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Jerrzi Coral vs. Gateron Ink Yellow

An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Coral and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

The Jerrzi Coral and the Gateron Ink Yellow are two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches with unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Coral switch is praised for its distinctive crisp typing feel and lower-pitched resonance, offering a sophisticated and stellar performance with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow switch is known for its shorter travel and smooth, clacky typing experience, perfect for those seeking a balance between laptop and standard mechanical keyboard typing. While the Coral switch is categorized as 'Low-pitched' and 'Silky', the Ink Yellow switch falls under 'Neutral', 'Clacky', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. Choosing between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

40g

Actuation force

60g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Bottom-out force

67g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.50 mm

Total travel

3.70 mm

Total travel

3.50 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Partial box

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

Stainless steel

Spring

Gold-plated

Housing materials

The Jerrzi Coral and the Gateron Ink Yellow differ in their housing materials, with the Coral featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Ink Yellow has a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Coral creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow produces a thinner and higher-pitched sound, described as clacky. In terms of aesthetics, the Coral's clear polycarbonate top housing is ideal for showcasing RGB lighting, while the INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow offers a unique look and feel.

On the other hand, both switches share similarities in their respective bottom housings. The nylon bottom housing of the Coral elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound for a duller and rounder effect. Similarly, the INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Yellow also contributes to its satisfying, higher-pitched sound profile, creating a more clacky typing experience. While the top and bottom housings of each switch may have different materials, they each play a critical role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switch.

Overall, the choice of housing material can greatly impact the sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch. The stiffer polycarbonate top housing of the Coral leads to a clearer and more resonant sound, whereas the INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow offers a unique clacky sound profile. Similarly, the softer nylon bottom housing of the Coral results in a deeper and fuller sound, while the INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Yellow contributes to its high-pitched and satisfying typing experience. In the end, the combination of top and bottom housing materials determines the overall sound and feel of a switch, making it an important consideration for keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

The Jerrzi Coral linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams. The Coral switch does not have a specified bottom out force, while the Ink Yellow has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. This means that the Coral switch would provide a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended periods of typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow switch would offer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, suitable for those who prefer heavier forces for their switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The Jerrzi Coral linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Ink Yellow for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Coral with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Jerrzi Coral has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Coral for $2.30.

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

When it comes to sound, the Jerrzi Coral linear switch is best described as having a low-pitched resonance, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch provides a neutral sound profile with a pleasant clackiness, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. While the Coral switch leans towards a lower-pitched tone, the Ink Yellow switch offers a more versatile sound suitable for various environments. Ultimately, the sound produced by both switches will also be influenced by the keyboard chassis, keycaps, and overall setup.

In terms of feel, the Jerrzi Coral linear switch is known for its silky typing experience, offering smooth key presses with minimal resistance. In contrast, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch provides a mild and polished feel, offering a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Coral switch emphasizing smoothness and the Ink Yellow switch offering a refined and approachable feel. Depending on personal preference, users can choose a switch that aligns with their desired typing experience.

Overall, the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Coral switch excels in providing a lower-pitched sound and silky typing feel, while the Ink Yellow switch delivers a neutral and clacky sound with a mild and polished typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound profile and typing feel, users can choose between these two switches to enhance their typing experience. Ultimately, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience, with users likely to achieve similar results in terms of performance and comfort with either option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding between the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, the choice ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a switch with a lower bottom out force and a distinctive crisp typing feel, the Coral switch is the way to go. Its lower-pitched sound and silky feel make it a great choice for those looking for a unique and refined typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a shorter travel, the Ink Yellow switch might be more suitable for you. Its neutral sound profile with a hint of clackiness, along with its mild and polished feel, offer a comfortable typing experience that falls somewhere between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. Consider these factors carefully to choose the switch that best fits your needs and preferences.

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