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Have you ever wondered why some mechanical keyboards glide effortlessly under your fingertips, while others emit a satisfyingly hushed sound? The secret lies in keyboard lube - a specialized lubricant applied to switches and stabilizers. In this guide, we’ll explore the best lubes for keyboard switches. Discover how they enhance your keyboard’s performance and explore the various performance and explore the various options available.
Best Lube For Each Type Of Switch
| Switch Type | Best Lubricant | Features |
| Tactile | Tribosys 3203 |
|
| Linear | Krytox GPL 205g0 |
|
| Clicky | Krytox GPL 105 Oil |
|
Best Lube For Stabilizers
| Best Lubricant | Features |
| Krytox 205g0 |
|
| Dielectric Grease by Permatex |
|
| Krytox XHT-BDZ |
|
| Extreme Fluoro |
|
Other Keyboard Lubes
| Switch Type | Lubricant | Features |
| General purpose | Super Lube Oil with Syncolon |
|
| General purpose | Super Lube Multi-Purpose Grease |
|
| Linears, Tactiles | G-Lube Glorious Switch Lube |
|
| Electrical components cleaning and lubrication | CAIG Laboratories DeoxIT |
|
| Mechanical keyboards | HONKID Keyboard Switch Lube |
|
| Electronic faders and potentiometers | CAIG DeoxIT FaderLube |
|
| Tactile, Linear | Tribosys 3204 |
|
| Tactile, Linear | Krytox GPL 105 Oil |
|
| Tactile | Carbon GS1 |
|
| Linear | Carbon GS2 |
|
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Tactile mechanical keyboards offer a satisfying typing experience with a distinct "bump" and good feedback. However, to optimize this experience, using the right lubricant is crucial. Lubrication reduces noise, increases smoothness and travel of the keypress, and protects internal components from dust and wear.
Here are some of the best lube for tactile switches:
For tactile switch enthusiasts, Tribosys 3203 is a dream come true. Its medium viscosity strikes a perfect balance, acting as a friction fighter without compromising the delightful tactile bump you crave. Unlike thicker lubes, Tribosys 3202 maintains the satisfying tactility you expect from your favorite tactile switches. To achieve optimal results, apply it to the bottom housing, spring, and stem. Therefore, Tribosys 3203 is the best lube for tactile switches.
Note: Exercise caution during application to avoid applying too much. Overlubing can diminish the tactile bump, resulting in a less responsive switch. Tribosys 3203 is easier to control compared to heavier lubes like Krytox 205g0.
Tribosys 3204 is another best lube for tactile switches. It is a medium-high viscosity grease, making it suitable for both linear and tactile switches. Compared to other lubes, Tribosys 3204 offers a significant increase in smoothness for switches while maintaining the distinct tactile feel. Its higher viscosity allows it to effectively reduce friction, resulting in a smoother and quieter keystroke.
In addition, less is more with Tribosys 3204. Too much lube can make switches sluggish. Avoid electrical contacts and apply a thin layer with a brush or swab. Let switches dry completely before reassembly.
Krytox 205g0 excels due to its high viscosity, This thicker consistency effectively reduces friction in linear switches, leading to a noticeably smoother and effortless keystroke. Additionally, Krytox 205gg0 shines when applied to stabilizers, the larger keys like Enter and Shift. By dampening unwanted noise from these keys, it contributes to a more refined overall typing experience.
With tactile switches , Krytox 205g0’s thickness can be a double-edged sword While it can reduce scratchiness, it also risks masking the very tactile bump you enjoy. Therefore, you can use Krytox 205g0 for tactile switches by applying a very light layer and avoiding lubing the stem legs entirely.
In addition, Krytox 205g0 is a long-lasting lubricant. Its industrial-grade formula ensures it won’t dry out for years. However, be mindful that not all Krytox lubricants are Grade 0. When shopping online, especially on Amazon, double-check the product title for “Grade 0” to avoid getting the wrong viscosity.
Krytox GPL 105 Oil is a thin lubricant compared to the greases commonly used for best lube for mechanical switches. While not ideal for all tactiles, some enthusiasts use it sparingly for a specific reason. Its thinness allows for a very light lube that might slightly reduce friction without killing the tactile bump. This could create a smoother, crisper tactile feel.
Compared to thicker greases typically used for linear switches, Krytox 105 oil is less likely to completely overwhelm the subtle tactile bump of tactile switches. This is because its thinness allows it to coat the switch components without significantly altering their interaction.
Note: Please use Krytox GPL 105 Oil with caution! Too much ruins the key feel. Some tactile switches may malfunction.
Carbon GS1 stands out as one of the best lube for tactile switches with its low viscosity ensuring a light application to prevent over-lubrication. Plus, it effectively reduces scratchiness, smoothing out switch housing and stem for a more enjoyable typing experience. While Carbon GS1 excels with tactiles, it’s important to be cautious when lubing. Over-lubing can negatively impact the switch’s feel and responsiveness.
Because linear switches are renowned for being quiet and smooth, you should be mindful of this when choosing the ideal lube for them. You might require a heavier lube if the switch starts to squeak and get noisy in order to keep it quiet.
The ideal lubrication is one that can retain the necessary smoothness while reducing sound down to reasonable levels. In order for your linear switch to perform properly, you should choose a lube that can eliminate the scratchy feeling if you notice it starting to happen.
The following lubricants are suitable for linear switches:
Krytox GPL-205 grade 0 (Krytox 205g0) is a premium grease widely used for lubricating mechanical keyboard switches, gaming controllers, and joysticks. Its high viscosity is ideal for lubing Topre switches and Cherry MX linear switches, delivering an ultra-smooth, consistent feel while eliminating scratchiness.
Tribosys 3203 is primarily designed to be the best lube for tactile switches. While it can be used on linear switches, its lower viscosity might not provide the same level of smoothness as Krytox 205g0.
As we reviewed above, TriboSys 3204 is thicker than Tribosys 3203. Thus, it’s a good option for both linear switches and tactile.
Krytox GPL 105 oil isn’t the best lube for linear switches. The key reason lies in its viscosity. Krytox 105 oil is a thin lubricant, meaning it has a low resistance to flow. This characteristic makes it suitable for applications where minimal friction reduction is needed. Linear switches, on the other hand, crave thicker lubricants.
Price: $8.99 – $18.99
While Krytox reigns supreme for many, Carbon GS2 offers a compelling alternative specifically tailored for linear switches. Imagine an unparalleled level of smoothness, potentially exceeding even well-applied Krytox. GS2 achieves this feat while preserving the core linear travel you love. This ensures a pure, gliding keystroke without unwanted dampening, which can sometimes occur with Krytox.
GS2’s user-friendly consistency makes it easier to apply, especially for those new to switch lubing. Therefore, if ultimate smoothness and a pristine linear feel are your priorities, Carbon GS2 offers a serious challenge to Krytox 205g0’s dominance.
Lubing clicky switches can be a double-edged sword. First, lubrication can dampen the click sound, a defining characteristic of clicky switches. This might defeat the purpose of using clicky switch in the first place. Second, over-lubing can affect the satisfying bump felt when pressing the key, diminishing the tactile feedback.
However, careful lubing can offer some benefits for those who still want clicky experience when it can reduce scratchy feeling from springs in clicky switches or create smoother actuation without affecting the click by applying a small amount of lube.
If you decide to venture into lubing clicky switches, Krytox GPL 105 oil is a suitable choice among best lube for keyboard switches due to its thin viscosity. Remember that you need to apply Krytox GPL 105 oil sparingly to the spring legs. Avoid lubing the housing or stems, as this can significantly mute the click and potentially affect tactility.
| Overall, Krytox 205g0 is the best all-around lube for keyboard stabilizers, while for linear switches, Krytox 205g0 or Dielectric Grease by Permatex are recommended. For tactile switches, Krytox 205g0 is recommended, but it’s important to avoid lubing the legs. For clicky switches, Krytox GPL 105 is recommended, but only the spring should be lubed. |
Lube plays a crucial role in optimizing your mechanical keyboard stabilizers. It eliminates unpleasant noises and delivers a smooth, satisfying typing experience. And now, let’s explore the best lube for stabilizers through these contenders.
Price: $7.95 – $11.95
Krytox 205g0 reigns supreme as the most widely used lube for keyboard stabilizers. Its high viscosity effectively reduces rattling and "clacking" noises caused by friction between stabilizer components. Krytox 205g0 also enhances keystroke smoothness, elevating your overall typing experience.
Price: $3.91 – $14.60
Dielectric grease is a versatile lubricant with applications beyond keyboard stabilizers. This lube boasts excellent water and heat resistance, protecting your stabilizers from dust, dirt, and corrosion. With its high viscosity, Dielectric Grease also minimizes noise and provides a smooth keystroke feel.
Price: $11.00 – $34.00
Krytox XHT-BDZ is a high-end lube specifically formulated for keyboard stabilizers. Its viscosity surpasses Krytox 205g0, offering even greater noise reduction and the ultimate in keystroke smoothness. Additionally, Krytox XHT-BDZ boasts superior water and heat resistance, safeguarding your stabilizers from environmental hazards.
Note: Apply XHT-BDZ G1.5 exclusively to the stabilizer wire for the best results. For the housing, Krytox GPL 205g0 is a more suitable choice to maintain smooth and consistent keypresses.
Extreme Fluoro stands apart with its lower viscosity compared to other lubes on this list. This lube delivers a distinct "springy" keystroke sensation, offering a more tactile and defined typing experience. Much like its counterparts, Extreme Fluoro boasts water and heat resistance, ensuring stabilizer protection.
Overall, the best lube for keyboard stabilizers depends on your personal preference and typing needs. If maximum noise reduction and unparalleled smoothness are your priorities, Krytox 205g0 or Krytox XHT-BDZ are top choices. For a budget-conscious yet effective solution, Dielectric Grease shines. If you enjoy a "springy" typing feel, Extreme Fluoro is the way to go.
While Krytox and Tribosys dominate as the best lube for mechanical switches, there’s a world of other options waiting to be explored.
1- CAIG Laboratories DeoxIT
This is a cleaning solution, not a lubricant, designed for electrical contracts. It comes in various formulations depending on the level of cleaning needed. DeoxIT dissolves oxidation and other contaminants that build up on metal surfaces, improving conductivity. Therefore, CAIG Laboratories DeoxIT isn’t recommended for lubricating mechanical keyboard switches.
2- CAIG DeoxIT FaderLube
This is a lubricant specifically formulated for conductive plastic and carbon compound faders, switches, and other similar components. It aims to reduce friction and improve the smoothness of these parts.
While some keyboard enthusiasts experiment with using DeoxIT FaderLube as the best lube for keyboard switches, it’s important to exercise caution. It’s not designed for switch materials and long-term effects are unknown.
3- Super Lube Oil with Syncolon
Super Lube Oil with Syncolon’s thin oil is similar to Krytox 105 Oil and might be used for spring lubing in clicky switches. However, exercise extreme caution as over-lubing can negatively impact switch performance. Due to its thin viscosity, it's not recommended as a general purpose lube for keyboard switches. While it might offer a slight reduction in spring ping, dedicated best lube for keyboard switches, formulated specifically for switches, are likely to perform better and offer greater long-term reliability.
4- Super Lube Multi-Purpose Grease
This grease has a thicker consistency and might be suitable for linear switches. However, compared to dedicated switch lubes like Krytox 205g0, its long-term performance on keyboards might be less predictable. Additionally, Super Lube Multi-Purpose Grease might not be the smoothest option available.
5- G-Lube Glorious Switch Lube
G-Lube Glorious Switch Lube emerges as a strong contender for the title of best lube for keyboard switches. This synthetic grease tackles both plastic-on-metal and plastic-on-plastic contact points, eliminating the need for multiple lubes. Testing across various switch types demonstrates its ability to deliver a smoother typing experience while enhancing the keyboard's acoustics.
For the safety and longevity of your prized keyboard, G-Lube boasts a wide operating temperature range and a nonflammable formula. While the single vial can handle a significant number of switches, remember to exercise caution during application due to the lube's thickness to avoid over-lubrication.
6- HONKID Keyboard Switch Lube
HONKID Keyboard Switch Lube excels at reducing switch noise and smoothing keystrokes, offering a user experience comparable to Krytox and G-Lube. However, its inconsistent performance with stabilizers and a leaky container design hold it back from being a top contender.
Additionally, The included application brush is a unique feature that sets HONKID apart from Krytox and G-Lube, offering greater ease of use.
Krytox and Tribosys reign supreme in the world of keyboard lubes. However, the quest for smoother switches can lead keyboard enthusiasts down a path of experimentation. Here’s a breakdown of some potential alternative and why they might not be ideal:
Alternative lube for keyboard switches to consider (with caution):
Lubricants to absolutely avoid:
Lubing your mechanical keyboard might seem like an unnecessary extra step, but the benefits are numerous! Here's why you should consider taking the plunge:
Overall, lubing your keyboard unlocks a whole new level of typing enjoyment. It's an investment that will reward you with a smoother, quieter, and more responsive typing experience for years to come!
Here's a quick guide to lubing your mechanical keyboard switches:
Step 1. Taking the switches off: Pop off the keycaps and use a switch opener to carefully crack open the switches. Place the disassembled parts (stem, spring, housing) in separate containers.
Step 2. Pulling apart the switch: Separate the spring from the stem and bottom housing.
Step 3. Lubricating the parts: For linear switches, lube the spring coils and entire stem for maximum smoothness. For tactile, lube the stem’s legs, but avoid the top rail to keep the “bump”, skip spring lubing. No lube needed for clicky switches as it dampens the click.
Step 4: Reassembling the switch: Put the spring back in, then insert the lubed stem. Snap the top housing closed.
Step 5: Reinstalling the switches onto the keyboard: Carefully put the lubed switches back into their designated spots on the keyboard.
Step 6: Plugging in keyboard and testing: Reconnect your keyboard and enjoy the smooth, quiet, and satisfying typing experience.
For a more in-depth guide and solution for common issues when lubing your switches, please check out this comprehensive article: How to Lube Mechanical Keyboard Switches.
Lubing your keyboard isn't mandatory, but it can significantly enhance your typing experience by reducing noise, improving smoothness, and extending lifespan. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best lube for your keyboard switches and stabilizers:
There are different types of lubricants available, including oil-based and grease based. Thinner oil lubes keep the satisfying “bump” in tactile switches while smoothing things out. Conversely, thicker, grease-based lubes excel at silencing linear switches and stabilizing keys.
Lube thickness (viscosity is key for switch feel. Thicker lubes (higher numbers) like Krytox 205g0 silence linear switches and stabilizers, but mute tactile bumps. For tactile switches, use thinner lubes (Krytox 3203 or Tribosys 3203) to keep the bump while smoothing things out.
Now that you’ve known the best lube for your mechanical keyboard switches and stabilizers and how to apply them, you may then struggle to find the right place to order them.
We’ve researched dozens of online stores and compiled a list of the top websites to buy the best mechanical switches lubricants:
Kebo Store
Among the most fantastic places to get a variety of lubricants is the Kebo Store. They offer various grades of Krytox lubricants in containers that are ready for use.
A little sideline is that Kebo Store’s service is very good. There are usually no problems with delivery; most customers receive products on time.
Novel Keys
Novel Keys offers Krytox lubricants at the price of $12 for roughly 5ml. Additionally, they offer Christo-Lube MCG with a 5ml container pricing of $8. As a bonus, they come in lovely glass containers that might become your next skincare container if you love recycling.
1Up Keyboards
1Up Keyboards offers switch lubes that come in a variety at prices from $8.00 to $9.25.
The switch lubes they sell are as follows:
Keys.my
Like a few options above, Key.my also offers many different lubricants. They use gram measurements to measure the amount:: 1 unit comes with 2 grams of lubricant. The actual amount of lubrication may fluctuate depending on the lubricant itself owing to variations in density.
For every type of lubricant, they offer bulk discounts and deals, from 5% off for orders of 3 to 4 units to 35% off for orders of 100 or more.
Additionally, each lubricant they offer is thoroughly described, including the working temperature, appearance, color, density, viscosity, and shelf life.
Switch Top
Switch Top offers a selection of lubricants. Particularly, the Super Lube is a 1cc package of Syncolon-infused multipurpose lubricant (PTFE). This item is suggested ONLY for lubricating stabilizers. Each package is $2.25 in pricing.
Furthermore, they provide Tribosys 3203 and 3204 lubricants for $5 to $6.25.
Apex Keyboards
Apexkeyboards.ca sells 3 different lubricants specifically for mechanical keyboards. One of them costs $8.00 CAD for Tribosys 3204 switch lubricant. This semi-fluid grease is used to lubricate switches. There will be 2 ml, which is adequate for more than 100 switches.
Moreover, Krytox 205g0 Switch Lube is also offered by Apex in 3ml vials for $10.29 CAD.
As a bonus, Apex also offers Switch Spring Oil specifically for your switch springs, which costs $2.00 CAD for 2ml. It can be used to lubricate the bags or brush the springs.
You now can get a lubricant bundle with all three items for $19.29 CAD.
Zeal PC
The final reliable site you can get the best for mechanical switches is Zeal PC.
They provide a variety of goods and offer free shipping within North America on orders over $150 USD.
They sell Krytox 205g0 (5g for $25, around 300 switches). Tribosys 3204 and 3203 (5ml for $35), and GH V4 thick or thin lube (2ml for $15).
The above information pretty much covers everything there is to know about lubing mechanical key switches.
This is the simplest and least expensive task to improve your keyboard’s mechanical performance.
You’ll find it easy to lube if you pick the best lube for your mechanical keyboard switches and stabilizers and follow our guide properly.
Lube your switches and refresh your typing now!
A thick lubricant is recommended. For example, TriboSys 3204 and Krytox 205g0.
A thinner lube that will work best with tactile switches. For example, TriboSys 3204, TriboSys 3203, and Krytox 205g0.
It is not recommended to lube clicky switches, but if you really want to do, G-Lube Glorious and Krytox GPL 105 are good products.
Oil is often the best option for situations involving high speeds and severe friction. However, grease is generally needed for other components that move vertically or bear heavy loads.
Have you ever wondered why some mechanical keyboards glide effortlessly under your fingertips, while others emit a satisfyingly hushed sound? The secret lies in keyboard lube - a specialized lubricant applied to switches and stabilizers. In this guide, we’ll explore the best lubes for keyboard switches. Discover how they enhance your keyboard’s performance and explore […]
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