The Best Switches for osu
Researched by Johnny Alto · last updated July 29, 2026
Short answer: The best switches for osu are the Gateron Clear (Ultra-Light Linear, 35g, 120-pack). At 35g actuation these are among the lightest mainstream linears you can buy, which is exactly what osu streaming rewards: minimal force per tap means less fatigue across long maps and faster finger recovery between hits. The main things to weigh are aim light, go linear, speed switches shorten travel, and hot-swap required.
Gateron Clear (Ultra-Light Linear, 35g, 120-pack)
At 35g actuation these are among the lightest mainstream linears you can buy, which is exactly what osu streaming rewards: minimal force per tap means less fatigue across long maps and faster finger recovery between hits. Being linear, there is no tactile bump to fight on the down-stroke, and the light spring returns quickly for the next tap. A 120-pack is overkill for two keys but cheap insurance and lets you switch your whole board. The honest con: 35g is so light that many players get accidental key presses and typos in normal typing, so a lot of people only put Clears on the two osu keys and keep heavier switches elsewhere. They are also not short-travel speed switches, so actuation still happens at the standard 2mm. For pure light-and-fast streaming, they are the pick.
Check price on Amazon Live price on Amazon. Representative image.osu standard is brutal on two keys, usually Z and X, mashed alternately as fast as you can stream. Players want switches that are light so long maps do not fatigue the fingers, linear so no tactile bump slows the down-stroke, and quick to reset so rapid double-taps register. This is for someone with a hot-swap keyboard who wants to swap in a fast, low-effort switch. Here is the light-linear pick, a short-travel option, smoother choices, and the honest downside of going too light.
How do the best options for switches for osu compare?
| Pick | Product | Why it makes the list |
|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Gateron Clear (Ultra-Light Linear, 35g, 120-pack) | At 35g actuation these are among the lightest mainstream linears you can buy, which is exactly what osu streaming rewards: minimal force per tap means less fatigue across long maps and faster finger recovery between hits. |
| Shortest travel | Cherry MX Speed Silver (90-pack) | A 1.2mm actuation versus about 2mm means the key registers with less travel, which can shave reaction distance on fast taps. At about 45g they are heavier than the Clears and the very short actuation causes more mistypes in everyday use. |
| Smoothest budget linear | Gateron Yellow Pro V3 Pre-Lubed (90-pack) | Factory-lubed, extremely smooth, and cheap, a favorite budget linear. The roughly 50g springs are noticeably heavier than the Clears, so they demand a bit more force per stream. |
| Premium smooth linear | Gateron Ink Red V2 (45g) | The ink housing is exceptionally smooth and consistent, a nice feel upgrade. 45g is heavier than ideal for pure osu streaming, it costs much more per switch, and Amazon listings mix variants, so confirm the Red 45g version and quantity before buying. |
What should you look for in switches for osu?
A few things separate a good switches for osu from a frustrating one: aim light, go linear, speed switches shorten travel, and hot-swap required. Weigh these before you buy.
- Aim light: roughly 35 to 45g actuation, so rapid alternating taps do not tire your fingers.
- Go linear: pick a Red, Clear, Yellow, or Silver family, never tactile or clicky, so nothing interrupts the fast down-stroke.
- Speed switches shorten travel: Cherry MX Speed Silver and Kailh Speed actuate at about 1.2 to 1.4mm for a quicker register, at the cost of more accidental presses when typing.
- Hot-swap required: switches only swap easily on a hot-swap board; on a soldered board you would need to desolder, and a switch you are consistent with beats a lighter one you overshoot.
Why light and linear, and where it backfires
osu standard rewards a very specific kind of switch because of how the game is played: at high levels you are alternating two keys as fast as your fingers will go, sometimes streaming hundreds of taps in a row, so every property of the switch either helps or fights that motion. Light spring weight helps because you press each of those hundreds of keys with less force, which means less fatigue over a long map and faster recovery between taps, so the community gravitates toward ultra-light linears around 35 to 45g. Linear matters because a tactile bump or a click is a bit of resistance partway down the keystroke, and when you are trying to tap as fast as possible that bump is friction you have to push through on every hit, so a smooth linear with no bump lets the finger move freely. A fast reset, the spring returning the key quickly so it is ready for the next press, rounds it out, which is why long or snappy springs and short-travel speed switches get mentioned. The catch, and it is a real one, is that the same lightness that helps streaming actively hurts normal typing: a 35g switch is so easy to press that resting your fingers on the keys or a slightly heavy touch triggers accidental presses and typos, which is why many osu players do not put ultra-light switches across the whole board but instead, on a hot-swap keyboard, drop the light linears onto just the two osu keys and keep normal-weight switches everywhere else. That hot-swap ability is the practical prerequisite for all of this, since on a soldered board changing switches means desoldering, and it is worth remembering that consistency beats raw lightness, the best switch is the one you can tap accurately, not simply the lightest one you can find.
What are the best alternatives?
Cherry MX Speed Silver (90-pack)
A 1.2mm actuation versus about 2mm means the key registers with less travel, which can shave reaction distance on fast taps. At about 45g they are heavier than the Clears and the very short actuation causes more mistypes in everyday use.
Check price on AmazonGateron Yellow Pro V3 Pre-Lubed (90-pack)
Factory-lubed, extremely smooth, and cheap, a favorite budget linear. The roughly 50g springs are noticeably heavier than the Clears, so they demand a bit more force per stream.
Check price on AmazonGateron Ink Red V2 (45g)
The ink housing is exceptionally smooth and consistent, a nice feel upgrade. 45g is heavier than ideal for pure osu streaming, it costs much more per switch, and Amazon listings mix variants, so confirm the Red 45g version and quantity before buying.
Bottom line: Gateron Clears are the light, fast, low-fatigue osu pick, Cherry MX Speed Silver shortens the travel, and Gateron Yellow Pro is the smooth budget linear. Go light and linear, but know very light springs backfire for normal typing. Compare it with our switch spring guide and our beginner custom kit guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best switches for osu?
Gateron Clear (Ultra-Light Linear, 35g, 120-pack). At 35g actuation these are among the lightest mainstream linears you can buy, which is exactly what osu streaming rewards: minimal force per tap means less fatigue across long maps and faster finger recovery between hits.
What should you look for in switches for osu?
Focus on aim light, go linear, speed switches shorten travel, and hot-swap required.
What is a good alternative to the Gateron Clear (Ultra-Light Linear, 35g, 120-pack)?
The Cherry MX Speed Silver (90-pack). A 1.2mm actuation versus about 2mm means the key registers with less travel, which can shave reaction distance on fast taps. At about 45g they are heavier than the Clears and the very short actuation causes more mistypes in everyday use.
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This is a research-based buying guide, not a personal hands-on review; recommendations reflect community consensus and verified buyer reviews. Prices and availability are subject to change, so always confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
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