Both are premium linears that punch above their price. The Gateron Oil King uses a full nylon housing for a deep, muted sound and ultra-smooth travel. The TTC ACE uses a full POM housing that gives a slightly different, often described as creamier, signature and competes with switches at double its price. The housing material is the real decision.
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| Spec | Gateron Oil King Linear Switches Check price on Amazon | TTC ACE Linear Switches Check price on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $38-$52 | $30-$42 |
| Our rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Best for | Builders who want premium smooth linears without paying endgame prices. | Builders who want premium-feeling linears without paying Holy Panda prices. |
| Housing material | Full nylon | Full POM |
| Sound | Deep, muted | Creamier POM signature |
| Smoothness | Ultra-smooth, P-series tooling | Ultra-smooth, POM self-lubricity |
| Street price | $38 to $52 | $30 to $42 |
Premium factory-lubed linears with an ultra-smooth travel courtesy of Gateron P-series tooling and a full nylon housing.
Best for Builders who want premium smooth linears without paying endgame prices.
A newer entrant from TTC with an ultra-smooth travel and full POM housing that competes with switches at double the price.
Best for Builders who want premium-feeling linears without paying Holy Panda prices.
Buy the Oil King if you want the classic deep, muted nylon sound that defines a lot of enthusiast builds; it is the more established choice and pairs predictably with most cases. Buy the TTC ACE if you want a creamier POM signature and the best per-dollar premium linear, since POM is naturally self-lubricating and the ACE often costs a little less. Neither is a wrong answer; pick by the sound signature you prefer, because both are smooth enough that feel is close.
Nylon housings, like the Oil King, tend toward a deeper, more muted sound. POM housings, like the TTC ACE, are naturally self-lubricating and lean toward a creamier, slightly higher-pitched signature. Both are premium materials; the choice is sound preference.
The TTC ACE usually costs a little less while delivering premium-feeling travel, which makes it one of the best per-dollar linears available. The Oil King is the more established name and the safer pick if you want a known quantity.
Neither requires it. Both are smooth out of the box thanks to factory tuning and self-lubricating or premium housings. A light hand-lube can refine either further, but it is optional rather than necessary.