Gateron CJ vs Kailh Choc V1 Red
The Gateron CJ and the Kailh Choc V1 Red are often cross-shopped. The main differences: they are not interchangeable: the Kailh Choc V1 Red is a Kailh Choc V1 switch that only fits keyboards built for it, not the standard MX hot-swap sockets the Gateron CJ uses; travel is 4 mm on the Gateron CJ and 3 mm on the Kailh Choc V1 Red; stock they sound different: smooth mid linear versus low-profile linear.
- Cheaper per switchKailh Choc V1 Red$0.50 versus $0.55
Choose the Gateron CJ if
- you want a switch popular for smooth linears.
- you want a switch popular for custom builds.
Choose the Kailh Choc V1 Red if
- you want a switch popular for choc boards.
- you want a switch popular for low-profile customs.
- you want a switch popular for Glove80.
- you want to spend less per switch.
Gateron CJ vs Kailh Choc V1 Red, spec by spec
| Gateron CJ | Kailh Choc V1 Red | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Kailh Choc V1 boards only |
| Actuation force | 50g | 50g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | n/a |
| Pre-travel | n/a | 1.5 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 3 mm |
| Stem | POM | n/a |
| Top housing | PC | n/a |
| Bottom housing | nylon | n/a |
| Spring | n/a | n/a |
| Factory lube | factory lubed | n/a |
| Pins | 5-pin | n/a |
| Price / switch | $0.55 | $0.50 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | smooth mid linear | low-profile linear |
| Released | 2022 | 2018 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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 CJ; 52% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Kailh Choc V1 Red.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron CJ; 2% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Kailh Choc V1 Red.
70% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron CJ; 63% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Kailh Choc V1 Red.
Where to buy the Gateron CJ
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Kailh Choc V1 Red
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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