Gateron Oil Kings vs Milky Yellow Pro V2: Deep Dive & Fact-Based Comparison

Gateron Oil Kings vs Milky Yellow Pro V2: Deep Dive & Fact-Based Comparison
For years, Gateron Oil Kings have been the go-to for buttery-smooth, factory-lubed linear switches. Enter the newer Milky Yellow Pro V2, offering modern refinements. Here’s what you need to know, supported by Reddit feedback and measurements.
🧪 Technical Comparison
- Actuation force: Milktooth notes ~50 gf for Milky Yellow Pro and ~55 gf for Oil King—making Milk Yellow slightly lighter to activate :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
- Bottom-out force: ~62–65 gf on Milk Yellow Pro vs ~65 gf on Oil King :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- Travel distance: Both share standard 4 mm travel :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- Housing materials: Milk Yellow Pro uses nylon housing, while Oil King combines nylon top with proprietary INK blend bottom, creating subtle differences in thock and resonance :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
🎧 Sound & Feel
- Oil King: Deep, creamy “thock,” often described as silky or smooth as dark chocolate, with tight stem feel—felt smoother and deeper by many users :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
- Milky Yellow Pro V2: Bassy but slightly brighter and textured—some compare it favorably but note the sound is less dampened :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
🗣️ Community Voices
“Oil kings are very smooth, and they feel nicer to type on… Oil Kings, no contest.” — r/MechanicalKeyboards :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
“Do you want to hear my honest opinion? …stock Oil King is way way superior in terms of smoothness than lubed and filmed Milky Yellows.” — u/superboya1 on r/MechanicalKeyboards :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
“Milky Yellow Pro sound very nice … I would just go Milky Yellow Pro.” — u/fkenthrowaway on r/switchmodders :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
“Oil Kings are a cheat code for easy amazing sound with no lubing or modding needed.” — u/Sweetcalcium on r/MechanicalKeyboards :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
🔍 Performance Insights
- Consistency: Multiple users report some batch variation with Oil Kings—scratchiness and ping may appear; Milky Yellow Pro appears more consistent :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
- Stem wobble: Many feel Oil Kings have less wobble thanks to tighter factory tolerances :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
- Factory convenience: Oil Kings are praised for near-perfect out-of-box feel; Milky Yellow Pro also pre-lubed but may benefit more from additional lubing for optimal smoothness :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
✅ Summary Table
Feature | Oil King | Milky Yellow Pro V2 |
---|---|---|
Actuation Force | ~55 gf – slightly heavier | ~50 gf – lighter, less fatigue |
Sound | Deep, creamy thock | Bassy but brighter |
Smoothness | Very smooth stock | Smooth stock; more consistent |
Consistency | Potential variances (scratch/ping) | Generally consistent |
Stem Wobble | Tighter & firmer | Typical wobble |
Modern Design | Older mold, tested appeal | Refined newer mold |
🛒 Get Yours at RGBKeys
🧠 Final Verdict
Oil Kings deliver that “just-reach-for-it” buttery smoothness and rich thock—ideal if you’re after an immersive out-of-box experience. However, slight batch inconsistency could surprise you.
Milky Yellow Pro V2 brings a lighter, more modern feel with consistent pre-lube and stable performance. It’s the better all-around pick if you value consistency, lighter actuation, and transparency into latest switch builds.
Pro tip: If you're a hardcore typer or gamer with fast fingertips and want to avoid fatigue, Milky Yellow Pro is likely your sweet spot. If you're after that creamy, deep culinary thock and don’t mind a little spring weight—Oil Kings remain legendary.