Gateron Ink Yellow V2 vs Kailh Box Black
The Gateron Ink Yellow V2 and the Kailh Box Black are often cross-shopped. The main differences: travel is 4 mm on the Gateron Ink Yellow V2 and 3.6 mm on the Kailh Box Black; stock they sound different: ink housing linear versus firm, muted; the Kailh Box Black costs less per switch ($0.30 versus $0.70).
- Cheaper per switchKailh Box Black$0.30 versus $0.70
- Lubed from the factoryGateron Ink Yellow V2usable out of the box without lubing
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.
Choose the Kailh Box Black if
- you want a switch popular for heavy linears.
- you want a switch popular for durability.
- you want to spend less per switch.
Gateron Ink Yellow V2 vs Kailh Box Black, spec by spec
| Gateron Ink Yellow V2 | Kailh Box Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 60g | 60g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | n/a |
| Pre-travel | n/a | 1.8 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 3.6 mm |
| Stem | n/a | POM |
| Top housing | Ink housing | PC |
| Bottom housing | Ink housing | nylon |
| Spring | 60g | single-stage |
| Factory lube | light (stronger spec) | none |
| Pins | 5-pin | 3-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.70 | $0.30 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | ink housing linear | firm, muted |
| Released | 2021 | 2017 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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 Gateron Ink Yellow V2; 82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Kailh Box Black.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Ink Yellow V2; 34% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Kailh Box Black.
91% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Ink Yellow V2; 24% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Kailh Box Black.
Where to buy the Gateron Ink Yellow V2
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Kailh Box Black
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
KeebScout is reader-supported: some links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes specs or rankings.
Want more options? Browse every linear switch we track, or the full switch database.