Aflion Panda vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Panda and the Gateron Silent Ink Black offer different experiences that cater to distinct preferences. The Aflion Panda is renowned for its unmatched hypersensitivity and deeply satisfying "thocky" sound. With its emphasis on hyper-tactility and a full-bodied, sonorous audio feedback, this switch is perfect for those who value a highly reactive and audible typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is a linear switch designed specifically for quieter environments. This switch provides a cushiony, pillow-like feel upon bottoming out, ensuring a comfortable typing experience with minimal audio feedback. While the Panda is accentuated, invigorating, and resonant, the Silent Ink Black is silky, muted, and polished. However, let's take a closer look at these switches to explore their distinct qualities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, there are notable differences in both the top and bottom housings. The Panda features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic material enhances the clarity and resonance of the switch's sound. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its top housing. This blend produces a slightly higher-pitched sound while maintaining a satisfying, clacky feel. Both materials result in distinct sound profiles, but the Panda's polycarbonate offers a clearer and more resonant sound, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend provides a slightly sharper yet still enjoyable sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Panda employs a nylon material, which evokes a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder tone overall. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's INK blend for its bottom housing as well. This means that both switches have the same material for their bottom housings. As a result, they share the same pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, often described as "clacky." The presence of the INK blend in the bottom housing contributes to the satisfying thin sound experienced when typing on both switches.
In summary, the housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the Gateron Silent Ink Black differ in their top housings, with the Panda utilizing polycarbonate, providing a clearer and more resonant sound, while the Silent Ink Black employs Gateron's INK blend for a slightly sharper yet enjoyable clacky sound. However, both switches share the same bottom housing material, resulting in a similar pointed and high-pitched sound profile. The top housing influences the sound when letting go of a key, while the bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Panda has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 60 grams. This means that it requires slightly less force to trigger a keystroke with the Panda switch. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Panda switch has a force of 60 grams, while the Silent Ink Black requires a slightly heavier force of 70 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Panda switch may be more suitable as its actuation force is lower. This can be beneficial for extended periods of typing or gaming, providing a smoother and more effortless keystroke. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a slightly heavier actuation force, providing a firmer and more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
Overall, the Panda switch is lighter in terms of actuation force, while the Silent Ink Black switch is slightly heavier. Both switches fall within the medium or medium-heavy range, providing a balance between ease of typing and a more substantial tactile response. Therefore, depending on personal preferences, both switches can deliver similar results in terms of actuating a keystroke and bottoming out, albeit with slightly different levels of force required.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. Both switches offer a consistent tactile feedback, ensuring a satisfying typing experience. Therefore, if you prefer a tactile switch, the Aflion Panda would be a great choice, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black is a suitable option for those who prefer a linear switch. Both options provide a smooth and comfortable keystroke, making them ideal choices for typing enthusiasts or gamers alike.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Aflion Panda tactile switch is best known for its resonant and immersive auditory experience. Typing on the Panda switch produces a higher-pitched sound profile with a clean and sharp quality. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is described as muted, offering a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. The Silent Ink Black minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making it a suitable choice for environments that require quieter typing. However, it's important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Panda is described as having an accented tactile sensation. This means that it provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The Panda switch offers an invigorating typing experience with pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch offers a silky typing experience. This means that it offers exceptional smoothness, enhancing the overall feel of typing by minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness can be attributed to the materials used and/or factory lubing, which reduce friction and provide smooth key travel.
Considering all the available information, the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Panda switch is known for its hyper-tactile sensation and thocky sound profile, making it ideal for those who value hypertactility and a full-bodied audio feedback. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch provides a cushy bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, making it a great choice for environments that require quieter typing. Both switches offer unique experiences, catering to different preferences. However, if you prefer a similar level of tactility and smoothness, the Silent Ink Black switch can provide a tactile experience similar to the Panda switch, albeit without the same level of hyper-tactility. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preference and specific typing requirements.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who values a highly tactile and deep thocky sound profile, then the Aflion Panda tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. This switch offers an unparalleled hyper-tactile sensation and a full-bodied, sonorous audio feedback. It has a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a balanced amount of resistance. The Panda switch has an accented and invigorating feel, offering pronounced feedback and a reactive typing sensation.
On the other hand, if you work in an environment that requires quieter typing, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch would be a better option. This switch offers a cushiony and pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. It has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a medium-heavy resistance. The Silent Ink Black switch has a silky and polished feel, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your specific preferences and requirements. If you prioritize a highly tactile and immersive typing experience with a deep thocky sound, go for the Panda switch. If you need a quieter and smoother typing experience, particularly for an office or shared space, the Silent Ink Black switch would be the better choice. Consider these factors along with your personal preferences to make an informed decision on which switch aligns best with your typing needs. In the end, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
