Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are super excited to be offering two distinct mechanical keyboard switches, each with their own unique characteristics. The Gateron Baby Kangaroo is a tactile switch that provides a crisp, light switch-like tactility, accompanied by a pleasing marbley sound profile. Known for being clacky, marbly, high-pitched, resonant, snappy, bouncy, and polished, the Baby Kangaroo offers an invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu stands out as a linear switch, ideal for individuals seeking a more delicate typing experience or those who spend long hours typing. With its material blend, the Yanyu produces a crisp sound profile, categorized as neutral, mild, thocky, feathery, subtle, and polished. While these general pointers may help you make an initial decision, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the SP-Star Yanyu differ in their choice of housing materials. The Baby Kangaroo features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that use RGB lighting. In contrast, the Yanyu utilizes a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing. This blend offers a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards being brighter. It provides a different tonal experience compared to the Baby Kangaroo's polycarbonate housing.
Both switches also differ in their choice of bottom housing materials. The Baby Kangaroo utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Meanwhile, the Yanyu employs a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing, which again produces a unique sound profile. This blend leads to a sound that is pleasant and not particularly sharp, offering a different auditory experience from the Baby Kangaroo's nylon housing.
Considering the impact of housing materials on the overall sound and feel of a switch, the differences between the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the SP-Star Yanyu become apparent. The qualities brought by the top housing are more pronounced when releasing a key, while the qualities of the bottom housing are felt during the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, the choice of housing materials in each switch influences the overall auditory and tactile experience. While the Baby Kangaroo incorporates polycarbonate for a sharper and crisper sound, the Yanyu uses a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for a pleasant and slightly brighter sound experience. Despite these differences, both switches showcase thoughtful material choices that contribute to their distinct sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, noticeable differences arise. The Gateron Baby Kangaroo has an actuation force of 59 grams, providing a medium-heavy resistance for keystrokes. In comparison, the actuation force of the SP-Star Yanyu switch is unknown, thus making it difficult to gauge its level of resistance. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo requires a higher force of 67 grams, indicating a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the SP-Star Yanyu requires a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams. Considering the weight factor, some users may prefer the lighter weight of the SP-Star Yanyu switch, enabling them to type for longer durations without fatigue. On the other hand, those seeking a stronger push feel and a more solid typing experience may opt for the Gateron Baby Kangaroo with its heavier forces. Ultimately, the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches provide options for individuals with varying preferences and typing needs.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is 3.4 mm, while the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of comparison, the Yanyu switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Baby Kangaroo switch. The Yanyu switch falls within the more traditional range of travel distances at 4 mm, while the Baby Kangaroo switch is on the shorter end at 3.4 mm. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, making the Baby Kangaroo switch a popular choice among them. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Yanyu switch with its longer travel distance. It is important to note that both switches offer different experiences, so personal preference plays a significant role in choosing between them.
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 SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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 switch offers a unique and enjoyable experience. Its clacky and high-pitched sound profile gives it a crisp, bright, and percussive sound when pressed. Additionally, the switch's marbly quality adds a resonant, high-pitched tone, reminiscent of tapping on a solid piece of marble or the sound of billiard balls colliding. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switch has a more neutral sound profile, suitable for various purposes. While it lacks a specific descriptor, it produces a moderate sound that is neither too loud nor too soft.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch provides a snappy and bouncy typing experience. Its snappiness can be attributed to its responsive nature, possibly due to longer or dual-staged springs, making typing feel more alive. The bounciness of the switch, on the other hand, gives a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, providing a lively feel and a pleasing rebound when pressed. Furthermore, the keyboard switch is described as polished, which means it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The SP-Star Yanyu switch, on the other hand, offers a milder and more gentle typing experience. Its light actuation force reduces finger fatigue, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. It also has a subtle resistance that maintains a light typing feel without being too featherlight. Like the Baby Kangaroo, the Yanyu switch is also described as polished, ensuring a sleek and smooth typing experience.
Taking all the available information into account, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch stands out for its crisp and marbly sound profile, as well as its snappy and bouncy feel. It offers a unique auditory and tactile experience that can enhance typing satisfaction. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switch provides a more neutral sound and a milder, feathery feel, suitable for those who prefer a gentle typing experience. Both switches come with a polished finish, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and SP-Star Yanyu switches have distinct sound and feel qualities, each offering its own unique experience, they both provide enjoyable typing experiences. If you're looking for a switch with a similar sound profile to the Baby Kangaroo, you can expect to find resonance and high-pitched tones with the Yanyu. Similarly, if you prefer the feel of the Yanyu, you'll find a milder and more gentle typing experience with the Baby Kangaroo. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences and the desired typing experience you seek.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy tactile switch with a crisp, light switch-like tactility and a marbley sound profile, then the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch is a great choice. It provides a snappy and bouncy feel, along with clacky and marbly sound characteristics. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter linear switch with a delicate typing experience, especially for long periods of time, then the SP-Star Yanyu switch is the way to go. It offers a mild and feathery feel, along with a neutral sound profile. Both switches have a polished finish for a smooth and refined typing experience. Consider your preferences for bottom out force, tactile experience, sound profile, and feel when choosing between these two switches.
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