G
LINEAR · 45g
linear Gateron

Gateron Red 45g

Gateron Red 45g review: a smooth, light 45g linear with milky nylon housings — honest specs, feel, tuning notes and who it's for.

45g
Actuation
2mm pre-travel
4mm
Travel
total key travel
4.0/5
Smoothness
our feel rating
3.0/5
Wobble
lower is better

How it feels

Smoothness silky → scratchy 8.0
Wobble stability rock-solid → loose 4.0
Cleanness glass-smooth → scratchy 2.0

How it sounds

Profile unrecorded
Noise level
Spring ping None

Frequently asked

Is the Gateron Red 45g a good switch for beginners?

Yes. It's light, smooth, quiet and very forgiving, which makes it one of the easiest entry points into linear switches without spending much.

Does the Gateron Red 45g need lube?

It runs fine stock thanks to the self-lubricating POM stem, but a thin coat of 205g0 on the rails and a dab on the springs removes the last traces of spring ping and tightens the sound.

How heavy is the Gateron Red compared to a Cherry MX Red?

The actuation force is essentially the same at 45g, but the Gateron glides more smoothly out of the box and tends to feel a touch lighter through the stroke.

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