Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) vs. Gateron Ink Yellow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that stand out are the Gateron Baby Raccoon and the Gateron Ink Yellow. While both switches fall under the linear category, they offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Baby Raccoon is known for its bright sound signature and refreshingly crisp type feel, thanks to its lengthened switch stems. This unique characteristic gives it a distinctively marbley sensation, making it appealing to those who seek an invigorating and polished experience. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow boasts a shorter travel distance, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop keyboard and a standard mechanical keyboard. It offers a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, emphasizing a neutral and mild feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm long spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Raccoon and the Gateron Ink Yellow differ in their housing materials. The Baby Raccoon features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate also leads to a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Ink Yellow has a proprietary INK blend top housing that offers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile without being overly sharp. Both housing materials provide unique acoustic characteristics, but they differ in terms of sharpness and clarity. While the Baby Raccoon's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and more resonant sound, the Ink Yellow's INK blend top housing offers a satisfying thin and higher-pitched clacky sound.
In terms of bottom housing, the Baby Raccoon utilizes a nylon material, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow features its own proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which shares similar acoustic qualities as its top housing. Both the bottom housings contribute to a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, described as clacky. Although the materials differ with the Baby Raccoon using nylon and the Ink Yellow using the INK blend, they both create a satisfying clacky sound.
When considering the overall sound and feel of the switches, the housing materials play a crucial role. While the top housing primarily affects the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. The Baby Raccoon's polycarbonate top housing creates a distinctly crisp and sharp sound when letting go of a key, while the Ink Yellow's INK blend top housing offers a relatively high-pitched, but not overly sharp sound. Similarly, the Baby Raccoon's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound upon bottoming out, while the Ink Yellow's INK blend bottom housing contributes to a pointed and clacky sound. Despite the differences in materials, both switches offer satisfying auditory experiences with their unique combinations of top and bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences. Both switches have medium actuation forces, although the Baby Raccoon requires slightly less force at 55 grams compared to the Ink Yellow's 60 grams. Similarly, both switches have medium bottom out forces, with the Baby Raccoon at 63 grams and the Ink Yellow at 67 grams.
If weight is a factor to consider, the Baby Raccoon can be seen as the lighter option, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. This can be advantageous for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming sessions, as it allows for reduced fatigue. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow provides a slightly heavier push feel, offering a more substantial typing experience. This can appeal to individuals who prefer a stronger resistance while typing, providing a satisfying tactile feedback.
While the actuation and bottom out forces do differ between the Gateron Baby Raccoon and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches, it is important to note that both fall within the medium range. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of key responsiveness and overall typing experience. The decision between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference regarding the desired weight and feel when typing.
Travel distance
The Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. This shorter travel distance is favored by gamers who require faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Ink Yellow with its slightly shorter travel distance would be the better option. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel abrupt, and if you prefer a deeper keystroke, the Baby Raccoon with its longer travel distance would be the preferable choice. Overall, both switches offer similar results with their relatively short travel distances, but the Ink Yellow is the slightly shorter of the two.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) comes in at $5.50 per 10 switches.
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 Baby Raccoon switch is known for its resonant, marbly, and high-pitched characteristics. Typing on these switches provides a higher-pitched sound profile, creating an immersive auditory experience. The sound is clean, sharp, and reminiscent of tapping on a solid piece of marble or the collision of billiard balls. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow switch has a neutral and clacky sound profile. It produces a sharp, snappy, and percussive sound when pressed. This switch offers a moderate actuation force requirement and is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user.
When it comes to feel, the Baby Raccoon switch offers a creamy, bouncy, invigorating, and polished typing experience. These switches are known for their smooth and buttery feel, which can be attributed to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials. Typing on these switches provides a silky sensation, where your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys. Additionally, the keys have a lively, spring-like feedback and offer a pronounced feedback with a snappy and reactive feel. This creates an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow switch provides a mild and polished typing experience. It offers a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The smooth and refined finish of the switch ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Taking all available information into account, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Baby Raccoon switch stands out with its resonant, marbly, and high-pitched sound profile, while providing a creamy, bouncy, invigorating, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow switch offers a neutral, clacky sound profile, and a mild, polished typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles. However, if you are seeking a similar typing experience to the Baby Raccoon switch, the Ink Yellow switch can provide a safe middle-ground option in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. If you prioritize a bright and refreshing sound signature with a crisp and marble-like typing feel, the Baby Raccoon would be the ideal choice for you. Its resonant, marbly, and high-pitched sound profile, along with its creamy, bouncy, invigorating, and polished feel, create a unique and immersive typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Ink Yellow would be more suitable. With its neutral sound profile and clacky feel, it offers a moderate and approachable typing sensation. Additionally, the Ink Yellow also shares the polished characteristic with the Baby Raccoon, ensuring smooth key travel and reduced friction. All in all, whether you prioritize sound or feel, both switches offer their own distinct qualities that can be tailored to your preference.
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