clear PC top housing tends to sound a touch higher, and Milky Yellows sound deeper. The case, plate and keycaps change the sound more than the choice between these two switches.
Which should you buy?
Choose Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow
You’re filling a whole board on a budget, you like a slightly firmer 50 gf press, or you want a smooth, pre-lubed switch for the least money.
Choose Cherry MX2A Red
You want the lighter 45 cN press, you value Cherry’s tight tolerances and 100-million-keystroke rating, or you’re matching switches in a Cherry-equipped board.
Affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Check the listing names the generation (G Pro 3.0 or MX2A) before buying.
Neither is the smoothest linear you can buy. For more options, see our best linear switches roundup, the Gateron Yellow switches guide for every Yellow variant, and the factory-lubed linear switches guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gateron Yellow better than Cherry MX Red?
It depends on what you value. Generation for generation, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow costs less per switch and has a slightly firmer 50 gf press, while the Cherry MX2A Red is lighter at 45 cN and has tighter published tolerances. Both are factory-lubed, so smoothness is now close.
Are Gateron Yellows heavier than Cherry Reds?
Slightly. The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow actuates at about 50 gf and bottoms out around 67 gf; the Cherry MX2A Red actuates at 45 cN. The difference is small but noticeable when typing side by side.
Are Gateron Yellows good for gaming?
Yes. They’re a popular budget gaming linear, and the slightly heavier 50 gf spring helps avoid accidental presses. If you want the lightest press, the Cherry MX2A Red is a little lighter. See our best linear switches for gaming guide for alternatives.
Do Gateron Yellows need lubing?
The current G Pro 3.0 Yellow arrives factory-lubed, so most people leave it alone. Original, unlubed Gateron Yellows benefit more from lubing. Hand-lubing either can make them smoother still, but it’s optional.
Will Gateron switches fit a Cherry keyboard?
Yes. Both are MX-style switches, so they fit any MX-compatible board. Check the pin count: 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 Yellows use the same 50 gf weighting but a milky nylon housing that sounds deeper, and the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is lightly factory-lubed. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a clear top housing and is the current mainstream version.
How much does a full keyboard of Gateron Yellows cost?
At typical October 2026 prices of about $0.24–0.40 per switch, a TKL (87 switches) costs roughly $21–35 in G Pro 3.0 Yellows, against about $35–48 in Cherry MX2A Reds. Prices vary by retailer and pack size.