Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice

Overview

When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Jerrzi Salt Ice stand out as two appealing linear options, each with its unique characteristics. The Gateron Glory Yellow switches are recognized for their heavier feel, providing a smooth keystroke with a pleasing travel distance that promotes an enjoyable typing experience, ideal for users who prefer a firmer press and a more substantial response. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches are celebrated for their exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, coupled with a light touch that allows for energetic and responsive typing. This makes them an excellent choice for users seeking quick actuation and a lively keystroke sensation. While both switches fall into the linear category, their distinct attributes cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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

Jerrzi Salt Ice Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

$2.79

$2.30 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches exhibit significant differences that influence both their acoustic characteristics and tactile feedback. The Gateron Glory Yellow features a nylon housing for both the top and bottom portions, which is known for its softer, more absorbent properties. This nylon construction elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, resulting in a rounded typing experience that minimizes higher pitched resonances. In contrast, the Jerrzi Salt Ice employs polycarbonate for its top and bottom housings, a material recognized for its rigidity and clarity. As a result, the Salt Ice produces a sharper, more resonant sound profile, giving a crisp and more pronounced auditory feedback while typing.

The unique qualities of the housing materials come into play during the act of typing, affecting both the bottom-out feel and the release sound. The Glory Yellow, with its nylon composition, tends to absorb sound waves, leading to a substantially muted bottom-out sound and a cushioned feel during keystrokes. This results in a typing experience that many may find comforting and less jarring. Conversely, the polycarbonate housing of the Salt Ice significantly enhances the acoustic response; each keystroke emits a clear, lively sound that can energize the typing experience. This distinction means that users may choose between the two based on whether they prefer a softer, more subdued auditory feedback or a crisp, vibrant one.

Despite their differences, both switches can offer enjoyable typing experiences, albeit in different ways due to the materials used. If you are seeking a balance of sound and feel, the contrasting housing materials in each switch will cater to distinct preferences; however, if one were to explore a similar sound profile across different switches, one could consider modding with different materials or adding dampeners to each type of switch. In this way, the unique characteristics of the Glory Yellow's nylon or the Salt Ice's polycarbonate can be blended or slightly altered to match personal preferences, allowing enthusiasts to fine-tune their custom keyboard builds based on the individual qualities of the housing materials.

Weight

The Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch present a comparison in actuation forces that highlights their differences in typing experience. The Glory Yellow requires an actuation force of 50 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Salt Ice, which has a lower actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Glory Yellow switch would provide a more substantial feel for those who prefer a stronger push while typing, potentially making it less tiring for prolonged use for some individuals. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces, which means we cannot compare the overall resistance felt at the end of the keystroke. However, based on their actuation forces alone, users seeking a lighter typing experience might lean towards the Salt Ice, while those who enjoy a heavier, more deliberate keystroke may find the Glory Yellow more suitable for their preferences.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, we find that the Glory Yellow has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Salt Ice has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This indicates that the Glory Yellow offers a more traditional and deeper actuation, which may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced keypress. In contrast, the Salt Ice, with its shorter travel distance, caters to gamers seeking quicker response times and a more snappy feel, although some users might find it too abrupt for their liking. Ultimately, if you're aiming for a switch with a more substantial depth, the Gateron Glory Yellow would be the ideal choice, while the Jerrzi Salt Ice is better suited for users who prioritize speed and responsiveness in their typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Glory Yellow switches provide a smooth and muted profile, creating a pleasant, understated auditory experience when typing. This subtlety can be appealing in quiet environments or for those who prefer a less intrusive sound. In contrast, the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches are characterized by their exceptionally bright and clacky response, generating a sharper auditory feedback that adds a lively energy to each keystroke. This vibrant sound is likely to resonate well with users looking for an engaging and dynamic typing experience, although the overall acoustics can be influenced by the keyboard and keycap choices.

When it comes to feel, the Glory Yellow switches stand out with their heavier actuation force, delivering a smooth keystroke that provides a satisfying sense of resistance. This weighty feedback contributes to an enjoyable typing experience, particularly for users who appreciate a bit more heft in their switches. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switches excel with their light touch and effortless actuation, making them ideal for those who prefer a quick and responsive keystroke. This responsiveness can create an energetic feel that encourages fast typing, which could be appreciated by gamers and typists alike seeking an efficient performance.

In summary, the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switches offer a smoother and more muted sound with a heavier feel, while the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switches live up to their name with a bright and clacky sound coupled with a light and responsive feel. Depending on your preferences for auditory and tactile experiences, you may find satisfaction in either option; however, the distinct characteristics of each switch cater to different typing styles and environments.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor a smooth keystroke with a pleasing travel distance and a more subdued typing experience, the Glory Yellow is an excellent option. It’s especially suitable for long typing sessions or work environments where noise levels need to be kept in check. On the other hand, if you seek an energetic and responsive typing experience with vibrant feedback, the Salt Ice switch is the better choice. Its bright and clacky characteristics can enhance gaming sessions and tasks that benefit from quick, assertive keystrokes. Therefore, consider what aspects are most important to you—smoothness and understated sound versus a lively and engaging feedback—when making your final decision.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Jerrzi Salt Ice Linear

$2.79

$2.30 per 10

Learn more