Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Looking for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch can be quite overwhelming with the variety of options available. If you're considering a linear switch, both the Gateron Oil King and the KTT Wine Red are excellent choices. The Oil King is renowned for its impeccable smoothness, offering a typing experience reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. With its low-pitched, creamy, silky, and buttery sound profile, this switch is sure to satisfy your auditory senses. On the other hand, the Wine Red switch delivers a pillowy light typing feel accompanied by a deeply satisfying bassy sound. Although both switches offer unique characteristics, diving deeper into their specific qualities will help you determine the ideal choice for your keyboard needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Oil King and the KTT Wine Red differ in their housing materials, with the Oil King featuring a nylon top housing and a proprietary INK blend bottom housing, while the Wine Red has a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. The nylon top housing of the Oil King provides a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Wine Red creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound, offering a clearer and more resonant sound profile.
Interestingly, both the Oil King and the Wine Red utilize polycarbonate for their bottom housing. This choice of material contributes to a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, adding to the overall clarity of the switch's sound. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate allows for the switches to be translucent, which is particularly advantageous for those who plan to incorporate RGB lighting into their keyboards. Thus, users can expect similar outcomes in terms of sound profile and aesthetic appeal when it comes to the bottom housing of both switches.
It's important to note that the differences in housing materials have an impact on the overall sound and feel of the switches. While the bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down, the top housing plays a larger role in the sound produced when a key is released. This means that the nylon top housing of the Oil King will contribute to a duller and rounder sound upon key release, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Wine Red will result in a crisper and sharper sound when letting go of a key. These nuances in sound can greatly influence the overall typing experience and are worth considering when choosing between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are notable differences between the two. The Oil King has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Wine Red's lighter actuation force of 44 grams. This means that the Oil King requires a bit more force to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, the Oil King also has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Wine Red has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams. Therefore, the Oil King provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier forces, which may appeal to those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Wine Red offers a lighter typing experience, making it suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming sessions. However, it is worth noting that both switches fall within the medium range, ensuring that users will receive reliable and consistent results regardless of their preference for lighter or heavier forces.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. The travel distance plays an important role in determining the tactile feedback and overall typing experience. With both switches offering the same travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of key responsiveness and feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50, whereas the KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71.
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, both the Gateron Oil King and the KTT Wine Red switches offer a deep and rich bassy sound. These switches provide a lower frequency range, resulting in a sound profile that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Oil King switch is also described as having a low-pitched sound, which adds a mellow and bass-heavy tone to key presses. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, if you are looking for a switch with a deep and rich sound profile, both the Oil King and Wine Red switches will deliver similar results.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Oil King switch is described as offering a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. These descriptors indicate that the Oil King switch provides a smooth and buttery typing sensation. It glides effortlessly under your fingers, offering a silky smooth and uniform keystroke experience. The switch's polished finish and possible factory lubing contribute to reduced friction, resulting in smooth key travel. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available regarding the feel of the KTT Wine Red switch. However, based on the descriptions provided for the Oil King switch, it is safe to assume that the Wine Red switch will also offer a smooth and enjoyable typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Oil King and KTT Wine Red switches offer desirable qualities in terms of sound and feel. These linear switches provide a deep and rich bassy sound profile, satisfying the preferences of those who enjoy a lower frequency range. Additionally, their smooth and buttery typing experiences make them appealing choices for those seeking a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. Although the specific details of the Wine Red switch's sound and feel are not provided, it can be inferred that it will deliver similar results to the Oil King switch. Ultimately, both switches provide subjective qualities that are highly regarded among keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a buttery smoothness and a low-pitched, bassy sound profile, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is the way to go. These switches provide a satisfyingly deep and rich typing experience similar to snapping a dark chocolate bar. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light switch that offers a pillowy light type feel and a low-pitched, bassy sound profile, the KTT Wine Red linear switch is the perfect choice. These switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for bottom out force and typing feel. Whether you choose the Gateron Oil King or the KTT Wine Red, both switches offer a delightful typing experience with their distinct characteristics. In the end, the choice is yours to make based on the sound and feel that resonates with you the most.
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