HMX Caramel Pudding vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the HMX Caramel Pudding and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to enhancing your typing experience, choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch is crucial, and two noteworthy contenders are the HMX Caramel Pudding and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Caramel Pudding is celebrated for its lively, clacky sound that adds character to every keystroke, paired with an exceptionally smooth typing experience that many typists crave. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black is designed for those who prioritize discretion in their typing, featuring a muted, silky feel that minimizes noise without sacrificing comfort, making it ideal for quieter work environments. While the Caramel Pudding offers an engaging, auditory experience, the Silent Ink Black provides a plush, pillow-like bottom-out for a more subdued, yet refined typing sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
52g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The HMX Caramel Pudding and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches present a compelling study in contrasts when it comes to their housing materials. The Caramel Pudding employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a material known for its softer and more absorbent qualities. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as the nylon mitigates sharper frequencies, producing a sound that's duller and rounder. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black integrates Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its housings, which leads to a higher-pitched and clackier sound. While both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience, the Caramel Pudding leans towards a muted and smooth output, while the Silent Ink Black emphasizes a sharper and more pronounced auditory feedback.
Despite their differences in material and resulting sound profiles, both switches indicate that the interplay between the top and bottom housings affects the overall typing experience. In the Caramel Pudding, the nylon provides a consistent sound that carries from top to bottom, resulting in harmonious feedback throughout the typing action. Conversely, the Silent Ink Black's use of the INK blend creates a dichotomy, where the top housing contributes to the thin and elevated sounds while the bottom housing maintains a more energized auditory presence. The distinction affects the perception of sound when keying down versus releasing, creating unique tactile experiences between the two switches.
Ultimately, the resulting sound profiles from both switches reflect how each material influences the overall design and experience. While the Caramel Pudding leans towards a more enveloping auditory experience, the Silent Ink Black stands out with its bright, clangy tone. However, if you were to combine elements from both designs, it is possible to achieve similar results. By tuning the bottom housing with denser materials akin to the Caramel Pudding, one could soften the sound of the Silent Ink Black, creating a middle ground that captures the advantages of both housing types. The key takeaway is that understanding the material's impact enables users to make more informed choices to achieve their desired typing sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, notable differences emerge in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Caramel Pudding requires a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and has a bottom out force of 52 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer touch and extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black demands a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, appealing to those who favor a more substantial push feel in their typing experience. Thus, the Caramel Pudding is the lighter option overall, while the Silent Ink Black caters to users who enjoy a firmer response. If users want similar results in terms of actuation feel despite the differences in force, they should consider their typing style and preferences carefully when choosing between these two switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, notable differences emerge. The HMX Caramel Pudding features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, whereas the Gateron Silent Ink Black has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This indicates that the Silent Ink Black will provide a deeper press, which may be preferable for users seeking a more pronounced feedback during typing or gaming. In contrast, those who favor a more responsive feel might lean towards the Caramel Pudding due to its shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, allowing for quicker actuation times and a more immediate response. Overall, while the Silent Ink Black offers a more traditional depth, the Caramel Pudding caters to those who prioritize swiftness in their keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Caramel Pudding has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Caramel Pudding for $2.99.
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 Caramel Pudding switches stand out with their resonant, clacky sound signature, offering a lively auditory feedback that many typists enjoy. This clackiness can energize the typing experience and provides a clear indication of key actuation. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches are designed to minimize noise, featuring a muted sound profile that significantly reduces the audio feedback during typing. This makes the Silent Ink Black an excellent choice for quieter environments or for those who prefer a more subdued auditory experience when typing.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Pudding switches are revered for their exquisitely smooth typing sensation. This smoothness enhances the typing experience and makes it easy to glide from key to key. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switches provide a plush, pillow-like bottom-out feel, combining a silky and polished touch that minimizes resistance. This results in an incredibly refined typing experience, which many users find appealing for extended typing sessions.
In summary, while the Caramel Pudding and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches serve different preferences in both sound and feel, they cater to distinct typing experiences. The former delivers an engaging, clacky auditory feedback with a very smooth feel, while the latter prioritizes a quieter operation and offers an exceptionally silky experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value auditory feedback and liveliness or a more serene and smooth typing environment.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch will largely depend on your typing preferences and environment. If you appreciate a medium-light activation force and enjoy a responsive, clacky sound signature, then the Caramel Pudding switches may be the right fit for you. They're ideal for users who relish a more tactile acoustic experience while enjoying an exceptionally smooth typing feel. On the other hand, if you find yourself working in a quieter environment where noise reduction is essential, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch should be your go-to option. With its medium-heavy bottom-out force, this switch offers a cushy, muted typing experience, allowing you to type without drawing attention to your keystrokes. Ultimately, both switches provide unique benefits, so consider your typing style and the sound environment you’ll be in when making your decision.
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