NovelKeys NK Cream
LinearThe first mainstream all-POM switch: stem and both housings. Its deep, one-of-a-kind clacky-thock resonance made it an instant sensation; scratchy stock, transformed by lube and break-in.
Sound & feel
Released in 2018 and manufactured by Kailh, the NK Cream was the first widely available switch made entirely of POM: stem, top housing, and bottom housing. That material choice produces a sound nothing else quite matches: a deep, rounded resonance sitting somewhere between a clack and a thock.
The catch is the stock feel. POM-on-POM is scratchy out of the box, and Creams became the poster child for switches that improve dramatically with treatment: lubing, filming, and even literal break-in machines were popularized largely because of them. A tuned Cream is a genuinely premium linear; an untreated one divides opinion.
Historically they matter as the switch that proved housing material alone could headline a product, kicking off the industry-wide POM experiment. Every "cream" named switch since, from Akko to Outemu, nods back to this one.
Sound on this page is synthesized from the switch's published specs and community-documented character: an honest simulation, not a recording. We're progressively replacing simulations with our own studio recordings. How our sounds are made
Compare it
- NovelKeys NK Cream vs Gateron Oil King , or jump to Gateron Oil King
- NovelKeys NK Cream vs Durock POM Linear , or jump to Durock POM Linear
- NovelKeys NK Cream vs Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro , or jump to Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro
- NovelKeys NK Cream vs Cherry MX Black MX2A , or jump to Cherry MX Black MX2A
Frequently asked questions
What does the NovelKeys NK Cream sound like?
unique rounded POM clack-thock, deep and resonant. Use the player on this page to hear simulated press and release sounds derived from its real specifications.
Is the NovelKeys NK Cream good for gaming or typing?
As a linear switch with 55g actuation force and 2mm pre-travel, it suits fast, repeated presses, which is why linears are a common gaming pick. It types perfectly well too if you like a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke.
How heavy is the NovelKeys NK Cream?
55g actuation, 70g bottom-out. Note that NovelKeys officially rates actuation force. Brands differ, so check the basis when comparing switches.