This article will go over the best lube to use for every mechanical switch. This includes the best lube for linear switches, the best lube for tactile switches, and the best lube for linear switches.
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Table of Contents
Why use Lube on Switches?
Lube makes keyboard switches function better. If you want to improve your typing experience, regular lubing is something you can’t ignore.
Lube doesn’t eliminate the sound, rather, it improves it. It makes it slightly quieter, but also “smoother” for lack of a better word. The sound that a “squeaky” keyboard switch makes can be irritating.
However, you have to take note that switches range from smooth and tactile to extra clicky, so the lube you use for each type will vary. The biggest factor is the thickness of the lube.
Another benefit is the reduction of friction. Friction makes it difficult for switches to function well. When you use lube you are able to make them smoother and improve their functionality.
Table for Keyboard Switch Lube
| Tactile | Linear | Clicky | Any Switch | Alternative |
| TriboSys 3203 | TriboSys 3204 | TriboSys 3203 | GH V4 Thick Lube | White Lithium Grease |
| GH V4 Thin Lube | Krytox GPL205 G0 GPL206 GO GPL107 Oil | GH V4 Thin Lube | GH V4 Thin Lube | Ardent Reel Butter Grease |
| GH V4 Thick Lube | Finish Line Extreme Fluoro |
Switch Lube Buying Table
| Lube | Amazon |
|---|---|
| TriboSys | Check Price |
| GH V4 | Check Price |
| Krytox | Check Price |
| White Lithium Grease | Check Price |
| Ardent Reel Butter Grease | Check Price |
| Finish Line Extreme Fluoro | Check Price |
Tactile Switches
Once in a while, you will need to lube your tactile switches. You have to pick the best lube for tactile switches for you to improve their performance. Normally, the best lube should be the one that doesn’t take away the tactility of a tactile switch. For this reason, a thinner lube is the best so as to maintain its tactility.
Another aspect that makes a good lube for a tactile switch is quietness. Usually, a tactile switch remains quiet when you are using your keyboard, so the best lube for it should be the one that helps maintain the level of quietness that it should have.
Also, consider that the lube you use should be able to reduce friction, but at the same time not take away the level of resistance that should be felt as you use it. Here are a few recommended lubes for tactile switches:
- TriboSys 3203 – It is a thin semi-fluid lube
- GH V4 Thin Lube – It is a combination of thin Krytox oil and Krytox grease
Linear Switches
Linear switches are known for their smooth and quiet characteristics so when you are looking for the best lube for them, you have to keep this in mind. If the switch becomes noisy and squeaky then you may need a thicker lube to retain its quietness.
The best lube is one that is able to minimize sound to the desired levels, as well as maintain the preferred smoothness. In other words, when you realize that your linear switch is becoming scratchy, you have to find a lube that can take away the rough feeling for it to function well. Here are lubes you can use for linear switches:
- Tribosys 3204 – A thicker lube than Tribosys 3203
- Krytox GPL205 G0 – A thicker lube than Tribosys 3203 and 3204
- Krytox GPL206 G0 – A thicker lube than Krytox GPL 205
- Krytox GPL107 Oil – Light application is recommended for quality results.
- GH V4 Thick Lube – A mixture of thick Krytox oil and Krytox grease
Clicky Switches
The best lube for clicky switches should have several abilities. To begin with, it should be able to reduce friction to a large extent whenever necessary. Clicky switches have a higher level of resistance compared to linear switches. This enables it to have the clicky sound that comes out when using it.
It is for this reason that you should find a lube that is able to maintain the desired level of resistance. If the amount of friction is high, the keyboard switch will not function at its best. You can consider the following lubes to lubricate your clicky switches:
- TriboSys 3203 – A thin semi-fluid lube
- GH V4 Thin Lube – A combination of thin Krytox oil and Krytox grease
Any Switch
There are lubricants that work well with any keyboard switch. Their flexibility makes them handle the different characteristics of different switches. For example, a multipurpose lube is able to take care of the tactility of a tactile switch, the clicky trait of a clicky switch, as well as the quietness of a linear switch.
In this case, as you look for a lube that is able to work with any switch, you have to find the one that is able to handle the following issues perfectly: friction, sound, and smoothness.
All switches face issues of friction at some point of their use. Thus, the best multipurpose lube is the one that has the ability to reduce friction on all keyboard switches to allow for effective performance. Again, if there is any undesirable sound from a switch, a good multipurpose lube should be able to reduce it to the desired level.
Here, the lube should be able to handle the quiet trait of a linear switch as well as the clicky trait of a clicky switch. In other words, a good multipurpose lube is able to improve performance without affecting the characteristic of a switch. You can use these lubes for quality results on any switch:
- GH V4 Thick Lube – A mixture of thick Krytox oil and Krytox grease
- GH V4 Thin Lube – A combination of thin Krytox oil and Krytox grease
A point to note is that some of the lubes are appearing in multiple sections. This is because the layer of application is what matters. For example, a thick layer of GH V4 Thick Lube is recommended for a linear switch while a thin layer of the same lube is recommended for a tactile switch.
Lube Alternatives
If you are not able to use the recommended lubes for your keyboard switches, there are a couple of good alternatives that you can opt for. Here are some of the alternatives that should do fine:
- White Lithium Grease
- Ardent Reel Butter Grease
- Finish Line Extreme Fluoro
How to Lube the Switch
If you figured out which lube you need, but now you need to learn how to apply it to your switches then nothing is better for that then a high-quality video! I found a really good one on YouTube on just that. Check it out!
Conclusion
Keyboard switches should be regularly maintained, especially if you use your keyboard for many hours per week. Over time, excessive use might affect their normal functionality.
This is where lubes come in handy. They play a major role in ensuring that your keyboard switch works well by reducing friction, maintaining the required sound, and improving its smoothness. Of course, this depends on the type of switch you are using.
It could be a linear, clicky, or tactile switch. The most important thing is to make sure that you use the right lube so that you improve the functioning ability of your keyboard switch.