Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Jwick Splash Brothers are two popular choices worth considering. The Ink Yellow is known for its shorter travel and offers a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. It showcases a pleasant smoothness and is characterized by its clackiness. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers are linear "speed" switches that feature a shorter activation and a long pole stem, resulting in a great typing feel. These switches also boast a creamy sound signature. Both switches share some similarities as they are categorized as neutral and offer a polished feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Yellow and the Jwick Splash Brothers have different housing materials, leading to distinct sound profiles. The INK blend top housing of the Ink Yellow results in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Splash Brothers creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The Ink Yellow's top housing provides a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, while the Splash Brothers' polycarbonate housing delivers a clearer and more resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Ink Yellow again utilizes the proprietary INK blend, resulting in a similar sound profile to its top housing. The pointed and high-pitched sound is present here as well. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. This contrast in materials provides a noticeable difference in the typing experience, with the Ink Yellow having a focus on higher pitches and the Splash Brothers offering a deeper and fuller sound.
Understanding the impact of the top and bottom housings is essential when comparing these switches. While the Ink Yellow's top and bottom housings share similarities in their INK blend material, the sound profile's focus will differ. The bottom housing contributes more to the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when a key is released. In contrast, the distinct materials used in the Splash Brothers' top and bottom housings provide a clear differentiation between the sound profiles. It is important to consider these factors when deciding which switch best suits individual preferences in terms of sound and typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow and Jwick Splash Brothers linear switches, it is evident that there are notable differences between the two. The Ink Yellow switch has an actuation force of 60 grams, providing a medium-heavy push feel, while its bottom out force is slightly heavier at 67 grams. On the other hand, the actuation force of the Splash Brothers switch is currently unknown. However, it does have a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams.
Considering weight, the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Splash Brothers switch make it ideal for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience. This lighter weight allows for longer typing periods, making it suitable for work keyboards or extended gaming sessions. In contrast, the Ink Yellow switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. This provides a stronger push feel, appealing to those who desire a more pronounced and tactile response while typing.
Although the specific actuation force of the Splash Brothers switch is unknown, the contrast in weight between the two switches can still be drawn given the lighter bottom out force. Therefore, individuals seeking similar results to the Gateron Ink Yellow switch in terms of weight and a lighter typing experience may find the Splash Brothers switch to be a suitable alternative.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a medium-heavy actuation force and a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch offers a lighter typing experience with an undisclosed actuation force and a lighter bottom out force. Each switch caters to different preferences for typing experiences, allowing users to choose based on their desired push feel and the weight they prefer for their keyboard usage.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key, you will feel the same amount of distance traveled for both switches. The shorter distance allows for faster typing speeds and a more responsive feel, ensuring that keystrokes register quickly and accurately. With both switches offering the same travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of key press feel and performance.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow is known for its neutral profile and clacky sound. This means that when you press the switch, it produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers also has a neutral sound profile but is described as having a creamy sound signature. This means that the sound it produces is smoother and more mellow compared to the Ink Yellow. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. In terms of sound, both switches offer similar qualities, with slight differences in their sound signatures, providing you with options depending on your preference.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow is described as a mild switch, offering a gentle typing experience. It falls in a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. Additionally, this switch is known for its polished feel, which means it has a smooth and refined finish resulting in a sleek typing experience. The Jwick Splash Brothers, like the Ink Yellow, also falls under the mild category, providing a gentle typing experience. It is described as snappy and bouncy, with a lively feel and rebound when pressed. Similar to the Ink Yellow, the Splash Brothers also has a polished feel, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, with the Splash Brothers providing a bit more responsiveness and bounce. Overall, if you're looking for a smooth and polished feel, either switch will deliver similar results, but if you prefer a more responsive and bouncy typing experience, the Splash Brothers might be the better choice for you.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Jwick Splash Brothers have their own unique qualities that make them desirable choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Ink Yellow showcases a clacky sound and a polished feel, the Splash Brothers offer a creamy sound signature and a snappy and bouncy feel. Depending on your preference, you can choose between a sharper and more percussive sound with a smooth typing experience, or a smoother and mellow sound with a more responsive and lively typing experience. Ultimately, both switches provide a pleasant and enjoyable typing experience, making them suitable for different typing preferences.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a shorter travel that falls somewhere between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch is a great choice. It offers a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, providing a satisfying typing experience. In terms of sound, the Ink Yellow is described as neutral and clacky, giving it a crisp and bright sound profile. As for feel, it is characterized as mild and polished, with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a bottom out force of 48 grams, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is worth considering. These "speed" switches have a shorter activation combined with a long pole stem, resulting in a great typing feel. The Splash Brothers switches are known for their creamy sound signature. Furthermore, their feel is described as mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished, offering a lively and smooth typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and Jwick Splash Brothers switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a shorter travel and clackiness, go for the Ink Yellow. If you prefer a lighter switch with a creamy sound and a more lively feel, consider the Splash Brothers. Make sure to consider factors such as bottom out force, sound profile, and key feel when making your decision. Happy typing!
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