Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Yellow Silver. The Ink Box Pink switches are best known for their beautiful translucent appearance and smooth feel, providing a lighter typing experience compared to other switches. They do, however, produce a higher-pitched clack sound. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switches from Outemu are highly regarded for their consistency and quality. They offer a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making them ideal for gamers and typists who value speediness and responsiveness. Both switches have their own unique features and advantages. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision based on your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches have distinct differences. The Ink Box Pink features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which is known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. It is described as clacky, but not overly sharp. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the Yellow Silver's clear polycarbonate top housing is ideal for showcasing RGB lighting.
In terms of bottom housing, both switches differ again. The Ink Box Pink utilizes its proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which provides a similar pointed and higher-pitched sound profile as the top housing. This consistency in sound creates a unified auditory experience. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon contributes to a duller and rounder sound, creating a distinct typing experience.
When comparing the overall impact on sound and feel, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and overall tactile feedback. The properties of the bottom housing material will be more noticeable when pressing down on the keys. Conversely, the top housing material, whether it's the INK blend or clear polycarbonate, will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both switches are designed to provide satisfying sound profiles, with the Ink Box Pink being characterized as clacky and the Yellow Silver as sharp and crisp.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switches, there are some key differences to consider. The Ink Box Pink has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, compared to the Yellow Silver's lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Ink Box Pink requires slightly more force to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, in terms of bottom out force, the Ink Box Pink is also slightly heavier at 60 grams compared to the Yellow Silver's bottom out force of 55 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Yellow Silver would be the better option as its actuation and bottom out forces are lower. This can be advantageous for individuals who type for longer periods of time, such as during work or extended gaming sessions. However, for those who prefer a more substantial and forceful push feel while typing, the Ink Box Pink would be the preferable choice. Its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a more satisfying typing experience for users who desire that additional resistance.
Overall, while both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, the slight differences in force requirements can make a noticeable impact on the typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Yellow Silver has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ink Box Pink. In general, a 4.0 mm travel distance is considered the most traditional, whereas a 3.0 mm distance is more shallow. However, shorter travel distances have become more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. For those seeking a more responsive typing experience, the shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm offered by the Ink Box Pink would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper key press feel, the longer travel distance of 4 mm provided by the Outemu Yellow Silver may be more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Box Pink has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Box Pink for $7.65.
The Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 per 10 switches.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is best known for its clacky and high-pitched sound. These switches produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, with a crisp, bright, and percussive quality. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means it has a moderate sound that is suitable for most purposes. However, keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, if you prefer a sharper and more high-pitched sound, the Ink Box Pink switch would be a better choice, while the Yellow Silver switch offers a more neutral sound.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is known for its silky and polished typing experience. These switches offer an exceptionally smooth typing feel, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing the keys. The smoothness of the typing experience is enhanced by the polished finish of the switch, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is not mentioned, so we can't provide specific information about its tactile characteristics. However, based on the available information, it can be inferred that the Yellow Silver switch may not have the same level of smoothness and polished feel as the Ink Box Pink switch.
Taking all the available information into account, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is characterized by its clacky and high-pitched sound, as well as its silky and polished feel. These switches have a lighter typing feel compared to other mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, but no specific information is available about its feel. If you prefer a switch with a sharper and crisper sound, along with a smooth and polished typing experience, the Ink Box Pink switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you prioritize a light actuation force and a neutral sound, the Yellow Silver switch may also provide similar results. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and lightweight linear switch with a lighter typing feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink would be a great choice for you. These switches have a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a medium typing experience. The Ink Box Pink switches are also known for their beautiful translucent appearance and higher-pitched clack sound when pressed. On the other hand, if you prioritize speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch would be a suitable option. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a medium-light typing experience. They have a neutral sound profile, making them favorable for both gamers and typists. However, while the Ink Box Pink switches are described as silky and polished to enhance the typing feel, there is no specific information available regarding the feel of the Yellow Silver switches. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and priorities in terms of typing feel, sound, and switch characteristics.
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