Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options available, each offering a unique typing experience. Two switches that stand out are the Everglide Bamboo Green, a tactile switch, and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, a linear switch. The Bamboo Green switch is best known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, making it a popular choice among typists who enjoy a more pronounced feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing experience, as it offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your personal preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
PBT
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Silent Ink Black differ in terms of their housing materials. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top and bottom housing, while the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing.
In terms of sound profile, the Bamboo Green's PBT housing offers a neutral sound that is neither crisp nor dull. On the other hand, Gateron's INK blend housing in the Silent Ink Black creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as being clacky. While both switches have distinct sound profiles, they cater to different preferences. The Bamboo Green provides a more balanced sound, suitable for those who prefer a neutral typing experience. Meanwhile, the Silent Ink Black's INK blend housing offers a slightly sharper and higher-pitched sound, which may appeal to users who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience.
When comparing the impact on the typing experience, the bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role. The Bamboo Green's PBT bottom housing, similar to its top housing, contributes to a neutral sound and feel during bottom-out. This results in a consistent typing experience throughout. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing enhances the pointed and high-pitched sound profile, adding to the overall clacky experience when pressing down on the keys.
However, the top housing of a switch also affects the typing experience, particularly the sound when you release a key. The Bamboo Green's PBT top housing, while it may not be as crisp as some other materials, still contributes to a pleasing sound when the key is released. Similarly, the Silent Ink Black's INK blend top housing also plays a role in the satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound when keys are released.
In summary, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Silent Ink Black utilize different housing materials, they each offer unique sound profiles and contribute to the overall typing experience. The Bamboo Green's PBT housing provides a neutral and consistent sound, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend housing adds a clacky and higher-pitched element. Both switches demonstrate how the choice of housing material can impact the sound and feel of typing, even if they have some similarities in terms of the neutral sound profile provided by their respective top and bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it is clear that there are notable differences. The Bamboo Green has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 60 grams. This means that a lighter touch is required to trigger a keystroke on the Bamboo Green switch. However, the Silent Ink Black requires a heavier actuation force, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
In terms of bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams of force to press all the way down, while the Silent Ink Black requires 70 grams. This indicates that the Silent Ink Black is slightly heavier in terms of bottoming out.
Considering the weight, some individuals might favor the Everglide Bamboo Green switch due to its lighter actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter weight allows for comfortable and extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience might opt for the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch, with its heavier forces providing a more satisfying tactile feedback.
Overall, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches have different actuation and bottom out forces, both can deliver a satisfactory typing experience depending on individual preferences.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have similar travel distances of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide similar results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
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 Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is known for its high-pitched and resonant sound. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, giving a more immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is described as muted. This means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel. Stepped switches provide a mild tactile experience with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Accented switches offer a medium level of tactility, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Sharp tactile switches are known for their intense feedback with a strong and crisp tactile bump. Additionally, polished switches ensure a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In comparison, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is described as silky and polished in terms of feel. Silky switches offer an exceptionally smooth typing experience, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Like the Bamboo Green, the Silent Ink Black also has polished attributes, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a clacky sound signature with crisp and sparkling tactility, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch provides a softer and quieter typing experience with a cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback. If you are looking for a high-pitched and resonant sound with stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel, the Bamboo Green is the recommended choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a muted sound with a silky and polished feel, the Silent Ink Black would be more suitable. It's important to note that individual preferences may vary, and the overall experience can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a clacky sound signature and a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches provide a medium bottom out force of 62 grams and offer a stepped feel that allows you to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel. They also have an accented and sharp tactile bump, providing a strong and distinct tactile feedback. In terms of sound, they produce a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, which can be appealing if you prefer a sharper sound. On the other hand, if you require a quieter typing environment, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is more suitable. These switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams and offer a pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. They are described as muted, providing a softer and quieter typing experience. Additionally, they offer a silky smooth typing experience and a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel.
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