TTC Honey vs. Gateron Ink Box Pink
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Honey and the Gateron Ink Box Pink are two options that stand out. The TTC Honey is known for its smooth and creamy feel, providing a typing experience that is both subdued and frictionless. It also boasts a deep and pleasant sound profile, making it a popular choice among those who prefer a more subtle and polished switch. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Pink offers a lighter typing feel compared to other mechanical switches, which is enhanced by its smoothness. These beautiful translucent switches also have a higher-pitched clack when pressed, adding a unique touch to the typing experience. Both switches have their own distinct characteristics and appeal, making it a matter of personal preference in deciding which one is the best fit for you. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches have distinct characteristics that contribute to their unique sound profiles. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, creating a clear and resonant sound. However, the Honey's polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it especially suitable for switches with RGB lighting, while the Ink Box Pink utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its top housing, resulting in a slightly less sharp and more clacky sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Honey and the Ink Box Pink switches make use of different materials. The Honey features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which further enhances the switch's overall sound profile. Similarly to the top housing, the polycarbonate material contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing, offering a similar sound profile to its top housing. The INK blend brings a pointed, high-pitched, yet not overly sharp sound, resulting in a satisfying and clacky typing experience.
Overall, while both the TTC Honey and Gateron Ink Box Pink switches share some similarities in their housing materials, they also exhibit notable differences. The Honey's use of polycarbonate in both its top and bottom housing creates a consistently sharp and clear sound profile throughout the pressing and releasing of keys. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink utilizes Gateron's INK blend for both the top and bottom housing, offering a slightly less sharp sound while still maintaining a satisfying clackiness. Whether you prefer the transparency of polycarbonate or the unique characteristics of the INK blend, both switches provide their own distinctive typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Ink Box Pink's slightly heavier 50 grams. Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Honey switch requires a force of 50 grams, while the Ink Box Pink switch demands a slightly higher 60 grams. This means that the Honey switch offers a lighter touch and requires less force to trigger a keystroke, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink switch provides a bit more resistance, offering a more substantial and pronounced typing feel. Therefore, individuals seeking a stronger push while typing may find the Ink Box Pink switch more suitable. However, it's worth noting that both switches fall within the lighter to medium range of actuation and bottom out forces, ensuring that users will experience relatively similar results in terms of overall typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch, we can see that the Honey has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Ink Box Pink has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both of these distances are within the range of shorter travel distances that have become prevalent in recent times, with 4.0 mm being the more traditional distance and 3.0 mm being considered the most shallow. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. So, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Ink Box Pink with its slightly shorter travel distance might be the better option for you. However, it's important to note that some individuals may find short travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a more substantial key press feel, then the Honey with its longer travel distance would be the choice to consider. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on your personal preference and what feels most comfortable to you.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
The Gateron Ink Box Pink has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Box Pink for $7.65.
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
The TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel.
The Honey switch is known for its smooth and creamy feel, providing a gliding sensation as you type. It offers a subdued sound profile, producing a dampened sound when pressed. While not completely silent, the Honey switch has a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches.
On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink switch has a lighter typing feel relative to other mechanical switches. It is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Ink Box Pink switch produces a clacky sound that is sharp, snappy, crisp, bright, and percussive. It has a higher-pitched sound profile, which is suitable for those who prefer a sharper sound over rich and bassy sound profiles.
Considering all the available information, the Honey switch is best if you value a smooth and creamy feel with a more subdued sound. The Ink Box Pink switch, on the other hand, is ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing feel, silky smoothness, and a higher-pitched clacky sound. Both switches offer a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
It's important to note that the sound and feel of both switches can be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, while the Honey and Ink Box Pink switches have their own unique characteristics, it's possible to achieve similar results in sound and feel by carefully selecting complementary components for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a light and smooth typing experience with a deep and pleasant sound profile, the TTC Honey linear switch is a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, it offers a creamy, frictionless, and subtle feel, making each keystroke effortless and uniform. The subdued sound it produces is not completely silent, but it is more subtle compared to most switches, making it suitable for shared spaces.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium typing force with a lighter feel and a sharper, high-pitched clack sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch is perfect for you. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, it provides a silky and polished typing experience, minimizing resistance and enhancing overall smoothness. The clacky sound it produces is crisp, bright, and percussive, giving you a satisfying auditory feedback.
Ultimately, your preference for typing force, feel, and sound will determine which switch is the best fit for you. Both the TTC Honey and the Gateron Ink Box Pink have their unique characteristics and advantages. Whether you prioritize a lighter, creamier feel or a medium, slick feel, make your decision based on your individual preferences. So, take your time, test out different switches, and choose the one that brings the most joy and comfort to your typing experience.
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