Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. Everglide Sakura Pink

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Oil King and the Everglide Sakura Pink are two options that stand out. The Oil King is known for its buttery smoothness and low-pitched sound profile, which is akin to the satisfying snap of a dark chocolate bar. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches offer a super light actuation force of 35g, making them ideal for those with a delicate typing touch. With a gliding feel and frictionless operation, typing becomes effortless with the Sakura Pinks, and they produce a delightful poppy sound reminiscent of popping bubble wrap. These general pointers might already give you an idea of which switch you prefer; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Oil King (V2) Linear

Everglide Sakura Pink Linear

$6.50 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Oil King and the Everglide Sakura Pink, one key difference lies in the top housing. The Oil King utilizes a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink incorporates a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer plastic of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly beneficial for those planning to use RGB lighting.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Oil King features its proprietary INK blend housing. This unique blend produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound with a satisfyingly clacky quality. Meanwhile, the Sakura Pink utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which also yields a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Both housing materials contribute to a clear and resonant sound profile, with the bottom housing having a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed.

Although there are differences in the housing materials, it's worth noting that the use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housing of the Sakura Pink and the Oil King's INK blend bottom housing result in similar sound profiles. Both switches exhibit a sharper and higher-pitched sound, creating a clear and resonant typing experience. However, the Oil King distinguishes itself with a deeper and fuller sound due to the nylon top housing.

In summary, the Gateron Oil King's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, while the Everglide Sakura Pink's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches share a high-pitched sound thanks to their polycarbonate bottom housings, but the Oil King's proprietary INK blend adds a clacky element to its overall sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between the two housing materials depends on personal preferences for sound and aesthetics, with nylon providing a more muffled tone and polycarbonate delivering a more clear and resonant sound.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their weight. The Gateron Oil King has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink has an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a lighter option.

For those who prioritize a lighter typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink would be a better choice. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, it allows for a smoother and more effortless keystroke. This would be beneficial for users who type for extended periods, such as when using the keyboard at work or during long gaming sessions.

Alternatively, the Gateron Oil King provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. This gives users a stronger push feel, which can be preferred by individuals who seek a more tactile and satisfying typing feedback.

It is worth noting that both switches provide distinct advantages based on personal preferences. If a lighter switch is desired, the Everglide Sakura Pink offers a more enjoyable typing experience with its lower force requirements. However, if a heavier and more substantial typing feel is preferred, the Gateron Oil King would be the suitable option.

Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron Oil King and the Everglide Sakura Pink differ, providing users with the flexibility to choose between a lighter or a heavier typing experience based on their individual preferences.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that whether you are using the Oil King or the Sakura Pink switch, you will experience a consistent and comfortable distance when pressing down on a key. As a result, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and key response for both switches.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Oil King linear switch produces a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. The low-pitched sound offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the bassy characteristic adds depth and richness to the sound during key presses. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is described as muted. It produces a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular or clacky switch, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, both the Gateron Oil King and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience. The Oil King switch is described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished. These descriptors indicate that the switch provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Sakura Pink switch is also described as buttery and creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. Additionally, it is easy to press, requiring minimal force to activate, and has a frictionless operation, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience.

Taking all the available information into account, it is evident that both the Gateron Oil King and Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches offer subjective qualities that contribute to a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. While the Oil King switch is known for its low-pitched and bassy sound profile, the Sakura Pink switch produces a softer and quieter sound. In terms of feel, both switches offer a buttery and creamy typing experience, with the Oil King switch described as creamier and the Sakura Pink switch emphasizing ease of pressing and frictionless operation. Ultimately, both switches provide a smooth and effortless typing experience, making them suitable options for newcomers.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, the Gateron Oil King would be a great choice. These switches provide a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, with a smooth and refined finish. The 65g bottom out force offers a satisfying keypress feel for those who prefer a bit of resistance. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a muted sound, the Everglide Sakura Pink would be the way to go. These switches have a feather-light 45g bottom out force, making them ideal for delicate typists. The Sakura Pinks offer a buttery and creamy typing experience, with an easy-to-press and frictionless feel. They produce a delightful poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Oil King and Everglide Sakura Pink depends on your preferences for weight, sound, and typing feel.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Oil King (V2) Linear

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Sakura Pink Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more