Gateron Ink Yellow vs. KTT Orange
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Orange. The Ink Yellow is a linear switch that offers a shorter travel, making it ideal for those who desire a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. With its pleasant smoothness and clackiness, this switch is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Clacky', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the KTT Orange switches are also linear, but they have a distinctive bouncy feel, thanks to their 22mm long spring. These switches feature a polycarbonate milky top housing, a long pole POM stem, and a vibrant orange nylon bottom housing, providing a slick and frictionless typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile. Notably categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Frictionless', and 'Low-pitched', KTT Orange switches are further enhanced by their excellent factory-lubing, ensuring a refined and fluid key travel that minimizes friction and maximizes smoothness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch that suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Orange switches differ in terms of their composition. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top housing, while the Orange utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The INK blend of the Ink Yellow offers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile that is described as clacky. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Orange creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the Orange's top housing is translucent, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Ink Yellow and the Orange also showcase different materials. The Ink Yellow employs the proprietary INK blend, providing a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound when activated. Conversely, the Orange utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Moreover, the Orange's clear bottom housing allows for better compatibility with RGB lighting.
Despite their differences, the impact of the housing materials on the overall sound and feel of the switches is divided between the top and bottom housings. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become apparent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing holds more influence on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the specific qualities of the Ink Yellow and the Orange may vary due to their different housing materials, both switches provide similar results depending on whether the switch is being pressed or released.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the KTT Orange linear switch, there are notable differences to consider. The Ink Yellow switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams, compared to the Orange switch's lighter actuation force of 46 grams. This means that the Orange switch requires less force to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Ink Yellow switch registers at 67 grams, while the Orange switch weighs in at 53 grams. This indicates that the Ink Yellow switch has a heavier bottom out force compared to the Orange switch. Overall, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is slightly heavier in both actuation and bottom out forces, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the KTT Orange switch offers a lighter actuation and bottom out force, making it a suitable choice for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods of time without fatigue. Although the forces of the two switches differ, individuals seeking similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces can find a comparable experience by selecting the appropriate switch based on their preference for a lighter or heavier feel.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the KTT Orange linear switch have a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the same distance traveled for both switches. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance when using either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange for $4.15.
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 Gateron Ink Yellow and KTT Orange switches each have their own unique qualities in terms of sound and feel.
Starting with sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow is described as having a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This means that it produces a moderate and versatile sound suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether used at home or at work. Additionally, it is described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving it a crisp, bright, and percussive tone.
On the other hand, the KTT Orange switch is described as having a low-pitched sound profile. This means that it produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The low-pitched sound adds a unique character to the typing experience, and it enhances the overall auditory feedback of the keyboard.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. Being a mild switch, it provides a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. It falls in a safe and middle-ground zone, ensuring that its qualities do not lean towards extremes. Additionally, the switch is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish resulting in a sleek typing experience. The use of high-quality materials and factory lubing reduces friction and enhances the smoothness of the key travel.
On the other hand, the KTT Orange switch offers a bouncy and frictionless typing experience. The bouncy feedback sensation adds a spring-like or elastic feel to the keys, providing a lively and rebounding experience when pressed. Moreover, the switch is described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. It minimizes any sense of resistance or friction, resulting in a fluid travel during key presses.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Yellow and KTT Orange switches have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gateron Ink Yellow provides a moderate and clacky sound profile, along with a mild and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Orange produces a low-pitched sound and offers a bouncy and frictionless typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its shorter travel and medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, this switch provides a pleasant smoothness and clackiness that enhances your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and frictionless typing experience, the KTT Orange linear switch might be the better option for you. With a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams and features such as a 22mm long spring, polycarbonate milky top housing, and a low-pitched sound profile, these switches offer a slick and fluid key travel that minimizes friction and maximizes smoothness. Overall, the choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and KTT Orange switches will depend on your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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