Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Gateron Luciola
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Gateron Luciola switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The world of mechanical keyboards is filled with a wide range of switches, each offering a unique typing experience. Two notable switches from Gateron, the Baby Kangaroo and the Luciola, stand out for their distinct characteristics. The Baby Kangaroo switch is renowned for its crisp, light tactility, providing users with a satisfying typing experience accompanied by a delightful marbley sound profile. On the other hand, the Luciola switch is known for its eye-catching glow-in-the-dark feature, adding a touch of uniqueness to any keyboard setup. It offers a smooth and bouncy typing feel, combined with a hollow "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. Both switches have their own advantages and cater to different preferences, making it essential to delve deeper into their specifics to determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo and Gateron Luciola both have distinct housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Baby Kangaroo features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Luciola utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its top housing, resulting in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. While both switches have different materials for their top housings, they both offer a similar satisfying high-pitched sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Baby Kangaroo incorporates a nylon material that creates a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon is known for its softer texture and higher sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Luciola utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing as well, which contributes to its clacky sound profile. This means that both switches offer a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, providing a similar experience when typing or gaming.
When it comes to the overall experience of using these switches, the housing materials play a role in different moments. The bottom housing mainly influences the sound and feel when bottoming out a key, while the top housing has more impact on the sound when releasing a key. This means that the Baby Kangaroo, with its combination of polycarbonate and nylon, may offer a more well-rounded experience with a slightly sharper sound when pressing down and a fuller sound when letting go of a key. The Luciola, with its proprietary INK blend in both top and bottom housings, provides a consistent clacky sound throughout the entire typing or gaming experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, allowing users to choose according to their personal preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Baby Kangaroo has a slightly heavier actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Luciola's 55 grams. This means that it requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke on the Baby Kangaroo. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Baby Kangaroo is even heavier with a force of 67 grams, while the Luciola measures at 60 grams. This indicates that the Baby Kangaroo provides a more substantial typing experience if you prefer a switch with a heavier bottom out force. On the other hand, the Luciola offers a lighter overall typing experience, which some may find more comfortable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Overall, while the actuation forces and bottom out forces of these switches differ slightly, both options fall within the medium range, and using either of them would yield similar results.
Travel distance
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Gateron Luciola linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, making the Baby Kangaroo a desirable choice for those looking for a more responsive switch. However, for individuals who prefer a deeper key press, the Luciola with its slightly longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference and the desired level of key depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) for $5.50.
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is known for its crisp, light switch-like tactility and a marbley sound profile. The sound can be described as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant. These switches produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, similar to tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or the sound of billiard balls colliding. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola linear switch also has a clacky sound profile, along with a chirpy characteristic. The sound of these switches can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive, with a little squeak to them. Like the Baby Kangaroo, they also have a marbly and high-pitched sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When considering the feel of the switches, the Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is described as snappy, bouncy, and polished. These switches are super responsive, providing a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation. They have a lively feel with rebound when pressed and offer a smooth and refined typing experience due to reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is also snappy and polished. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, giving a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It shares the same smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch have unique subjective qualities. In terms of sound, they both exhibit a clacky profile, with the Baby Kangaroo having a slightly more pronounced marbly sound. The Luciola adds a chirpy characteristic to the mix. As for feel, both switches offer a snappy and polished experience, with the Baby Kangaroo being bouncier and the Luciola being buttery. Overall, while they have their distinctions, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and Luciola switches provide similar results in terms of sound and feel, ensuring a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, a crisp and light switch-like tactility, and a marbly sound profile, then the Baby Kangaroo would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force, a smooth and bouncy typing feel, and a hollow “can of spray paint being shaken” sound profile, then the Luciola would be more suitable. Both switches have their unique characteristics and offer a different typing experience. Consider your desired sound and feel, and ultimately choose the switch that aligns with your preferences and typing style.
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