HMX Gravel vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to the world of mechanical keyboards, choosing the right switch can significantly affect your typing experience and overall satisfaction. The HMX Gravel switch stands out for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts who crave a responsive and effortless typing experience. Its medium-light actuation force leans toward the lighter side, ensuring that each keystroke feels swift and effortless, perfect for both casual typing and gaming. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch caters to those who prioritize a serene typing environment, as it effectively dampens sound with its silenced design. Featuring a cushy, pillow-like bottom-out feel, this switch provides minimal audio feedback, making it an excellent option for quiet office settings or late-night gaming sessions. Both switches offer unique benefits depending on your needs – whether you desire a smooth and responsive typing experience or a muted and plush feel. 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
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The HMX Gravel and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches showcase distinct sound profiles and material characteristics in their respective housings. The Gravel switch features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its rigidity and translucency. This material contributes to a sharper, crisper sound profile that resonates clearly, making it particularly effective in RGB lighting scenarios due to its ability to transmit light. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black switch employs a proprietary INK blend top housing that also offers a relatively high-pitched sound, albeit described as less sharp compared to the Gravel. Both designs aim for a pointed sound profile, suggesting that while the materials differ, they target an auditory experience that leans towards clarity and vibrancy.
When examining the bottom housings, a contrast is further showcased with the Gravel utilizing nylon and the Silent Ink Black incorporating the same proprietary INK blend used in its top housing. The nylon bottom housing of the Gravel is noted for promoting a deeper and fuller sound, attributable to its softer composition that absorbs sound more effectively than polycarbonate or harder materials. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black's bottom housing, constructed from the INK blend, maintains a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, similar to its top housing. This alignment in the material used for both top and bottom housings in the Silent Ink Black allows for a consistent auditory signature, while the differences in the Gravel result in a tonal variability when bottoming out a key.
Ultimately, the combination of the Gravel's nylon bottom housing and polycarbonate top housing leads to a distinct separation in sound characteristics between key presses and releases. While the Gravel delivers a fuller sound profile due to the softer nylon, the clarity from the polycarbonate top emphasizes the upper frequencies when keys are released. The Silent Ink Black, on the other hand, achieves a more unified yet pointed sound due to the homogeneous INK blend in both housing components. In terms of resulting sounds, while the Gravel offers a more rounded and resonant auditory experience, the Silent Ink Black stays true to a thinner, high-pitched sound, highlighting how differing materials influence tactile and acoustic feedback in mechanical switches.
Weight
The HMX Gravel linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch present distinct differences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, catering to various preferences in typing experience. The Gravel switch features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it an ideal choice for users seeking prolonged typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black switch exhibits a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a more substantial push feel that appeals to those who desire a firmer typing experience. Therefore, while the Gravel switch is lighter overall, the Silent Ink Black switch presents a heavier option for users who prefer more resistance. This significant difference in force characteristics means that users looking for a soft touch should opt for the Gravel, while those who enjoy a heavier tactile sensation might find the Silent Ink Black more satisfying.
Travel distance
The HMX Gravel linear switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Gravel switch provides a shorter travel distance, which can be beneficial for those seeking quicker response times, particularly in gaming scenarios. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black's 4 mm travel distance caters to users who prefer a more traditional feel, providing a deeper and potentially more satisfying tactile experience. By choosing the Gravel, users might enjoy a snappier actuation, while the Silent Ink Black may appeal to those who favor a more substantial key press. Overall, the Gravel's travel distance is shorter and more responsive, whereas the Silent Ink Black offers a longer, deeper feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel 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 HMX Gravel switch is relatively quiet compared to more traditional mechanical switches, providing a soft and muted typing experience that doesn't produce the sharp, clacky noise often associated with other switch types. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is specifically designed for quietness, featuring a muted sound profile that minimizes audio feedback considerably. Users in a shared or noise-sensitive environment will appreciate the dampening effect of the Silent Ink Black, which ensures that each keystroke is subtle, allowing for focused work without disturbing others. However, the overall sound output of both switches can vary depending on the keyboard build and keycap materials.
In terms of feel, the HMX Gravel switch excels with its exceptional smoothness, offering a medium-light actuation force that results in a responsive and effortlessly enjoyable typing experience. This smooth feel enhances the overall enjoyment while typing, perfect for extended use without fatigue. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch provides a distinctly silky and polished typing experience, characterized by minimal resistance during key presses and releases. The combination of a cushy bottom-out feel and refined finish contributes to a luxurious typing sensation, making it a favorite among users seeking a seamless action.
In summary, both the HMX Gravel and Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches offer unique yet complementary qualities tailored for different preferences. While the Gravel provides a smooth and lightly responsive experience suitable for general use, the Silent Ink Black focuses on delivering a quiet yet smooth feel ideal for noise-sensitive environments. If you're seeking a refined and smooth typing experience, you’ll likely find satisfaction in either option, though the Silent Ink Black will excel in scenarios where sound minimization is critical. Overall, choosing between them will largely depend on whether sound dampening or enhanced smoothness takes priority for you.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch largely depends on your specific typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a lighter switch with a smooth and refined typing feel, the HMX Gravel is an excellent choice. Its 50-gram bottom-out force makes it ideal for prolonged typing sessions, as it requires less effort to actuate keys, making it great for gaming or fast-paced typing tasks. However, if you find yourself in an environment where noise is a concern—such as shared workspaces or quiet settings—the Gateron Silent Ink Black offers an important advantage. With a heavier 70-gram bottom-out force, this switch provides a more cushioned typing experience while minimizing sound, thanks to its muted characteristics. In summary, choose the Gravel for its exceptional smoothness and light touch if performance is your priority, but opt for the Silent Ink Black if you need a quieter solution that still delivers a silky and polished feel in your typing experience.
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