Gateron KS-33 Low Profile Bamboo

Quick Summary

The Gateron KS-33 Bamboo is a low-profile linear aimed at slim keyboards and laptop-style builds where MX height is too tall. It pairs a 60g actuation with short 3.0mm travel, a POM stem riding in a POK-over-POM housing, and a dual-stage spring that gives a firmer, snappier return than the light feel its name might suggest. If you want a compact linear that feels deliberate under the finger without going heavy, it’s an easy recommendation.

Specs and Feel

This is a true linear, not the clicky switch some listings claim. Pressing it down is smooth and uneventful in the best way, with 1.7mm of pre-travel to actuation and 3.0mm of total travel before bottom-out. The shortened stroke makes it feel quicker than a full-height switch, and the 60g actuation lands in a comfortable middle ground for typing and gaming alike. The dual-stage spring is the defining trait: it stays light early in the stroke but firms up toward the bottom, so taps feel controlled and the return is brisk. Out of the box the factory lube keeps the POM-on-POK contact quiet and consistent, with no real scratch and only minor stem wobble typical of low-profile designs.

Tuning

There’s little reason to mod this one. The factory lube is applied competently and the dual-stage spring already does the work, so opening 60-plus tiny low-profile housings to re-lube is rarely worth the effort. Leave it stock and let the build dictate the sound.

Verdict

Pick the KS-33 Bamboo if you’re building a low-profile board and want a smooth, factory-ready 60g linear with a snappy bottom-out. It’s affordable, sensibly tuned, and pleasant to type on without demanding any work. Skip it only if you want a tactile or clicky feel, or if you’re committed to standard MX height. This is firmly a slim-profile switch.