Want a budget-ish linear switch that’s smooth and DOESN’T need lubing?
Here’s my full Tecsee Carrot review, sound test, and comparison!
My overall review: The Tecsee Carrots are a smooth linear switch that sound and feel fantastic right out of the box (without lubing or filming). However, the PME material of the switch housing feels cheap and discolors easily (which is only a problem if you disassemble them to lube)! At around $0.43 per switch, they’re a great buy for gaming and typing alike, ESPECIALLY if you’re too lazy to lube them!
You can click here to find them on Amazon.
Tecsee Carrot Sound Test
I didn’t notice a ton of scratchiness or spring ping, which is a plus.
And while they do drop in pitch when you lube them (from a medium “tappy thock” to a lower-end, muted thock), I actually think they sound fantastic stock.
Tecsee Carrot Switch Details
| Type | Linear (meaning there’s no tactile bump in the keystroke. It’s smooth all the way down and back up). |
| Operating Force | 55g (medium resistance) |
| Travel Distance | 3.5mm total travel (short). The Tecsee Carrots feature a longer stem pole–which supposedly leads to a more consistent “bottom out” |
| Price | Under $0.50 each on Amazon |
| Sound | Medium thocky & muted. Not low pitch or high pitch |
| Feel | Smooth w/ medium resistance |
There are 2 things of note about the Carrots:
- The longer stem pole
- The not-so-good PME material that the housing is made out of
Stem Pole
One of the unique features of the Tecsee Carrots is the extended stem pole (the pole underneath the switch stem that inserts in the middle of the spring).
It’s longer than 99% of other linear switches I’ve tried, and it’s SUPPOSED to lead to “a more consistent bottom out.”
To be really honest, I’m not sure how—and can’t really tell a difference. Oh well.
Switch housing material (Tecsee’s PME)
While the stem is made of standard POM, the switch housing is made of a PROPRIETARY material specifically created by Tecsee.
And it feels cheap.
When I took the switches apart to lube them, I noticed that the material was way too easy to bend. AND the nice orange color starts to turn white (like stretching cheap plastic) when that happened.
AND—even after I tried to bend the housing back to the way it’s supposed to be shaped, I had a difficult time installing those switches into my keyboard!
Some of the legs bent :/
This is why I don’t recommend lubing or filming these switches. The material bends too easily. But the good news is that they actually sound decent unlubed!
Tecsee Carrot Pros and Cons
PROS ✅
- Pretty cheap at $0.43 per switch
- Smooth linear switches that don’t require lubing
CONS ❌
- The material of the switch housing feels cheap and bends easily
- The color of the switch housing turns white when bent
- Difficult to disassemble, and difficult to install switches back into the keyboard
Again, if don’t feel like lubing these switches, then the cons don’t actually matter that much, and these are a great linear switch!
Tecsee Carrot Pricing
- ✅ TECSEE Purple Panda- Tactile | 2mm Pre-Travel | 3.0mm Total Travel | 55g Actuation | 67g Bottom Out | Long Stem
- ✅ TECSEE Carrot Switch- Linear | 2mm Pre-Travel | 3.5mm Total Travel | 55g Actuation | 67g Bottom Out | Long Stem.
- ✅ TECSEE new PME Raw material lubrication for your hot swappable mechanical gaming keyboards.
These come in at around $0.43 per switch, which is cheaper for linear switches.
They’re not as cheap as Gateron Reds or Akko switches, but right on part with Cherry MX reds & Alpacas, etc.
- Gateron Milky Yellow: $0.25 per switch
- Akko Jelly Black: $0.40 per switch
- JMK Alpacas: $0.60 per switch
- Boba U4: $0.65 per switch
- Glorious Pandas: $0.70 per switch
$0.43 isn’t terrible—but if you’re looking to lube and/or film, you can find cheaper and better options.
Tecsee Carrot Sound & Feel
Let’s dive into real-world typing and gaming 😉
Sound
These sound like your average, good, linear switch
- Smooth
- Medium-pitch (not too low or high)
- Medium muted
In this case, “average” isn’t a bad thing at all! The Carrots have a decent thocky sound, but it’s not too loud (and it’s not “poppy” or “tappy” like some higher-pitched switches).
If you DO manage to disassemble and lube them, you can expect a small drop in pitch, but they’ll still sound great.
Not a ton of scratchiness or ping.
Feel
Again, pretty average feeling switch (in a good way!)
- Medium fast
- Medium resistance & heaviness (55g actuation force, and that feels about right)
The Gateron Milky Yellows (Ink Blacks and Akko Jelly Blacks) are all deeper and heavier.
The Akko Rose Reds and Akko Silvers are all lighter, tappy-er, and probably louder.
They’re smooth right out of the box, though the factory lube will probably be slightly inconsistent.
MOST people would never be able to tell the difference, probably. I don’t think it’s noticeable enough to really be a deal-breaker.
The big fat takeaway: They’re a balanced linear switch, and I think these are the PERFECT switch for somebody who doesn’t want to lube their switches.
They sound & feel a tad better w/ some Krytox 205g, etc—but it’s not worth it.
Tecsee Carrot Alternatives:
Here are some similar switches that you may want to consider:
Akko Vintage Whites
Ok I know we’ve already mentioned this, and these are a LINEAR switch, but that’s about the only difference.
They’re still very smooth, and pretty “tappy,” and with more resistance. HEAVIER, for sure. I do like them though!
Click here to read our review & sound test of the Akko Vintage Whites.
Akko Matcha Green
I enjoy the Matcha Green switches as well, though they definitely need lubing!
Right out of the box, these will sound really pingy. But put some Krytox 205g on them, and they have another pleasant high-pitched tappy sound.
For my money, I prefer the Rose Reds (especially stock, with no lube).
Click here to read our review & sound test of the Akko Matcha greens!
Gateron Ink Black V2
The Ink Blacks might be my 2nd favorite linear switch, period.
They’re heavier, smoother, more buttery and thocky, and WAY more expensive.
Might as well be a completely different switch than the Rose Reds.
If you have two keyboards and want two linear switches? Grab the Ink Blacks and Akko Silvers 🙂 😎
Akko Silver
Ding ding ding!
If you’re looking for the PERFECT light linear switch, ditch the Rose Reds and try the Akko Silvers.
They’re faster, sound better, and feel PERFECT.
Some folks might prefer to stay on the “low-end buttery” sound, and those folks would likely prefer the Rose Reds (or Gateron Ink Blacks).
The silvers are A+++ in my book though.
Click here to read our review & sound test of the Akko Silvers.
They’re equally cheap and way better.
Tecsee Sapphire (tactile)
Technically, these are a tactile switch, meaning there’s a slight bump in the keypress–but it’s actually a very SMALL bump–making these similar to the Carrots!
BUT, the Sapphires have polycarbonate housing, which is much better and more durable than the Carrot’s PME housing. And they’re pretty!
Click here to read our Tecsee Sapphire review.
Bottom line: Should you buy the Tecsee Carrots?
If you want the BEST linear switch experience for your time, effort, and money, then NO. You shouldn’t buy these. The Gateron Milky Yellows, Ink Blacks, or any Akko linear switch are all SO much easier to lube—and they’ll end up being better linear switches.
However, if you don’t plan on lubing your switches, and you just want a cheap, good-enough, linear switch—then YES. These sound & feel great STOCK, and they’re one of the cheapest linear switches available.
Tecsee Switch F.A.Q.s
Are Tecsee switches good?
Personally, I do think Tecsee switches are worth the budget price point, but this will also come down to personal preference! Also, some Tecsee switches are made from standard materials like POM and polycarbonate, while others (like the Tecsee Carrot linear switches) are made from Tecsee’s proprietary PME material (which feels a bit cheaper and less durable). That said, most of Tecsee’s switches are known for sounding & feeling great right out of the box (stock, unlubed).
Are Tecsee Carrots Pre-lubed?
Yes, the Tecsee Carrot linear switches come “factory-lubed,” meaning some lube is applied. However, these factory-lubing process can often be inconsistent, leading some switches sounding and feeling slightly different (though the difference is barely noticeable).
Are Carrot switches MX?
Yes, the Tecsee Carrot switches are “MX-style” switches. They’re compatible with MX keycaps and feature the “cross” design stem.
Are Tecsee switches long pole?
Yes, the Tecsee Carrot switches feature an extended stem pole (the pole underneath the stem that inserts down into the spring), which supposedly leads to a smoother “bottom out” of the keystroke.