Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. Sarokeys Purple Sakura
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Oil King and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura stand out as popular options, each offering unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Gateron Oil King is a linear switch known for its buttery smoothness and low-pitched sound profile, evoking a sense of luxury akin to a dark chocolate bar snapping. On the other hand, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura is a tactile switch celebrated for its snappy response and decadently buttery downstroke, striking a delicate balance between tactility and sound. While the Oil King excels in providing a polished and creamy typing experience, the Purple Sakura offers a mild and neutral sound signature with just the right amount of snap. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style; 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
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
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
Color coated
Spring
22mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Oil King and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Oil King's nylon top housing produces a deep and full sound due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller tone. In comparison, the Purple Sakura's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffer properties that contribute to a clearer and resonant sound profile. While the Oil King focuses on a rounder sound, the Purple Sakura emphasizes a more defined and higher-pitched tone.
On the bottom housing side, the Oil King utilizes a proprietary INK blend that produces a pointed and high-pitched sound, described as clacky but not overly sharp. This unique blend contributes to the overall sound profile of the switch, providing a satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the Purple Sakura features a nylon bottom housing, known for its softer composition that absorbs sound and creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite the differences in materials, both bottom housings contribute to the tactile feedback and sound when typing on these switches.
Overall, the choice of materials for the top and bottom housings of the Gateron Oil King and Sarokeys Purple Sakura ultimately affects the typing experience and sound profile of each switch. While the Oil King focuses on a combination of nylon and a proprietary blend for a more rounded and clacky sound, the Purple Sakura utilizes polycarbonate and nylon for a sharper and crisper tone. Whether you prefer a deeper and fuller sound or a clearer and resonant sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences. Ultimately, the material composition of the top and bottom housings plays a significant role in shaping the sound and feel of these mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, the Oil King has a slightly heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Purple Sakura. The Oil King requires 55 grams of force to actuate and 65 grams to bottom out, giving it a medium-heavy feel. In contrast, the Purple Sakura has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium switch. Both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, but the Oil King may be preferred by those who prefer a stronger push feel, while the Purple Sakura may be suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is on the longer side compared to the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch with a travel distance of 3.2 mm. The Oil King provides a deeper key press experience for users who prefer more depth when typing, while the Purple Sakura offers a shallower travel distance that may appeal to those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. Both switches offer a smooth typing experience, but the Oil King will provide a more pronounced key press feel due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, with the Oil King offering a longer travel distance and the Purple Sakura providing a shorter one for users seeking different tactile experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Sarokeys Purple Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Sakura for $3.15.
The Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 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 Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, giving a deep and mellow tone during key presses. In contrast, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch provides a more neutral sound signature, suitable for a wide range of users. The difference in sound between the two switches may play a role in the overall typing experience, with the Oil King offering a more distinct and immersive auditory feedback compared to the softer and more neutral sound of the Purple Sakura.
In terms of feel, both the Oil King and Purple Sakura switches share qualities such as a buttery typing experience. The Oil King is described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation with reduced friction and effortless key travel. On the other hand, the Purple Sakura is characterized by its buttery, mild, and snappy feel, offering a gentle typing experience with responsive feedback. While both switches aim to provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, users may prefer the distinct feel offered by either the Oil King or Purple Sakura based on their personal preferences.
Considering the subjective qualities of sound and feel, the Gateron Oil King and Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches offer unique experiences tailored to different preferences. The Oil King stands out with its low-pitched and bassy sound profile, coupled with a creamy and polished feel that emphasizes smoothness and fluidity. In contrast, the Purple Sakura provides a neutral sound signature and a buttery, mild, and snappy feel that offers a more gentle and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Oil King linear switch or the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, you should keep in mind the differences in bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force, a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, and a creamy, silky, buttery, or polished typing feel, the Gateron Oil King linear switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a neutral sound profile, and a buttery, mild, and snappy typing feel, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal typing style and preferences, so consider these factors carefully before making a decision.
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