Gateron Ink Yellow vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Ink Yellow and the TTC Venus are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique characteristics for different preferences. The Gateron Ink Yellow is known for its shorter travel distance, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop keyboard and a standard mechanical keyboard. It offers a smooth and clacky feel, categorized as 'Neutral', 'Clacky', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the TTC Venus stands out for its innovative internal design, featuring a seamless glide and a "Q-texture" that gives it a unique matte sensation. This switch is buttery, gummy, frictionless, low-pitched, mild, muted, neutral, polished, subdued, and thocky. While the Ink Yellow is suited for those seeking a balance between laptop and mechanical keyboard typing, the Venus offers a smooth and engaging typing experience with rapid actuation and muted sound. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 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
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend top housing offers a pointed and high-pitched sound profile that is often described as clacky. In contrast, the TTC Venus's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound. While both provide a unique sound experience, the Ink Yellow's top housing emphasizes a thinner, higher-pitched tone compared to the Venus's POM housing, which leans towards a deeper and more subdued sound. This highlights how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall auditory experience of a keyboard switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Gateron Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend once again delivers a pointed and high-pitched sound profile that complements its top housing. On the other hand, the TTC Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing creates a more clear and resonant sound profile due to its stiffness. This demonstrates how the bottom housing material plays a key role in shaping the feel and sound of a key press, with the Gateron Ink Yellow and TTC Venus offering distinct characteristics based on their housing materials.
In cases where the top and bottom housings differ, each material brings unique qualities to the switch. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing affects the sound when the key is released. Whether it's the pointed and high-pitched sound of the Gateron Ink Yellow's INK blend or the deeper and more muted sound of the TTC Venus's POM housing, the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a keyboard switch. While both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials, it's important to consider how these elements combine to create a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it is evident that the Ink Yellow is heavier in terms of both forces. The Ink Yellow has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Venus switch is lighter, with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. The difference in weight between the two switches can significantly impact the typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Venus switch for longer typing or gaming sessions, while individuals who enjoy a more substantial push feel might favor the Ink Yellow switch for a more tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between the switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for gamers looking for faster response times. However, the Venus switch may provide a slightly more substantial keypress feel due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference regarding the travel distance and the level of responsiveness desired. With the Ink Yellow offering a slightly shorter travel distance and the Venus providing a slightly longer one, users can expect different tactile experiences when using each switch.
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 TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 switch offers a neutral and clacky experience, producing a moderate sound profile with a crisp and percussive sound when pressed. On the other hand, the TTC Venus switch provides a low-pitched, muted, and subdued sound, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a softer and quieter sound signature. The Venus switch also introduces a thocky element, creating a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. Ultimately, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the contrary, the TTC Venus switch is characterized by a buttery, gummy, and frictionless feel, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with minimal resistance or friction. Both switches offer a mild typing experience suitable for most users, with the Venus switch offering a unique and engaging "matte" sensation.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch and the TTC Venus switch each have their own distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Ink Yellow switch provides a more clacky sound and polished feel, the Venus switch offers a subdued sound and buttery, gummy feel that sets it apart. Both switches promise a smooth typing experience, with the Ink Yellow falling between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, while the Venus boasts a unique internal configuration for an engaging typing sensation. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience desired.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Ink Yellow may be the better choice for you. Its smoothness and clackiness offer a pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force with a unique "matte" sensation and a light actuation for rapid typing, the TTC Venus switch may be more suitable. The Venus switch boasts a frictionless glide and a muted sound signature that wraps each keystroke in a subdued auditory embrace. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to your personal preference for typing experience, bottom out force, and sound profile. Consider these factors carefully to determine which switch aligns best with your preferences and needs.
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