Gateron Jupiter Brown vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Gateron Jupiter Brown, a tactile switch, and the Gateron Oil King, a linear switch. The Jupiter Brown is known for its blend of tradition and innovation, offering a classic keystroke feel with a medium-heavy weight due to its single-stage spring design. On the other hand, the Oil King stands out for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile likened to snapping a dark chocolate bar. While the Jupiter Brown is categorized as mild, polished, and stepped, the Oil King is labeled as low-pitched, creamy, silky, bassy, buttery, and polished. Each switch has its own unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

Gateron Oil King (V2) Linear

$2.80 per 10

$6.50 per 10

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Housing materials

Both the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Gateron Oil King switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Jupiter Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound compared to the Oil King's nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. The polycarbonate material is known for its stiffness, leading to a more resonant sound profile, while nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in materials gives each switch a unique auditory experience.

In terms of bottom housing materials, both the Jupiter Brown and the Oil King switches use different materials as well. The Jupiter Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Oil King's proprietary INK blend bottom housing produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. The use of different materials for the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel of each switch. This split between housing materials allows for a diverse tactile experience when typing on either switch.

While the top and bottom housings of the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Gateron Oil King switches differ in materials, they both offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The polycarbonate top housing of the Jupiter Brown creates a clear and resonant sound, while the Oil King's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Jupiter Brown provides a duller and rounder sound, while the Oil King's INK blend bottom housing produces a clacky sound. By understanding the impact of housing materials on sound profiles, users can choose a switch that best suits their preferences.

Weight

The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch both have an actuation force of 55 grams, ensuring a consistent typing experience in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Jupiter Brown requires 70 grams, while the Oil King only needs 65 grams, making the Oil King slightly lighter in terms of fully pressing down keys. This slight difference may provide a more comfortable typing experience for those who prefer a lighter touch. Overall, both switches fall into the medium-heavy category, offering a substantial typing feel for those who enjoy a bit of resistance in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When typing or gaming with either of these switches, you can expect a consistent feel and feedback in terms of travel distance. This means that whether you choose the Jupiter Brown tactile switch or the Oil King linear switch, you will experience a similar keypress travel distance. This can result in a consistent typing or gaming experience across both switches, as the distance traveled when pressing down on a key will be the same.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch is known for a more traditional and medium-pitched typing sound, providing a satisfying click with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, giving a deeper and richer tone to your typing experience. Ultimately, both switches will deliver a pleasant auditory feedback that will enhance your overall typing enjoyment, with the Jupiter Brown providing a more classic sound and the Oil King offering a more unique and luxurious tone.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch is often described as having a mild and polished typing experience, offering a comfortable and refined feel with each key press. The switch features a single-stage spring that provides a balanced tactile feedback without being too aggressive. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is praised for its creamy, silky, and buttery feel, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience that feels effortless and luxurious. Both switches offer a premium typing experience, with the Jupiter Brown offering a more traditional tactile feel and the Oil King providing a silky smoothness that is unmatched.

Overall, whether you choose the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch or the Gateron Oil King linear switch, you can expect a high-quality typing experience that combines performance and aesthetics. The Jupiter Brown offers a classic tactile feel with a medium-heavy weight and softer backlight effects, while the Oil King provides a buttery smoothness and a rich sound profile that is reminiscent of indulgent dark chocolate. In the end, your choice between the two switches will ultimately come down to your personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches excel in providing top-notch quality and performance for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.

Conclusion

To wrap up, when choosing between the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience and sound profile. If you prefer a classic keystroke feel with a medium-heavy weight and softer backlight effects, the Jupiter Brown may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smooth and buttery typing experience with a low-pitched and rich sound profile, the Oil King linear switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what factors are most important to you when making your decision.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

$2.80 per 10

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Gateron Oil King (V2) Linear

$6.50 per 10

Learn more