Gateron EF Grayish vs Gateron Zero
The Gateron EF Grayish and the Gateron Zero are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Gateron EF Grayish is tactile and the Gateron Zero is linear; the Gateron Zero is lighter to actuate (45g versus 59g); travel is 3.4 mm on the Gateron EF Grayish and 3.6 mm on the Gateron Zero.
Choose the Gateron EF Grayish if
- you want a switch popular for budget tactiles.
- you want a switch popular for heavy tactile fans.
- you prefer a tactile feel.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (59g).
Choose the Gateron Zero if
- you want a switch popular for ultra-budget builds.
- you want a switch popular for first builds.
- you prefer a linear feel.
- you want a lighter keystroke (45g).
Gateron EF Grayish vs Gateron Zero, spec by spec
| Gateron EF Grayish | Gateron Zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tactile | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 59g | 45g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.4 mm | 3.6 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | PC | transparent blue PC |
| Bottom housing | nylon | light blue nylon |
| Spring | n/a | n/a |
| Factory lube | light | light |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.20 | n/a |
| Sound profile | deep, thumpy | soft, muted |
| Released | 2023 | 2024 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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
81% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron EF Grayish; 22% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Zero.
13% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron EF Grayish; 34% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Zero.
5% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron EF Grayish.
Where to buy the Gateron EF Grayish
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Gateron Zero
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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