Keygeek Y2x vs Y2: What Changed
Introduction
This week's featured switch is the Keygeek Y2x, designed by MZ Studio and made by Keygeek. It is the successor to the Keygeek Y2, and it has been one of the most viewed switches on KeyLab DB in recent weeks, mostly from people searching for it directly.
The Y2 earned a reputation as one of the deepest-sounding long-pole linears on the market. The Y2x keeps the same travel and spring lineup and changes two things: the stem material and the housing color. This article looks at what those changes mean, based on retailer specs, buyer reviews and a detailed review of the original Y2.
Keygeek
The short answer
| If you... | Fit |
|---|---|
| Want a deep, muted linear that is not a silent one | Good fit. Tuned for a low, rounded bottom-out |
| Liked the Y2 but noticed its wobble | Good fit. Buyers report less wobble on the Y2x |
| Use RGB and want true colors | Better than the Y2. Clear housings instead of red |
| Want a snappy, high-pitched or clacky linear | Not a fit. The whole design is about softening the bottom-out |
| Already own the Y2 and are happy with it | Optional. Same travel and weights; the difference is in the details |
Y2x vs Y2
Based on KeyLab DB data and the UniKeys product pages for both switches, as of October 4, 2026.
| Item | Keygeek Y2x | Keygeek Y2 |
|---|---|---|
| Stem | U8 UPE | U5+ UPE blend (waffle stem tip) |
| Housings | Transparent PA12 (top / bottom) | Translucent red PA12 (top / bottom) |
| Actuation options | 32 / 40 / 48 / 53g | 32 / 40 / 48 / 53g |
| Bottom-out options | 37 / 45 / 53 / 63.5g | 37 / 45 / 53 / 63g |
| Spring | 22mm (32–48g) / 18mm (53g), single | Single-stage, Japanese wire |
| Pre-travel | 2.0mm ± 0.2mm | 2.0mm ± 0.2mm |
| Total travel | 3.6mm ± 0.2mm | 3.6mm ± 0.2mm |
| Lubrication | Factory lubed | Factory lubed |
| Pins | 5 (KeyLab DB) | 5 (KeyLab DB) |
| Designer / maker | MZ Studio / Keygeek | MZ Studio / Keygeek |
On paper, the two are nearly identical: same travel, same four weights, same housing material. The real differences are the stem and the housing color.
Keygeek
What made the Y2 stand out
To understand the Y2x, it helps to know why the Y2 got attention.
The Y2's signature is microtexturing. In his review, ThereminGoat describes a waffle pattern on the tip of the stem pole and on the edges of the top housing, with about 24 small indentations on each stem tip, each roughly 0.2mm across and 0.1mm deep. The idea is to reduce the contact area at bottom-out and deaden the impact noise. He confirmed by testing modified stems that the texture itself, not just the lube, changes how the switch feels.
The result, in his words, is a switch with "snappy, firm" housing collisions and a "deep, rounded bottom out", sounding closer to a silent linear than a typical long-pole switch, without the squishiness silent switches usually have. He scored it 8.5/10 for feel and 8/10 for sound. If you want even less noise, compare it with the true silent switches in 6 Recommended Silent Linear Switches.
The weak spot was wobble: small but noticeable in both directions (7/10), and it grew after about 17,000 presses in his break-in test. He also called the Y2 a fairly conservative use of a new idea: very good, but not dramatic.
What the Y2x changes
U8 UPE stem
The Y2x moves from the Y2's U5+ UPE blend to U8 UPE. According to UniKeys, the new stem gives a more concentrated, deeper and thockier sound, better rebound, and better control of unwanted noise at bottom-out. Buyer reviews line up with this: "They feel less wobbly than Y2 switches" and "Y2X sounds even thockier and deeper than Y2 switches." The Y2x addresses the Y2's main weakness, wobble, more than its sound.
The retailer page does not say whether the Y2x keeps the Y2's waffle stem tip, so we cannot confirm that detail.
Clear PA12 housings
The Y2 used translucent red PA12, and some buyers noted that the red tint turned white LEDs pink. The Y2x uses transparent PA12, so RGB colors come through as intended. The retailer says the material choice also keeps the sound clean and concentrated. LED support is not listed for the Y2x, so check with your keyboard if lighting matters.
Same spring lineup
Both come in 32g, 40g, 48g and 53g actuation. On the Y2x, the three lighter options use a 22mm spring and the 53g option uses an 18mm spring. The 32g version is the one registered in KeyLab DB.
What buyers say
As of October 4, 2026, the Y2x has a 4.7/5 rating from 11 reviews on UniKeys. Common points are the deep, thocky sound and a real but modest improvement over the Y2 ("a true upgrade from Y2"). One buyer found the switches very hard to pull out of their board, so use a proper switch puller and be gentle when swapping.
Getting the sound you want
The Y2 family is about softening the bottom-out, so the board matters. A gasket-mounted keyboard with foam and thick PBT keycaps will bring out the deeper tone. For boards that suit this kind of switch, see 10 Best Thocky Keyboards.
Conclusion
The Y2x is a refinement, not a reinvention. It keeps the Y2's deep, muted sound and light spring options, and fixes the two things people complained about: wobble and the red housing tint. If you are choosing between them today, the Y2x is the easier pick at the same price. If you already own the Y2 and like it, the upgrade is real but subtle.
For more on the original, see Featured Switch: Keygeek Y2.
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Sources
FAQ
- What is the difference between the Keygeek Y2x and the Y2?
- The stem moves from the Y2 U5+ UPE blend to U8 UPE, and the housings change from translucent red to transparent PA12. The retailer lists improved rebound and better noise control at bottom-out, and buyers report a deeper, thockier sound with less wobble. Travel (2.0mm / 3.6mm) and the four spring weights are the same.
- Which Y2x spring weight should I choose?
- Both the Y2x and the Y2 come in 32g / 40g / 48g / 53g actuation (37g / 45g / 53g / 63.5g bottom-out on the Y2x). If you are used to typical red switches, 40g or 48g is a natural starting point; 32g is very light and 53g is for a heavier feel.
- Is the Y2x a silent switch?
- No. It is a regular linear tuned for a deep, muted thock. The Y2 was described as sounding closer to a silent linear than most long-pole switches, but neither is sold as a silent switch. If you are looking for a silent switch, see our article on recommended silent linear switches.
