KeyGeek - Y3 Linear Switches

Keygeek

KeyGeek - Y3 Linear Switches

£3.10
Pack Size
Pack Size: 10 Switches
Bottom Out
Bottom Out: 37g
Dispatch Time
Popular upgrades
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Product details

Creamy & Thocky • Upgraded Housing

KeyGeek Y3 Linear Switch

Classic linear switch by MZ Studio featuring brand-new KeyGeek molds designed for smooth, consistent travel with deep, solid thocky acoustics. Latest production batch includes upgraded PA66 top housing eliminating sticky feeling, improved springs for responsive snappy feel, and refined stem pole, bottom housing, and top housing structure. Factory-lubed with KOS extended springs. Available in 37g, 45g, 53g, and 63.5g variants. Perfect for users preferring subtle, refined sound without harshness or excessive volume.

The KeyGeek Y3 linear switch represents culmination of collaborative design work between KeyGeek and MZ Studio, resulting in brand-new MX-style switch built on completely redesigned mold sets addressing all previous KeyGeek switch issues. This from-ground-up engineering approach focused on three critical areas: stem pole tip geometry, bottom housing structure, and top housing design—each element refined to eliminate common problems while optimizing smooth travel and acoustic character. The result: switch that feels smooth, consistent, and sounds deep and solid rather than harsh or overly loud.

For users preferring something subtle and refined—keyboards that don't dominate acoustic space but still provide satisfying auditory feedback—Y3 strikes ideal balance. The current production batch from Unikeys represents latest evolution featuring significant upgrades: redesigned PA66 top housing (now without fiberglass reinforcement) eliminates sticky feeling at beginning of each keypress that plagued earlier batches, upgraded springs deliver more responsive and snappy return creating livelier typing rhythm, and refined internal geometry ensures consistent performance across entire production run. Factory lubrication applied during manufacturing provides smooth operation immediately from package, while 20mm KOS extended single-stage springs offer four weight options (37g, 45g, 53g, 63.5g) accommodating diverse typing preferences. M3 stem material paired with PA66 housing creates creamy thocky acoustic signature that Y3 has become renowned for—deep, satisfying sound without poppy brightness or harsh high-frequency clack. Whether building quiet office keyboard, late-night typing setup respecting household members, or simply preferring understated acoustic character, Y3 delivers refined linear experience at exceptional value.

Technical Specifications

Manufacturer
KeyGeek
Designer
MZ Studio
Switch Type
Linear
Mold Generation
Brand-New Design
Stem Material
M3
Top Housing Material
PA66 (No Fiberglass)
Bottom Housing Material
PA66 (No Fiberglass)
Operating Force (37g)
32±5g
Operating Force (45g)
40±5g
Operating Force (53g)
48±5g
Operating Force (63.5g)
53±5g
Bottom-Out Forces
37g / 45g / 53g / 63.5g
Pre-Travel Distance
2.0mm
Total Travel Distance
3.8±0.1mm
Spring Type
20mm KOS Extended Single-Stage
Factory Lubrication
Yes
Sound Profile
Creamy & Thocky

Key Features

Brand-New Mold Design Addressing Previous Issues
Complete redesign collaboration between KeyGeek and MZ Studio created entirely new mold sets addressing all problems from previous KeyGeek switch generations. Three critical areas received focused engineering attention: stem pole tip geometry optimized for smooth bottom-out without harsh impact, bottom housing structure refined for improved acoustic character and reduced resonance, and top housing design enhanced for consistent smooth travel throughout keystroke. This from-ground-up approach eliminates legacy issues plaguing earlier switches—no more scratchy travel, inconsistent sound, or rough keystroke initiation. New molds manufactured to tighter tolerances ensure consistent quality across production runs. Every switch benefits from lessons learned through previous iterations, resulting in mature, refined product that performs reliably straight from package. Foundation of excellence enabling all other Y3 advantages.
Upgraded PA66 Top Housing (Latest Production Batch)
Current Y3 production batch features significantly upgraded top housing addressing primary complaint from earlier batches—sticky or rough feeling at beginning of each keypress. New PA66 formulation without fiberglass reinforcement creates smoother internal surface finish enabling stem to initiate travel without resistance or binding. This upgrade eliminates "catch" sensation users reported when pressing keys gently, particularly noticeable during light typing or slow deliberate keystrokes. Improved housing material maintains structural integrity and acoustic properties while dramatically enhancing smoothness throughout entire travel range. Fiberglass-free PA66 also contributes to more consistent sound profile between switches—manufacturing variations affecting acoustic character reduced through material homogeneity. Users familiar with earlier Y3 batches will immediately notice difference: smooth, fluid travel from very first millimeter of actuation through complete bottom-out, no hesitation or resistance requiring extra force to overcome initial sticking.
Improved Springs for Responsive Snappy Feel
Latest production Y3 switches ship with upgraded springs delivering more responsive, snappier return compared to previous batches. Spring improvements focus on rebound characteristics—force curve profile optimized to provide livelier return after keystroke completion. More responsive springs create typing rhythm feeling alive and energetic rather than sluggish or dampened. Particularly noticeable during rapid typing where quick spring return enables faster double-taps and repeated keystrokes without waiting for full rebound. Enhanced snap works synergistically with smooth housing and factory lubrication: keystroke feels effortless on downstroke, then spring actively returns key to ready position rather than slowly floating back. Four spring weight options (37g, 45g, 53g, 63.5g) all benefit from improved responsiveness, meaning even heavier variants maintain lively feel despite increased bottom-out force. Upgraded springs use quality metallurgy reducing spring ping noise while maintaining consistent force curve through millions of actuations.
Creamy Thocky Acoustic Character
Y3's signature sound profile—creamy and thocky—delivers deep, satisfying acoustics without harshness or excessive volume. "Creamy" describes smooth, rounded sound lacking sharp edges or high-frequency clack typical of polycarbonate housings. "Thocky" refers to low-pitched, bass-heavy character providing substantial auditory feedback without being loud or disruptive. Full PA66 nylon housing (both top and bottom) contributes significantly to this acoustic signature: nylon's natural sound-dampening properties absorb harsh frequencies while preserving satisfying low-end thock. M3 stem material paired with PA66 creates complementary acoustic pairing—neither too soft and muted nor excessively bright and clacky. Result: typing sounds refined and pleasant rather than annoying or distracting. Ideal for shared spaces, office environments, late-night typing sessions, or simply users preferring understated acoustic character that doesn't dominate room acoustics but still provides satisfying feedback confirming each keystroke.
20mm KOS Extended Single-Stage Springs
Premium 20mm KOS extended springs provide linear force curve with exceptional consistency. Extended length (20mm versus standard shorter springs) reduces spring compression ratio during keystroke creating smoother, more controlled resistance progression. Lower compression ratio minimizes coil bind potential—phenomenon where spring coils contact each other under full compression creating sudden stiffness increase and potential spring crunch. Single-stage design maintains uniform spring rate throughout entire travel: initial actuation force scales proportionally to bottom-out force without sudden changes or progressive weight increase. This linear force relationship creates predictable, natural typing feel. KOS springs renowned for quality metallurgy providing consistent tension through extended use while minimizing spring ping noise. Four weight options enable precise preference matching: 37g ultra-light for rapid gaming, 45g light for effortless typing, 53g medium for balanced feel, 63.5g medium-heavy for controlled deliberate keystrokes. Extended spring length works harmoniously with switch geometry ensuring smooth consistent travel from first keystroke through millions of actuations.
Factory Lubrication Ready-to-Install
Comprehensive factory lubrication applied during manufacturing ensures switches deliver smooth refined performance straight from package eliminating tedious hand-lubing preparation. Lubricant strategically applied to all critical friction points: stem rails receive coverage preventing scratchiness during vertical travel, spring coating reduces ping noise and ensures consistent compression, housing contact points lubricated minimizing friction where stem interfaces with housing walls. Factory lube quality surpasses many hand-lube jobs—automated application ensures even consistent coverage impossible to achieve manually across large quantities. Pre-lubed switches save hours of preparation time: rather than spending entire evening lubing switches before building keyboard, simply install Y3 switches and start typing. Factory lubrication doesn't preclude additional lubing for users preferring heavier application or specific lubricant types, but vast majority find stock lubrication perfectly adequate for premium smooth operation. Ready-to-install convenience particularly valuable for first-time builders or users without experience hand-lubing switches—no special tools, techniques, or time investment required to achieve excellent smoothness.

Choose Your Spring Weight

37g Bottom-Out

ULTRA-LIGHT

Extremely light actuation (32±5g operating, 37g bottom-out) enabling rapid gaming inputs and effortless high-speed typing. Minimal finger fatigue during extended sessions. Best for users upgrading from light membrane keyboards or preferring nearly frictionless keystrokes. Responsive springs make even lighter weight feel lively.

45g Bottom-Out

LIGHT

Light actuation (40±5g operating, 45g bottom-out) offering responsive feel without being too effortless. Balances quick actuation with sufficient resistance preventing accidental presses. Most popular general-purpose choice for balanced typing and gaming. Upgraded springs add snappy return.

53g Bottom-Out

MEDIUM

Medium weight (48±5g operating, 53g bottom-out) providing balanced resistance suitable for all-day typing without fatigue. Noticeable spring feedback without excessive force. Versatile middle-ground between light and heavy. Responsive springs maintain lively feel despite medium weight.

63.5g Bottom-Out

MEDIUM-HEAVY

Medium-heavy weight (53±5g operating, 63.5g bottom-out) delivering controlled, deliberate keystrokes. Substantial resistance prevents accidental actuations while remaining comfortable for extended use. Preferred by heavy typists and users wanting weighted feel. Improved springs ensure heavier weight doesn't feel sluggish.

Performance & Typing Experience

Smoothness

Upgraded PA66 housing eliminates sticky feeling at keystroke initiation creating fluid travel from first millimeter through complete bottom-out. Factory lubrication combined with refined mold tolerances produces consistently smooth operation. M3 stem material paired with PA66 housing provides low friction coefficient. Latest production batch represents significant smoothness improvement over earlier versions.

Responsiveness

Improved springs deliver snappy, responsive return creating lively typing rhythm. Keys rebound quickly after actuation enabling rapid double-taps and fast typing cadence. Enhanced responsiveness works across all weight variants—even 63.5g option feels alive rather than sluggish. Spring improvements particularly noticeable during gaming requiring quick repeated inputs.

Sound Character

Creamy thocky acoustic signature provides deep, satisfying sound without harshness or excessive volume. Full PA66 nylon housing creates rounded, smooth sound lacking sharp clack. Low-pitched bass-heavy character offers substantial feedback while remaining office-appropriate. Ideal for users preferring subtle refined acoustics over loud expressive typing sounds.

Consistency

Brand-new molds manufactured to tight tolerances ensure consistent performance across switches. Factory lubrication provides uniform smoothness eliminating variation typical of hand-lubed switches. Improved springs maintain consistent force curves. Keyboard sounds and feels cohesive rather than having "good" and "bad" switches—every keystroke delivers same refined experience.

Ideal For

Creamy Thocky Sound Preference: Y3 specifically designed for users wanting keyboards that sound creamy and thocky—deep, satisfying acoustics without poppy brightness or harsh clack. Perfect complement to Y3X which explores different acoustic space.

Quiet and Shared Environment Users: Subtle, refined sound profile makes Y3 ideal for office environments, shared living spaces, or late-night typing sessions. Provides satisfying auditory feedback without disturbing others or dominating room acoustics.

Users Wanting Latest Improvements: Current Unikeys production batch features upgraded PA66 housing (eliminating sticky feeling) and improved springs (responsive snappy return)—significant enhancements over earlier batches. Latest version represents Y3 at its best.

Factory-Lubed Convenience Seekers: Ready-to-install switches with quality factory lubrication eliminate hours of tedious hand-lubing. Install and start typing immediately—no special tools, techniques, or time investment required for smooth operation.

Budget-Conscious Quality Seekers: Exceptional value proposition: brand-new molds addressing previous issues, upgraded components from latest production, factory lubrication, four spring weight options, and refined performance at accessible price point.

Multi-Weight Experimenters: Affordable pricing enables mixing weights across keyboard: lighter weights for frequently-used keys, heavier weights for modifiers. Try different options without significant investment finding perfect weight for typing style.

Users Preferring Understated Aesthetics: Subtle sound character pairs well with minimalist keyboard builds, professional office setups, or users simply preferring refined typing experience over loud expressive acoustics that call attention to every keystroke.

Got questions? 🤔

Do you have any questions, or unsure if this product is compatible with your setup?

Specifications

• Brand: Keygeek
• Product Name: Y3 Linear Switch – Factory Lubed (10 pcs)
• Switch Type: Linear
• Mount: 5-pin PCB mount
• Stem: MX-style M3 stem
• Top Housing Material: PA66 (no fiberglass)
• Bottom Housing Material: PA66 (no fiberglass)
• Pre-Lubed: Yes (factory)
• Travel Distance: 3.8 ± 0.1 mm total, 2.0 mm pre-travel
• Spring: 20 mm KOS extended single-stage spring
• Operating Force / Bottom-Out Configs: Options from around 32 ± 5g up to 63.5 ± 5g (varies by variant)
• Sound Profile: Smooth, deep and solid linear tone

Inside the box

• 10 × Keygeek Y3 Linear factory-lubed mechanical switches
• Protective packaging

Compatibility

• Compatible with MX-style mechanical keyboards and PCBs that support 5-pin switches
• Works with both hot-swap and solder-mount boards
• Suitable for gaming, programming, office productivity, and everyday typing
• Fits 60%, 65%, TKL, full-size, and other standard layouts

Warranty

1 year manufacturer’s warranty – additional coverage at the seller’s discretion depending on the situation.