Gateron Ink Yellow vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up in discussions are the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Wine Red. Both switches fall into the linear category, providing a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback or audible click. The Ink Yellow is known for its shorter travel distance, making it a suitable choice for individuals who enjoy a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. With its pleasant smoothness and clackiness, the Ink Yellow offers a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches provide a pillowy light touch, accompanied by a deep and rich sound profile. This switch is well-regarded for its bassy and low-pitched characteristics. While these general pointers can help you narrow down your options, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Wine Red differ in terms of their housing materials. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which is known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. It offers a satisfying, thin, and clacky sound. On the other hand, the Wine Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Due to its translucency, the polycarbonate top housing is especially useful for those who plan to use RGB lighting.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches have distinct characteristics. The Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend bottom housing contributes to its pointed and high-pitched sound profile, which is often described as clacky. Similarly, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Wine Red enhances its sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing also adds to the switch's overall clear and resonant sound profile.
While the top and bottom housings of the Ink Yellow and Wine Red differ in terms of their materials, both play a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of the switches. Pressing down on either switch will allow you to experience the qualities of the bottom housing, which has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when you release a key. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique sound profiles and overall satisfying typing experiences.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Wine Red showcase differences in their top and bottom housing materials. The Ink Yellow utilizes a proprietary INK blend, while the Wine Red incorporates polycarbonate. These materials contribute to distinct sound profiles characterized by different levels of sharpness, pitch, and crispness. However, despite these distinctions, both switches deliver satisfying typing experiences with their respective housing materials impacting the overall sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are notable differences. The Ink Yellow switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Wine Red switch, which has an actuation force of 44 grams. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Ink Yellow switch is also heavier at 67 grams, while the Wine Red switch requires 55 grams of force to bottom out.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Wine Red switch would be a suitable choice as it has a lower actuation force and bottom out force. This lighter weight allows for more extended typing periods, making it ideal for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Ink Yellow switch, which requires a heavier force for actuation and bottoming out. This provides a more satisfying push feel during typing.
Both switches offer medium-weight options, with the Ink Yellow switch being slightly heavier than the Wine Red switch. However, it is important to note that the differences in actuation force and bottom out force may result in different typing experiences. Therefore, it is recommended to try out both switches to determine which one aligns better with individual preferences.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the KTT Wine Red linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Ink Yellow being on the shallower end and the Wine Red being closer to the traditional 4.0 mm. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, so those who prioritize speed and responsiveness may lean towards the Ink Yellow. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key may find the Wine Red more to their liking due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and desired 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 Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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 switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This makes it suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. Additionally, the Ink Yellow switch has a clacky sound, which produces a crisp, bright, and percussive sound when pressed.
On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switches are characterized by a deep and rich sound profile. These switches have a bassy sound, offering a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Furthermore, the Wine Red switches have a low-pitched sound, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch offers a mild typing experience. It provides a gentle sensation compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The sound and feel of the Ink Yellow switch are approachable to most users, as its qualities stand in a safe and middle-ground zone. Additionally, the Ink Yellow switch is polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. The reduced friction and smooth key travel provided by the polished switch enhance the overall feel of typing.
Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the KTT Wine Red switches.
Overall, the Gateron Ink Yellow and KTT Wine Red switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Yellow switch provides a shorter travel, a pleasant smoothness, and a clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches offer a pillowy light type feel, a deep and rich sound profile, and a bassy and low-pitched sound. If you are aiming for a typing experience similar to the Ink Yellow switch, the Wine Red switches may provide a comparable result with their light and pillowy feel. However, it is important to consider other factors such as your choice of board and keycaps, as they also contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, with a smooth and clacky sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, this medium-heavy switch offers a pleasant smoothness and clackiness. Additionally, the Ink Yellow switch is described as having a mild and polished feel, providing a more gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a pillowy light typing feel with a deep and rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red linear switch would be a fantastic option. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, this medium-light switch offers an intoxicating typing experience. The Wine Red switch is described as bassy and low-pitched, providing a deeper and richer sound during key presses.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the KTT Wine Red switches depends on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile. Whether you prioritize a laptop-like feel with clackiness or a pillowy light feel with a deep and rich sound, both switches offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. Consider your desired bottom out force, sound characteristics, and feel preferences to make an informed decision.
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