Gateron Oil King vs Gateron Yellow

The Gateron Oil King has the edge in smoothness thanks to its factory lube and more refined manufacturing. The heavier 55g spring also provides a more controlled, premium feel. The Yellow Pro is remarkably smooth for its price—about 85% as smooth as the Oil King—but may have a slight scratchiness on some units. If you want the smoothest possible experience without modding, choose the Oil King.

For gaming, the Gateron Yellow Pro is often the better choice. Its lighter 50g spring allows faster key presses and less finger fatigue during extended sessions. The Oil King's 55g spring can feel slightly sluggish for rapid double-taps in competitive games. Both are excellent linear switches—choose Yellow Pro for speed and Oil King for a more substantial, controlled feel.

The Oil King costs roughly 65% more per switch than the Yellow Pro. For a full keyboard (70 switches), that's about $21 extra. If you value premium out-of-box feel and don't want to mod, the Oil King is worth it. If you're budget-conscious or enjoy modding (the Yellow Pro takes well to hand lubing), the Yellow Pro delivers exceptional value. Many users find the Yellow Pro 'good enough' after a light lube.

Yes! Some builders use Oil Kings for the alphanumeric keys (where typing feel matters most) and Yellow Pros for modifiers and gaming keys to save cost. The weight difference (55g vs 50g) is subtle enough that it won't feel jarring. Both use the same housing and stem design, so they're fully compatible.