Gateron Oil King vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Oil King and the Everglide Sunset Yellow are both excellent options for mechanical keyboard switches, offering unique features and advantages. The Oil King is widely praised for its smoothness and its sound profile, which is often compared to the satisfying snap of a dark chocolate bar. This switch is categorized as low-pitched, creamy, and silky, providing a luxurious typing experience. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches boast a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, with a rich and bassy tone. These switches are medium-weight, making them suitable for a wide range of users. What sets them apart is the unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method, contributing to a distinct gliding feel and a highly responsive typing experience. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Oil King and the Everglide Sunset Yellow differ in terms of their composition. The Oil King features a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softer plastic composition. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow utilizes a POM top housing, producing a relatively more muted and deeper sound. While both materials contribute to a pleasing sound, the nylon housing of the Oil King elicits a more distinct and resonant tone compared to the POM housing of the Sunset Yellow.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Oil King incorporates Gateron's proprietary INK blend, which gives rise to a pointed and high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. This unique sound profile adds a satisfying touch to the typing experience. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow employs a POM bottom housing, resulting in a relatively more muted sound profile. Although both housings enhance the overall sound of the switch, the INK blend bottom housing of the Oil King contributes to a more distinctive and sharper sound, while the POM bottom housing of the Sunset Yellow offers a quieter and slightly more rounded sound.
It's worth mentioning that even though the top and bottom housings differ between the Oil King and the Sunset Yellow, they have similarities in terms of their impact on the overall typing experience. When using either switch, the bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. In contrast, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, with the Oil King favoring a sharper and more resonant sound, while the Sunset Yellow leans towards a quieter and deeper sound.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Oil King has an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Sunset Yellow requires a lighter touch with an actuation force of 43 grams. This means that the Oil King switch requires a slightly stronger push to register a keystroke compared to the Sunset Yellow. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Oil King is 65 grams, which is heavier than the 51 grams required for the Sunset Yellow.
Considering weight, some individuals may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Sunset Yellow switch, as it allows for longer typing periods without fatigue. This makes it an excellent choice for keyboard enthusiasts who require extended usage, whether it be for work or gaming. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Oil King's heavier actuation force. This provides a stronger push feel and a more tactile experience.
In summary, the Gateron Oil King linear switch has a heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch. Those seeking a lighter typing experience or looking for prolonged usage may find the Sunset Yellow more suitable, while individuals desiring a more robust and tactile feel may prefer the Oil King. Overall, both switches offer distinct options to cater to different preferences.
Travel distance
The Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch have different travel distances. The Oil King has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer of the two options. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow has a travel distance of 3.2 mm, making it the shorter option. 4.0mm is considered a more traditional travel distance, while 3.2mm is more shallow. However, it is important to note that shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Sunset Yellow with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice. However, some individuals may find short travel distances to be too abrupt. If you prefer a deeper keypress, the Oil King with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Oil King comes in at $6.50, whereas the Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Gateron Oil King and Everglide Sunset Yellow offer rich and bassy profiles. The Oil King is described as having a low-pitched and bassy sound, reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow is also described as bassy, but with an additional descriptor of "thocky." This means that it produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed, similar to a deep "thud" or soft "knock." It's important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, so individual results may vary. However, based on the provided information, both switches offer a similarly indulgent and captivating sound experience.
In terms of feel, both the Oil King and Sunset Yellow switches provide a smooth and buttery typing experience. The Oil King is described as creamy, silky, and buttery, offering a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It is also referred to as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel. Similarly, the Sunset Yellow is also described as creamy and polished, providing a silky sensation and reducing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. In addition, it is mentioned to be frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. From this information, it can be inferred that both switches offer a similar gliding feel and minimize any sense of friction or resistance during typing.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Oil King and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer subjective qualities that are highly regarded in the mechanical keyboard community. They provide a rich and bassy sound profile, with the Sunset Yellow also having a thocky characteristic. In terms of feel, both switches offer a creamy, buttery, and polished experience, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing sensation. While individual preferences may vary, based on the information provided, it can be expected that users will achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel with both the Gateron Oil King and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a low-pitched, bassy sound profile, the Gateron Oil King linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. These switches offer a buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping, providing a satisfying and indulgent typing experience. They are perfect for those who prefer a deeper and richer sound during key presses.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom-out force and a bassy, thocky sound profile, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch would be a great option. With their Creamsicle-colored appearance, these switches offer a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. The rich, bassy, and decadent sound adds a touch of luxury to your typing experience. Additionally, the POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel, while the combination of very short travel and a long-pole stem ensures a sharper and highly responsive typing experience.
Ultimately, your choice between the Gateron Oil King and the Everglide Sunset Yellow will depend on your personal preferences in terms of bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel. Both switches offer unique benefits and an exceptional typing experience. Therefore, carefully considering the characteristics and qualities that align with your preferences will guide you in making the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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