Best Linear Switches (2026): From Budget Thock to Pro Gaming

Looking for that perfect, buttery-smooth keystroke? You’re in the right place.

Linear switches are the kings of the enthusiast world. They have no clicks, no bumps, just pure “thock.” But with hundreds of options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

At Keyboard Forge, we’ve tested dozens of these tiny gizmos in real-world builds to find the ones that actually deliver. From budget-friendly surprises to premium thock-monsters, here are some of the best linear switches by categories.

Let’s get into the winners.

Check this article out if you actually prefer a satisfying bump instead:

• Best Tactile Switches

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At a Glance: The Top Linear Switches

Don’t have time to dive into the technical specs of every housing material? No worries. If you just want a switch that works for your specific build, here is the cheat sheet.

We’ve picked these five based on their out-of-the-box performance, sound profile, and overall value.

Image	Product	Details	Link
Best Overall	Gateron Oil King	Type: Linear Top Housing: Nylon Bottom Housing: Proprietary INK Blend Stem: POM Initial Force: Not Specified Actuation: 55g Bottom-Out: Not Specified Pre-Travel: 2.0mm Total Travel: 4.0mm Pins: 5-pin Lube: Pre-Lubricated	Read Review
Best Budget	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	Read Review
Best Thock	Gateron Cream Soda	Type: Linear Top Housing: Polycarbonate Bottom Housing: Polycarbonate Stem: POM Initial Force: Not Specified Actuation: 56g Bottom-Out: 63g Pre-Travel: 2.0mm Total Travel: 3.8mm Pins: 5-pin Lube: Pre-Lubricated	Read Review
	Glorious Lynx	Type: Linear Top Housing: Polycarbonate Bottom Housing: Nylon Stem: POM Initial Force: Not Specified Actuation: 43g Bottom-Out: 60g Pre-Travel: 2.0mm Total Travel: 3.9mm Pins: 5-pin Lube: Pre-Lubricated	Read Review
Best Heavy	NovelKeys Cream	Type: Linear Top Housing: POM Bottom Housing: POM Stem: POM Initial Force: Not Specified Actuation: 55g Bottom-Out: 70g Pre-Travel: 2.0mm Total Travel: 4.0mm Pins: 5-pin Lube: Unlubed	Read Review

Best Overall Linear: Gateron Oil King

If there is a final boss of linear switches, the Gateron Oil King is it. This isn’t just a switch I tested for a weekend; this was my daily driver for over two years. It’s the benchmark I use to measure every other linear that comes across my desk.

The Oil King is famous for its INK bottom housing and nylon top, a combo that produces a sound that’s more of a sophisticated “clack” than a deep thock. But the real magic is the factory lubing. Gateron managed to get this so right that even “lazy modders” can skip the hours of hand-lubing and still get a buttery-smooth experience right out of the box.

In my testing (which involved hundreds of hours sailing the high seas in Sea of Thieves) these switches never hitched. The 55g actuation force is the Goldilocks weight: light enough for fast WASD movements during a Ghost Fleet battle, but heavy enough to stop you from making typos when you’re grinding out emails.

Best Budget Linear: LEOBOG Reaper

If you think you have to spend $$$ to get a creamy keyboard, the LEOBOG Reaper is here to prove you wrong. These switches sit firmly in budget territory, but they perform like enthusiast-grade switches that cost double.

The Reaper is a lazy tinkerer’s dream. The factory lubing is surprisingly consistent, offering a buttery-smooth glide right out of the box. While testing these in my Neo65, I found the sound signature to be satisfyingly thocky, though they do have a bit of spring ping if you listen closely (nothing a little DIY lubing can’t fix!).

During my testing, I spent days stomping zombies in Dead Island 2. The 45g actuation force felt incredibly responsive for dodging and ability-spamming. If you’re looking for maximum RGB glow, these also feature integrated light diffusers that make your board look like a neon playground.

Looking for more affordable options that won’t break the bank?

• Best Budget Linear Switches

Best Thocky Linear: Gateron Cream Soda

If your primary goal is to achieve that deep, marbly thock you hear in high-end typing tests, look no further. The Gateron Cream Soda is a specialty switch that combines the best of Gateron’s materials: a Milky top housing for a muted upstroke and an INK bottom housing for a premium, deep bottom-out.

The first thing you’ll notice is the colorway: a transparent light brown bottom and milky top that looks exactly like a Haribo Happy Soda gummy. But while they look playful, their performance is serious.

During my testing testing, I spent days farming the Broodmother in Grounded. Even in the heat of a bug-stomping battle, the responsiveness was flawless. But it was after the fight, during quiet moments of resource gathering, that I really noticed the sound. They are incredibly creamy and completely free of the metallic ping that plagues cheaper switches.

Best Linear for Gaming: Glorious Lynx

When milliseconds matter, you need a switch that reacts as fast as you do. The Glorious Lynx is engineered specifically for the gaming community, prioritizing a light touch and snappy return that makes your in-game movements feel instantaneous.

I took these switches into the high-pressure world of Sea of Thieves Hourglass battles. If you’ve ever tried to dodge cannon fire while managing a ship, you know WASD responsiveness is life or death. The Lynx switches felt incredibly snappy, with zero perceived delay.

What sets the Lynx apart is its incredibly light 43g actuation force. In my testing, the keys started moving the moment my fingers made contact. While this feather-light feel caused some typos during long-form writing, it was a massive advantage in-game where rapid-fire inputs are required.

Best Heavy Linear: NovelKeys Cream

If you have a heavy hand or find yourself making accidental typos because your switches are too sensitive, the NovelKeys Cream is your solution. These are the tanks of the linear world. They’re sturdy, deliberate, and built from a unique self-lubricating plastic called POM.

The standout feature of the NK Cream is its weight. With a 70g bottom-out force, these are significantly heavier than your average red or yellow switch. In my testing, this was a game-changer for typing. Because they require more force to actuate, I could rest my fingers comfortably on the keys without them sinking or triggering accidental characters.

While testing them in Marvel Rivals, I climbed back up to Gold I rank using Emma Frost. The movements felt incredibly snappy and responsive. However, be warned: that 70g weight is noticeable. During long sessions, my thumb actually felt the workout just from hitting the spacebar to jump. If you like a switch that fights back just a little bit, you’ll love these.

The Vault: Other Linear Switches

Searching for something specific? I didn’t just test the winners above; I’ve spent hundreds of hours documenting the feel and sound of dozens of linears. Here is a list of some of my hands-on reviews to help you find your perfect match.

Name	Link
Akko Piano Pro	[Read Review]
EPOMAKER Wisteria	[Read Review]
Everglide Aqua King	[Read Review]
Gateron Cream Soda	[Read Review]
Gateron Ink Black	[Read Review]
Gateron Oil King	[Read Review]
Gateron Smoothie	[Read Review]
Glorious Lynx	[Read Review]
LEOBOG Reaper	[Read Review]
NovelKeys Cream	[Read Review]
Wuque Studio Morandi	[Read Review]

Wrapping Up

Still stuck? Choosing the best switch often depends on your specific keyboard setup and your personal typing style. If you’re still feeling a bit overwhelmed by terms like “actuation” and “housing materials,” we recommend checking out our foundational guide: Keyboard Switches Explained. It breaks down the anatomy of a switch so you can choose with confidence.

The perfect linear switch is a moving target, but you can’t go wrong with any of the five above. Whether you’re chasing the next rank in competitive gaming or grinding out a 3,000-word report, these switches represent some of the best the hobby has to offer.

Ready to start your build? Grab your favorite from the list above, and let the “thock” begin!

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.

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