Radial cylindrical roller bearings are designed for radial loads, offering superior radial load capacity compared to deep groove ball bearings of similar size. However, they are less suitable for high-speed operations. These bearings are sensitive to misalignment between inner and outer rings, causing tension concentration at roller edges. Modern roller bearings feature a special "logarithmic" profile to mitigate this issue.

Single-row radial cylindrical roller bearings come in various configurations, including those without flanges, with one flange on the inner or outer ring, or with flat thrust rings. Space-saving options include bearings without inner or outer rings, with the second raceway formed directly on the shaft or housing. Double-row and multi-row versions cater to specific applications.

For applications demanding high radial load capacity, these bearings may feature cages made of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide, pressed steel, or machined cages of brass, bronze, or aluminum alloys, sometimes without cages to accommodate the maximum number of rollers.