Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Everglide Oreo

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Everglide Oreo offer distinct advantages for different preferences. The Ink Yellow is best known for its shorter travel, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. This switch boasts a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, making it a great option for those who enjoy a polished and mild feel. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo tactile switches offer a delectable treat for your fingertips. With a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, these switches provide a delightfully cushioned sensation when bottoming out. They strike the perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience, with a subtle and mellow sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can decide on the best switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

Everglide Oreo Tactile

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$6.86

$4.19 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Yellow and the Everglide Oreo differ in terms of their housing materials. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, while the Oreo utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing. The INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as being clacky. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Oreo creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing of the Oreo is beneficial for those planning to use RGB lighting as its translucency enhances the lighting effects.

In terms of the bottom housing, the Gateron Ink Yellow utilizes its proprietary INK blend, which also contributes to the pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile of the switch. Similarly, the Everglide Oreo utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, similar to the polycarbonate top housing. Aesthetically speaking, the Oreo's clear polycarbonate bottom housing also allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, similar to its top housing. However, it's worth noting that the bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a switch, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key.

While the housing materials differ between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Everglide Oreo, they share similar qualities in terms of sound profile. Both switches produce a satisfying, thin, and higher-pitched sound, although the Oreo's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper and crisper sound compared to the Ink Yellow's INK blend. Additionally, both switches benefit from their translucent housing materials, allowing for enhanced RGB lighting effects. However, it's important to consider the role of each housing component, as the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Everglide Oreo switches, there are notable differences to consider. The Gateron Ink Yellow is slightly heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces. It requires 60 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while bottoming out requires 67 grams. This makes it a medium-heavy option. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo is comparatively lighter, requiring 45 grams of force to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out. This places it in the medium-light category.

For those who appreciate a lighter typing experience, the Everglide Oreo may be the preferred choice. The lighter actuation force allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the contrary, for individuals seeking a more substantial and resistant typing feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow with its heavier forces may be the more suitable option. The increased actuation and bottom out forces provide a stronger push feel, resulting in a more substantial typing experience.

In conclusion, it is evident that the Gateron Ink Yellow is the heavier of the two switches, with medium-heavy actuation and bottom out forces. Meanwhile, the Everglide Oreo is the lighter option with medium-light forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preference and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm, while the Everglide Oreo tactile switch has a travel distance of 4mm. This means that the Oreo has a longer travel distance compared to the Ink Yellow.

In terms of responsiveness, the shorter travel distance of the Ink Yellow may be preferred by gamers who value faster response times. The shorter travel distance allows for quicker actuation of the switch, resulting in faster key presses. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the Oreo may provide a more substantial and satisfying feel for those who prefer a deeper press.

It's important to note that both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Oreo being more towards the standard 4.0mm distance and the Ink Yellow being slightly shorter at 3.5mm. Therefore, regardless of the difference in travel distance, both switches should provide similar results in terms of overall key feel and actuation. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and whether one prefers a slightly shorter or longer travel distance for their typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow is characterized as having a neutral and clacky profile. This means that it produces a moderate sound when pressed, with a sharp and snappy quality. The sound of this switch can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo has a chirpy sound profile, which means that it has a unique acoustic signature with a little squeak. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow is known for providing a mild and polished typing experience. This switch offers a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It falls in a safe, middle-ground zone that is approachable for most users. Additionally, the Ink Yellow has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. This is achieved through high-quality materials and/or factory lubing, which reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.

On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo is described as having an accented and stepped feel. Accented switches, specifically in tactile switches, provide a medium amount of tactility that is not overwhelming nor subtle. This gives users a prominent tactile bump without it being too strong. Additionally, stepped switches offer a two-stage feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. This provides a more mild tactile experience compared to switches with a continuous and stronger bump.

In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Everglide Oreo offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Yellow is known for its neutral and clacky sound profile, as well as its mild and polished feel. On the other hand, the Oreo has a chirpy sound profile and offers an accented and stepped tactile experience. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Ink Yellow providing a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, and the Oreo delivering a crisp and responsive tactile bump with a cushioned sensation. While they have their unique qualities, it is important to consider other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used to fully determine the sound and feel experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you desire a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch is an excellent choice. With its shorter travel distance, smoothness, and clackiness, it offers a pleasant and distinct typing feel. This switch has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for various purposes.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile typing experience, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is the way to go. These switches boast a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, making them easier to press. With a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top and a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, these switches strike a perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and comfortable typing. The Oreo switches also have a subtle, mellow sound profile, adding to the overall typing experience.

In terms of sound, the Ink Yellow switch produces a clacky and percussive sound when pressed, providing a crisp and bright typing experience. The Oreo switch, on the other hand, has a chirpy signature sound, setting it apart from other switches and adding a unique acoustic character.

When it comes to feel, the Ink Yellow switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. The mild characteristic makes it approachable to most users, while the polished finish ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Oreo switch provides an accented tactile feel, offering a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming. Additionally, the stepped characteristic of the Oreo switch adds a mild and distinct sensation, allowing you to feel some pre-travel and post-travel during the keystroke.

Ultimately, your choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch will depend on your preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and tactile feel. Consider your desired level of actuation force, the type of sound you find appealing, and the amount of tactility you prefer. By understanding your personal preferences and needs, you can make an informed decision on which switch will offer you the most enjoyable typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Oreo Tactile

$6.86

$4.19 per 10

Learn more