Gateron Jupiter Red vs. Gateron Weightlessness

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Weightlessness can significantly affect your typing experience. The Jupiter Red switches are celebrated for their ultra-smooth, uninterrupted keystrokes, thanks to a single-stage spring design that maintains a medium-heavy actuation. This lends itself to a polished and silky-feel while typing, making them ideal for users who seek a seamless and consistent experience, particularly favored by gamers and typists who thrive on rapid, fluid keystrokes. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness switches provide a more tactile typing sensation, offering subtle to moderate feedback that enhances the typing experience without overwhelming the user. This balance of tactile feedback paired with a pleasant sound profile makes it a great choice for those who appreciate a more engaged feel while typing, such as writers and programmers who value precision and responsiveness. Both switches cater to distinct preferences, and while the Jupiter Reds excel in fluidity, the Weightlessness switches offer a satisfying tactile punch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Jupiter Red Linear

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$2.80 per 10

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

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Housing materials

When examining the housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Weightlessness, notable distinctions emerge, particularly in their top housings. The Jupiter Red features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffer nature and resulting acoustics. This particular material produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, which is enhanced further by its translucency, making it an ideal choice for keyboards with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Weightlessness utilizes a nylon top housing. Nylon is a softer plastic, which absorbs sound vibrations, resulting in a deeper, rounder sound profile. Hence, while the Jupiter Red may appeal to those looking for a brighter auditory experience, the Weightlessness provides a warmer, mellower tone.

In terms of their bottom housings, however, the two switches find common ground. Both the Jupiter Red and Weightlessness feature nylon as their bottom housing material. This similarity means that the resulting sound profile during typing is deeper and fuller with a softer tactile feedback, as nylon effectively absorbs sound better than harder materials. The contributions of the bottom housing remain significant as they influence the feel of the switch upon bottoming out, emphasizing the roundness in sound and tactile feedback in both cases. This consistency in bottom housing material suggests that the typing experience will have a harmonious quality when it comes to sound, regardless of the differing top housing materials.

Ultimately, the interplay between the top and bottom housings in each switch shapes the overall typing experience. The Jupiter Red's polycarbonate top and nylon bottom allow for a pronounced exit sound combined with a profound bottoming feel, whereas the Weightlessness’s top and bottom both made of nylon feature a more muted sound across the board. Because the top housing significantly affects the sound profile during key release while the bottom housing influences the bottom-out experience, users can expect distinct auditory impressions when typing on each switch despite the shared nylon bottom in both cases. These differences provide keyboard enthusiasts with intriguing options depending on their desired auditory and tactile responses.

Weight

The Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch differ in their actuation force, with the Jupiter Red requiring a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Weightlessness's heavier actuation force of 50 grams. This means that users who prefer a lighter switch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions might find the Jupiter Red more comfortable to use throughout the day. In terms of bottom out force, the Jupiter Red has a measurable value of 60 grams, indicating a solid, tactile feedback upon full depression. Conversely, the bottom out force for the Weightlessness switch is unknown, leaving some uncertainty about how much force would be needed for a complete press. Overall, for those who enjoy a lighter touch, the Jupiter Red is the better option, while the Weightlessness may cater to users seeking a more substantial feel, though it lacks a clear bottom out force specification.

Travel distance

The Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch features a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Jupiter Red switch offers a more traditional and deeper key press, which some users may find preferable for a more tactile and satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch, with its reduced travel distance, caters to those seeking faster response times, especially desired by gamers who benefit from quicker actuation. While both switches serve different preferences, the Jupiter Red is clearly the longer option at 4 mm, and the Weightlessness is the shorter one at 3.4 mm.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch has a neutral profile, characterized by a moderate actuation force and sound level. This makes it suitable for various environments, whether at home or in an office setting. Users can expect a balanced audio experience with no excessive noise, making it a versatile option for both beginners and seasoned typists. The sound output of the Jupiter Red can vary based on the keyboard and keycap choices, but it generally remains on the quieter side of the spectrum. The sound characteristics of the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch are currently unknown, making it difficult to directly compare its auditory qualities to those of the Jupiter Red.

When considering feel, the Jupiter Red excels with a polished, creamy, and silky typing experience. This switch is designed for a smooth and refined keystroke, offering minimal friction thanks to its high-quality construction and potential factory lubrication. Typists can expect a buttery sensation that allows their fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys, enhancing overall comfort during extended use. In contrast, the specific tactile feel of the Weightlessness switch is also currently unknown, leaving a gap in direct comparison to the highly refined tactile experience offered by the Jupiter Red.

In conclusion, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is an exceptional choice for those who prioritize sound neutrality and a polished, smooth typing feel, offering a tailored experience for various user preferences. While the sound properties of the Weightlessness switch remain to be defined, the tactile nature of both switches sets them apart, particularly the Jupiter Red with its buttery and silky keystrokes. For newcomers, understanding these qualities can help narrow down personal preferences and guide them towards the switch that best fits their typing style.

Conclusion

To sum up, your choice between the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke, the Jupiter Red is an excellent choice due to its polished, creamy, and silky feel. This switch, with its medium actuation force, is perfect for those who appreciate a consistent and fluid typing experience—ideal for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, if you're looking for a subtle tactile feedback that adds some character to your keystrokes without causing too much noise, the Weightlessness switch would be a good fit. While its exact actuation force may be unknown, its balanced sound profile allows for a pleasant typing experience, potentially making it a great option in environments where a quieter operation is desired. Ultimately, consider what aspect of typing you prioritize: seamlessness and smoothness with the Jupiter Red, or a gentle touch of tactility with the Weightlessness.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Red Linear

$2.80 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more