Keygeek Keygeek Raw vs. Gateron Zero Degree 0°
An in-depth look at the Keygeek Keygeek Raw and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Keygeek Raw and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Keygeek Raw is renowned for its unique material blend of Nylon, UMPE, and Silicon, creating a creamy yet lightweight switch with a slightly textured feel right out of the box. This switch is ideal for enthusiasts who enjoy hand-lubing their switches and prefer a more subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Zero Degree 0° stands out for its innovative self-padding design and dual-rail structure, providing unmatched smoothness, stability, and a soft, elastic feel that dampens sound and reduces noise. While the Keygeek Raw offers a textured and mild typing experience, the Gateron Zero Degree 0° focuses on delivering a silent and smooth typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
57.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon & UPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
UMPE & Si blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
20mm extended spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Keygeek Keygeek Raw and the Gateron Zero Degree 0°, we see a distinct difference in the top housing material used. The Keygeek Raw utilizes a Nylon & UPE blend, while the Zero Degree 0° features a polycarbonate top housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Zero Degree 0° results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, ideal for those looking for a more distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw's Nylon & UPE blend offers a unique sound profile that may be softer and more well-rounded compared to the polycarbonate top housing of the Zero Degree 0°. While both housing materials have their own advantages, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you prefer.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, we find another point of contrast between the Keygeek Raw and the Gateron Zero Degree 0°. The Keygeek Raw's UMPE & Si blend bottom housing is described as exclusive to Keygeek Raw switches, providing a unique sound profile that may differ from the classic nylon bottom housing of the Zero Degree 0°. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This highlights the importance of bottom housing material in determining the overall sound and feel of a switch, as it has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when typing.
When considering the overall typing experience of both switches, it is important to note how the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials interact to create a unique feel and sound profile. While the top housing may have a greater impact on the sound when letting go of a key, the bottom housing plays a crucial role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. The Keygeek Raw and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° offer distinct experiences based on their housing materials, with the Keygeek Raw providing a potentially softer and more well-rounded sound profile compared to the crisper and sharper sound profile of the Zero Degree 0°. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
Weight
The Keygeek Raw linear switch has a bottom out force of 57.5 grams, while the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Keygeek Raw switch requires more force to bottom out compared to the Gateron Zero Degree 0° switch. The actuation force of the Keygeek Raw is not specified, while the actuation force of the Gateron Zero Degree 0° is also unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gateron Zero Degree 0° may be more suitable due to its lower bottom out force. On the other hand, for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Keygeek Raw may be a better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Keygeek Raw linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter travel distance range, making them ideal for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. The Keygeek Raw is the shorter option, offering a slightly quicker press due to its 3.4 mm travel distance. On the other hand, the Gateron Zero Degree 0° with a 3.6 mm travel distance provides a bit more depth to the press, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial key feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for travel distance and key responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Keygeek Raw has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keygeek Raw for $3.51.
The Gateron Zero Degree 0° has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Zero Degree 0° for $5.50.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Keygeek Raw linear switch is known for its neutral profile, providing a moderate actuation force requirement and sound level that suits most users for various purposes. On the other hand, the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch is advertised to offer a silent typing experience with its innovative design that absorbs sound and reduces noise. While the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, the Zero Degree 0° may provide a quieter typing experience compared to the Keygeek Raw.
In terms of feel, the Keygeek Raw linear switch is known for its slightly textured feel out of the box, making it a good starting point for enthusiasts who prefer to lubricate switches themselves. Additionally, it offers a mild typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone, suitable for most users. Conversely, information on the feel of the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch is not available at this time. If the feel of the Zero Degree 0° is similar to the Keygeek Raw's mild and subtle characteristics, users can expect a gentle typing experience with a light resistance and potentially a smooth keypress feel.
Overall, the Keygeek Raw and Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switches both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Keygeek Raw provides a neutral sound profile and a slightly textured feel out of the box, the Zero Degree 0° promises a silent typing experience with its innovative design. Both switches may appeal to users seeking a smoother typing experience, but the specific feel of the Zero Degree 0° remains unknown. Ultimately, users should consider their sound and feel preferences when choosing between these two switches to ensure they find the best fit for their typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a unique material blend for a creamy yet lightweight typing experience, then the Keygeek Raw may be the optimal choice for you. On the other hand, if you value unparalleled smoothness, stability, and noise reduction in your typing experience, the innovative self-padding design and dual-rail structure of the Gateron Zero Degree 0° switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for the typing feel, sound profile, and features offered by each switch.
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