Best Linear Switches to Try in 2026

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Ahhh, good ol’ linear switches. They have been my go to for years now for personal build and even when clients want recommendations. Now, I’ll be honest this year I have been really branching out and trying other switches like tactile and even silents but my love for linears isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Now that were a month into 2026, I figured it’s time for a little recommendation list that feature some of my favourite linear switches.

Last year I tested and tried countless new switches and even fell in love with some old favourites. Let’s dive in!

Expectations

Like my last article, I want to set expectations. This list isn’t ranked. These are just the switches I’ve been reaching for the most lately and stuff I’m liking. And as always, this is just my personal preference. A switch can feel or sound completely different depending on your keyboard, plate material, case, or even your desk.

Sound demo disclaimer: All recordings are done on a Mode Encore using GMK keycaps, an aluminum plate, and I’m only pressing the H, J, and spacebar keys. Everything is recorded with a Sennheiser MKH 416 mic and nothing is edited.

None of this is sponsored, but some affiliate links are present. Those help support what I do, and I really appreciate it.

Keygeek Cheese V2

Cheese V2 Specs
Top HousingPC
Bottom HousingN3 Nylon
Stem MaterialM4
Spring45g Spring
TravelPre‑travel: 2.0 ± 0.3 mm
Total travel: 3.5 ± 0.3 mm
Price~$0.45 USD per switch

The Cheese V2 is immediately a switch that stands out to me and I love. Well this and the Blue Cheese counterparts. These are manufactured by Keygeek and have quite a louder and high pitch sound profile while stil maintaining some bass.

I also love the stock springs and they are decently stock lubed. Maybe off topic, but I find Keygeek stuff in general to be a little inconsistent at times but still very usable. What does that mean for you? Well, I’d suggest lubing these by hand if you want perfection.

I actually had not used these in a while and then through them in my Eave65 and fell madly in love with them again. Highly recommend these if you haven’t tried them. They also pair super great with foamy builds.

Get them here
  • Cheese

KBDFans Roller V2

KBDFans Roller V2 Specifications
Top HousingTransparent Ink PC
Bottom HousingPBT
Stem MaterialPOM
Spring58g bottom out force
TravelPre‑travel: 1.6 ± 0.5 mm
Total travel: 3.7 ± 0.3 mm
Price~$0.36 USD per switch

The Roller V2. I am over the moon that these switches are back. I wrote about them earlier last year and was so bummed they seemingly discontinued the line up. I reached out to them then and was told they had manufacturing issues. Well, turns out they figured things out and brought them back.

Compared the OG roller switches, these are slightly deeper sounding but I’d say keeps a lot of the characteristics I loved. Including that unique feel of having ball bears embedded in the stems. They also upgraded a lot of the switch with some refinements in the leaf springs and some other design quirks that are now worked through.

I’ve built with these twice now (and another build soon) and love ‘em.

Get them here
  • Roller

Kailh Calligraphy Linears

Kailh Calligraphy Specifications
Top HousingLCP Liquid Crystal Polymer
Bottom HousingLCP Liquid Crystal Polymer
Stem MaterialMF
Spring50g bottom out force
Travel

Pre-travel: 2.0±0.2mm
Total Travel: 3.8±0.2mm

Price~$0.43 USD per switch

First of all, I have never seen a switch use this combo of material for it’s housing and stem. Results wise, the Calligraphy Switches have one of of the more interesting “clacks” I’ve seen from a linear switch. Now they also do a scratch, which people told me is similar to cherry, but I disagree. I find it’s not as aggressive as a scratch in the two batches I got, but it’s still present if you listen for it.

The factory lube is nothing to write home about but there’s enough to where you can be satisfied with it. Consistency wise, they were just ok as well. I related my second batch and felt it was better. Now, I loved the stock spring with these. They had a good variance and I love 20mm springs.

If you can try these out, please do.

Get them here
  • Calligraphy

Gateron X

Gateron X
Top HousingNylon Blend Milky Top
Bottom HousingNylon
Stem MaterialPOM
Spring65g bottom out force
Travel

Full

Price~$0.35 USD per switch

Gateron X switches are milky yellows, but different? But how are they different? Well for one they tote better stock lubricant, which is indeed a bit better than the standard milky yellows, but still inconsistent. What they do offer is polished rails and respond very differently with lube. They can give you the smoother switch experience with less work. It’s a big win if you ask me. They also sound slightly brighter in my opinion, which I honestly prefer. Overall once these are modded, these are amazing and well rounded.

It’s an interesting switch to look for and a fun alternative to the oh so popular milky yellow. I for one have been enjoying them and the price isn’t to crazy steep either.

Get them here
  • Gateron X

Granite Switches

Granite Linear Specifications
Top HousingMilky Blended Nylon
Bottom HousingBlended Nylon
Stem MaterialPOM
Spring55g Bottom Out Force
Travel4.0mm total
Price~$0.47 per switch

 

My little self plug here but also a fun recommendation. This is a switch I worked on with TypePlus! They are a totally new mould and are aimed to be higher quality with less switches being produced at a time and more qc as a result. They also feature a different way of doing stock lube, which is done with a dry PTFE lubricant application and it makes then very consistent out of the box.

They do retain some scratch to give it some texture, so for those who want picture perfect smooth switches, these were not designed with that in mind.

Sound wise they are deep than milky yellows and I find respond very differently to plate materials. I really love these with aluminum, CF and FR4 plates. They are full travel and definitely not as loud as it’s counterpart launched at the same time, the Classic Blue Linear (if you want more of a cherry sound, go here).

Get them here
  • Granite

Here are all the sound demos again to compare. Enjoy the subtle sound differences! 

The audio gear used to record this was a Sennheiser MKH 416 into a Volt 176. There has been zero post processing done to the audio and it is recording from head height using a c-stand and shock mount. The typing is done on a desk mat in a room with minimal sound treatment (carpet and furniture).
Cheese V2 by alexotos
  • Cheese V2
  • Roller V2
  • Calligraphy Switches
  • Gateron X
  • Granite Switches

Wrapping Up

Subtle differences in all these switches are, at time, the things that keep me so interested in this hobby. I love exploring new switches and new materials. It’s become so easy with hot-swap PCBs.

As always, switch feel and sound are super subjective. What works for me might feel totally different in your setup, and we all have different biases and preferences. But I think that is kind of the beauty of this hobby. If any of these stood out to you, I recommend picking up a small pack and testing them out before committing to a full build.

Thanks for reading. And if you’re wondering about some choices I have for tactiles, stay tuned and maybe join the Discord!

Until then, happy building. 👋

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