Gateron Optical Switches

SWITCH COLORS

Gateron Optical Blue

Gateron blue switches have a tactile and auditory click when you press them. These are the loudest switches that we have available. Gateron Blue switches have a 55 gf actuation force.

Gateron Optical Brown

Gateron Brown switches have a tactile bump but don’t have the auditory click that Blues have. These have historically been the best selling switches for X-Bows. Gateron Browns have a 55gf actuation force.

Gateron Optical Red

Gateron Red switches are quiet with a linear feel. Gateron Reds have an 45gf actuation force. These are a great middle-of-the-road switch that is popular with a broad audience.

Gateron Optical Black

Gateron Black switches are linear, like reds, but have a heavier 60gf actuation force. Black switches are a good option for heavy typists who tend to bottom out their keystrokes often.

Gateron Optical Silver

Gateron Silver Speed Switches are linear with a 45gf actuation force. Their actuation point is 1.1mm, much higher than other switches. This makes them perfect for gaming when you need fast reaction times.

Gateron Optical Yellow

Gateron Yellow Speed Switches, like Silvers, are also linear. Yellows are the lightest switch that we offer with a 35gf actuation force and a 1.1mm actuation point. Gateron Yellow switches are the fastest Gateron optical switches available.

Gateron Silent Optical Switches

Looking for a way to make your mechanical keyboard quieter? Gateron Silent Optical Switches have a nearly identical feel to their louder counterparts but have been designed to minimize the sound of bottoming out a downstroke and of the stem on the upstroke while typing. These are a great option if you work in a quiet office or live with people who don't like the sound of constant key chatter.

FAQS

What are optical switches?

Optical switches communicate keystrokes through an infrared signal, instead of through metallic contact the way that traditional switches mechanical do. Many of the internal parts are the same and the typing feel is very similar between optical and traditional mechanical switches.

Why are optical switches better than traditional mechanical switches?

Gateron optical switches have an estimated lifespan of 100 million actuations, which is twice as long as the lifespan of an ordinary Gateron or Cherry MX mechanical switch. Ordinary switches have a lot of moving parts that are prone to oxidation and wear. Optical switches eliminate these concerns.

Hot-swappable switches

All Gateron optical switches are hot-swappable. This means that they can be removed and replaced, without any wiring or electrical work required. On an optical switch keyboard, optical switches simply connect to the PCB beneath them. This allows you to test out different optical switches to find which best suits you. Some users even choose to use different switches for different parts of the keyboard.