Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Gateron Melodic

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the differences between the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Gateron Melodic are significant, catering to varying preferences and typing styles. The Gateron Glory Yellow, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth keystroke and satisfying travel distance, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who value uninterrupted keystrokes and a consistent feel. In contrast, the Gateron Melodic, a clicky switch, stands out by blending traditional clicky sound and tactile feedback with modern enhancements like smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems. This results in a switch that not only retains the nostalgic sound that many users cherish but also provides a buttery and resonant experience without sacrificing smoothness. Both switches have their unique appeal: the Glory Yellow excels in providing a fluid typing environment, while the Melodic offers the nostalgic enjoyment of auditory feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

Gateron Melodic Clicky

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

$6.50

$6.00 per 10

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Housing materials

When examining the housing materials of the Gateron Glory Yellow and Gateron Melodic switches, a notable contrast arises between their top housings. The Glory Yellow utilizes a nylon top housing, which is renowned for its softer characteristics. This softer plastic contributes to a deeper sound profile, allowing the switch to absorb sound and produce a fuller, rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Melodic features a polycarbonate top housing, celebrated for its stiffer nature that leads to a sharper, crisper sound. The clear aesthetic of the polycarbonate also allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, making it a popular choice for users who wish to showcase their keyboard's illumination in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

In terms of bottom housings, both switches use nylon, which gives them similar acoustic properties. The use of nylon in the bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, consistent across both the Glory Yellow and Melodic switches. This shared characteristic means that when users bottom out both switches, they will experience a similar auditory experience due to the sound-absorbing qualities of the nylon material. Therefore, while the top housings diverge in their impact on sound profiles, the nylon bottom housings act as a unifying feature that helps to create comparable results during use.

Ultimately, the combination of these materials means that while the overall sound and feel of each switch may vary significantly due to the top housing differences, the bottom housing's shared nylon composition provides a cohesive foundation for both. The Glory Yellow excites a deeper sound during typing, while the Melodic offers a sharper sound profile when releasing a key. This division showcases how the distinct qualities of the materials in both switches play a critical role in shaping the user's experience, reflecting the nuances of design in mechanical keyboards where every detail matters.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces highlight their distinctive characteristics. The Glory Yellow has a known actuation force of 50 grams, which makes it relatively light and ideal for users who favor ease of typing over extended periods, such as during long gaming sessions or work tasks. However, its bottom out force remains unknown. Conversely, the Melodic switch has no specified actuation force, but it does feature a bottom out force of 60 grams, classified as medium; this suggests that it requires a firmer press to register a keystroke, which can provide a more substantial typing experience preferred by those who like a heavier feel. Ultimately, the Glory Yellow is the lighter option when considering its actuation force, while the Melodic has a heavier bottom out force, thus making it more suitable for users seeking that push feel.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch have an identical travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that users will experience the same distance when pressing down on either key. This similarity in travel distance allows for a consistent feel during use, providing an equal experience in terms of keypress depth. As a result, whether a user prefers the smooth action of the Glory Yellow or the tactile feedback of the Melodic, they will achieve similar results in terms of the amount of travel engaged while typing or gaming.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gateron Glory Yellow switch is characterized by a smooth keystroke that provides a pleasant and satisfying auditory experience, though its exact sound profile hasn't been outlined. In contrast, the Gateron Melodic switch excels in delivering a vibrant, resonant sound that is higher-pitched, offering a crisp and immersive typing experience. Additionally, it boasts a crunchy quality that evokes the sensation of stepping on dry leaves, creating a distinctive auditory signature that adheres to the classic clicky switch tradition. The sound from either switch will also depend on the keyboard's construction and the keycap materials used, which can further influence their acoustic qualities.

When it comes to feel, the Glory Yellow switch provides a smooth transition with a satisfying travel distance, though specifics about its tactile feedback are not defined. On the other hand, the Melodic switch is designed to deliver a buttery feel, ensuring that each keystroke is fluid and seamless. Users can expect a uniform typing sensation that enhances the overall experience, especially for those who appreciate a tactile response along with the auditory feedback.

In summary, while the Gateron Glory Yellow offers a smooth typing experience with an undetermined sound profile, the Gateron Melodic distinguishes itself with a sharp, resonant sound and a buttery feel that enhances typing fluidity. Each switch caters to different preferences, with the Yellow providing a linear typing sensation and the Melodic offering a classic clicky experience. Newcomers can thus expect to find enjoyment in either switch based on their typing preferences, keeping in mind that personal tastes will heavily influence their ultimate choice.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch will greatly depend on your typing preferences and the intended use case. If you enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted typing experience with minimal noise, the Glory Yellow is the way to go. This switch offers a pleasing travel distance and is ideal for long typing sessions, whether you're writing documents or coding. Its linear nature means it provides a more subtle response without the tactile feedback and sound that some users may find distracting. On the other hand, if you cherish the nostalgia of tactile feedback and enjoy auditory cues while you type, the Melodic switch would be your preferred choice. With its resonant and crunchy sound profile, combined with a buttery keystroke feel, this clicky switch enhances the typing experience, allowing you to appreciate every stroke. It’s perfect for users who appreciate the satisfaction of a pronounced click when typing and don’t mind the added noise. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you value a quiet, smooth experience or a more tactile, engaging one.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Melodic Clicky

$6.50

$6.00 per 10

Learn more