The Gateron Ink Black V2 meets
the Gateron G Pro Yellow
RTINGS' best linear: the smoky-housing switch enthusiasts treat as the benchmark.. We tested it head-to-head against the Gateron G Pro Yellow ($10.15) across 5 key dimensions.
Gateron Ink Black V2
“RTINGS' best linear: the smoky-housing switch enthusiasts treat as the benchmark.”
Gateron G Pro Yellow
“The pre-lubed budget king that out-smooths switches twice its price.”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gateron Ink Black V2
- RTINGS' Best Linear out of 153 switches tested in the lab
- Smoky Ink housing is one of the smoothest stock linears, no lubing required
- Deep, full sound profile that enthusiasts prize
- At ~$0.69 per switch, roughly triple the cost of budget linears
- The 60g weight feels heavy if you prefer a light, fast linear
- 5-pin PCB mount needs a hotswap or solder board, not the cheapest cases
Gateron G Pro Yellow
- RTINGS' Best Budget Linear and MKB Guide's #1 budget pick at roughly $0.29 per switch
- Factory pre-lubed, so it feels smooth straight out of the bag
- Keychron's Best Linear for Gamers — light and fast at 50g
- 3-pin plate mount, so it needs clipping for some PCB-mount boards
- Higher-pitched sound lacks the depth of premium Ink switches
- Not as refined as $0.70 flagship linears under close inspection
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The Gateron Ink Black V2 earned the top spot in the largest test we found. RTINGS ran 153 switches through standardized force-curve and sound measurements and named it Best Linear. The proprietary smoky Ink housing is the reason: it glides with a glassy smoothness most switches only reach after hand-lubing.
Gateron Ink Black V2
The Gateron Ink Black V2 earned the top spot in the largest test we found. RTINGS ran 153 switches through standardized force-curve and sound measurements and named it Best Linear. The proprietary smoky Ink housing is the reason: it glides with a glassy smoothness most switches only reach after hand-lubing.
- You want the benchmark linear feel and sound
- You build on a hotswap or solder board
- You prefer a heavier, deliberate keystroke
- Smoothness with no lubing is your priority
- You don't mind paying a premium per switch
Gateron G Pro Yellow
Smoothness usually costs money. The Gateron G Pro Yellow ignores that rule. RTINGS named it Best Budget Linear and MKB Guide put it first among budget switches, both pointing to factory pre-lubing that makes it feel smoother than a stock Cherry MX Red that costs more.
- You're filling a full-size board on a budget
- First-time builders testing linear switches
- You want a light, fast 50g press for gaming
- Pre-lubed smoothness without the premium price
- You'd rather spend the savings on the case or keycaps