linear Switch Best: gaming, linear newcomers

Cherry MX Red

Cherry's linear standard since 1984: 45 g actuation, no bump, and the switch every other linear is compared to.

Mechanical Hardware Specifications

⚖️

Actuation / Bottom-Out

45 g / 60 g

Linear force progression

📏

Travel Distance

4.0 mm (2.0 pre)

Full mechanical stroke

🎧

Acoustic Signature

mildly scratchy stock

transforms — becomes smooth

Switch Performance & Teardown Analysis

MX Red is the archetype: 45 g of uninterrupted press. Stock Reds run slightly scratchy (modern Cherry tolerances improved); a lube session makes them genuinely smooth. Heavier springs (Red would-be fans often move to 55 g) fix the accidental-press problem fast typists report.