Gateron Milky Red vs Gateron Milky Yellow Pro – Light vs Fuller Budget Linears

The Gateron Milky Red and Gateron Milky Yellow Pro are two of Gateron’s most popular budget linear switches. Both use the iconic “milky” housing for a soft, muted sound, but they target different users: light and fast versus slightly heavier and fuller. Below you’ll find an in-depth comparison based on technical specifications, build quality and community experiences.

1. Construction & Materials

• Gateron Milky Red – Classic milky-nylon housing with semi-translucent top, POM stem and medium spring. Designed as a light, smooth linear switch with a soft, muted bottom-out.
• Gateron Milky Yellow Pro – Same milky-nylon housing, but with a slightly heavier spring and improved lubrication in the Pro version. Known for its fuller “budget thock” sound and a slightly firmer keystroke.

2. Technical Specifications

Gateron Milky Red

• Type: Linear
• Actuation: approx. 45 cN
• Bottom-out: approx. 50–55 cN
• Pre-travel: 2.0 mm
• Total travel: 4.0 mm
• Housing: Milky nylon top & bottom
• Stem: POM
• Character: Light, smooth, easy to press

Gateron Milky Yellow Pro

• Type: Linear
• Actuation: approx. 50–55 cN
• Bottom-out: approx. 62–65 cN
• Pre-travel: 2.0 mm
• Total travel: 4.0 mm
• Housing: Milky nylon top & bottom
• Stem: POM
• Character: Slightly heavier, fuller and more stable

3. Sound Profile & Feel

Switch	Weight	Sound profile	Typing feel
Gateron Milky Red	Light	Soft, slightly muted, no harsh top-out	Very smooth and fast, almost no resistance; ideal for rapid inputs
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro	Light–medium	Deeper, fuller “budget thock”, still somewhat muted	Firmer bottom-out, more controlled linear travel
Gateron Red (standard)	Light	Brighter, less muted than milky	Light and smooth, but less full-sounding than Milky Red/Yellow

4. Community Impressions

About Gateron Milky Red

“Perfect budget linear if you want something lighter than Milky Yellow.”

“Feels very smooth and forgiving, especially for gaming and long sessions.”

About Gateron Milky Yellow Pro

“Still the king of budget linears – full sound, tight feel.”

“Slightly heavier than Red, but that gives more control and a nicer bottom-out.”

5. Pros & Cons

Gateron Milky Red

Pros:

• Light linear feel – excellent for fast-paced gaming
• Milky housing delivers a soft, muted sound
• Forgiving for beginners and light typists
• Comfortable for long sessions without quick finger fatigue

Cons:

• May feel too light for some users
• Less pronounced bottom-out than Milky Yellow Pro

Gateron Milky Yellow Pro

Pros:

• Slightly heavier and more controlled than Milky Red
• Deeper, fuller sound – loved by budget-thock enjoyers
• Pro tuning (factory lube + improved molds) for a smooth, stable feel

Cons:

• Can be a bit more tiring than Milky Red for very light typists
• Less “feather-light” than ultra-light linears

6. When to Choose Which?

• Choose Gateron Milky Red if you want a light, fast linear switch that’s ideal for gaming, light keystrokes and long sessions without much fatigue.
• Choose Gateron Milky Yellow Pro if you prefer a slightly heavier, fuller linear experience with a deeper sound and more control at bottom-out.

7. Where to Buy

• Gateron Milky Red – RGBKeys
• Gateron Milky Yellow Pro – RGBKeys

Conclusion

The Gateron Milky Red and Gateron Milky Yellow Pro illustrate why Gateron’s milky linears have been so popular for years. Milky Red is aimed at users who want a light, fast and smooth keypress, while Milky Yellow Pro is ideal for those seeking a fuller sound and a bit more weight. Whichever you choose, both switches offer excellent price-to-performance in the budget segment.

Discover more linear and tactile options in our full Switch Collection at RGBKeys.