TTC Honey vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the TTC Honey and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, both of which are linear switches. The TTC Honey is best known for its smooth and creamy feel, providing users with a comfortable typing experience. Additionally, these switches produce a deep and pleasant sound profile, making each keystroke feel satisfying. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is preferred for its silence. Designed for environments where quieter typing is necessary, this switch offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel without excessive audio feedback. Categorized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished', this switch ensures a peaceful typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the most suitable switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
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
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ in terms of the materials used. The Honey switch features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while the Silent Ink Black switch utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for both the top and bottom housing.
In terms of sound profile, both switches offer a sharp and higher-pitched sound, but with subtle differences. The polycarbonate housing of the Honey switch creates a crisper and more resonant sound, making it ideal for those who prefer a clear and defined keystroke sound. On the other hand, the INK blend housing of the Silent Ink Black switch produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as being clacky. This distinct sound profile may appeal to those who enjoy a more tactile and satisfying typing experience.
Aesthetically, the polycarbonate housing of the Honey switch is translucent, allowing RGB lighting to shine through. This makes it an excellent choice for users who want to customize their keyboard with vibrant lighting effects. In contrast, the INK blend housing of the Silent Ink Black switch does not feature the same translucent properties. Therefore, if RGB lighting is a priority, the Honey switch would be the suitable choice.
When it comes to the overall feel of the switch, the bottom housing material plays a significant role. The stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing of the Honey switch contributes to a more noticeable impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. On the other hand, the INK blend bottom housing of the Silent Ink Black switch offers a similar high-pitched sound and feel but may have slightly different characteristics due to its composition.
In summary, while both the TTC Honey and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches offer a sharp and higher-pitched sound profile, they differ in terms of their housing materials and the resulting typing experience. The Honey switch's polycarbonate housing provides a crisper and more resonant sound, making it a great choice for those who prefer clarity. Additionally, the translucent nature of the polycarbonate housing allows for eye-catching RGB lighting effects. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch's proprietary INK blend housing offers a clacky sound that appeals to users who enjoy a tactile and satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for sound, aesthetics, and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch to the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey switch has a relatively light actuation force of 42 grams, meaning it requires a gentle touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black switch has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Honey switch requires 50 grams of force, while the Silent Ink Black switch demands 70 grams.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Honey switch, as its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for prolonged typing sessions without excessive strain. This makes it ideal for those who frequently use their keyboards for work or engage in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who value a stronger keystroke and desire a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Silent Ink Black switch, with its medium-heavy actuation and bottom out forces.
In terms of similarities, it is worth mentioning that both switches require a force to trigger a keystroke, albeit at different levels. While the Honey switch may offer a lighter touch, resulting in a quicker keystroke initiation, and the Silent Ink Black switch demands a somewhat heavier touch, both switches will ultimately yield similar results by reliably registering keystrokes.
Travel distance
The TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have different travel distances. The TTC Honey has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Silent Ink Black being slightly longer. Gamers, who often prioritize faster response times, may lean towards the TTC Honey with its shorter travel distance. This allows for quicker key presses and potentially improved gaming performance. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial key press and a deeper feel may prefer the Gateron Silent Ink Black with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preferences and desired typing or gaming experience.
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 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 TTC Honey switch offers a subdued sound profile. This means that the switch produces a dampened sound when pressed, which is not completely silent but is more subtle compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps.
Moving on to the feel, the TTC Honey switch provides a variety of descriptions. It is often referred to as creamy, which offers a smooth and buttery typing experience. This sensation can be attributed to the application of lubricant at the factory or specific materials used in the switch. Typing on a creamy switch feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, as they effortlessly melt into each keystroke. This switch can also be described as frictionless, meaning it minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, resulting in a fluid travel. Additionally, the Honey switch is considered subtle, providing a gentle resistance without being too light, making it suitable for shared spaces. It offers a polished finish, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
The Gateron Silent Ink Black switch, on the other hand, is described as silky and polished in terms of feel. A silky switch refers to an exceptionally smooth typing experience with enhanced overall smoothness, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Similar to the Honey switch, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Considering all the available information, it is clear that both the TTC Honey and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches provide smooth and pleasant typing experiences. While the Honey switch has a more subdued sound profile, the Silent Ink Black switch is characterized as muted. In terms of feel, both switches offer a creamy and polished experience, with the Honey switch also being described as frictionless and subtle, while the Silent Ink Black switch is referred to as silky. Therefore, if you are looking for a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch would be more suitable, while the TTC Honey switch can provide a similar smooth and pleasant typin
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light and smooth typing experience with a more subtle sound signature, the TTC Honey linear switch would be a great choice for you. The Honey switch features a creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, and polished feel, offering a silky sensation as you effortlessly glide your fingers across the keys. Additionally, the Honey switch has a subdued sound that is not completely silent but is more dampened compared to most switches.
On the other hand, if you need a switch specifically designed for quieter typing environments, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch would be the ideal option. This switch provides a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, offering a cushy and pillow-like bottom-out feel. The Silent Ink Black switch has a muted sound, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. It ensures minimal audio feedback, making it suitable for shared spaces or situations where you prefer a quieter typing experience.
Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Honey and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches depends on your personal preferences and requirements. Consider factors such as typing force, typing feel, and sound profile to choose the switch that best suits your needs. Whether you prioritize a light and smooth typing experience with a subdued sound (TTC Honey) or prefer a quieter typing environment with a cushioned bottom-out feel (Gateron Silent Ink Black), both switches offer their unique advantages to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
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