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Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Wuque Studio WS Morandi

An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, there are many factors to consider. For those seeking a typing experience that falls in between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow is an excellent choice. Known for its shorter travel distance, this linear switch offers a pleasant smoothness and clackiness that is accompanied by a neutral, clacky, mild, polished feel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi stands out for its innovative design and visual aesthetics. These ultra-smooth linear switches feature a light column that diffuses RGB visuals, creating a mesmerizing effect. With a unique dry and airy smoothness provided by the UPE stem, the WS Morandi offers a buttery, creamy, low-pitched, silky, subdued, thocky sensation, distinct from the creamy feel of factory-lubed switches. Additionally, it strikes a perfect balance between form and function with its medium weight, slightly shortened total travel, and long pole design. While both switches have their own merits, 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

60g

Actuation force

50g

Bottom-out force

67g

Bottom-out force

60g

Pre-travel

1.50 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.50 mm

Total travel

3.50 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POM

Stem material

UPE

Top housing material

Proprietary INK blend

Top housing material

POM

Bottom housing material

Proprietary INK blend

Bottom housing material

POM

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Gold-plated

Spring

18mm double-stage spring

Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Yellow and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi have contrasting housing materials that greatly affect the sound profiles of these mechanical keyboard switches. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a thin and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. In contrast, the WS Morandi utilizes a POM top housing that creates a deeper sound profile, which is relatively more muted. Thus, while both switches deliver satisfying and unique sounds, the Ink Yellow offers a sharper and more distinct clack, while the WS Morandi offers a mellower and softer tone.

The differences between the bottom housings of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi also contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend bottom housing enhances its pointed and high-pitched sound, resulting in a satisfying and clacky experience when pressing down on the switch. Conversely, the WS Morandi's POM bottom housing creates a deeper sound profile that is relatively more muted. Therefore, the bottom housing of each switch has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and overall feel when typing.

Overall, while the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi differ in their housing materials, both switches offer satisfying keyboard experiences. If you are looking for a switch with a sharper and more distinctive sound, the Ink Yellow with its proprietary INK blend top and bottom housings would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a mellower and softer tone, the WS Morandi with its POM top and bottom housings would be a better fit. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preferences for keyboard sound and feel.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, it is worth noting that the Ink Yellow has a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the WS Morandi's force, which is unfortunately unavailable. However, both switches share a similar bottom out force of 60 grams, which places them in the medium category. For those who prefer a lighter keyboard for extended typing sessions or lengthy gaming sessions, the Ink Yellow may be a suitable option due to its relatively lighter actuation force. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may lean towards the WS Morandi or other options with heavier actuation forces.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch have an equal travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch with a specific travel distance, both the Ink Yellow and the WS Morandi will provide similar results.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

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.

The Wuque Studio WS Morandi comes in at $3.90 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

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is known for having a pleasant smoothness and clackiness. This means that when pressed, it produces a crisp, bright, and percussive sound. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switch has a slightly more muted sound profile. It is described as low-pitched and subdued, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone with a dampened sound when pressed. The Morandi switch also has a thocky characteristic, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released. Overall, the sound of each switch provides a distinct auditory experience. However, it's important to note that the sound can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is described as having a mild and polished sensation. Its characteristics fall within a safe, middle-ground zone, offering a more gentle typing experience. The switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switch is known for its buttery, creamy, and silky feel. It provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, similar to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. The Morandi switch offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience by enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Ink Yellow and Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches offer their own unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Yellow provides a clacky sound with a mild and polished feel, while the WS Morandi offers a low-pitched, subdued, and thocky sound with a buttery, creamy, and silky feel. Based on these descriptions, it seems that the two switches would provide different subjective experiences. However, it's worth mentioning that individual preferences may vary, and the overall typing experience can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a slightly shorter travel, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch would be a great choice. This switch offers a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, showcasing a smooth and clacky feel. On the other hand, if you prioritize visual aesthetics and innovation, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch would be a perfect fit. These switches feature a unique UPE stem for a dry and airy smoothness, accompanied by a mesmerizing light diffusing effect that enhances RGB visuals. With a medium weight and a slightly muted sound profile, the WS Morandi strikes a balance between form and function. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preference for bottom out force, travel distance, sound, and feel.

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