Buying guide
Hot-Swap Starter Build
Updated How we research
Swap switches with zero soldering. The page is split into four sections (A hot-swappable board as your base; Sample packs to find your feel; Switch pullers for quick swaps; Keycap pullers to protect your caps), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 16 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.4 out of 10.
- Best overall:Keychron Aluminum Switch Puller, Ergonomic Semi-Automatic Removal Tool. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK68 Wireless Hot Swappable 65% Mechanical Keyboard Gaming | 68 Keys Compact BT5.0 Gaming Keyboard with Stand-Alone Arrow/Control Keys, Software Supports, Blue Backlit, RK Custom Switch. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.2/10.
- Solid build:GLORIOUS Switch Puller, Stainless Steel Premium Switch Puller (GLO-Acc-SP). Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.1/10.
- Feature-rich:Keychron K10 Full Size RGB Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard, 104-Key, Bluetooth/USB Wired, Super Brown. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.2/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
A hot-swappable board as your base
- Keychron K10 Full Size RGB Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard, 104-Key, Bluetooth/USB Wired, Super BrownOur score8.2/10
- RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK68 Wireless Hot Swappable 65% Mechanical Keyboard Gaming | 68 Keys Compact BT5.0 Gaming Keyboard with Stand-Alone Arrow/Control Keys, Software Supports, Blue Backlit, RK Custom SwitchOur score8.2/10
- RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK84 Wireless RGB 75% Triple Mode Hot Swappable Mechanical Keyboard, Blue SwitchOur score7.8/10
- Merdia 104 Keys Full Size Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Blue Switch, Hot Swappable, WiredOur score7.4/10
Sample packs to find your feel
- Keychron Switch Tester Kit - 35PCS Gateron Mechanical Switch Sampler with Linear, Tactile & Clicky Options (Oil King, Milky Yellow, Ink Black) for Typing & Gaming Experience TestingOur score8.0/10
- Cherry MX2A Experience Box, 10 Piece Sample Tester | Mechanical Keyboard Switches, Linear/Tactile/Clicky, 50 Million Actuations, Gold Crosspoint ContactsOur score7.8/10
- YMDK Cherry MX2A Switch Tester Mechanical Keyboards 12-Key Switch Testing Tool Included Cherry Profile PBT Keycaps Dye Sublimation Switches TesterOur score7.6/10
- 9 Key Switch Tester, Portable MX Tester for Cherry Green Clear White Gray Clear Zealio Purple Switches, Mechanical Keyboard Repair ToolOur score7.0/10
Switch pullers for quick swaps
- Keychron Aluminum Switch Puller, Ergonomic Semi-Automatic Removal ToolOur score8.4/10
- GLORIOUS Switch Puller, Stainless Steel Premium Switch Puller (GLO-Acc-SP)Our score8.1/10
- Granvela Switch Puller Tool for Mechanical Keyboard, Stainless Steel (Pack 2)Our score7.5/10
- Tugeta Switch Puller V2 Mechanical Keyboard Switches Removal Tool (Black)Our score7.1/10
Keycap pullers to protect your caps
- Glorious Keycap Puller - Gold Plated Stainless Steel Wire with Ergonomic Grip - Keycap Puller for Mechanical Keyboard Keycaps (GLO-Acc-KP)Our score8.1/10
- Mechanical Keyboards Inc Wire Keycap Puller ToolOur score7.9/10
- Stainless Steel Keycap Puller Key Removal Tool for Mechanical KeyboardOur score7.1/10
- Agitech Steel Wire Keycap Puller Remover Tool with LED Light (Blue)Our score7.0/10
All 16 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Keychron's aluminum semi-automatic switch puller uses an ergonomic design to speed up hot-swap switch removal.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Semi-automatic action reduces effort when pulling many switches
- + Aluminum body feels solid and precise in the hand
- + Ergonomic grip helps during full keyboard switch swaps
- - Costs more than basic steel switch pullers
- - Mechanism adds parts that could wear compared with simple tweezers
#2Keychron's K10 hot-swappable full size board has 104 keys, RGB, Bluetooth or USB wired modes and Super Brown switches.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Hot-swap sockets let you customize switches without losing the full numpad
- + Bluetooth and USB wired modes cover office PCs and home laptops
- + Super Brown switches give a pleasant tactile bump for heavy typing
- - Large full size frame takes up a lot of desk width
- - Plastic case sounds less refined than aluminum hot-swap boards
#3Royal Kludge RK68 wireless 65% hot-swappable keyboard with 68 keys, Bluetooth 5.0 plus wired mode, dedicated arrow keys and RK custom switches.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Hot-swap PCB accepts 3-pin and 5-pin switches, so you can change switches without soldering.
- + 65% layout with 68 keys keeps arrow keys and common control keys in a compact footprint.
- + Bluetooth switches among three devices, with a 1450mAh battery and software for remapping and backlight.
- - Listing shows blue backlighting only, with no per-key RGB.
- - The current listing uses the RK custom switch (quiet red), which differs from the brown switch of the old pick.
#4Glorious' premium stainless steel switch puller removes hot-swap switches cleanly from mechanical keyboards.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Stainless steel prongs grip switch clips securely
- + Glorious design is shaped specifically for MX style hot-swap switches
- + Durable tool that holds up to repeated switch swaps
- - Switch puller only, with no keycap puller included
- - Pricier than generic switch pullers with similar function
#5Glorious wire keycap puller with gold-plated stainless steel wire and a molded ergonomic handle. Listed as compatible with all mechanical keyboards and keycap profiles.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Gold-plated stainless steel wire is described as extra scratch resistant against sharp keycap edges
- + Rounded wire rolls over ABS and PBT keycaps, which the listing says prevents scratches on the caps
- + Molded handle with a matte textured body gives a secure grip during long keycap swaps
- - Keycap puller only: there is no switch puller on the other end for hot-swap boards
- - Costs more than the basic plastic ring pullers that come bundled with many keyboards
#6Keychron Switch Tester Kit with 35 Gateron MX switches, linear, tactile and clicky, in a 7 by 5 layout including Oil King, Milky Yellow and Ink Black. Each switch is removable.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Lists 35 Gateron switches in one plate, with names like Baby Kangaroo 2.0, Jupiter Banana and G Pro 3.0.
- + Each switch is individually removable, so you can reconfigure or expand the tester.
- + A larger lineup than a 20 piece set at about $20, and it works as a desk display piece too.
- - It covers Gateron only, so it will not show how Kailh or Cherry switches compare.
- - Per the listing, switches are in a fixed layout and keycaps for them are not described in detail.
#7Mechanical Keyboards Inc's wire keycap puller tool removes keycaps evenly without scratching sides.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Wire design grips under keycaps for even, safe removal
- + Less likely to scratch keycaps than plastic ring pullers
- + From a known mechanical keyboard retailer
- - Cannot pull switches, so a separate switch puller is needed
- - Wire loops can bend if used roughly
#8The RK84 from RK Royal Kludge is a 75% triple mode wireless hot-swap board with RGB and blue clicky switches.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Triple mode lets one board handle Bluetooth, dongle and wired use
- + Hot-swappable sockets make it easy to trade loud blues for quieter switches
- + 75% layout keeps arrows and F keys in a compact body
- - Blue switches are loud, so they suit solo rooms more than offices
- - Stock stabilizers may need tuning to reduce rattle on larger keys
#9Cherry MX2A Experience Box with 10 switches, one each of linear, tactile and clicky types including Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Silent Red and Speed Silver. A compact sampler from the original MX maker.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Includes ten different Cherry switches once each, covering linear, tactile and clicky types in one box.
- + Cherry Gold Crosspoint contacts are listed as dust resistant and rated for at least 50 million actuations.
- + Switches sit in the box, which the listing says prevents bent pins in shipping, in all-cardboard packaging.
- - Only Cherry MX2A and MX switches are included, so there are no Gateron or Kailh types to compare.
- - It is a loose set of 10 switches with no board or holder, so you need a hot-swap board to try them.
#10YMDK Cherry MX2A 12-key switch tester with an acrylic board and 12 sublimated Cherry-profile PBT keycaps. A pocket-sized way to compare twelve Cherry switches before buying.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Includes 12 Cherry switches on a crystal transparent acrylic base with translucent keycaps, so each switch color is easy to see.
- + The 12 PBT dye-sublimated Cherry-profile keycaps are included, close to the keycaps on a real board.
- + Small enough to carry in a pocket, and switches can be pulled and swapped with a keycap puller.
- - The listing text is brief and does not name every switch, so check the images for the exact lineup.
- - It covers Cherry switches only, so it will not help with Gateron or Kailh specific comparisons.
#11Granvela's pack 2 of stainless steel switch puller tools gives you a spare for mechanical keyboard switch swaps.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Pack 2 means a backup tool or one to share with a friend
- + Stainless steel construction resists bending
- + Simple squeeze design pulls MX style hot-swap switches
- - Basic design can scratch plates if used carelessly
- - No keycap puller included in the pack
#12Merdia's 104-key full size gaming board adds hot-swappable sockets to wired blue switches for low-cost modding.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Hot-swappable sockets make it an inexpensive board for learning to swap switches
- + Blue switches give strong tactile clicks straight out of the box
- + Full size layout offers a numpad alongside the hot-swap flexibility
- - Noisy blue switches may need replacing for quiet environments
- - Budget stabilizers and case can rattle compared with better tuned boards
#13Tugeta's black Switch Puller V2 is a dedicated tool for removing mechanical keyboard switches.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + V2 design refines grip on switch clips for fewer slips
- + Black finish looks tidy in a keyboard tool kit
- + Low cost option for occasional hot-swap switch changes
- - Check the tool material before ordering this puller
- - Lesser known brand with limited durability information
#14A stainless steel keycap puller key removal tool for mechanical keyboards, simple and durable.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Stainless steel wire resists rust and bending
- + Pulls several keycaps quickly during cleaning
- + Very affordable essential tool for new keyboard owners
- - Thin wire loops can dig into fingers during long pulling sessions
- - Not suited for removing switches from hot-swap boards
#15YMDK 9-key switch tester with an acrylic frame, nine Cherry MX type switches, 9 clear keycaps and a chain. A budget way to compare Cherry colors before you commit to a full set.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Includes nine Cherry type switches, 9 clear keycaps, an acrylic frame and a chain, at a low price near $13.
- + Switches can be removed and replaced with others, which makes it reusable for testing or daily use.
- + The listing states the package is a tester only and clearly says it is not a keyboard.
- - The listing admits the acrylic frame is over 2mm, so switches may pop off the mount.
- - The listing text is hard to read and the exact switch lineup is unclear without the images.
#16Agitech's blue steel wire keycap puller remover tool includes an LED light for dim workspaces.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Built-in LED light helps when working in dark rooms
- + Steel wire grips keycaps securely
- + Blue handle is easy to spot on a busy desk
- - LED feature adds battery upkeep to a simple tool
- - Still does not work as a switch puller
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
MechKeeb Lab curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.