Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Gateron Ink Yellow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, it's essential to consider your personal preferences and typing needs. Two switches that have gained recognition are the Gateron Baby Kangaroo, a tactile switch, and the Gateron Ink Yellow, a linear switch. The Baby Kangaroo offers a delightful tactile experience, with a crisp and light switch-like tactility. Users also praise its unique marbley sound profile, which adds to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow boasts a shorter travel distance, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a balance between laptop and standard mechanical keyboard typing. This switch delivers a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, providing a satisfying feel with each keystroke. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make an informed decision about which switch is best suited for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches offer distinct characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The most notable difference lies in their top housings. The Baby Kangaroo features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound. Its stiffness allows for a more resonant sound profile. Conversely, the Ink Yellow utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. While both top housings result in satisfying sounds, the Baby Kangaroo's polycarbonate lends itself particularly well to RGB lighting due to its translucency. Overall, the top housing of each switch gives a different timbre to the sound produced, catering to individual preferences.
Likewise, the bottom housings of these switches offer distinct sound profiles. The Baby Kangaroo's nylon bottom housing generates a deeper and fuller sound. The relatively softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend bottom housing contributes to a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, often described as clacky. Both bottom housings provide unique auditory experiences, allowing users to choose the type of sound they prefer while typing.
When comparing the two switches, it is important to note that the qualities of the top and bottom housings are divided. When pressing on either switch, the bottom housing's characteristics will be felt and heard during the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, upon releasing a key, the top housing will have a more significant impact on the sound produced. Despite their differences, both switches offer satisfying sound profiles that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer the sharper and crisper sound of the Baby Kangaroo or the clacky sound of the Ink Yellow, Gateron ensures exceptional sound quality in their switches.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch are very similar. Both switches have a bottom out force of 67 grams, making them fall into the medium-heavy category. However, there is a slight difference in their actuation force. The Baby Kangaroo requires 59 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Ink Yellow requires 60 grams. This small difference may not be noticeable to most users and will likely result in similar typing experiences.
When it comes to weight, both switches offer options that cater to different preferences. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Ink Yellow or the Baby Kangaroo, as they both have actuation forces in the range of 59-60 grams. This lighter actuation force allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue, making them ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Baby Kangaroo or the Ink Yellow, as they both have a bottom out force of 67 grams. The heavier force provides a satisfying tactile feedback and may be preferred by those who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke sensation.
Overall, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and Ink Yellow switches offer similar actuation and bottom out forces, ensuring a comparable typing experience. The slight variation in actuation force may not have a significant impact on the overall feel of the switches. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on individual preference for a lighter or heavier touch.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, it can be observed that the Baby Kangaroo has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Ink Yellow has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Although the difference between the two switches is minimal, it is worth noting that the Baby Kangaroo offers a slightly shorter travel distance. This means that the Baby Kangaroo switch may be preferred by gamers or individuals looking for a faster response time, as shorter travel distances are often associated with quicker key presses. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow switch, with its slightly longer travel distance, may appeal more to those who prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the level of responsiveness or depth desired by the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) for $5.50.
The Gateron Ink Yellow has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Yellow for $7.35.
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 Baby Kangaroo tactile switch produces a unique combination of qualities. It is described as clacky, which means it produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This gives it a crisp, bright, and percussive sound profile. Additionally, it is also described as marbly, which refers to a resonant, high-pitched, and clean sound. Tapping on a solid piece of marble or the sound of billiard balls colliding can help concretize the marbly adjective when considering the sound of these switches. Overall, the Baby Kangaroo switch offers a distinct auditory experience with its crisp, bright, percussive, high-pitched, and resonant sound qualities.
On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile. It is described as clacky, similar to the Baby Kangaroo switch, meaning it produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. However, compared to the Baby Kangaroo, the Ink Yellow switch has a more moderate sound profile. This makes it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user and whether you plan to use it at home or at work. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch offers a snappy and bouncy typing experience. The switch's snappy characteristic indicates high responsiveness, possibly due to longer or dual-staged springs. This responsiveness makes the typing experience feel lively and more engaging. Additionally, the bouncy quality of the switch provides a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, allowing the keys to have a lively feel and offer rebound when pressed. The Baby Kangaroo switch is also described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Similarly, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offers a polished feel. It also provides a mild typing experience, offering a more gentle feedback compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This makes the Ink Yellow switch approachable to most users, as its qualities stand in a safe middle-ground zone. The polished characteristic of the switch ensures a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Baby Kangaroo switch provides a unique combination of crisp, bright, percussive, high-pitched, and resonant sound qualities, while also offering a snappy, bouncy, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow switch has a more neutral sound profile with a moderate clacky sound. It offers a mild typing experience with a polished feel. While they have their differences, both switches offer pleasant qualities that can enhance the typing experience. Therefore, depending on individual preferences, one can achieve similar results with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, a crisp, light tactile feel, and a marbley sound profile, then the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch would be a great choice for you. This switch offers a snappy and bouncy typing feel, making it super responsive and giving you a lively rebound when pressed.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a shorter travel, a pleasant smoothness, and a clacky sound, then the Gateron Ink Yellow switch would be more suitable for you. This switch provides a mild typing experience, making it approachable to most users, and also boasts a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a tactile feel and a unique sound profile, the Baby Kangaroo switch is the way to go. However, if you prefer a shorter travel and a more versatile sound profile, the Ink Yellow switch would be a better fit. Consider what factors are most important to you in your typing experience and choose accordingly. In the end, both switches are high-quality options that can enhance your mechanical keyboard setup.
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