Linear switches are a fan favorite for good reason. Their smooth and uninterrupted keystrokes feel buttery from start to finish. There are no clicks and no bumps. It’s just pure flow. While the high-end market is full of expensive boutique options, the budget scene has exploded with choices that feel just as good for a fraction of the cost.
We’ve rounded up the best budget linear switches based on our hands-on testing. We looked for switches that offer great performance and solid build quality without breaking the bank. If you want to build an excellent board without the wallet sting, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get into the winners!
If you’re looking for the absolute top-tier performers regardless of price, be sure to check out:
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Quick Comparison
Don’t have time to dive into technical force curves and housing polymers? No worries. If you just want a switch that works for your specific budget build, here is the “Cheat Sheet.”
We’ve picked these switches based on their out-of-the-box smoothness, sound signature, and how much “thock” you get for your buck.
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Best Overall Budget Linear: LEOBOG Reaper
LEOBOG Reaper
- Type: Linear
- Top Housing: Polycarbonate
- Bottom Housing: Nylon
- Stem: POM
- Initial Force: 36g
- Actuation: 45g
- Bottom-Out: 55g
- Pre-Travel: 1.8mm
- Total Travel: 3.6mm
- Pins: 5-pin
- Lube: Pre-Lubricated
If you’re looking for a switch that punches way above its weight class, the LEOBOG Reaper is my current top pick for budget builds. Falling comfortably into the entry-level price bracket, it offers a level of factory-lubed smoothness that used to cost twice as much. The Reaper is a fantastic entry point for anyone who wants a “custom” feel without the custom price tag.
During my testing, I was most impressed by the consistency of the factory lubrication. These switches feel incredibly slick right out of the box, with just a minimal amount of the scratchiness often found in cheaper linears. I spent several days testing these in Dead Island 2 and found them to be remarkably responsive. The 45g actuation is a “Goldilocks” weight. It’s light enough to prevent finger fatigue during long gaming sessions but provides just enough resistance to stop most accidental keypresses while I rest my fingers.
The sound profile is where the Reaper really shines. It delivers a full-bodied, thocky sound that feels premium, especially when I paired it with an FR4 plate in my Neo65. While I noticed a slight metallic spring ping on the upstroke, it’s a minor trade-off for the price. If you want a switch that is ready to go the moment it arrives, the Reaper is a no-brainer.
- Integrated RGB Diffusers
- Budget-Friendly Pricing
- Snappy Spring Return
- Significant Spring Ping
Best All-POM Budget Switch: Gateron Smoothie
Gateron Smoothie
- Type: Linear
- Top Housing: POM
- Bottom Housing: POM
- Stem: POM
- Initial Force: Not Specified
- Actuation: 40g
- Bottom-Out: Not Specified
- Pre-Travel: 2.0mm
- Total Travel: 3.6mm
- Pins: 5-pin
- Lube: Pre-Lubricated
The Gateron Smoothie is a switch that totally caught me by surprise. I stumbled across these while browsing Amazon and was immediately reminded of the classic NovelKeys Creams because of their all-white, all-POM construction. Considering these are priced firmly in budget territory, they punch way above their weight class in terms of raw smoothness and build quality.
I spent a significant amount of time testing these while running dungeons in Fellowship, and I have to say, they made me smile every time I pressed a key. They are incredibly responsive, which is exactly what you want for fast-paced rotations. However, they are definitely on the lighter side. With a 40g actuation and a 50g bottom-out, I found them a bit too light for my personal typing style, leading to more mistakes than usual during my daily writing. If you prefer a switch that requires a very deliberate “smash” to register, these might feel a bit airy, but for fans of light and fast linears, they are a dream.
What really stands out about the Smoothie is the sound. Even though I usually prefer a deep “thock,” the poppy, clacky signature of these all-POM housings won me over. They are quite loud (loud enough that I could clearly hear them through my headphones while gaming), but the sound is crisp and satisfying rather than thin or rattly. They also come with integrated light diffusers that make RGB lighting look phenomenal. If you want a smooth, bright-white switch that offers a premium “clack” without the premium price tag, I highly recommend giving these a spin.
- Full POM Construction
- Integrated RGB Diffusers
- Budget-Friendly Pricing
- Loud Acoustic Profile
- Noticeable Leaf Tick
Best Creamy Budget Linear: EPOMAKER Wisteria
EPOMAKER Wisteria
- Type: Linear
- Top Housing: Polycarbonate
- Bottom Housing: Nylon PA66
- Stem: POM+PTFE
- Initial Force: Not Specified
- Actuation: 45g
- Bottom-Out: Not Specified
- Pre-Travel: 2.2mm
- Total Travel: 3.6mm
- Pins: 5-pin
- Lube: Pre-Lubricated
The EPOMAKER Wisteria is the switch I recommend to anyone who wants that premium, marble-y sound without spending a fortune. Even though these are some of the most affordable linears I’ve tested, they offer a level of quality that is rare in the budget category.
When I first opened these up, I noticed a very healthy amount of factory lube on the stems. In my testing, this made the switches glide like butter with absolutely zero scratchiness. I spent a lot of time battling in Marvel Rivals using these, and even though I got stomped by some Grand Master players, the switches themselves felt perfectly snappy and responsive. One thing that really surprised me was how well I typed with them. Even though the 45g bottom-out is much lighter than my usual preference, I actually broke my speed records on TypeRacer with very few mistakes.
The sound is really the star of the show here. The Wisterias are remarkably thocky. I enjoyed the sound so much that I found myself unplugging my keyboard just to mash the keys and listen to the poppy, marble-like signature. They are also incredibly quiet in terms of build quality. I brought the keyboard right up to my ears and couldn’t hear a single metallic ping or rattle. If you are a fan of light switches and you want that deep, satisfying thock that usually requires custom tuning, these are an excellent choice straight out of the box.
- Super Smooth
- Light Springs
- Thocky
- Exceptional Price
- Excessive Lube
Best Budget Speed Switch: Akko Piano Pro
Akko Piano Pro
- Type: Linear
- Top Housing: Nylon
- Bottom Housing: Nylon
- Stem: POM
- Initial Force: Not Specified
- Actuation: 45g
- Bottom-Out: Not Specified
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Total Travel: 3.1mm
- Pins: 5-pin
- Lube: Pre-Lubricated
If you are looking for a budget linear that balances deep sound with excellent lighting, the Akko Piano Pro is a fantastic choice. These switches are currently in their third version, and Akko has clearly put a lot of work into the factory experience. They come with a massive amount of lube right out of the box (so much that I even saw globs on the springs) but strangely, it works. They feel incredibly smooth and didn’t have even a hint of scratchiness during my testing.
I spent a good chunk of time testing these while playing the Clawed demo and some Marvel Rivals. While I wasn’t a huge fan of Clawed, the switches themselves felt great. They have a 45g actuation, but what I really liked was the 40g initial force. It is a bit heavier than many other budget linears, which gave me a bit more control and helped prevent accidental keypresses. However, they are still relatively light, and I struggled a bit during my speed typing tests compared to my usual heavy hitters.
One area where the Piano Pro really beats the competition is the RGB performance. They include an integrated LED diffuser that makes your keyboard lighting look phenomenally bright and even. The sound is also a major highlight. They are definitely on the thocky side, and I loved the deep signature they produced on my Neo65. The only real downside I found was the fit. They felt a bit loose in the sockets and had some noticeable wobble when pressing on the edges of the keycaps. But if you want a “set it and forget it” switch that sounds awesome and makes your RGB pop, these are hard to beat at their current price point.
- Very Smooth
- Light Springs
- Thocky
- Excellent RGB
- Great Price
- Very Slight Pinging
- Excessive Lube
Wrapping Up
Still stuck on which one to pick? Choosing the “best” budget switch often depends on whether you value a deep sound profile or a smooth, fast feel for gaming. If you are still feeling a bit overwhelmed by terms like “actuation” and “housing materials,” we recommend checking out our foundational guide Keyboard Switches Explained: The Ultimate Guide to Epic Typing. It breaks down the anatomy of a switch so you can choose your first set with confidence.
The “perfect” linear switch is a moving target, but the budget market has come a long way. You no longer have to spend $80 on a set of switches to get a premium, factory-lubed experience. Whether you’re grinding through matches in your favorite game or just looking to make your daily typing feel a bit more buttery, these four options represent the best value on the market today.
Ready to start your first custom build? Grab a pack from the list above and join the linear party!
How We Tested and Our Methodology
Keyboard Forge is a 100% independent publisher.
We purchased these switches with our own funds and were not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
We conducted numerous hours of hands-on testing with these switches in both gaming and typing environments. Majority of the gaming testing was done playing a variety of Steam games. Majority of the typing testing was done writing articles for Keyboard Forge.
We hope this review helps you get a better understanding of these switches. Feel free to reach out to suggest switches to review in the future.
Thanks for the support!
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