Do Switch Testers Help?

Do switch tester packs actually help with your next purchase? This blog post discusses this type of product and its benefits for researching your next switch!

Kinetic Labs Switch Tester Linear Pack on desk

One of the most important decisions when it comes to building a mechanical keyboard is figuring out what switches to use for the build, as it will make a drastic impact on every aspect. How do you figure out what switches to use? Well, that is where switch testers come into play!

Kinetic Labs Switch Tester Pack with Card Legend

What are Switch Testers?

Switch testers consist of a bunch of different switches, all on a small keyboard case, and have a keycap so you can compare switches easily to one another before you go about buying 70, 90, or even 110 of them. This helps you not only save money but also lets you see if another switch might feel or sound better than you hadn’t even thought about checking out in the first place.

Not all Switch Testers are Created Equally

Some switch testers tend to be very out of date and only contain super common switches such as cherry mx reds, browns, blues, etc., but if you want to go more of the custom route, buying a switch tester that contains more popular “enthusiast” options might be better suited for you. Thankfully for us, Kinetic Labs actually offers three different switch testers from which we can choose. A beginner pack, a linear pack, and a tactile pack. They contain the following switches:

Beginner's Pack

Linear Pack

Tactile Pack

Unfortunately for all of you clicky fans out there, the only switch pack that contains a clicky option would be the beginner pack, as it includes the Arctic Fox Clicky Switch. Hopefully, in the future, there will be enough clicky switch options for a dedicated switch tester!

Close-up of Kinetic Labs Switch Tester Beginner's Pack

Conclusion

In a world where there are probably over 1000 switches on the market, it can be pretty hard to figure out what exactly you are looking for, especially if you are new to the mechanical keyboard hobby. Switch Testers help give you an idea of how certain switches feel and are used to help you make a more informed decision before making a big purchase. Happy typing!