Gateron Weightlessness vs. PH Studio Yoel
An in-depth look at the Gateron Weightlessness and the PH Studio Yoel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, personal preference plays a crucial role in the typing experience, and two popular options are the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch. The Weightlessness switch is celebrated for its subtle to moderate tactile feedback, which provides users with a satisfying but not overpowering sensation as they type. Accompanied by a balanced sound profile, this switch is ideal for those who appreciate a tactile response without excessive noise. In contrast, the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, designed by BSUN, delivers a unique, chewy typing experience that envelops your fingertips with each keystroke. Its bright and clacky sound profile creates a joyful resonance at bottom-out, making it a delight for users who enjoy an auditory experience alongside a smooth keypress. While the Weightlessness switch caters to users seeking tactile feedback and a quieter environment, the Yoel switch appeals to those who love a lively and pronounced sound with effortless key travel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Weightlessness switch and the PH Studio Yoel switch present distinct contrasts in their housing materials, which significantly affect their sound profiles and overall feel during typing. The Weightlessness utilizes a nylon top housing, a classic choice known for producing a deeper and fuller sound, primarily due to nylon's softer composition. This material serves to absorb sound waves more effectively than stiffer plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. Conversely, the Yoel features a polycarbonate top housing, which affords a sharper and more resonant sound due to the stiffer nature of the material. This inherent contrast in sound characteristics highlights how the choice of housing can dramatically influence the auditory feedback a user experiences with each switch.
The bottom housings also reveal a differentiation in materials between these two switches. The Weightlessness opts for a nylon bottom housing, reinforcing the deeper and fuller sound profile established by the top housing. As a softer plastic, nylon contributes to a muted sound when bottoming out, enhancing the overall warmth of the typing experience. In contrast, the Yoel employs a POM bottom housing, known for delivering a pleasing and unique sound that skews towards the deeper and more muted end of the spectrum. While both the Weightlessness and the Yoel aim for a certain sound profile, their choices in material create diverging auditory textures, with nylon emphasizing warmth and POM offering a more nuanced depth.
Despite these apparent differences, both switches can produce similar results in terms of the overall typing experience due to the interplay of their respective top and bottom housing materials. While the Weightlessness combines nylon in both the top and bottom to generate a harmonious sound profile that emphasizes depth, the Yoel's use of polycarbonate and POM allows for sectional sound influence, with the polycarbonate contributing clarity as the user releases a key and the POM supporting a muted bottom-out sound. Consequently, while the sonic qualities differ, the overall typing feel can be comparable, providing users with tactile satisfaction shaped by their individual preferences for sound and resonance.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch to the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation forces and bottom out forces. The Weightlessness switch has an actuation force of 50 grams, which is lighter than the Yoel's actuation force of 53 grams. This difference suggests that the Weightlessness may be preferred for users looking for a more effortless typing experience, ideal for long sessions at work or gaming. However, the Weightlessness lacks a specified bottom out force, making it difficult to determine how firmly it bottoms out compared to the Yoel, which has a bottom out force of 60 grams. This added weight in the Yoel switch may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience; the extra resistance can enhance feedback and control. Overall, while both switches provide distinct experiences, the Weightlessness switch is lighter, and its unknown bottom out force prevents a direct comparison in terms of overall heaviness.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, the Weightlessness features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Yoel has a slightly shorter distance of 3.2 mm. This means that the Weightlessness offers a more pronounced depth in its keystroke, which could appeal to users who prefer a heftier feel when typing. On the other hand, the Yoel, with its shorter travel distance, caters to those looking for quicker response times, making it potentially more suited for fast-paced gaming. Thus, for users who value a balance between responsive keystrokes and tactile feedback, the Weightlessness may be the better choice, whereas those who favor speed and lighter presses might opt for the Yoel. Overall, the Weightlessness offers a longer distance for a more substantial typing experience, whereas the Yoel provides a shorter, snappier feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
The PH Studio Yoel has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yoel for $4.10.
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, the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch features a balanced sound profile that aligns well with its tactile characteristics, providing a pleasant auditory experience without being overly pronounced. It's designed to complement typing with subtle acoustic feedback, making it suitable for environments where noise may be a concern. In contrast, the PH Studio Yoel linear switch is known for its bright and clacky sound profile, delivering a sharp and snappy auditory response with each keypress. The Yoel also exhibits a high-pitched resonance upon bottoming out, creating an immersive and satisfying sound that many enthusiasts appreciate. Thus, while both switches offer distinct sonic qualities, the Weightlessness promotes a more subdued ambiance, while the Yoel embraces an expressive and lively auditory presence.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch provides a subtle to moderate tactile feedback, allowing typists to sense their keystrokes without overwhelming resistance. This tactile response is designed to balance ease of use with enough feedback to confirm key activation. On the other hand, the PH Studio Yoel linear switch delivers a delectably creamy typing experience, characterized by a smooth, buttery action that might be attributed to factory lubrication and the choice of materials. Users will likely find the Yoel to be exceptionally polished and silky in response, reducing friction as they glide from key to key. In summary, while the Weightlessness offers a gentle tactile sensation, the Yoel provides a much smoother and more luxurious typing feel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch cater to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. The Weightlessness is favored for its balanced sound and subtle tactile feedback, making it ideal for those who prefer a more understated experience. Conversely, the Yoel shines with its bright, clacky sound and smooth, creamy feel, appealing to users who enjoy a more pronounced and satisfying typing action. Both switches offer unique experiences, and while subjective qualities differ, your choice between them will largely depend on your desired typing sound and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you enjoy a subtle to moderate tactile sensation and prefer a switch that allows for a balanced sound profile, the Weightlessness may be the right choice for you. It can be particularly appealing for tasks that require precision and feedback, such as programming or writing, where you appreciate knowing exactly when you've actuated a key without the distraction of an overly pronounced sound. On the other hand, if you crave a more dynamic typing experience characterized by a pronounced sound and a deliciously chewy feel, the Yoel switch will likely be more suited to your style. With its clacky and bright auditory signature, paired with a smooth and creamy tactile quality, this switch is excellent for gamers or typists who enjoy a more engaging and lively keypress. In essence, selecting between these two switches hinges on whether you prioritize tactile feedback combined with subtle sound or a more pronounced acoustic experience with linear responsiveness.
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