Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Everglide Sunset Yellow. The Ink Box Pink is best known for its smooth and light typing feel, with a higher-pitched clack that adds an extra element of satisfaction. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow offers a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, creating a rich and bassy typing experience. With its medium-weight and unique POM stem, it provides a distinct gliding feel, making it suitable for a wide range of users. Both switches offer a polished and responsive typing experience, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Box Pink Linear

Everglide Sunset Yellow Linear

$8.50

$7.65 per 10

$3.09 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Everglide Sunset Yellow differ in terms of their housing materials. The Ink Box Pink features a proprietary INK blend top housing, known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. Users often describe it as clacky, providing a satisfying, thin, and higher-pitched sound. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow utilizes a POM top housing, resulting in a deeper and relatively more muted sound profile. This creates an incredibly pleasing and unique sound that differs from the Ink Box Pink.

When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches have distinct characteristics. The Ink Box Pink also features a proprietary INK blend bottom housing, contributing to its pointed and high-pitched sound profile. Similarly, the Sunset Yellow incorporates a POM bottom housing, which promotes a deeper sound profile that is relatively more muted. Despite the differences in materials, both switches offer a satisfying sound experience with their respective bottom housings.

Interestingly, pressing down and releasing a key on either switch will yield different sound outcomes due to the divided impact of the housing materials. The bottom housing has a greater influence on the sound and feel when pressing down, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Conversely, the top housing determines the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the top and bottom housings may vary for each switch, they both contribute to the overall sound experience, albeit at different stages of keystroke.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are noticeable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, both switches offer a medium level of actuation force and bottom out force. The Ink Box Pink requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 43 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Ink Box Pink is 60 grams, while the Sunset Yellow is slightly lighter at 51 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter feel, the Sunset Yellow may be more appealing as its actuation and bottom out forces fall within the medium-light range. This lighter touch can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or marathon gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink provides a more substantial typing experience with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. This can offer a more satisfying push feel to users who prefer a stronger tactile feedback.

Overall, while both switches offer a similar weight in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, the Ink Box Pink leans towards a heavier touch, while the Sunset Yellow provides a slightly lighter feel. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Sunset Yellow is the shorter switch, while the Ink Box Pink is the longer one. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0mm, indicating that they are suitable for those who prefer a more responsive typing experience. Gamers, in particular, may appreciate the shorter travel distance of these switches as it can contribute to faster response times. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial keypress, the longer travel distance offered by the Ink Box Pink may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and whether a shorter or longer travel distance is desired for optimal typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is best described as clacky and high-pitched. This means that when pressed, it produces a sharp and snappy sound with a crisp and bright tone. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a bassy and thocky sound. This means that it has a deeper and richer sound profile, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones, and produces a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. However, if you prefer a sharp and snappy sound, the Ink Box Pink will provide you with similar results, while if you prefer a deep and rich sound, the Sunset Yellow will offer a comparable experience.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This smoothness is achieved through the use of high-quality materials and factory lubing. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a creamy and frictionless feel. It provides a smooth and buttery typing experience, akin to effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys, thanks to the lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. Additionally, it offers a frictionless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The polished finish of both switches further contributes to a sleek and refined typing experience. If you prefer a smooth and polished feel, both switches will offer similar results, allowing for comfortable and effortless typing.

In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Box Pink switch offers a clacky and high-pitched sound, providing a sharp and crisp tone, while the Sunset Yellow switch offers a bassy and thocky sound, characterized by a deep and satisfying tone. In terms of feel, the Ink Box Pink switch provides a silky and polished experience with reduced resistance, while the Sunset Yellow switch offers a creamy and frictionless sensation, allowing for smooth and effortless keystrokes. Both switches excel in their own unique aspects, and the choice between them ultimately depends on personal preference. However, if you prefer one quality over the other, you can expect similar results from either switch.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when choosing between the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities.

If you value a lighter typing feel and a higher-pitched clack sound, the Ink Box Pink may be the better choice for you. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, it offers a medium level of resistance. The Ink Box Pink is known for its smoothness and lighter typing feel, making it ideal for those who prefer a smoother and more effortless typing experience.

On the other hand, if you prefer a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding and a medium-light bottom out force of 51 grams, the Sunset Yellow may be the switch for you. It offers a rich, bassy, and decadent sound, creating an indulgent typing experience. The unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel, while the combination of very short travel and a long-pole stem ensures a sharper and highly responsive typing experience.

In terms of sound, the Ink Box Pink is described as clacky and high-pitched, producing a sharp, crisp, and percussive sound. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow is described as bassy and thocky, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed.

When it comes to feel, the Ink Box Pink is described as silky and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Meanwhile, the Sunset Yellow is described as creamy, frictionless, and polished, offering a smooth, buttery, and effortless typing experience, with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys.

Ultimately, it is important to consider your personal preferences for sound and feel when choosing between these switches. Whether you prioritize a lighter typing feel and higher-pitched clack or a captivating sound profile and a silky, frictionless typing experience, both the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Everglide Sunset Yellow have their unique strengths to offer.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Box Pink Linear

$8.50

$7.65 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Sunset Yellow Linear

$3.09 per 10

Learn more