Cherry MX2A Red vs Gateron G Pro Red
The Cherry MX2A Red and the Gateron G Pro Red are often cross-shopped. The main differences: stock they sound different: smooth, muted versus clean, neutral; the Gateron G Pro Red costs less per switch ($0.25 versus $0.35).
- Cheaper per switchGateron G Pro Red$0.25 versus $0.35
Choose the Cherry MX2A Red if
- its character fits you: the cherry mx2a red is the 2023 overhaul of the mx red with factory lube, a barrel spring, and polished rails that finally address the scratchiness of the original.
Choose the Gateron G Pro Red if
- you want a switch popular for budget builds.
- you want to spend less per switch.
Cherry MX2A Red vs Gateron G Pro Red, spec by spec
| Cherry MX2A Red | Gateron G Pro Red | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | PC |
| Bottom housing | nylon | nylon |
| Spring | single-stage | single-stage |
| Factory lube | light | light |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.35 | $0.25 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | smooth, muted | clean, neutral |
| Released | 2023 | 2021 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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 MX2A Red; 22% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron G Pro Red.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Cherry MX2A Red; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron G Pro Red.
30% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Cherry MX2A Red; 15% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron G Pro Red.
Where to buy the Cherry MX2A Red
Where to buy the Gateron G Pro Red
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