Which Switch Tester Should I Buy?

[zeusthemoose]

I am starting to look into building a custom keyboard and right now I am looking at all the switch possibilities. I am currently using a logitech g613 with romer g switches and I think I want to go to a more clicky switch but I have a feeling it may be too loud. So, I am looking at switch testers. I have found a bunch of testers with popular switches but also a few gigantic ones with all kinds of possibilities. I am thinking of getting one of these big ones not just to see all the switches but also because I think it would be a cool thing to have around. So far I have found 3 possibilities:

72 Switches from KBDFANS $60

130 Switches from KPRepublic $60

81 Switches from KPRepublic $40

 

So my questions are:

Should I buy a switch tester like these in the first place or is it a waste of money and the small ones are good enough?

If it is a good idea to get a big tester, which (if any) of these would be best? The 72 switch one is as expensive as the 130 switch but seems to be higher quality.

Lastly, do any of these sellers have high shipping costs or other fees that may make them bad choices? I am located in the US.

Thanks in advance!

[kelvinhall05]

Switch testers in general are a waste of money. I wouldn't bother.

 

 

Get a hotswap board that fits your budget and several switch types to try in it.

[DarkEnergy]

Personally I'd just do a lot of research and buy the switch based on sound samples and reviews/opinions. If you're looking for clicky, I've heard good things about the Kailh box switches. They use a click bar instead of the cherry style click jacket. They're much more crisp. I'm currently waiting for some box pinks to arrive so I can put them in a keyboard that won't ship until summer.......

 

If you do want to get a switch tester and plan on picking a clicky switch, get a small tester with hailh box clicky switches. Make sure it at least has whites, jades, and navies.

[zeusthemoose]

11 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Get a hotswap board that fits your budget and several switch types to try in it.

Are popular switches hotswappable? I was under the impression that they were either special switches you could hotswap or you would have to solder them.

Are there any disadvantages to going hotswappable instead of soldering them?

[kelvinhall05]

4 minutes ago, zeusthemoose said:

Are popular switches hotswappable? I was under the impression that they were either special switches you could hotswap or you would have to solder them.

Are there any disadvantages to going hotswappable instead of soldering them?

If you are willing to solder and desolder a whole keyboard at a time just to find switches you like, go with solder. It's cheaper and your options may increase, depending on what your budget is and what other features you want. Hotswap is good for someone (like you) who is unsure what switches you want, as it's a quick and easy way to swap a full keyboard of switches so you can get an accurate feel on how it is to type and game with them.

 

 

And yes, basically every switch on the market today will fit in the same hotswap socket, worst case scenario you just have to snip off the two little plastic legs (which are not necessary).

[DarkEnergy]

1 minute ago, zeusthemoose said:

Are popular switches hotswappable? I was under the impression that they were either special switches you could hotswap or you would have to solder them.

Are there any disadvantages to going hotswappable instead of soldering them?

All switches are "hotswappable," (ignoring some vintage and probably few rare ones) what makes them hotswappable is if the keyboard PCB has hot swap sockets. The GMMK for example is a good budget hot swappable barebones keyboard. The only thing to look out for is if the switch is a 5 pin switch (2 extra plastic "legs"), make sure the keyboard PCB has 5 holes. Some only have 3.

 

[zeusthemoose]

4 minutes ago, DarkEnergy said:

All switches are "hotswappable,"

 

5 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

And yes, basically every switch on the market today will fit in the same hotswap socket

Thank you both for your help! I will start looking for hot swap boards.

[Dr0y]

I got the glorious gmmk and the kemove snowfox that are hotswappable ... both are really nice boards but there are a lot more available than just those two ... as for the switches decide what type between linear, tactile of clicky you like the best and test among those ... I thought that I liked linear but in the end I really don't like them so I have only one set of those ...

 

 

[Faiiiz]

It also depends on what size board you want. My recommendations for hotswap boards are Full-size-SK108 TKL-SK87 65%-YC66 or Womier K66 which is the acryllic version of the YC66 60%-kemove snowfox 40%-dont even think about it