TTC Honey vs. Gateron Ink Yellow
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Honey and Gateron Ink Yellow are both exceptional choices. The Honey is renowned for its smooth and creamy feel, providing a typing experience that is frictionless and buttery. Additionally, it offers a deep and pleasant sound profile, adding a touch of elegance to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow distinguishes itself with a shorter travel, making it perfect for those who desire a typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. It boasts a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, creating a unique tactile feedback. 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
42g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches exhibit some similarities and differences. Both switches utilize a unique blend of materials for their top housing. The Honey switch employs polycarbonate, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. This stiffness allows for a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for users who plan to use RGB lighting. On the other hand, Gateron's Ink Yellow switch features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This sound profile is described as clacky, providing a satisfying typing experience.
Similarly, the bottom housing materials of the Honey and Ink Yellow switches also have certain shared characteristics. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Honey switch contributes to its sharp and higher-pitched sound profile, creating a consistent typing experience throughout the switch. Gateron's proprietary INK blend bottom housing, found in the Ink Yellow switch, also enhances the switch's overall sound profile by providing a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound. These bottom housings have a direct impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch.
However, the top and bottom housings of these switches differ in terms of their specific qualities. The Honey switch's polycarbonate top housing offers enhanced clarity and resonance, significantly influencing the sound when a key is released. Conversely, the Ink Yellow switch's proprietary INK blend top housing delivers a pointed and high-pitched sound that adds a unique clackiness when keys are released.
In summary, while both the Honey and Ink Yellow switches share some similarities in their housing materials, such as their high-pitched sound profiles, they also exhibit distinct characteristics. The Honey switch's polycarbonate housing enhances clarity and resonance, particularly when keys are released, while the Ink Yellow switch's proprietary INK blend produces a satisfying clacky sound. Understanding the differences between these housing materials is crucial for selecting the switch that suits your preferences for typing and sound experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Honey switch has a relatively lighter actuation force of 42 grams, meaning it requires less pressure to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Ink Yellow switch has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, providing a slightly more resistant feel when typing. Similarly, in terms of bottom out force, the Honey switch requires 50 grams of force to fully press down, while the Ink Yellow switch demands 67 grams for full depression. This indicates that the Ink Yellow switch offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottoming out sensation.
Considering weight as an important factor, individuals who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Honey switch as it allows for longer and more comfortable typing or gaming sessions. However, those who prefer a stronger push feel or desire a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Ink Yellow switch, as its higher actuation and bottom out forces provide a greater level of resistance and feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience one seeks.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, it is clear that the Honey has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm compared to the Ink Yellow's 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular in recent times. Gamers, in particular, prefer shorter travel distances as they offer quicker response times. So, if you prioritize a more responsive feel, the Ink Yellow with its slightly shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, for those who prefer a more substantial key press experience, the Honey's longer travel distance may be more satisfying. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of depth in the key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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
The TTC Honey linear switch is best known for its smooth and creamy feel. This switch provides a typing experience where your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys, resulting in a silky sensation. It offers a frictionless and buttery typing experience, allowing for seamless and effortless keystrokes. Additionally, the Honey switch is described as having a subdued sound profile. While not completely silent, it offers a more subtle and dampened sound compared to most switches.
On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch is characterized by a shorter travel distance, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. It offers a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, producing a crisp, bright, and percussive sound when pressed. In terms of feel, the Ink Yellow switch is described as mild, providing a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It also has a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Honey and Gateron Ink Yellow switches offer their own unique subjective qualities. The Honey switch provides a smooth and creamy typing experience, with a subdued sound profile. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow switch offers a shorter travel distance, a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, and a mild typing experience. While they have their differences, both switches provide a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction. Depending on your personal preference for sound profile and typing feel, you can achieve similar results with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering the TTC Honey linear switch, you should choose it if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams and a smooth and creamy typing experience. These switches offer a deep and pleasant sound profile, making them a great option for those who desire a more subdued sound when typing. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams and a shorter travel distance, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch is the way to go. It offers a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, combining a pleasant smoothness with a clackiness that provides crisp and bright sound feedback. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences regarding bottom out force, typing feel, and sound profile.
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