Our Top Picks
The best mechanical keyboard switches and keycaps depend on feel first: pick linear for smooth, tactile for a bump, then choose a spring weight you can live with for hours. This list covers seven switch packs and one PBT keycap set, so it is half a shopping list and half a build-planning guide, with a pack-count calculator that works out how many switches your layout needs.
Switch packs and keycaps compared
GATERON G Brown Pro V3.0 Pre-lubed 5pin Tactile Switch for SMD RGB MX Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Switches (70 Pcs-5pin, Brown)
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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GATERON G Yellow Pro V3.0 Pre-lubed 5pin Linear Switch for SMD RGB MX Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Switches (70 Pcs-5pin, Yellow)
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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Guffercty kred 61 Keycaps 60 Percent Miami Keycaps Set PBT Keycap Backlit OEM Profile with Key Puller for Cherry MX Switches Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Miami)
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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EPOMAKER Creamy Jade 45gf Gaming Keyboard Switches, 100 PCS Linear Switch, 5-Pin Pre-Lubed Switch, with PC/PA66 Case, POK Stem, Compatible with MX Keycaps for Mechanical Keyboard
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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EPOMAKER Silent Mechanical Keyboard Switches Set - 35 Pieces Factory Pre-Lubed, 5-Pin Linear/Tactile Switches for Custom Mechanical Keyboards (Crystal(Tactile Silent))
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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MONSGEEK Heavy Linear Switches Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Switch 5-Pin Green Fog Switch with LED Diffuser Pre-Lubed 60gf
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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Gateron Smoothie Linear Switches, Pre-lubed 40gf, 72PCS | RGB LED, 5 Pin, 22mm Dual-Stage Spring, White, Full POM for MX Mechanical Keyboard
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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Akko Creamy Yellow U1 Keyboard Switch Lubed Switch for Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, 5-Pin 45gf Linear Switches 100 Pcs
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
View on Amazon| Model | Key point from title | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateron G Brown Pro V3.0 | Tactile, pre-lubed, 5-pin, 70 pcs | Budget | First tactile swap on a hot-swap board |
| Gateron G Yellow Pro V3.0 | Linear, pre-lubed, 5-pin, 70 pcs | Budget | Smooth linear for fast games |
| Guffercty Miami Keycaps | 61-key PBT set, backlit, OEM profile, key puller | Budget | 60 percent boards that need a new look |
| EPOMAKER Creamy Jade | 45gf linear, 100 pcs, PC/PA66 case, POK stem | Mid-range | Full-size or TKL builds in one buy |
| EPOMAKER Silent Crystal | 35 pcs, silent tactile, pre-lubed | Mid-range | Quiet testers and small boards |
| MONSGEEK Green Fog | Heavy linear 60gf, LED diffuser | Mid-range | Typists who want a firmer spring |
| kutethy Gateron Smoothie | 40gf linear, 72 pcs, full POM, dual-stage spring | Mid-range | Light, buttery linear fans |
| Akko Creamy Yellow U1 | 45gf linear, lubed, 100 pcs | Mid-range | Value-minded full-size builds |
Price tiers are relative to this set and ignore pack size, so compare cost per switch on the live listing.
How each pack and set stacks up
GATERON G Brown Pro V3.0 Pre-lubed Tactile Switch (70 pcs)
This is the tactile entry: 5-pin, pre-lubed and sized for SMD RGB mechanical boards, with 70 pieces in the pack. Seventy covers a 60 percent or 65 percent build with spares, but not a full-size board. The title gives no actuation force, so check the listing and your spring preference. Tactile switches are often chosen by people who type more than they game, though plenty of players like the confirmation bump too, and it pairs naturally with a quieter typing style.
Pros
- Tactile bump for typing feedback
- Pre-lubed, 5-pin, RGB-friendly SMD
Cons
- No force figure in the title
- 70 pieces will not fill a full-size board
Who it’s for: Typists and mixed-use players who prefer a bump to a smooth linear.
GATERON G Yellow Pro V3.0 Pre-lubed Linear Switch (70 pcs)
The linear counterpart to the Brown, with the same 5-pin SMD RGB format and 70-piece count. Linear switches suit repeated taps because nothing interrupts the stroke. As the only difference in the titles is the switch type, choose by feel rather than any spec. If you are unsure, buying one tactile and one linear pack for a 65 percent board is cheaper than guessing wrong on a full-size build, and you can swap in a handful of each to compare before committing the rest.
Pros
- Smooth, bump-free stroke
- Same pack size and pin count as the Brown
Cons
- Less feedback when typing
- Pack count limits it to compact layouts
Who it’s for: Gamers building a 60 or 65 percent board.
Guffercty kred 61 Keycaps, 60 Percent Miami Set
This is the lone keycap set, titled as PBT, backlit and OEM profile, with a key puller included and Cherry MX switch compatibility stated. It has 61 keys for a 60 percent layout, so it will not cover a tenkeyless or full-size board. Check the listing for legends and whether the set includes the extra keys your layout needs. Because it is a keycap set rather than a switch pack, it complements any of the other seven listings rather than competing with them, and it is the cheapest way to change how a board looks and sounds.
Pros
- PBT material per the title
- Key puller included
Cons
- Fits 60 percent layouts only
- Colorway is a matter of taste
Who it’s for: Owners of a 61-key board who want fresh looks without changing switches.
EPOMAKER Creamy Jade 45gf Linear Switches (100 pcs)
A 100-piece pack of 5-pin, pre-lubed linear switches with a PC/PA66 case and POK stem, stated as MX-keycap compatible. At 100 pieces it covers a tenkeyless or a 104-key build with a small buffer, which makes it the most practical for larger boards. The 45 gram figure is the manufacturer claim.
Pros
- 100 pieces covers larger layouts
- Clear force figure in the title
Cons
- Pack count is a lot for a 60 percent board
- Feel claims are subjective
Who it’s for: Builders of tenkeyless or full-size boards who want one linear type throughout.
EPOMAKER Silent Mechanical Keyboard Switches Set (35 pcs)
A smaller 35-piece set of factory pre-lubed 5-pin switches, with the Crystal variant described as silent tactile. The listing mentions linear and tactile options, so choose the variant carefully and check which one you are ordering. Silent switches use dampening to cut noise, which suits late-night play, though it can slightly soften the bottom-out feel. At 35 pieces it suits testing, a few swaps or a small macropad rather than a full board.
Pros
- Silent design suits shared rooms
- Small, sampler-style quantity
Cons
- 35 pieces is too few for most boards
- Variant choice can confuse buyers
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a quiet sample before committing to a full pack.
MONSGEEK Heavy Linear Switches, Green Fog 60gf
A heavy linear switch with 60 grams of force per the title, 5-pin, pre-lubed, and with an LED diffuser. A heavier spring resists accidental presses but tires fingers faster during long sessions. The pack size is not given in the title, so check the listing before planning a build. Because heavier switches suit people who rest fingers on the keys, this is the one pack that is better for typing than for fast gaming, so match it to how you actually use the board.
Pros
- Heavy spring reduces accidental presses
- LED diffuser for lighting
Cons
- 60gf can be tiring for fast tapping
- Count not stated in the title
Who it’s for: Heavy-handed typists who bottom out on lighter springs.
kutethy Gateron Smoothie Linear Switches (72 pcs)
The title lists pre-lubed 40gf linear, 72 pieces, RGB LED, 5-pin and a 22mm dual-stage spring in a full POM build. It is the lightest spring here, which favors rapid taps and gaming but can lead to accidental key presses. The 72-piece count sits between a 60 percent and a tenkeyless build.
Pros
- Light 40gf spring
- Full POM housing per the title
Cons
- Light springs can cause typos
- 72 pieces not enough for TKL
Who it’s for: Gamers who want the lightest linear option in this group.
Akko Creamy Yellow U1 Lubed Linear Switch (100 pcs)
A 100-piece pack of lubed 5-pin linear switches rated 45gf in the title, aimed at mechanical gaming keyboards. It overlaps with the EPOMAKER Creamy Jade in force and count, so the choice comes down to which feels better in buyer reviews and which pack is cheaper per switch.
Pros
- 100 pieces for larger boards
- Established linear 45gf weight
Cons
- Nearly the same class as the EPOMAKER pack
- Little detail on materials in the title
Who it’s for: Full-size builders comparing two similar 100-piece linear packs.
How we picked these
We chose listings from published specifications, manufacturer documentation and buyer reviews, and we separated switches from the one keycap set so you can compare like with like. Nobody on the team used or measured these units. Switch feel is subjective, so spring weights and descriptions here come from titles, and anything not stated is marked for you to check on the live listing.
Choosing switches and keycaps that fit your board
Linear, tactile or clicky
Linear switches have no bump and suit fast repeated presses. Tactile ones give a bump that confirms the press, helpful for typing. Clicky variants add an audible click and are rarely welcome in shared spaces. This set has no clicky pack, which is a sensible omission for most desks. If you spend your day writing code, our roundup of keyboards for programming compares complete boards by feel, which helps you decide which switch type to buy before you open a pack. Whichever type you choose, remember that a lighter or heavier spring changes how tiring a long session feels, and that sound varies with the board case and plate as much as with the switch itself.
Hot-swap and pin count
A hot-swap PCB lets you pull switches and push in new ones without soldering. Five-pin switches add two stabilizing pins; many hot-swap boards accept them, but a board with 3-pin sockets may need the extra pins clipped, or may simply not fit. Check the listing and your board manual before ordering, and never force a switch into a socket.
Spring weight and factory lubing
Spring weight changes fatigue. Around 40 gf feels light, 45 gf is a common middle, and 60 gf is clearly heavy, all as manufacturer claims. Pre-lubed switches try to smooth the stroke at the factory, but finish quality is not measurable from a title. Treat the claim as a starting point.
Keycap material, profile and backlight
PBT is the usual upgrade over thin ABS for durability; the Guffercty set is titled PBT. OEM profile is a common height and shape, but profile compatibility with your board and switches should be checked. If you rely on backlighting, look for shine-through legends. For a broader look at the whole keyboard, see our mechanical PC keyboard buyer guide.
Pack-count planner
Count your layout, add a buffer, then match a pack. Typical key counts are 61 for 60 percent, about 87 for tenkeyless and 104 for full-size, labeled estimates since layouts vary.
- 61 keys plus a spare: one 70-piece pack (Gateron Brown or Yellow).
- 87 keys plus a spare: one 100-piece pack (EPOMAKER Creamy Jade or Akko U1).
- 104 keys: one 100-piece pack is short by about 4, so add a 35-piece set.
- Keycaps: the Guffercty set covers 61 keys only.
Mistakes buyers make
Buying a 70-piece pack for a tenkeyless board is the most common math error. Another is ordering 5-pin switches for a 3-pin socket board without checking. Third, picking a heavy spring because it sounds premium; heavy switches cost fingers energy. Fourth, buying keycaps for a different layout, such as a 60 percent set for a TKL. Last, mixing profiles that do not match, which makes rows feel uneven. Keep the receipt and the listing screenshots until your board is working.
Verdict
For a first linear swap on a compact board, the Gateron Yellow is the straightforward pick, with the Brown as the tactile twin. For a full-size build, the EPOMAKER Creamy Jade or Akko U1 100-piece packs cover the layout in one purchase. Light-spring fans should look at the Smoothie, and typists who prefer firmness can check the MONSGEEK. The Guffercty set refreshes a 61-key board.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between linear and tactile switches?
Linear switches move straight down with no bump, which many gamers like for rapid repeated presses. Tactile switches add a bump at the actuation point so you feel the registration, which many typists prefer. In this set, the Gateron Yellow, EPOMAKER Creamy Jade, MONSGEEK Green Fog, Smoothie and Akko packs are linear, while the Gateron Brown is tactile.
Do I need 5-pin switches for my keyboard?
Hot-swap boards with a PCB socket usually accept 5-pin switches because the extra plastic pins add stability. Some boards use 3-pin sockets, and the guidance is to check the listing and your board documentation before you buy. Every switch pack here is titled as 5-pin, so the question is whether your board fits them.
Are PBT keycaps better than ABS?
PBT is generally harder and tends to resist the shiny wear that thin ABS can develop, though the exact feel varies by thickness and maker. The only keycap set here is titled PBT with an OEM profile for 60 percent boards. Check that your legends and backlight needs match the listing before ordering.
How many switches should I buy?
Count the keys on your layout, then add a small buffer for spares or mistakes. A 61-key 60 percent board needs 61, which a 70-pack covers; a tenkeyless board with around 87 keys needs a 100-pack. A 35-piece set is more of a sampler than a full build, and it is wise to check the keycaps and stabilizers separately since neither is included in a switch pack.
Does pre-lubed mean I do not need to lube switches?
Pre-lubed means the seller applied lubricant at the factory, which can smooth the stroke without extra work. The quality and evenness of that finish vary by maker, and the titles give no measurements. If you later want a different feel, you can still open and modify switches, but that is an optional hobby step.
