Cherry MX Red vs Gateron Ink Red V2
The Cherry MX Red and the Gateron Ink Red V2 are often cross-shopped. The main differences: stock they sound different: neutral, slightly scratchy versus smooth, poppy; the Cherry MX Red costs less per switch ($0.35 versus $0.75).
- Cheaper per switchCherry MX Red$0.35 versus $0.75
- Lubed from the factoryGateron Ink Red V2usable out of the box without lubing
Choose the Cherry MX Red if
- you want a switch popular for gaming.
- you want a switch popular for prebuilts.
- you want to spend less per switch.
Choose the Gateron Ink Red V2 if
- you want a switch popular for light linears.
- you want a switch popular for enthusiast builds.
- you want a factory-lubed switch out of the box.
Cherry MX Red vs Gateron Ink Red V2, spec by spec
| Cherry MX Red | Gateron Ink Red V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 45g | 45g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | nylon | smoky INK blend |
| Bottom housing | nylon | smoky INK blend |
| Spring | single-stage | single-stage |
| Factory lube | none | light (stronger spec) |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.35 (stronger spec) | $0.75 |
| Sound profile | neutral, slightly scratchy | smooth, poppy |
| Released | 2008 | 2019 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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
22% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Cherry MX Red; 22% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Ink Red V2.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Cherry MX Red; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Ink Red V2.
30% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Cherry MX Red; 95% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Ink Red V2.
Where to buy the Cherry MX Red
Where to buy the Gateron Ink Red V2
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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