Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass 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 Durock Sea Glass. The Ink Yellow is known for its shorter travel distance, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. This switch offers a satisfying smoothness and clackiness, making it a great choice for those seeking a tactile feel while typing. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its captivating pastel colors and proprietary material blend. These switches provide a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, while still maintaining a smooth feel. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and surprisingly frictionless. Typing on these switches also produces a uniquely hollow sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your individual preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass exhibit some similarities and differences. Both switches utilize unique blends for their top and bottom housings. The Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend top housing is known for its pointed and high-pitched sound profile, often described as clacky. Similarly, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing provides a pleasant sound profile that is not overly sharp but leans towards a brighter tone. In terms of sound, both switches offer distinct characteristics.
In terms of bottom housings, the Ink Yellow and the Sea Glass again showcase some differences. The INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Yellow contributes to its satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. Conversely, the Sea Glass incorporates a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend bottom housing, resulting in a unique sound profile that is not particularly sharp but still pleasing. The bottom housing materials play a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.
When considering the overall impact of the housing materials on the switch, it becomes clear that the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing has a more pronounced effect on the bottom-out sound and feel. Both the Ink Yellow and the Sea Glass bring distinct qualities to their respective switches through their housing materials, creating unique typing experiences. Despite their differences, they each aim to provide an enjoyable and satisfying sound profile, albeit with different nuances.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are notable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Ink Yellow is heavier than the Sea Glass. The Ink Yellow has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, which falls under the medium-heavy category. On the other hand, the Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, placing it in the medium range.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sea Glass would be a suitable choice as its actuation force is lighter compared to the Ink Yellow. This lighter actuation force allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. However, if a user seeks a more substantial and forceful keystroke, the Ink Yellow with its higher actuation and bottom out forces may provide the desired experience.
It is important to note that although the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, both fall within the medium to medium-heavy range. This means that while there may be variations in the typing feel, users can expect a similar level of force required for triggering keystrokes and pressing all the way down, ensuring a consistent typing experience overall. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for lighter or heavier actuation forces, allowing users to customize their typing experience accordingly.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Ink Yellow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Sea Glass has a slightly more substantial feel when pressing down on a key compared to the Ink Yellow. The Ink Yellow's shorter travel distance may be preferred by gamers seeking faster response times, as it allows for quicker keystrokes. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper and more satisfying key press may lean towards the Sea Glass with its longer travel distance. Overall, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference, with the shorter travel distance of the Ink Yellow offering quicker response times, and the longer travel distance of the Sea Glass providing a more substantial feel.
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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow is a neutral switch with a moderate sound profile. It offers a pleasant smoothness and a clacky sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature, which can be attributed to their proprietary material blend. While the specific sound qualities of the Sea Glass switches are not mentioned, 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. Overall, if you are looking for a similar sound experience, both switches can provide satisfying results.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow is described as having a mild and polished typing experience. It offers a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Sea Glass switches, on the other hand, are known for their frictionless nature, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. These switches have a light actuation force, making them easy to press and reducing finger fatigue. The Sea Glass switches also fall under the mild category, offering a comfortable and approachable typing experience. If you prefer a smoother and polished feel, the Ink Yellow is a suitable choice, while the Sea Glass switches excel in providing a frictionless and effortless typing experience.
Taking all the available information into consideration, both the Gateron Ink Yellow and Durock Sea Glass switches have their own unique qualities. The Ink Yellow offers a shorter travel and a typing experience between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. It provides a smooth and clacky sound, a mild feel, and a polished finish. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches stand out with their captivating pastel colors and distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in their typing experience. They have a weightlessness that defies expectations and a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, catering to different preferences. Whether you choose the Ink Yellow or the Sea Glass switches, you can expect a satisfying result based on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch would be the better choice for you. This switch offers a smooth and clacky feel, with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams. It has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes. In terms of feel, the Ink Yellow switch provides a mild and polished experience, offering reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you are seeking a switch with a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be the ideal option. Despite its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations. They offer a frictionless and hallow typing experience, accompanied by a uniquely hollow sound signature. The Sea Glass switches are described as mild, frictionless, feathery, and easy-to-press, providing a comfortable and low-impact typing feel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass linear switches depends on your personal preferences. Consider the type of typing experience, sound, and feel that you desire, and select the switch that aligns with your preferences.
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