Gateron CAP vs Kailh POM Ghost
The Gateron CAP and the Kailh POM Ghost are often cross-shopped. The main differences: they are not interchangeable: the Kailh POM Ghost is a low-profile switch that only fits keyboards built for it, not the standard MX hot-swap sockets the Gateron CAP uses; travel is 4 mm on the Gateron CAP and 2.8 mm on the Kailh POM Ghost; stock they sound different: smooth cap linear versus deep, thocky.
- Cheaper per switchGateron CAP$0.55 versus $0.56
Choose the Gateron CAP if
- you want a switch popular for smooth Gateron linears.
- you want to spend less per switch.
Choose the Kailh POM Ghost if
- you want a switch popular for thocky low-profile builds.
Gateron CAP vs Kailh POM Ghost, spec by spec
| Gateron CAP | Kailh POM Ghost | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Low-profile boards that support it |
| Actuation force | 50g | 50g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | n/a |
| Pre-travel | n/a | 1.2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 2.8 mm |
| Stem | n/a | POM |
| Top housing | POM/PC mix | POM |
| Bottom housing | nylon | POM |
| Spring | n/a | 15.5mm |
| Factory lube | factory lubed | n/a |
| Pins | 5-pin | n/a |
| Price / switch | $0.55 (stronger spec) | $0.56 |
| Sound profile | smooth CAP linear | deep, thocky |
| Released | 2022 | 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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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
52% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron CAP; 52% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Kailh POM Ghost.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron CAP; 2% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Kailh POM Ghost.
70% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron CAP; 81% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Kailh POM Ghost.
Where to buy the Gateron CAP
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Kailh POM Ghost
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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