Cylindrical roller bearings are also available in sealed or split designs. In sealed bearings, the rollers are protected from contaminants, water and dust, while providing lubricant retention and contaminant exclusion. This provides lower friction and longer service life.

    A cage-guided cylindrical roller bearing helps keep the rolling elements in place, which becomes more crucial as loads get heavier. A cylindrical roller bearing can support light-thrust movement, with the double-row type also able to support axial loads in both directions.

    Cylindrical roller bearings have rollers that provide a modified line contact with the cylindrical inner and outer ring raceways, while the rollers are guided by ground ribs on either the inner or outer ring. The cylindrical shape allows the inner ring to have axial movement relative to the outer ring.