Let’s talk about the NovelKeys Cream switches!
I’m a keyboard nerd who’s built dozens of boards and swapped switches more times than I can count.
I’ve put these things through the wringer for you.li
This NovelKeys Cream review breaks down their specs, performance, and whether they’re worth your hard-earned cash.
Stick around to see if these switches deserve a spot in your next build!
*Keyboard Forge is a participant of affiliate programs and earns from qualified purchases*
Switch Snapshot
NovelKeys was started in a garage in 2016 by a single founder. Unbeknownst to him, it would eventually transform into a familiar pillar within the keyboard community.
The NK Creams are the most popular switches from the company. They feature a unique combination of POM top housing, POM bottom housing, and POM stem.
There is an entire series of switches from this line, including a tactile version.
Specs
- Type: Linear
- Top Housing: POM
- Bottom Housing: POM
- Stem: POM
- Spring Weight: 70g (Bottom Out)
- Total Travel: 4.0mm
- Lubrication: Unlubed
- Pins: 5-pin
Specs were sourced directly from the manufacturer’s website.
Wanna get into details about mechanical switches? Learn more about them here.
Tempted already? Snag a pack and join the linear party!
Hands On Breakdown
I tried these switches as they came from the factory using the following setup:
Keyboard: Neo Studio Neo65
- Case: Aluminum
- Plate: FR4
- Mount: Gasket
Check out our keyboard case article, plate article, and gasket mount article for more info.
Keycaps: Wuque Studio BOW
- Material: PBT
- Printing: Double Shot
- Profile: Cherry
Learn all about keycaps here.
Note: Neo Studio Neo65 doesn’t have RGB. RGB was tested on a Keychron Q1.
Check out the force curve for the nerdy details:
I tested these switches in both gaming and typing scenarios.
Performance
Performance Score: 5
Preferences:
The switches I’ve used the longest are the Gateron Oil Kings. So, you can consider them the baseline for what my preferences are.
I like to rest my fingers on the keys when I’m typing. This often leads to keys being inadvertently pressed.
I also type like I’m hammering nails. I bottom out pretty hard when I press the keys.
General:
The description at purchase didn’t specify whether these switches were lubed or not. Turns out, they weren’t.
No matter, though. These switches glided like butter and I didn’t catch a hint of scratchiness.
They had a very heavy initial and actuation force.
The bottom out force at 70g was perfect. I might even like these more than the Gateron Oil Kings.
I’ve included a close-up picture of the stem in the sections below.
Gaming:
I spent tons of hours battling in Marvel Rivals with these switches and encountered zero issues.
While playing, I didn’t notice any delay in my movements and my main’s (Emma Frost) movements felt snappy.
I queued up competitive matches straightaway, without any warm up. Avid players would consider this crazy. Luckily, I went 3-0 and even ranked back up to Gold I.
For those that aren’t familiar, Marvel Rivals involves moving your character using the WASD keys and pressing a bunch of other keys to use your character’s abilities. Everything felt really responsive to me and I even got to hang on to the “Ace” title for a majority of the matches.
Throughout the following days, I continued helping a friend level up his alt account by playing dozens of quick play matches. Decided to also try my luck at competitive matches again and went 0-2. I refused to play after that and logged off for days.
I did have one minor gripe. Normally, I wouldn’t pay attention to such things while playing, but I couldn’t help but notice how much more effort it took to make my character jump with the spacebar. It was almost to the point where my thumb was actually getting tired.
Typing:
I’m actually writing this review using these switches right now.
I typed surprisingly fast with these switches with minimal mistakes.
The switches were so heavy that I had no issues resting my fingers on them. They didn’t budge at all and my fingers felt so comfortable resting on the keys.
Typing was a bit different than gaming. I didn’t notice the heavier spacebar at all.
Overall, I really enjoyed typing on these switches. For some weird reason, my fiance who prefers super light switches, also enjoyed typing on these switches.
Check out the score I got on TypeRacer:
Sound Profile
Sound Score: 4
Sound Signature:
These switches sounded clacky to me. My preference is as thocky as possible of a sound profile. However, I’m starting to grow accustomed to clack.
Pinging:
I heard pings when I brought individual switches up to my ear to listen. It wasn’t overbearing, but it also wasn’t subtle.
I couldn’t hear any pings when I was typing normally on the keyboard, but I definitely heard them when I put my ear closer.
Microphone Usage:
In the past, I regularly had complaints on Discord about my mic picking up keyboard sounds when I was using these switches, but I didn’t get any complaints at all during the play sessions where I was testing out the switches.
I even told my teammates to specifically listen for my typing as I mashed on the keyboard for them. They said they couldn’t hear anything.
Build Quality
Build Quality Score: 4
Socket Fit:
These things looked and felt premium.
They went into the sockets easily and securely. There was virtually no wobble.
Pins:
I poked around on the switches and didn’t discover anything wrong with the build quality.
The pins were nice and sturdy and I didn’t bend a single one while seating them into the sockets.
The switches were 5-pin design and seated very securely in the socket and plate with virtually no wobble.
Errors:
There were no issues with ghost-typing and all my keys worked on KeyboardTester.com.
Lubrication:
I opened them up to check out the insides. I thought they would have been lubed from how nice they felt, but I was wrong. They were bone dry. I can only imagine how nice they’ll feel when properly lubed, especially the springs.
Aesthetics and Compatibility
Compatibility Score: 5
Colorway:
The switches have the following color scheme:
- Cream: POM stem
- Cream: POM top housing
- Cream: POM bottom housing
These switches definitely look nice, but they’re not really my favorite color. I would be all over them if they were bright white.
Keycaps:
Keycaps went on with no issues. I got the usual resistance when pressing the keycaps onto the stems. They felt secure.
All the switches also stayed in place when removing the keycaps. I didn’t have a single one get pulled out with its corresponding cap.
RGB:
The switches had a slit for the LED to shine through. RGB lighting worked fine and as expected. There was nothing significant to note in this aspect.
Quick Comparison
Here’s how the NK Cream switches stack up against some similar options:
| Switch | Type | Actuation Force | Travel Distance | Materials |
| NovelKeys_ Cream | Linear | 55g | 4.0mm | POM Housing, POM Stem |
| Glorious Lynx | Linear | 40g | 4.0mm | PC/Nylon Housing, POM Stem |
| Gateron Oil King | Linear | 55g | 4.0mm | Proprietary Ink/Nylon Housing, POM Stem |
| Wuque Studio Morandi | Linear | 50g | 3.5mm | POM Housing, UPE Stem |
| Akko Rosewood | Linear | 40g | 4.0mm | Nylon Housing, Nylon Stem |
| EPOMAKER Wisteria | Linear | 45g | 3.6mm | PC/Nylon Housing, POM+PTFE Stem |
| Cherry MX Red | Linear | 45cN | 4.0mm | Plastic Polymer Housing/Stem |
| Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red | Linear | 45g | 4.0mm | PC/Nylon Housing, POM Stem |
| Kailh Box V2 Red | Linear | 40g | 3.6mm | PC/Nylon Housing, POM Stem |
| Gateron Ink V2 Black | Linear | 60g | 4.0mm | Proprietary Ink Housing, POM stem |
Price and Value
Value Score: 3
At the time of this writing, the NK Cream switches cost ~$0.65 per switch this is mid-range pricing territory.
Personally, I like these switches and I think mid-range pricing is appropriate.
Can’t remember if I’ve ever seen them go on sale. I did some searching around and wasn’t able to find any significant price decreases. I think what you see is what you get.
If you like heavier linears, I’d definitely recommend you try these out. I don’t think you’ll be dissappointed.
Who Are These Switches For?
You’ll love these switches if you’re a typist looking for a heavier actuation point. This really helps with limiting mistakes, especially if you rest your fingers on the keys like me.
These things are also for those that are into clack. You should still give them a try if you’re into thock ’cause the clack might grow on you like it did to me.
These switches are fine for the lazy tinkerer, but I have a feeling you’ll likely want to get all you can out of these switches and lube them. Otherwise, just toss them in your board and forget about them. They already offer a great experience straight out of the box.
Wrapping Up
Performance Score: 5
Sound Score: 4
Build Quality Score: 4
Compatibility Score: 5
Value Score: 3
Total Score: 4.2 out of 5
The Novelkey Cream switches, as they came from the factory were awesome to me.
Though I would have preferred a thockier sound, I loved the way they typed and how heavy they were.
They’re basically neck and neck with the Gateron Oil Kings for me right now (in terms of linear switches). I think they might even over take the Oil Kings once I lube them.
I keep saying I like heavy switches, but I think I’m starting to push the limits on how heavy I can realistically go. I’m going to be on the lookout for some 70g+ switches to see if they really do start getting uncomfortable.
Overall, the NK Creams get two huge thumbs up from me.
So, you ready to give them a spin? Grab a pack and upgrade your typing today!
How We Tested and Our Methodology
Keyboard Forge is a 100% independent publisher.
We purchased these switches with our own funds and were not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
We conducted numerous hours of hands-on testing with these switches in both gaming and typing environments. Majority of the gaming testing was done playing Sea of Thieves or Marvel Rivals. Majority of the typing testing was done writing articles for Keyboard Forge.
We hope this review helps you get a better understanding of these switches. Feel free to reach out to suggest switches to review in the future.
Thanks for the support!
Enjoyed this review? Share it with your crew!
