Gateron Ink Yellow vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both of which are linear switches. The Ink Yellow is best known for its shorter travel, making it ideal for those who desire a typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. This switch excels in delivering a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, creating a satisfying user experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon from KTT showcases the epitome of what a linear switch can offer. With its progressive spring and KTT's innovative dry-lube design, these switches provide a buttery smooth typing experience. While the Ink Yellow is characterized as neutral, clacky, mild, and polished, the Sea Salt Lemon is low-pitched, neutral, and mild. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon differ in terms of their sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Gateron Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top housing, known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched but not overly sharp sound. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it particularly suitable for showcasing RGB lighting. Therefore, the Ink Yellow offers a clacky sound, while the Sea Salt Lemon provides a more resonant and clear sound with an added aesthetic advantage.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon again showcase disparities. The Gateron Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend bottom housing complements its top housing, offering a similar pointing and higher-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in housing materials provides distinct auditory experiences, with the Ink Yellow having a clacky sound and the Sea Salt Lemon offering a deeper and more resonant tone.
It is important to note that the impact of the top and bottom housing materials varies depending on the user's interaction with the switch. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing plays a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel. In this aspect, the Gateron Ink Yellow's INK blend bottom housing contributes to its clacky sound. Conversely, the top housing's influence is more prominent when releasing a key, affecting the sound produced. However, if both the top and bottom housings are the same for a switch, the qualities associated with the housing material will be evenly distributed throughout, ensuring consistent results.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there are clear differences in weight. The Gateron Ink Yellow has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as a medium-light switch.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon would be the ideal choice, as its lower actuation and bottom out forces provide a more effortless keystroke. This would be particularly beneficial for users who type for long periods or engage in extended gaming sessions, as the lighter weight would minimize fatigue.
On the contrary, individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the Gateron Ink Yellow. Its higher actuation and bottom out forces require a bit more effort, resulting in a more tactile and substantial keystroke. This can be preferable for those seeking a more pronounced feedback when typing.
Overall, the choice between these two switches largely depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience. Both switches offer distinct advantages, with the Gateron Ink Yellow providing a heavier feel and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon offering a lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there is a notable difference between the two. The Ink Yellow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Sea Salt Lemon has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ink Yellow. In terms of preference, the choice between the two depends on individual preferences. Gamers, for example, often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. In this case, the Ink Yellow would be the more suitable option. However, for those who prefer a deeper key press and find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, the Sea Salt Lemon with its longer travel distance may be the more preferred choice. Ultimately, the decision should be based on whether one values responsiveness or a more substantial depth in their typing 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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 is known for its neutral and clacky characteristics. It has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. When pressed, this switch produces a crisp, bright, and percussive sound. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon has a low-pitched sound profile. It offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Similar to the Ink Yellow, the Sea Salt Lemon also has a moderate actuation force requirement, making it a versatile switch for various applications.
In terms of feel, both the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon provide a mild typing experience. These switches offer a gentle and approachable feel, as their qualities all fall within a safe, middle-ground zone. The Ink Yellow is characterized by its polished finish, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience. It features reduced friction and smooth key travel, thanks to either the materials used or factory lubing. Information on the specific feel of the Sea Salt Lemon is unavailable, but based on its mild description, it is likely to offer a similar gentle typing experience as the Ink Yellow.
Taking into consideration the available information, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have some subjective differences in terms of sound and a lack of information about the feel of the Sea Salt Lemon. The Ink Yellow offers a clacky sound profile, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a low-pitched sound. Both switches provide a mild typing experience, with the Ink Yellow being described as polished and the Sea Salt Lemon having no specific information but falling within the mild category. If you appreciate a neutral and clacky sound with a shorter travel, the Ink Yellow would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a low-pitched sound and a buttery smooth typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon could be a good option. However, since the feel of the Sea Salt Lemon is not explicitly described, it is likely that it would offer a similar mild typing experience as the Ink Yellow. Ultimately, your choice may also be influenced by other factors such as your keyboard and keycap selection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 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 a great choice for you. With a shorter travel and a bottom out force of 67 grams, this switch offers a pleasant smoothness and clackiness. On the other hand, if you value a buttery smooth typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch would be more suitable for you. Its progressive spring and dry-lube design contribute to a delightful typing feel.
When it comes to sound, the Ink Yellow switch produces a neutral sound with a clacky characteristic, resulting in a crisp and percussive sound profile. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch has a low-pitched sound, giving it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Both switches, however, fall under the category of neutral switches in terms of sound, making them suitable for various purposes.
In terms of feel, both switches offer a mild typing experience, ensuring a gentle and approachable feel for most users. The Ink Yellow switch is further characterized by its polished finish, providing a sleek and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, your choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches will depend on your specific preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and feel. Consider what factors are most important to you and select the switch that aligns with your desired typing sensation. With this information, you can confidently make a decision that will enhance your overall typing experience.
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