Cherry MX Black vs Gateron Ink Yellow V2
The Cherry MX Black and the Gateron Ink Yellow V2 are often cross-shopped. The main differences: stock they sound different: deep, muted versus ink housing linear; the Cherry MX Black costs less per switch ($0.35 versus $0.70).
- Cheaper per switchCherry MX Black$0.35 versus $0.70
- Lubed from the factoryGateron Ink Yellow V2usable out of the box without lubing
Choose the Cherry MX Black if
- you want a switch popular for heavy linears.
- you want a switch popular for vintage feel.
- you want a switch popular for spring swaps.
- you want to spend less per switch.
Choose the Gateron Ink Yellow V2 if
- you want a switch popular for ink series builds.
- you want a factory-lubed switch out of the box.
Cherry MX Black vs Gateron Ink Yellow V2, spec by spec
| Cherry MX Black | Gateron Ink Yellow V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 60g | 60g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | n/a |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM | n/a |
| Top housing | nylon | Ink housing |
| Bottom housing | nylon | Ink housing |
| Spring | single-stage | 60g |
| Factory lube | none | light (stronger spec) |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.35 (stronger spec) | $0.70 |
| Sound profile | deep, muted | ink housing linear |
| Released | 1984 | 2021 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Cherry MX Black; 82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Ink Yellow V2.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Cherry MX Black; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Ink Yellow V2.
30% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Cherry MX Black; 91% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Ink Yellow V2.
Where to buy the Cherry MX Black
Where to buy the Gateron Ink Yellow V2
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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