A low noise mixer comprises a first mixer core configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal having an RF frequency, and a first local oscillator signal, wherein the first local oscillator signal is at a frequency that is nominally twice the frequency of the RF frequency, the first mixer core configured to switch the RF input signal to at least one secondary mixer core at a frequency that coincides with the frequency of the first local oscillator signal, the at least one secondary mixer core configured to receive the switched RF input signal and a second local oscillator signal, where the second local oscillator signal is at the same nominal frequency as the RF input signal, and wherein switching the RF input signal at the frequency of the first local oscillator signal substantially eliminates flicker noise associated with the down-conversion process.