The best mechanical keyboard switches for a first swap are pre-lubed linear 5-pin Gateron packs, because they fit most boards and feel smooth straight from the bag. The Milky Yellow Pro listings are the value route, the Oil King listings are the premium linear feel, and the Brown Pro pack is the only tactile one in this set. Before browsing, work out how many switches your layout needs; the planner below does it for you, then ten listings are covered in seven write-ups.
Our Top Picks
Top 3 picks at a glance
Count first: a pack-size planner
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Pack size matters as much as switch type, so start here. The figures below are estimates for common layouts and assume you want about five spare switches for bent pins or mistakes.
| Layout | Typical key count | Order at least | Smallest listing pack that covers it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 61 | 66 | 70 or 72 pieces |
| 65% | 68 | 73 | 90 pieces |
| 75% | 82 | 87 | 90 pieces |
| Tenkeyless | 87 | 92 | 108 pieces |
| Full-size | 104 | 109 | 108 only if you do not need spares |
The 35-piece G Pro 3.0 listing covers half a small board, so use it for a top-up or trying a single row. Check each listing for the exact count, as sellers sometimes sell the same switch in several quantities. A worked example: a 75% board with 82 keys plus five spares needs 87 switches, so a 90-piece pack leaves three extra, while two 72-piece packs would leave 57 unused and cost more. Packs also differ by seller, so compare the quantity in the title, not just the model name.
All ten listings at a glance
| Model | Key point from title | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| GATERON G Brown Pro V3.0 (70) | Pre-lubed tactile, 5-pin | Mid-range (estimate) | Typing with feedback |
| GATERON G Yellow Pro V3.0 (70) | Pre-lubed linear, 5-pin | Mid-range (estimate) | Gaming, 60% boards |
| Gateron Smoothie (72) | 40gf, full POM, dual-stage spring | Mid-range | Light, smooth presses |
| Gateron Oil King V2 (90) | Pre-lubed linear | Premium | Deep, creamy linear feel |
| Milky Yellow Pro V2 (72) | 50gf pre-lubed linear | Budget | Value for small boards |
| G Pro 3.0 Red (35) | Pre-lubed linear | Budget | Top-ups and trials |
| Milky Yellow Pro V2 (108) | 50gf linear, creamy | Budget to mid-range | Tenkeyless and full-size |
| Oil King V2 (90, 55gf) | 55gf, 60 million keystroke claim | Premium | Premium linear on 75% |
| Milky Yellow Pro V3 (108) | Pre-lubed linear | Mid-range | Larger layouts |
| Milky Yellow Pro V2 (90) | Pre-lubed linear, 5-pin | Budget to mid-range | 65% and 75% boards |
The switch listings, grouped by model
GATERON G Brown Pro V3.0, 70 pieces
The title calls this a pre-lubed 5-pin tactile switch for SMD RGB MX keyboards. That makes it the one non-linear option in the set. A tactile bump gives feedback mid-press, which many typists like, while gamers sometimes find it slows rapid taps. The 70-piece count covers a 60% board with a few spares. Pre-lubed means the factory has applied lubricant, which usually reduces scratchy feel, though the amount and evenness are seller claims. If your board has per-key RGB, the SMD wording in the title is a good sign for light show-through, but check your PCB for the LED type it expects.
- Pros: tactile feedback; pre-lubed; 5-pin
- Cons: price not in our data; not ideal for rapid repeated taps
Who it’s for: typists and mixed-use builders.
GATERON G Yellow Pro V3.0, 70 pieces
This pack matches the Brown listing in count and pin type, but it is linear. Yellow in Gateron naming is often linked with a medium spring weight; the title gives no figure, so check the listing. Linear and pre-lubed is the safest route for game-focused boards. If you want to try both feels, you could pair this pack with the Brown pack above for a split layout, such as tactile on the letter block and linear on movement keys, although a mixed board can feel uneven. Spring weight sets how hard a press feels, so confirm it with the seller before ordering if that matters.
- Pros: linear; pre-lubed; fits 60% layouts
- Cons: spring weight not stated; 70 pieces only suit small layouts
Who it’s for: gamers building or refreshing a 60% keyboard.
Gateron Smoothie Linear, 72 pieces
The title lists 40gf, pre-lubed, full POM construction, a 22mm dual-stage spring and white colouring with RGB LED support. A 40gf weight is on the light side, which can cause accidental presses for heavy typists. Full POM is a plastic choice that the seller says affects feel and sound; judge it through buyer reviews. The seller name in our data differs from Gateron, so confirm authenticity wording. Dual-stage springs are described by makers as changing the force curve as the press goes deeper, which some typists find smoother, though the effect varies from person to person. The 72-piece count fits a 60% or 65% board, with only a couple of spares for the larger one.
- Pros: light weight; smooth claim; stated spring detail
- Cons: light force may suit few; mid-range price tier
Who it’s for: players who like feather-light linears.
Gateron Oil King V2, 90 pieces (two listings)
These two listings share the Oil King V2 name and the 90-piece count, so we group them. One adds 55gf and a 60 million keystroke lifespan claim, which is a manufacturer-style figure we cannot verify. Both are pre-lubed 5-pin linears. The seller names in our data are not Gateron, so check the listing wording on authenticity and returns. They are the premium option here, roughly two and a half times the per-switch cost of the cheapest Milky Yellow pack, by our estimate from listing prices at the time, which may change.
- Pros: 90 pieces for 75% boards; stated 55gf in one listing
- Cons: highest per-switch cost; the other listing omits force details
Who it’s for: builders who want a premium linear feel and have the budget.
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2 (72, 90 and 108 pieces)
Three listings share this model and differ by quantity: 72 pieces at 50gf, a 108-piece creamy version, and a 90-piece pre-lubed pack. All are 5-pin pre-lubed linears. The titles claim they fit all MX keyboards, so check your board socket first. They are the value anchor of this guide: the larger packs lower the per-switch cost, and the 108 count suits tenkeyless layouts. Creamy is a marketing word for a softer, rounder sound, so rely on buyer reviews to decide whether that matches your taste. A 50gf force is medium and works for both gaming and typing, which is why these packs are a safe default for a first swap.
- Pros: several pack sizes; lower per-switch cost; linear
- Cons: sellers differ; the 72-piece pack is tight for anything above 65%
Who it’s for: anyone building a 65% to full-size board on a moderate budget.
GATERON G Pro 3.0 Red, 35 pieces
The title says pre-lubed 5-pin RGB linear for gaming keyboards, in red, 35 pieces. Red is commonly a light linear, but confirm the force on the listing. At 35 pieces, it is a small lot: ideal to test feel on a few keys or replace a row, not to fill a board. The RGB wording in the title implies the housing lets LED light through, so it matters mostly if your board has lit keys. Because the pack is small, the cost per switch is usually higher than in the bigger packs, so only pick it if the quantity itself is what you need.
- Pros: low entry cost; branded seller; pre-lubed
- Cons: only 35 pieces; per-switch cost is higher than big packs
Who it’s for: buyers replacing a few keys or trying a feel first.
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V3, 108 pieces
The newest revision in the Milky Yellow line here, listed as pre-lubed linear 5-pin for all MX keyboards, 108 pieces. Version numbers suggest a revision, but the title does not say what changed, so do not assume better feel. The count suits a full-size board with a few spares left over. If you already own V2 switches, mixing revisions on one board is possible but could make some keys feel different, so a full set from one pack is the tidier plan. As always, check the listing for confirmation of pin type and board compatibility.
- Pros: large pack; pre-lubed; revision V3
- Cons: change from V2 unstated; higher cost per switch than V2 108
Who it’s for: full-size builders who prefer the latest revision.
How we picked these
We compared product titles, manufacturer wording on each listing and the pattern of buyer reviews. Nobody on the team used or measured these units. Force numbers, lifespan figures and words like “creamy” are seller claims. Tiers are relative within this set, and listings without a price in our data carry an estimate label. The basis is published specifications, manufacturer documentation and buyer reviews. We looked at pack size, switch type, pin count, force numbers and seller names, then marked anything the title leaves open. Listings that repeat the same model in several pack sizes are grouped rather than written up twice.
What to look for in keyboard switches
Linear, tactile or clicky
Linear is smooth with no bump, tactile has a bump, clicky adds sound. Games favour linear because repeated taps feel steady; office work often favours tactile. Only the Brown pack here is tactile. If you are unsure, linear is the lower-risk choice for a mixed gaming and typing board, because a bump you dislike is hard to ignore, whereas a smooth press is rarely a problem.
3-pin or 5-pin
All ten listings are 5-pin. Hot-swap sockets and PCBs with five holes accept them directly. Boards that only have three holes may need the plastic side legs clipped, which is permanent, so read your board specification first.
Hot-swap or soldered
Hot-swap boards allow quick changes with a puller. Soldered boards need a soldering iron and desoldering practice. If you have not soldered before, buy a hot-swap board first. Even on hot-swap boards, line the pins up with the holes and press straight down, because a bent pin that is forced in can damage the socket. Keep a small pair of tweezers to straighten pins.
Spring weight and lube
Spring weight is measured in gram-force. 40gf is light, 50 to 55gf is medium. Lube makes feel smoother, and pre-lubed listings save hours, though uniformity varies by seller. A heavier spring resists accidental presses but can tire fingers over a long session, while a lighter one is the opposite. Many players choose 45 to 55gf as a middle, which matches several of the listings here.
Pack size per layout
Use the planner at the top: layout key count plus about five spares. Buying two partial packs costs more per switch than one large pack. Remember stabilisers and keycaps are separate parts, so the switch count only covers the main keys.
Mistakes buyers make
The most common slip is ordering a pack that is one switch short, which leaves a dead key. Another is assuming every “Gateron” listing is made by the same company, when seller names vary. Some buyers mix spring weights across a board, which makes some keys feel noticeably heavier. Buying linear for a typing-heavy job, or tactile for rapid gaming taps, is another. Finally, buyers often press switches into a board with bent pins, so check each pin before pushing. A further trap is forgetting that large keys such as the space bar and shift keys use stabilisers, which are bought and fitted separately and affect how those keys feel.
Verdict
For most builders, the Milky Yellow Pro V2 in a pack that matches your layout is the value pick. The Oil King V2 listings suit those who want a premium linear feel, the Smoothie suits light-touch players, and the Brown Pro pack is the choice for tactile typing. Use the planner first, and confirm pack count, socket support and current price on the listing before you buy. If you only need a handful of keys, the small G Pro pack avoids buying a full set you will not fill.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between linear, tactile and clicky switches?
Linear switches press straight down with no bump, which many gamers like for fast repeated taps. Tactile switches add a bump partway through the press, which gives feedback while typing. Clicky switches add an audible click on top of the bump. Every listing here is linear except the Brown tactile pack, so none are clicky.
Will 5-pin switches fit my keyboard?
They fit hot-swap sockets and PCBs with five-pin holes, which covers most MX-style boards. A PCB with only three holes may need the two plastic stabiliser legs clipped, which some builders do, though it is irreversible. Check your keyboard manual or board listing for 3-pin or 5-pin support before ordering.
How many switches do I need for my keyboard?
Count your keys and add a few spares. A 60% layout uses about 61, a 65% about 68, a 75% about 82, a tenkeyless about 87, and a full-size about 104 or 108. Large packs are handy because one or two switches often fail or bend a pin during installation.
Are pre-lubed switches worth it?
Pre-lubed switches have a factory coating that usually makes presses feel smoother and quieter than dry switches, and it saves the hours that hand lubing takes. Some enthusiasts still re-lube for a personal finish. Treat smoothness as a buyer-review judgement, because lube amount and quality vary between sellers and batches.
Do I need a soldering iron to change switches?
Only if the board is soldered. A hot-swap keyboard lets you pull old switches out with a puller and press new ones in, with no iron. A soldered PCB needs desoldering, which takes practice and the right tools. Check the product page for hot-swap wording before starting, because forcing switches out can break pads.
