Gateron Oil King vs. Outemu Cream Pink
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Cream Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Cream Pink both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Oil King is praised for its smoothness and satisfying sound profile, described as low-pitched, creamy, silky, bassy, buttery, and polished. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Pink lacks specific notable characteristics but still provides a quality linear switch experience. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style. However, 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
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Cream Pink utilize nylon for their top housing material, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon's softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. The similarities in their top housing materials may lead to a comparable typing experience in terms of sound quality and feel.
However, where the Oil King differs is in its proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile when typing. This unique blend by Gateron is described as clacky, offering a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound experience. In contrast, the Cream Pink sticks with a nylon bottom housing, which still contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile but may not have the same distinctive characteristics as the Oil King's bottom housing material.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in both switches plays a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of typing experience. While the nylon top housing in both the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Cream Pink delivers a similar deep and full sound profile, the differences lie in the bottom housing materials. The Oil King's proprietary INK blend bottom housing produces a unique clacky sound, while the Cream Pink's nylon bottom housing still contributes to the overall sound profile but may not offer the same distinctiveness. Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials determines the overall typing experience and sound produced by each switch.
Weight
Both the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch have a bottom out force of 65 grams, making them equal in terms of the pressure needed to fully press the key down. However, when it comes to actuation force, the Oil King requires 55 grams, while the Cream Pink only needs 50 grams. This makes the Cream Pink the lighter option, which may be preferred by those looking for a more effortless typing experience. In contrast, the Oil King provides a slightly heavier actuation force, appealing to users who prefer a bit more resistance for a more tactile typing feel. Ultimately, whether you choose the Oil King or the Cream Pink will depend on your personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force, with the Oil King offering a slightly heavier typing experience and the Cream Pink providing a lighter touch.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the travel distance of these two switches, it is clear that both offer the same level of keypress feedback and tactile feel to users. The 4mm travel distance ensures that users will experience a consistent and reliable typing experience with each switch. Whether you choose the Gateron Oil King or the Outemu Cream Pink, you can expect a similar level of key travel and responsiveness. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may come down to other factors such as actuation force or sound level.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Oil King comes in at $6.50, whereas the Outemu Cream Pink comes in at $3.10.
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 Oil King linear switch is known for its low-pitched and bassy sound profile, giving a mellow and rich auditory experience during key presses. On the other hand, there is no specific information available for the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch sound profile. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other variables such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps being used.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is frequently described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished, offering a smooth and effortless typing sensation that feels like gliding across the keys. These qualities are attributed to the lubrication applied in the factory or the specific materials used in the switch construction. Conversely, details regarding the tactile feel of the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch are not provided.
In conclusion, based on the available information, the Gateron Oil King linear switch stands out for its smoothness and pleasing sound profile, while the specifics of the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch remain unknown. If one enjoys a creamy and buttery typing experience with a low-pitched and bassy sound, the Gateron Oil King linear switch would be a recommended choice. It is worth noting that personal preference plays a significant role in selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, so trying out different options is key to finding the perfect fit for individual preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch, you should consider your preference in terms of sound and feel. If you value a low-pitched and bassy sound profile along with a creamy, silky, buttery, or polished feel, the Oil King switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force without specific sound profile or feel preferences, the Cream Pink switch could be a suitable option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing experience preferences to ensure you choose the switch that best suits your needs.
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