Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Ink Yellow, a linear switch, and the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch, there are distinct differences in their typing experience. The Ink Yellow is known for its shorter travel and a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. With a smooth and clacky feel, it is a great choice for those looking for a polished yet mild typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, making it perfect for those seeking a satisfying and silent typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Outemu Silent Grey, it is clear that they both offer unique sound profiles due to their distinct materials. The Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend top housing provides a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky, while the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The polycarbonate material is known for its stiffness, leading to a more clear and resonant sound, especially when used with RGB lighting. In contrast, the INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow offers a slightly softer and less sharp sound profile, providing a different typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Ink Yellow features the same proprietary INK blend material as its top housing, resulting in a consistent sound profile throughout the switch. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use this material. This difference in bottom housing material between the two switches contributes to their unique typing experiences and sound outputs.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch play a significant role in determining the overall sound and feel of the switch. While the top housing material primarily affects the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing material influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Despite the differences in materials between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Outemu Silent Grey, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying typing experience with distinct sound profiles, making them suitable choices for keyboard enthusiasts seeking a specific sound and feel.
Weight
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Gateron Ink Yellow has a higher actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Outemu Silent Grey, which has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Outemu Silent Grey, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Gateron Ink Yellow. Both switches offer a medium-heavy feel, providing a balance between ease of typing and tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Ink Yellow offers a slightly quicker response time, making it a favorite among gamers looking for speed. On the other hand, the Silent Grey provides a deeper keypress feel, which some users may prefer for a more tactile typing experience. Both switches offer unique advantages based on their travel distances, catering to different preferences for typing or gaming needs. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a shorter or longer travel distance for your typing or gaming experience.
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 Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10 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 Yellow linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, suitable for a variety of uses. It also provides a clacky sound when pressed, producing a sharp and percussive sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is known for its quiet typing experience, making it ideal for those looking for a silent option. Since the description of the Silent Grey switch does not specify sound characteristics, it can be inferred that it lacks the clacky nature of the Ink Yellow.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch provides a mild typing experience with a smooth and polished finish. This results in reduced friction and smooth key travel, offering a gentle and refined typing feel. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Grey switch, though lacking a specific feel description, is known to offer a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. While the exact qualities of the Silent Grey's feel are unspecified, it is clear that it provides a satisfying tactile experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, a mild typing experience with a polished finish, and a clacky sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch provides a quiet typing experience, a highly tactile feel with a pronounced bump, and a smooth keystroke. While each switch features unique characteristics in sound and feel, both can offer a positive typing experience depending on an individual's preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on whether one prefers a quieter typing experience with tactile feedback or a smoother typing experience with a clackier sound.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smoother and clackier typing experience reminiscent of a laptop keyboard but with the benefits of a mechanical switch, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a highly tactile and silent typing experience with a pronounced bump, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch would be the better option. Consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and overall typing feel when choosing between these two switches. Ultimately, the decision boils down to whether you prioritize smoothness and clackiness or tactility and silence in your mechanical keyboard.
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