Gateron Oil King vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Oil King and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both offer unique features worth exploring. The Oil King is known for its smoothness and dark chocolate-like sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its creamy feel and high-pitched, clacky sound signature. Both switches offer a buttery texture, but the Oil King leans towards being more low-pitched and bassy, whereas the Vanilla Ice Cream has a more resonant and marbly sound. Ultimately, choosing between the two comes down to personal preference and what qualities you prioritize in a switch. 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
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Oil King and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Oil King uses a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary KTT blend top housing that offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both switches provide distinct sound profiles, the Oil King leans towards a softer and rounder sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a sharper and more clacky sound.
In terms of bottom housing, the Oil King features a proprietary INK blend that produces a thin and higher-pitched clacky sound. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream incorporates a POK material known for its smoothness, durability, and clacky sound. The INK blend by Gateron is characterized by a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, while the POK material in the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is exceptionally strong and wear-resistant, contributing to smooth and enduring switches.
While the top and bottom housing materials of the Gateron Oil King and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches differ, they each play a crucial role in determining the overall sound profile of the switch. The bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down, while the top housing influences the sound when the key is released. This distinction results in the Oil King's deeper and fuller sound profile influenced by its nylon top housing, and the Vanilla Ice Cream's high-pitched and clacky sound signature attributed to its proprietary KTT blend and POK bottom housing. Ultimately, both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Oil King linear switch to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces differ significantly. The Oil King has a higher actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a lighter feel with an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Vanilla Ice Cream, allowing for longer typing periods without fatigue. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Oil King for a stronger push sensation. Both switches offer unique typing experiences due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences and needs.
Travel distance
The Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Oil King switch. A 0.5 mm may not seem like a significant difference, but it can affect the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Vanilla Ice Cream switch with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Oil King switch with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer unique experiences, so choosing between the two will ultimately depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
The Gateron Oil King comes in at $6.50 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 Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy tonality, providing a mellow and rich sound profile that resembles the snapping of a dark chocolate bar. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch produces a high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sound when pressed, delivering a sharp and clean auditory experience that stands out from other switches. Depending on personal preference, the Oil King offers a deeper and more bass-heavy sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream provides a crisp and sharp sound signature.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Gateron Oil King and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream are described as creamy and buttery, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience. Typists can expect a silky sensation when using either switch, as they effortlessly glide their fingers across the keys with ease. The polished finish of the Oil King and the factory lubrication of the Vanilla Ice Cream contribute to reduced friction and smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing feel for users.
In conclusion, the Gateron Oil King and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches both excel in providing a buttery smooth typing experience with unique sound profiles. While the Oil King offers a low-pitched and bassy sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream delivers a high-pitched and resonant tone, catering to different preferences. Both switches offer a creamy and polished feel, ensuring a pleasant typing experience for users. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on individual sound and feel preferences, as both switches offer similar smoothness and quality in their operation.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a low-pitched, bassy sound profile, the Gateron Oil King linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a high-pitched, marbly or resonant sound profile with a creamy or buttery typing feel, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and what type of typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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