So, you’re dipping your toes into the satisfying world of mechanical keyboards, but terms like linear, tactile, and clicky sound like a secret code. You don’t want to splurge on a keyboard only to hate how it feels. That’s where keyboard switch testers come in—they’re like a test drive for your fingers, letting you sample switches without draining your wallet. These gadgets are a newbie’s secret weapon for picking the perfect typing experience.
Why grab one? Here’s the deal:
- Save cash: Try switches before committing to a pricey keyboard.
- Find your fit: Test different feels to match how you type.
- Skip regrets: No more guessing if a switch is too loud for your space.
We’ve hunted down the best mechanical switch testers to make your choice easy. Our top picks, from compact sets to switch-packed samplers, are just right for beginners who want to unlock their typing bliss. Scroll down for our curated lineup, a quick comparison, and all the details you need to decide!
If you wanna know all about how switches work, check out this article.
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Quick Comparison
We’ve lined up five keyboard switch tester kits to help you try switches without the wallet sting. From compact Cherry sets to Gateron’s massive 35-switch sampler, these switch test kits are your ticket to picking the best feel. Check out the table below to see which one sparks your interest, then dive into our full reviews for the juicy details. Click those links to snag your favorite!
| Product Name | Number of Switches | Switch Brands | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Keyboard Cherry MX Switch Tester | 12 | Cherry MX; linear, tactile, clicky | Acrylic base, labeled keycaps |
| Max Keyboard Kailh Box Switch Tester | 14 | Kailh; linear, tactile, clicky | Acrylic base, labeled keycaps |
| Akko Switch Tester | 16 | Akko, Gateron, TTC; linear, tactile | Dust-proof cover, 3 brands of switches |
| HONKID Switch Tester | 16 | Akko, Gateron, Kailh; linear, tactile, clicky | 3 brands of switches, aluminum construction |
| GATERON Keyboard Switches Tester | 35 | Gateron; linear, tactile, clicky, silent | Acrylic base can be used as a lubing station |
Max Keyboard Cherry MX Switch Tester
Ever wondered what makes a keyboard click just right? The Max Keyboard Cherry MX Switch Tester is your answer. It’s got 12 Cherry MX switches tucked into a slick 9.525mm-thick acrylic base that feels like a premium keyboard. No need to shell out for a full board—this little Cherry MX switch tester lets you try out Cherry’s best switches and find your typing groove without commitment.
This tester gives you 12 Cherry MX switches to try, broken down for easy exploring:
Linear Switches:
- Cherry MX Black
- Cherry MX Red
- Cherry MX RGB Black
- Cherry MX RGB Red
- Cherry MX Silent Red
- Cherry MX Speed Silver
Tactile Switches:
- Cherry MX Brown
- Cherry MX RGB Brown
- Cherry MX Tactile Gray
Clicky Switches:
- Cherry MX Green
- Cherry MX Blue
- Cherry MX RGB Blue
Ideal for those figuring out if clicky typing or silent gaming is their jam.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium feel mimics a real keyboard. | Might feel pricey for a tester. |
| Labeled keycaps make switch testing a breeze. | Poor packaging (plastic bag, no padding) risks damage. |
| Great for testing a variety of Cherry switches |
Who It’s For: Those who want to master Cherry MX switches before buying a board.
Max Keyboard Kailh Box Switch Tester
If you’re dipping your toes into mechanical keyboards, the Max Keyboard Kailh Box Switch Tester is a great place to start. It packs 14 Kailh Box switches onto a 9.525mm-thick acrylic base that’s tough and feels like the real deal. You get to play with Kailh’s unique switches without buying a whole keyboard. It’s straightforward, beginner-friendly, and honestly kinda fun.
You get 14 switches to test out, neatly grouped to help you dive in:
Linear Switches:
- Kailh Box Black
- Kailh Box Red
- Kailh Box Burnt Orange
- Kailh Box Royal
Tactile Switches:
- Kailh Box Brown
- Kailh Box Pale Blue
- Kailh Box Dark Yellow
- Kailh Box Jade
- Kailh Box Navy
- Kailh Box Hako Violet
- Kailh Box Hako Clear
- Kailh Box Hako True
- Kailh Box Royal Clear
Clicky Switches:
- Kailh Box White
Love a sharp click? Jade and Navy will thrill you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Solid build with a thick acrylic base. | Poor packaging (plastic bag, no padding) risks damage. |
| Labeled keycaps make it easy to track switches. | Some users report missing or damaged switches. |
| Good for diving into Kailh’s variety. | On the pricier side |
Who It’s For: Those curious about Kailh’s crisp, clicky switches or tactile fans looking for variety.
Akko Switch Tester
- Try before you buy – MonsGeek x Akko acrylic 16-key switch tester – With a wide range of different switches including ta…
- Durability – Not only is our tester affordable, but it’s also built to last. Based on laboratory durability tests, our s…
- Simple and easy to use – Try out our switch tester and find the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your needs! Simpl…
Looking for the switch that matches you best? The Akko Switch Tester has you covered. It squeezes 16 switches from Akko, MonsGeek, and TTC/Cherry into a durable acrylic base that’s small enough to toss in your bag. Plus, it comes with a dust-proof cover and a keycap puller to make testing a breeze. This is your no-pressure way to sample switches before splurging on a keyboard.
The Akko tester brings 16 switches from multiple brands to your fingertips. Here’s what you’re working with:
Tactile Switches:
- Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro
- Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro
- Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro
- Akko Penguin
Linear Switches:
- MonsGeek Green Fog
- Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro
- Akko Rosewood
- Akko Botany
- Akko V3 Creamy Black Pro
- Akko Fairy
- Akko Starlit
- Akko Stellar Rose
- Akko V3 Silver Pro
- Akko Piano Pro
- Akko Mirror
- Akko Dracula
No clicky switches, but the tactile and linear mix is great for testing smooth typing or feedback-heavy switches like Creamy Blue Pro.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multi-brand variety is fun to explore. | Mixed feedback on switch quality. |
| Dust-proof cover keeps switches clean. | Some find the value iffy for the price. |
Who It’s For: Those wanting to sample multiple brands or fans of tactile and linear switches.
HONKID Switch Tester
- Durable Design: The aluminum construction of the keyboard switch tester not only gives it a sleek, cool look, but also m…
- Perfect Testing Tool: HONKID switch tester comes with 16 switch samples, including tactile, linear and clicky key switch…
- Easy to Replace: It can hold the switches firmly and let users focus on the feeling and sound when testing. Meanwhile, y…
The HONKID Switch Tester is like the cool cousin of switch testers. It’s got a shiny aluminum frame housing 16 switches from Akko, Gateron, and Kailh. A handy info sheet breaks down what each switch is all about, so you’re not guessing. If you’re new to this, it’s a stylish, affordable way to figure out which switch matches you—no full keyboard required.
With 16 switches from Akko, Gateron, and Kailh, the HONKID tester lets you explore a range of feels. Here’s the breakdown:
Linear Switches:
- Akko CS Jelly White
- Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro
- Akko CS Starfish
- Akko CS Matcha Green Lubed
- Akko CS Rose Red
- Akko CS Jelly Black
- Akko CS Silver
- Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow Lubed
- Gateron KS-9 Red
- Gateron KS-3X1 Milky Yellow Pro
- Kailh Box Black
Tactile Switches:
- Akko CS Lavender Purple
- Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro
Clicky Switches:
- Kailh Box White
- Kailh Box Jade
- Kailh Box Navy
From smooth linear typing to crisp Jade clicks, it’s a versatile mix.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sturdy aluminum build looks and feels premium. | Some report inconsistent switch quality. |
| Information sheet makes switch identification easy. | Risk of receiving incorrect switches. |
| Great sound profile for testing. |
Who It’s For: Those exploring multiple brands or anyone craving linear and clicky switches.
GATERON Keyboard Switches Tester
Want to go all-in on switch testing? The GATERON Keyboard Switches Tester is your pick. It’s loaded with 35 Gateron switches in a sturdy acrylic base that even works as a lubing station. Heading out? Pop on the clear cover and take it anywhere—your desk, a coffee shop, wherever. This tester is a dream for beginners who want to try tons of switches without buying a keyboard.
The GATERON tester is packed with 35 switches, covering every typing feel you could want. Here’s what you get:
Linear Switches:
- G Pro 3.0 Silver
- G Pro 3.0 Yellow
- G Pro 3.0 Red
- G Pro 3.0 Black
- G Pro 3.0 White
- Gateron KS-9 Silent Yellow 2.0
- Gateron Cream Soda
- Gateron Luciola
- Gateron Modern Gray
- Gateron Pure Sky
- Gateron Pure Berry
- Gateron Lunar Probe
- Gateron New North Pole 2.0 Yellow
- Gateron Blue Bubblegum
- Gateron Oil King
- Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
- Gateron Smoothie
- Gateron Irene
- Gateron INK Black Wall Stem
- Gateron INK Pink Wall Stem
- Gateron Cap Lunar Mare
- Gateron Zero Degree Fully Silent
- Gateron Unicorn
- Gateron Magnetic Jade
- Gateron Jade Pro
- Gateron Jade Max
- Gateron Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange
Tactile Switches:
- G Pro 3.0 Brown
- Gateron Baby Kangaroo 2.0
- Gateron EF Grayish
- Gateron Green Apple
Clicky Switches:
- Gateron Clickiez 75gf
- Gateron Melodic
- Gateron Clickiez 40gf
From buttery Oil King to crisp Melodic clicks, it’s a massive playground.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge variety with 35 switches to play with. | No switch list included, so identifying them can be a puzzle. |
| Durable case with a cover that’s ready for travel. | Its large number of options might feel like a lot for beginners. |
Who It’s For: Those wanting maximum variety or Gateron fans looking to explore new options.
Ready to Pick Your Ideal Switch Tester?
These keyboard switch testers are your wallet-friendly way to find the ideal mechanical keyboard without risking buyer’s remorse. From Max Keyboard’s Cherry MX classics to GATERON’s 35-switch bonanza, these newbie-friendly testers let you try linear, tactile, or clicky switches to match your typing style. Whether you’re gaming, typing, or just curious, there’s a tester for you. No more splurging on the wrong keyboard! Here’s how to pick:
- Max Keyboard Cherry MX: Best for Cherry fans wanting premium switches.
- Max Keyboard Kailh Box: Best for clicky lovers looking for crisp Kailh.
- Akko 16-Key: Best for multi-brand explorers wanting diverse switches.
- HONKID: Best for durability seekers with sleek aluminum.
- GATERON: Best for switch enthusiasts craving maximum variety.
So, are you into smooth linears or loud clicks? Pick up a tester to find your fit!
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