Jerrzi Coral vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Coral and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Coral and the Gateron Silent Ink Black both stand out as excellent linear options. The Coral switch boasts a distinctively crisp typing feel and lower-pitched resonance, providing a balanced blend of sophistication and stellar performance. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a silenced typing experience, ideal for environments that require quieter keypresses. With a cushioned and pillow-like bottom-out feel, this switch minimizes audio feedback for a more subdued typing experience. Each switch has its unique qualities that cater to specific preferences and needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jerrzi Coral and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Coral features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature. This material is also translucent, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black utilizes a proprietary INK blend for its top housing, resulting in a pointed and high-pitched yet not overly sharp sound profile that is often described as clacky. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, the Coral's polycarbonate top housing leans towards a sharper sound, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend leans towards a clacky sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Coral incorporates a nylon material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This creates a duller and rounder sound overall. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black also utilizes the proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar pointed and high-pitched sound profile that complements the top housing. Both nylon and INK blend materials offer unique sound characteristics that affect the overall typing experience on these switches.
Overall, the resulting sound and feel of a switch will be a combination of the qualities brought by both the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. While the Coral and Silent Ink Black switches may use different materials for their top and bottom housings, they both offer distinctive sound profiles that cater to different preferences in terms of typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it is evident that the Silent Ink Black is heavier overall. The Jerrzi Coral has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 60 grams, making it more preferable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, the bottom out force of the Silent Ink Black is 70 grams, while the Coral's bottom out force is unknown. This suggests that the Silent Ink Black provides a more substantial typing experience with a heavier push feel. Those who enjoy a more significant resistance when typing may lean towards the Silent Ink Black, while those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Jerrzi Coral more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it is clear that the Coral has a shorter distance of 3.7mm while the Silent Ink Black has a slightly longer distance of 4mm. Both fall within the range of modern switch travel distances, with the Coral leaning towards a more responsive feel and the Silent Ink Black offering a bit more depth. Gamers may prefer the Coral for its shorter travel distance, which can lead to faster response times, while those looking for a more substantial feel may prefer the Silent Ink Black. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and how it impacts typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Coral has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Coral for $2.30.
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
In terms of sound, the Jerrzi Coral linear switch offers a low-pitched resonance, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch produces a muted sound, ensuring a quieter typing experience suitable for noise-sensitive environments. Both switches aim to minimize the typical clacky noise associated with mechanical keyboards but offer different tonal qualities.
When it comes to feel, both the Jerrzi Coral and Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches are described as silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience. This characteristic enhances the overall typing feel by reducing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the Silent Ink Black switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in sleek key travel and reduced friction. Both switches prioritize a comfortable and fluid typing experience for the user.
Considering the information provided, the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer similar qualities in terms of providing a smooth and refined typing experience. While the Coral switch emphasizes a low-pitched sound and offers a crisp typing feel, the Silent Ink Black switch prioritizes a quiet typing experience with a cushioned bottom-out feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference regarding sound profile and typing feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a unique typing experience with a lower-pitched sound and silky feel, the Coral switch may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you require a quieter typing environment with a cushioned bottom-out feel and prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force, the Silent Ink Black switch could be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound level. Whether you opt for the nuanced sophistication of the Coral switch or the quiet comfort of the Silent Ink Black switch, both options offer exceptional performance for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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