Cherry MX Red $4.50 / 10

Cherry MX Reds are where most keyboard enthusiasts began their journey. Introduced decades ago, the MX Red established the light linear as the go-to gaming switch and remained unchallenged for years. Today, with dozens of competitors at every price point, the MX Red faces more scrutiny — but it remains a valid choice with genuine strengths that keep it relevant in 2026.

The 45g actuation is light but not featherlight. It lands in a middle zone between the 35g Gateron Yellow and heavier switches, providing enough resistance that accidental keypresses are rare while remaining comfortable for extended gaming sessions. The linear travel is predictable and consistent, with no tactile bump or click mechanism to interfere with the smooth keystroke.

Honestly, Cherry MX Reds are not the smoothest linear switch on the market. Compared to a properly lubed Gateron Yellow or any UHMWPE switch, the MX Red has a detectable texture to its travel. Cherry's manufacturing tolerances, while consistent, do not match the smoothness of JWK or Gateron's premium lines. What Cherry does offer is reliability — these switches are rated for 100 million keystrokes and deliver consistent performance over years of use.

Lubing MX Reds makes a meaningful difference. A thin coat of 205g0 on the rails smoothes out the slight scratchiness and makes them competitive with other lubed budget linears. The stock experience is fine for gaming but mediocre for sound-focused builds. After lubing, they become genuinely pleasant switches.

Cherry MX Reds remain worth buying when you need assured compatibility, maximum availability, or a genuine Cherry pedigree switch for a board that specifically benefits from the Cherry brand. They are a safe, proven choice — not the most exciting, but reliably good. For newcomers to the hobby, starting with MX Reds provides an excellent baseline for understanding what a linear switch should feel like.