Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Haimu Orange Sea

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right one can greatly enhance your typing experience. The Gateron Ink Yellow switches are renowned for their unique characteristics, offering a shorter travel distance that strikes a balance between the feel of a laptop keyboard and a standard mechanical option. Their pleasant smoothness, combined with a subtle clackiness, makes them an appealing choice for typists who enjoy feedback without the excess noise. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea switches provide an impeccably smooth typing feel and maintain a neutral sound signature, catering to users who prefer a subdued experience with minimal auditory distraction. While both switches fall under the linear category, their distinctive features cater to different preferences, whether you're looking for a mildly pronounced feedback with the Ink Yellow or a quieter, seamless experience with the Orange Sea. 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 Ink Yellow Linear

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$2.79 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow switches and the Haimu Orange Sea switches, a distinctive contrast emerges between the top and bottom housings. The Ink Yellow utilizes Gateron’s proprietary INK blend for its top housing, which is designed to produce a pointed and higher-pitched sound profile. This material's clacky and satisfying tone has made it a favorite for those who enjoy a lively auditory feedback while typing. Conversely, the Orange Sea features a polycarbonate top housing that similarly aims for a sharper sound character, offering a crisper auditory experience. While both housings lead to high-pitched sound profiles, the variations in material properties provide unique textures to the resulting sound, with the Ink Yellow leaning towards a more clacky resonance due to its distinct blend.

In the bottom housing, the differences between the two switches become even more apparent. The Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend is mirrored in its bottom housing, maintaining a consistent sound profile that is pointed and high-pitched, thus further enhancing the clackiness attributed to its design. In contrast, the Orange Sea uses nylon for its bottom housing, which traditionally delivers a fuller and deeper sound. This discrepancy in bottom housing materials means that while the Ink Yellow emphasizes a lively and sharp auditory response, the Orange Sea's sound is characterized by a rounder and softer tonal quality, derived from nylon’s ability to absorb sound waves and create a more muted effect.

Ultimately, the combination of materials in each switch influences not just the overall sound but also the feel of each key press. The Ink Yellow’s housing materials work in tandem to promote a consistent high-pitched profile, ensuring that even as users bottom out the key, they experience an unbroken clacky sound. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea, with its nylon bottom housing combined with a polycarbonate top, delivers a more varied auditory experience, where the sharpness of the top is contrasted by the deeper tones of the bottom. As such, while both switches can yield pleasing results in their own rights, the nuanced differences in housing materials cater to different preferences among typists and gamers.

Weight

The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch present distinct characteristics in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Ink Yellow features a medium-heavy actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a heavier option that could appeal to users looking for a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Orange Sea boasts a significantly lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a softer touch that allows for prolonged typing without as much fatigue. As a result, typists who value a heavier feel should gravitate towards the Ink Yellow switch, whereas the lighter Orange Sea is better suited for those seeking a more delicate typing experience. Thus, while the two switches provide different tactile experiences, users can choose based on their preference for weight and comfort during use.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, we find that the Ink Yellow features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Orange Sea has a slightly longer distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Ink Yellow the shorter option, ideal for gamers seeking quicker response times, whereas the Orange Sea caters to those who might appreciate a more substantial travel feel. Despite the minimal 0.1 mm difference, this small variation can influence user preference significantly; those who favor a shallower keypress may lean towards the Ink Yellow, while those who desire a deeper, more tactile experience might prefer the Orange Sea. In summary, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Ink Yellow is the better choice, while the Orange Sea offers a fuller depth for an alternate typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profile of the Gateron Ink Yellow and Haimu Orange Sea switches, the Ink Yellow clearly stands out with its combination of neutrality and a clacky character. This means that while it maintains a moderate actuation force and creates a sound suitable for both casual typing and focused work environments, it also has an engaging, sharp sound that adds personality to your typing experience. In contrast, the specific sound profile of the Haimu Orange Sea is not detailed, so it's unclear how it compares in terms of volume, pitch, or overall auditory experience. Given that sound can also vary based on factors such as the keyboard construction and keycap material, it’s possible that both switches could fit well in similar setups but will have distinct auditory characteristics regardless.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow is characterized by a mild and polished touch. This means it offers a gentle typing experience that should be approachable for users of all skill levels, along with a smooth and refined action that reduces friction during key travel. In contrast, the feel of the Haimu Orange Sea is not explicitly defined in the details provided, leaving a gap in understanding how it might compare. If it offers a comparable experience, it may also appeal to users looking for smoothness, but the specifics will remain uncertain without more information on its tactile feedback.

In summary, while the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch excels in offering a well-rounded sound with its clacky and neutral qualities, along with a smooth and mild typing experience, the Haimu Orange Sea’s sound and feel remain less defined. Both switches may cater to users who appreciate a smooth typing experience, but the Ink Yellow’s combination of clear auditory and tactile characteristics provides more tangible benefits for those new to mechanical keyboards. Ultimately, if sound and feel are critical factors for you, trying out both switches, if possible, would be advisable to find the best fit for your preferences.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you're looking for a typing experience that strikes a balance between a laptop and a traditional mechanical keyboard, the Ink Yellow is an excellent choice. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, this switch provides a satisfying clackiness and smoothness that appeals to those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback while typing or gaming. Its neutral sound profile makes it suitable for various environments, whether at home or in an office setting. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch while typing, the Haimu Orange Sea is the way to go. With a bottom out force of just 45 grams, it offers an impeccably smooth feel that is gentle on the fingers, allowing for extended typing sessions with less fatigue. The neutral sound signature lets you type quietly and unobtrusively, making it an ideal option for shared spaces or late-night working. Ultimately, your choice should align with your typing style, work environment, and preferred level of feedback from your switches.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

Learn more