Bsun Avocado vs. Gateron Ink Yellow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Avocado and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the BSUN Avocado and the Gateron Ink Yellow offer unique experiences catered to different preferences. The Avocado is renowned for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump during keypresses while maintaining a smooth downstroke. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow stands out for its shorter travel distance, appealing to those who enjoy a balance between laptop and standard mechanical keyboard typing experiences. While the Avocado is described as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy', the Ink Yellow is labeled as 'Neutral', 'Clacky', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. To make the best decision for your typing needs, it's essential to delve deeper into the specifics of each switch.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Bsun Avocado and Gateron Ink Yellow differ in their housing materials, with the Avocado featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Ink Yellow utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both the top and bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Avocado creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile compared to the Ink Yellow's INK blend, which offers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is not overly sharp. In terms of aesthetics, the Avocado's clear polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, while the Ink Yellow's blend provides a unique clacky sound.
The nylon bottom housing of the Avocado contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to the harder plastics used by the Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend. The INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Yellow also offers a high-pitched and clacky sound, which adds to the overall typing experience of the switch. The differences in housing materials between the two switches play a significant role in the sound and feel of typing on each switch, with the Avocado offering a duller and rounder sound due to its nylon bottom housing.
While the Avocado and Ink Yellow have different top and bottom housing materials, the impact of each housing material on the overall sound profile and typing experience is still evident. The qualities of the bottom housing, whether nylon or INK blend, will affect the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing material, whether polycarbonate or INK blend, will impact the sound when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both switches offer satisfying sound profiles that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch both fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Avocado has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Ink Yellow's 60 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch. However, the Avocado requires a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams compared to the Ink Yellow's 67 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Overall, those looking for a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Avocado, while those who prefer a bit more resistance may find the Ink Yellow more to their liking.
Travel distance
The Bsun Avocado tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. The slight difference in travel distance between the two switches may not be noticeable to most users, as they are very close in measurement. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the feel of the key press and whether a slightly shorter or longer travel distance is preferred.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Avocado has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Avocado for $4.00.
The Gateron Ink Yellow has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Yellow for $7.35.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Bsun Avocado tactile switch is known for its neutral and unobtrusive sound signature, providing a pleasant background to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offers a clacky sound profile, producing sharp and snappy keystrokes. The sound produced by each switch will also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving to the feel of the switches, the Bsun Avocado switch is described as offering an invigorating and sharp tactile feel, with a pronounced feedback and snappy response that creates an immersive typing sensation. It also features a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. In contrast, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, with smooth and refined keypresses that offer a gentle feel compared to more pronounced switches. Both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience, albeit with different tactile characteristics.
Ultimately, if you enjoy a tactile typing experience with pronounced feedback and a neutral sound, the Bsun Avocado switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and quieter typing feel with a shorter travel distance, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch could be more suitable. Despite their differences, both switches offer quality features that cater to different preferences, ensuring that you will get a satisfying typing experience regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a pronounced bump that offers satisfying feedback without being overwhelming, the Bsun Avocado switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and quieter typing experience that falls somewhere between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for. Consider factors such as tactility, sound profile, and key feel when making your choice.
Mentioned in this article
