KTT Grapefruit vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the KTT Grapefruit and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the KTT Grapefruit and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, two sought-after mechanical keyboard switches. The KTT Grapefruit stands out with its unique features, providing a soft and light typing feel. With its distinctive baritone sound profile, these linear switches offer a one-of-a-kind experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black caters to those who require a quieter typing experience. This silenced version of the Ink Black switch boasts a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. The Grapefruit is categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and polished, while the Silent Ink Black is categorized as silky, muted, and polished. These switches offer different advantages for keyboard enthusiasts. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision when choosing your ideal switch.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Grapefruit and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, there are noticeable differences. The Grapefruit features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing. Both materials contribute to a higher-pitched sound profile, but the Grapefruit's polycarbonate creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the INK blend delivers a slightly less sharp and more clacky sound. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate in the Grapefruit makes it an ideal choice for switches with RGB lighting, whereas the INK blend does not possess this characteristic.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Grapefruit employs a nylon material, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to nylon's softness, it absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend material for its bottom housing. Similar to the top housing, the INK blend creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, albeit with a satisfying thinness to it. While both materials contribute to a clacky sound, the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the switch's bottom-out sound and feel.
Overall, the differences between the KTT Grapefruit and the Gateron Silent Ink Black lie in the specific qualities each housing material brings to the switches. The Grapefruit's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, particularly suitable for those who prioritize a clear and resonant sound profile. Meanwhile, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend top housing delivers a slightly less sharp yet still clacky sound. Similarly, the Grapefruit's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend bottom housing contributes to a thin and higher-pitched sound profile. However, in terms of the impact on sound when releasing a key, both switches will yield similar results due to their respective top housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are notable differences. The Grapefruit has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 60 grams. This means that typing on the Grapefruit switch will require a lighter touch to register a keystroke. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Grapefruit is 53 grams, while the Silent Ink Black requires a heavier 70 grams of force. Therefore, the Silent Ink Black provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Grapefruit offers a lighter typing experience, suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming. However, it is important to note that both switches fall within the medium force range, ensuring that users will achieve similar results in terms of overall typing performance.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. In this case, both the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, both switches will result in a similar feel when pressing down on a key. Both switches offer a consistent travel distance, ensuring a uniform typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The KTT Grapefruit comes in at $3.41 per 10 switches.
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 KTT Grapefruit linear switch offers a low-pitched tone with a more bass-heavy and mellow profile. This gives it a rich and deep sound, though not quite as bassy as some other switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is designed to be muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. It minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making it ideal for environments that require a quieter typing experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit switch provides a polished and refined experience. The switch has a smooth finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. This enhances the overall comfort and ease of typing. Similarly, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch offers a silky smooth typing experience. It minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys, providing a seamless and effortless feel. Like the Grapefruit switch, the Silent Ink Black switch also features a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, both the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer subjective qualities that contribute to a pleasant typing experience. While the Grapefruit switch offers a soft and light feel with a "baritone" sound profile, the Silent Ink Black switch provides a pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. If you are looking for a quieter typing experience, the Silent Ink Black would be a suitable choice. If you prefer a smoother and more refined feel, either switch can deliver similar results. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on your individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a soft and light typing experience with a "baritone" sound profile, the KTT Grapefruit linear switches would be a great choice. With a bottom out force of 53 grams, these switches offer a medium-light feel that is polished and refined. The Grapefruit switches have a low-pitched sound, which provides a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Additionally, their neutral actuation force makes them suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work.
On the other hand, if you value a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches are ideal. With a bottom out force of 70 grams, these switches offer a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. The Silent Ink Black switches are described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. They also have a silky and polished feel, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the decision between the KTT Grapefruit and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches depends on your preferences for typing feel and sound. Consider whether you prioritize a soft and light feel with a "baritone" sound profile (Grapefruit) or a cushion-like feel with minimal audio feedback (Silent Ink Black). Both switches offer their own unique benefits, so choose the one that best aligns with your typing preferences and requirements.
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