These are the best budget Keyboard Switches

Budget switches are becoming increasingly more competitive in 2025 — so which one should you pick?

With dozens of brands flooding the market and prices staying low, it's easier than ever to build a satisfying mechanical keyboard without dropping $100 on switches alone. But that also makes choosing the right budget switch a bit overwhelming.

Akko, a brand known for delivering stylish, affordable, and surprisingly high-performing keyboard gear, has been quietly dominating the budget switch scene for years. I bought my Akko V3 Cream Black switches almost a year ago, and I’ve had an incredible experience with them ever since. I built my board from scratch using the Neo65 from Qwertykeys, paired with these Akko linears — and the results were honestly better than I expected at this price point.

Normally, I’m the type to crack open switches and relube them myself, but in this case? The factory lubing was so well done that I didn’t feel the need to touch a thing. Smooth, consistent, and ready to go out of the box. One of the biggest driving factors for buying these switches was because they were very inexpensive. As a college student, I have to work around a strict budget, so I couldn't drop $.60 to $.70 cents per switch. When you’re building a board from scratch, costs add up fast — between the case, PCB, stabilizers, keycaps, and switches, it’s easy to blow past your budget without realizing it. I knew I wanted a linear switch that felt smooth, sounded good, and wouldn’t require heavy modding right out of the box — but most of the popular options like Gateron Oil Kings, Durock POMs, or even some of the boutique switches were just too expensive.

That’s why the Akko V3 Cream Blacks were such a no-brainer. At roughly $0.33 per switch, they offered solid performance, factory lubing, and a sound profile that didn’t feel cheap. So how do you decide what to pick? First, you have to decide what type of switch you are looking for: linear, or tactile.

If you're new to mechanical keyboards, this choice can make a huge difference in your typing and gaming experience. Linear switches are smooth all the way down with no bump — perfect for fast, uninterrupted keypresses and ideal for gaming or fast typing. Tactile switches, on the other hand, have a noticeable bump partway through the press, giving you more feedback with each keystroke. They’re often preferred by typists or people who like feeling a bit more control during input. Once you’ve figured out the type of switch that suits your style, then you can start comparing feel, sound profile, and actuation force.

Cream Yellow – Smooth & Affordable Linear

The Akko V3 Cream Yellow is built around simplicity and consistency. At around 50 gf of force and 3.5 mm travel, this budget-friendly linear delivers a clean, smooth press right out of the box. Despite minimal lubrication, it feels surprisingly refined for the price. Its bottom‑out is firm yet not jarring, and its sound profile leans toward a crisp, “clacky” tone that adds more character than you’d expect for a sub‑$0.30‑per‑switch option.

Cream Black – Firmer Feedback Without Breaking the Bank

Want something a bit heavier? The Cream Black brings a more substantial punch with around 50 gf to actuate and an estimated 65 gf bottom‑out force. The result: sharper rebound, more tactile presence (even though it's linear), and stronger feedback on bottoming out. It benefits further from the V3 Pro design, which reduces stem wobble and ups build quality. Great for build projects where a firmer feel is desired without sacrificing smoothness.

Cream Blue – Budget Tactile with Premium Smoothness

If tactile is your preference, Cream Blue deserves serious consideration. With an exceptionally light 38 gf actuation and a quick 0.5 mm bump, it strikes a balance between snappy and subtle. Reviewers rave about its stock smoothness, likening it to lubricated enthusiast-grade switches. Its long spring and crisp bottom‑out give it a lively feel that works equally well for typing and slower-paced gaming.

Ready to try out the Akko V3 Cream switches? You can find them easily on Amazon, buying through the links here supports the blog at no extra cost to you— thank you for the support!