Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Durock Piano

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Durock Piano, both of which are linear switches. The Gateron Ink Yellow is known for its shorter travel and offers a typing experience that falls somewhere between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. With its pleasant smoothness and clackiness, this switch is a great choice for those seeking a balanced and polished feel. On the other hand, the Durock Piano stands out for its proprietary material blend, resulting in one of the most enjoyable linear switches to type on. Users often describe a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature when using these switches. With their bassy and frictionless nature, the Durock Piano switch provides a silky typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your individual preferences.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

Durock Piano Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Yellow and the Durock Piano have different proprietary housing blends, which result in distinct sound profiles. The Ink Yellow features Gateron's proprietary INK blend, characterized by a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This creates a satisfying clacky sound that is not overly sharp. On the other hand, the Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend that offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. Although the exact details of the blend are unknown, it provides a deep and resonant tone.

While both switches have different housing materials, they still result in similar sound profiles. The INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow and the POM blend top housing of the Piano both contribute to a satisfying sound when you let go of a key. Although the specific characteristics may differ, the top housing material plays a significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key on both switches. Therefore, users can expect a similar sound experience when using either switch in this regard.

When it comes to the bottom housing, the differences between the Ink Yellow and Piano become more apparent. The Ink Yellow's INK blend bottom housing contributes to its clacky sound profile, which is often described as thin and higher-pitched. In contrast, the POM blend bottom housing of the Piano provides a deep and impactful bottom-out sound and feel. Consequently, pressing down on the switch will result in distinct tactile sensations and audio feedback, depending on the housing material used.

In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Durock Piano possess contrasting housing materials that generate different sound profiles. While both switches have unique features, such as the INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow and the POM blend top housing of the Piano, they provide similar sound experiences when releasing keys. However, the bottom housing materials play a significant role in the switches' overall sound profile and tactile feedback, with the INK blend contributing to a clacky sound in the Ink Yellow and the POM blend providing a deep and impactful bottom-out experience in the Piano.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, there are a few differences to consider. The Gateron Ink Yellow has a slightly lighter actuation force of 60 grams compared to the unavailable value for the Durock Piano. This means that the Gateron switch may require a slightly lighter touch to register a keystroke. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Gateron Ink Yellow at 67 grams and the Durock Piano at 63.5 grams, placing them in the medium-heavy range.

Considering weight as a factor, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the lighter actuation force of the Gateron Ink Yellow to be more suitable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push may opt for the Durock Piano, as its actuation force is not specified but is likely to be heavier. Both switches, however, provide a medium-heavy bottom out force, ensuring a satisfying and tactile typing experience regardless of the chosen option.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Durock Piano switch is longer than the Gateron Ink Yellow switch. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Durock Piano switch is more traditional, providing a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the shorter 3.5 mm travel distance of the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is preferred by gamers for its faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you enjoy the feeling of a deeper key press, the Durock Piano switch would be a better fit. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow is a neutral switch with a moderate sound profile. It offers a crisp and bright clacky sound when pressed, giving it a pleasant and percussive quality. On the other hand, the Durock Piano has a bassy sound profile, creating a deeper and richer sound during key presses. This lower frequency range gives it a sense of depth and richness associated with bass tones. It's important to note that the sound of these switches can also be influenced by factors such as the choice of board and keycaps. Overall, if you prefer a sharper and snappier sound, the Ink Yellow is a good choice, while the Piano offers a deeper and more bassy sound.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow provides a mild typing experience with a polished finish. This means that it offers a gentle and approachable feel, suitable for most users. The switch is smooth and refined, resulting in reduced friction and a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is known for its frictionless typing experience. It offers an extremely smooth and effortless feel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The switch is silky, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Whether you prefer a mild and polished feel or a frictionless and silky feel, both switches provide excellent options.

Taking into account the available information, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Durock Piano have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Yellow offers a clacky sound and a mild, polished feel. It provides a pleasant smoothness and a typing experience between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. In contrast, the Durock Piano has a bassy sound and a frictionless, silky feel. It offers a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. However, if you are looking for a similar result in terms of sound, the Ink Yellow's clacky sound can be compared to the Piano's deep and creamy sound. Similarly, if you are looking for a similar feel, the Ink Yellow's polished experience can be compared to the Piano's silky and frictionless feel. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique qualities and can be a great choice depending on your personal preferences.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a switch with a shorter travel and a typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch would be a great choice for you. It offers a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, creating a satisfying typing experience. In terms of sound, the Ink Yellow is described as neutral and clacky, producing a crisp and bright sound when pressed. It has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a solid keystroke feel. On the other hand, if you prioritize a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano linear switch would be the one for you. These switches are known for their proprietary material blend that results in one of the most pleasant typing experiences. The Piano switch is described as bassy, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. It has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a similar solid keystroke feel to the Ink Yellow. Ultimately, both switches have their strengths and choosing between them comes down to personal preference.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Durock Piano Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn more