Gateron KS-8 vs NuPhy Panda Max Switch
Gateron KS-8 has live pricing available right now while NuPhy Panda Max Switch is temporarily out of stock across tracked vendors. NuPhy Panda Max Switch actuates lighter at 45 gf, while Gateron KS-8 pushes back at 50 gf. The right pick comes down to which spec trade-offs fit your build — the pick-if grid below breaks that out in detail.
Detailed comparison
Spec-by-spec breakdown — differences highlighted in cyan.
| Spec | Gateron KS-8 | NuPhy Panda Max Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Gateron KS-8 | NuPhy Panda Max Switch |
| Brand | Gateron | Nuphy |
| Price range | $9.80 | — |
| Community score | — | — |
| Switch type | Linear | Tactile |
| Stem | MX (Cherry-compatible) | MX (Cherry-compatible) |
| Pins | 5 | 5 |
| Actuation force | 50 gf | 45 gf |
| Bottom-out force | 60 gf | 55 gf |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2.2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 3.3 mm |
| Factory lubed | No | Yes |
| LED slot | Yes | — |
| Housing top | Polycarbonate | POM |
| Housing bottom | Nylon | POM |
| Stem material | POM | POM |
| Manufacturer | — | — |
Name
- Gateron KS-8
- Gateron KS-8
- NuPhy Panda Max Switch
- NuPhy Panda Max Switch
Brand
- Gateron KS-8
- Gateron
Price range
- Gateron KS-8
- $9.80
Community score
Switch type
- Gateron KS-8
- Linear
- NuPhy Panda Max Switch
- Tactile
Stem
- Gateron KS-8
- MX (Cherry-compatible)
- NuPhy Panda Max Switch
- MX (Cherry-compatible)
Pins
Actuation force
- Gateron KS-8
- 50 gf
Bottom-out force
- Gateron KS-8
- 60 gf
Pre-travel
- Gateron KS-8
- 2 mm
- NuPhy Panda Max Switch
- 2.2 mm
Total travel
- Gateron KS-8
- 4 mm
- NuPhy Panda Max Switch
- 3.3 mm
Factory lubed
LED slot
- Gateron KS-8
- Yes
Housing top
- Gateron KS-8
- Polycarbonate
Housing bottom
- Gateron KS-8
- Nylon
Stem material
- Gateron KS-8
- POM
Manufacturer
Which should you buy?
Gateron KS-8 has live pricing available right now while NuPhy Panda Max Switch is temporarily out of stock across tracked vendors. NuPhy Panda Max Switch actuates lighter at 45 gf, while Gateron KS-8 pushes back at 50 gf. The right pick comes down to which spec trade-offs fit your build — the pick-if grid below breaks that out in detail.
Pick Gateron KS-8 if
From $9.80
- You want a heavier 50gf actuation for deliberate typing
- You don't mind hand-lubing for a fully dialed-in feel
- You prefer a linear feel
Pick NuPhy Panda Max Switch if
- You prefer a lighter 45gf actuation for faster keypresses
- You value factory lube — no modding needed out of the box
- You prefer a tactile feel
Also compared
Popular pairings that involve Gateron KS-8 or Max Switch.