KTT Cream Yellow vs. Gateron Ink Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Ink Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two linear options to consider are the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Ink Red. The Cream Yellow switch is renowned for its distinctively clacky sound and its uniquely bouncy typing feel. With a shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, this switch delivers resonant audio feedback that adds an enjoyable tactile experience to your typing. On the other hand, the Ink Red switch stands out for its lower actuation force, making it ideal for those with a lighter typing style. Its smooth and polished feel, accompanied by a crispy and clacky sound profile, ensures effortless typing. Classified as 'Bouncy' and 'Clacky', the Cream Yellow offers a more pronounced typing experience, while the Ink Red, categorized as 'Neutral', 'Silky', 'Chirpy', 'Mild', and 'Polished', provides a smoother and more subtle typing sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your mechanical keyboard needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Ink Red have distinct characteristics that contribute to their sound profiles. The Cream Yellow features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the transparent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting purposes. In contrast, the Ink Red utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its top housing. This blend produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. While both materials contribute to a clear sound, the Cream Yellow's polycarbonate offers a more pronounced and vibrant sound profile.
Moving onto the bottom housings, the Cream Yellow employs a nylon material. Typing on switches with nylon housing provides a deeper and fuller sound due to its softness. Nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. Similarly, the Ink Red utilizes Gateron's INK blend for its bottom housing. This blend maintains a pointed and high-pitched sound that is clacky. While both materials contribute to a relatively similar sound profile, the Cream Yellow's nylon housing provides a slightly deeper and fuller sound compared to the Ink Red's proprietary blend.
In terms of overall sound performance, the combination of top and bottom housings in a switch will distribute the qualities of each material. While the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel during key presses, the top housing has more impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, in the case of the Cream Yellow and the Ink Red, both switches will exhibit their respective characteristics in their sound profiles. The Cream Yellow will offer a sharper and crisper sound due to its polycarbonate top housing and a deeper tone with its nylon bottom housing. Similarly, the Ink Red will provide a relatively high-pitched and clacky sound, both in its proprietary blend top and bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The Cream Yellow has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Ink Red's 45 grams. This means that the Cream Yellow requires a slightly stronger push to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Cream Yellow has a lower force of 58 grams, while the Ink Red has a slightly higher force of 60 grams.
In terms of weight, both switches fall within the medium range. However, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Ink Red due to its lower actuation force. The lighter actuation force allows for smoother and faster typing, making it suitable for extended typing sessions or intensive gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Cream Yellow offers a slightly heavier feel, making it a suitable choice for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. The higher bottom out force of the Ink Red also contributes to a more solid and satisfying typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push.
In summary, the actuation and bottom out forces of the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Ink Red linear switches differ slightly. While the Cream Yellow requires a stronger push to trigger a keystroke, it has a lower bottom out force compared to the Ink Red. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preferences for typing feel and the desired duration of typing sessions.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, it is clear that there is a difference between the two. The Cream Yellow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Ink Red has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of responsiveness, the Cream Yellow would be the preferable option as it has a shorter travel distance. Gamers, in particular, often favor shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. However, for those who prefer a deeper, more tactile feel when pressing down on a key, the Ink Red with its longer travel distance would be the better choice. It ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience one is looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Cream Yellow has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cream Yellow for $2.55.
The Gateron Ink Red 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 Red 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 Cream Yellow switch is best described as clacky. This means that it produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving it a crisp, bright, and percussive sound profile. On the other hand, the Ink Red switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, with a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most intents and purposes. However, it also has a unique chirpy quality, which sets it apart from other switches. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Cream Yellow switch is described as bouncy. This means that it provides a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and rebound when pressed. On the other hand, the Ink Red switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience. These switches enhance the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the Ink Red switch is also described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It is also worth noting that the Ink Red switch is polished, which means it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek and smooth typing experience. This can be attributed to the materials used or factory lubing, which reduces friction and provides smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Cream Yellow switch is best known for its distinctively clacky sound and bouncy typing feel, giving it a unique and lively typing experience. On the other hand, the Ink Red switch is characterized by its lower actuation force, satisfyingly smooth feel, and crispy and clacky sound profile. While the Cream Yellow switch and Ink Red switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel, both switches provide an enjoyable typing experience. If you prefer a clacky sound and bouncy feel, the Cream Yellow switch would be a great choice. If you prefer a smoother and gentler typing experience with a crisp and clacky sound, the Ink Red switch would be a suitable option. It is important to consider personal preferences and requirements when choosing between these two switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a distinctively clacky sound and a uniquely bouncy typing feel, then the KTT Cream Yellow would be the ideal choice for you. With its resonant audio feedback and lively key feel, typing on the Cream Yellow switch will provide a satisfying and tactile experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother typing experience with a lighter actuation force, the Gateron Ink Red would be a great option. These switches offer a silky feel and a crispy, clacky sound profile, making them effortless to type on. Additionally, the Ink Red switches have a more neutral sound profile, suitable for various typing styles and environments. Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Ink Red will depend on your preference for sound and feel.
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