Cherry MX Clear vs Gateron EF Grayish
The Cherry MX Clear and the Gateron EF Grayish are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Gateron EF Grayish is lighter to actuate (59g versus 65g); travel is 4 mm on the Cherry MX Clear and 3.4 mm on the Gateron EF Grayish; stock they sound different: firm, muted versus deep, thumpy.
- Cheaper per switchGateron EF Grayish$0.20 versus $0.40
- Lubed from the factoryGateron EF Grayishusable out of the box without lubing
Choose the Cherry MX Clear if
- you want a switch popular for heavy tactiles.
- you want a switch popular for ergo clear mods.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (65g).
Choose the Gateron EF Grayish if
- you want a switch popular for budget tactiles.
- you want a switch popular for heavy tactile fans.
- you want a lighter keystroke (59g).
- you want to spend less per switch.
Cherry MX Clear vs Gateron EF Grayish, spec by spec
| Cherry MX Clear | Gateron EF Grayish | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tactile | Tactile |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 65g | 59g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 3.4 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | nylon | PC |
| Bottom housing | nylon | nylon |
| Spring | single-stage | n/a |
| Factory lube | none | light (stronger spec) |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.40 | $0.20 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | firm, muted | deep, thumpy |
| Released | n/a | 2023 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
95% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Cherry MX Clear; 81% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron EF Grayish.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Cherry MX Clear; 13% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron EF Grayish.
48% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Cherry MX Clear; 5% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron EF Grayish.
Where to buy the Cherry MX Clear
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Gateron EF Grayish
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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