Gateron Ink Black V2 vs. Huano Matcha Latte V2

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard, the type of switch you select can significantly impact your typing experience. The Gateron Ink Black V2, a long-time favorite within the keyboard community, is celebrated for its smooth downstroke and rich clack, delivering a satisfying auditory experience with its low-pitched, bassy sound profile. This switch is ideal for users who appreciate a more pronounced acoustic feedback while maintaining a seamless linear action. Conversely, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 offers a different kind of linear experience, characterized by a smooth and subtle feel that strikes a balance between lightness and a solid bottom-out sensation. With generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, these switches provide premium performance without breaking the bank. Ultimately, your choice may hinge on whether you prefer the auditory feedback of the Ink Black V2 or the refined typing experience of the Matcha Latte V2. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your unique preferences.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Black V2 Linear

Huano Matcha Latte V2 Linear

$7.50

$7.24 per 10

$3.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Huano Matcha Latte V2, it's evident that they feature distinct compositions that contribute to their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Ink Black V2 utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housings, producing a notable higher-pitched and clacky sound that many enthusiasts appreciate. This consistency in housing material allows for coherent acoustics, enhancing the auditory experience with a pointed sound profile that avoids harshness. In contrast, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 employs a POK material for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing. The POK's exceptional smoothness and durability contribute to a similar clacky sensation akin to the Ink Black V2, yet the nylon in the bottom housing offers a softer touch and mellower sound profile.

While both switches deliver a clacky sound, there is a significant contrast in the tonal quality introduced by their respective bottom housing materials. The Ink Black V2's bottom housing sustains the same higher-pitched sound throughout, ensuring a seamless auditory experience as both housings are made from the same proprietary material. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing of the Matcha Latte V2 allows for a more dampened and rounded sound, which can lead to a unique typing experience since nylon absorbs more sound energy compared to harder plastics. As a result, tactile and auditory feedback during key presses will differ between the two switches, providing a distinction that can be significant for typists seeking specific acoustical preferences.

Ultimately, the interaction between the top and bottom housing materials in both switches becomes a critical factor in determining their overall performance. The Ink Black V2's uniformity with the INK blend means that the impact of the combined materials on both sound and feel is consistent across the switching action. In contrast, the dual-material composition of the Matcha Latte V2 allows for a varied experience where the top housing's POK contributes to a smooth transition during the key press, while the nylon bottom softens the sound and feel at bottom-out. Typists may find themselves gravitating toward one or the other based on their desires for either coherent pitch or a richer, fuller sound profile, showcasing the nuanced effects of housing materials on overall switch performance.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch, the differences in actuation force are quite pronounced. The Ink Black V2 requires a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, which offers a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a firmer feel under their fingers. In contrast, the Matcha Latte V2 features a noticeably lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it a suitable option for extended typing sessions and gaming marathons where reduced effort is desired. While the Ink Black V2 has a bottom out force of 70 grams, the bottom out force for the Matcha Latte V2 is unfortunately unknown. Overall, users looking for a heavier switch experience should gravitate towards the Ink Black V2, while those favoring a lighter touch for prolonged use would benefit from the Matcha Latte V2.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer option, while the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch features a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The difference in travel distance can significantly impact the typing experience: the Ink Black V2 provides a more pronounced feel with its deeper travel, which some users may find more satisfying, especially those who prefer a hearty depth in their keystrokes. In contrast, the Matcha Latte V2's shorter travel distance offers a more responsive experience, which could be advantageous for gamers looking for quicker actuation times. Thus, if you value a sense of depth in your typing, the Ink Black V2 may be preferable, while those seeking quicker responses might lean towards the Matcha Latte V2.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch offers a distinctive sound profile characterized by a low-pitched and bassy tone, which provides a rich and immersive acoustic experience during usage. Users will notice that the deeper frequencies of the Ink Black V2 contribute a soothing ambiance to typing sessions, while the unique chirpy quality adds an interesting layer to its overall sound. The rich clack when bottoming out creates an engaging auditory feedback that many in the mechanical keyboard community appreciate. In contrast, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 does not have a documented sound profile, which means potential users may not have specific auditory expectations set for these switches. However, it's important to keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard case and keycaps used, making any substantial sound comparison incomplete without such information.

When it comes to the feel, the Ink Black V2 is designed to provide a mild typing experience, making it approachable for a wide range of users. It is described as polished, which indicates that the smooth finish and factory lubrication greatly enhance the typing experience by minimizing friction and ensuring a comfortable key travel. This results in a refined tactile experience that leads to reliable actuation and overall satisfaction. As for the Huano Matcha Latte V2, there is a lack of detailed information about its feel. Because of this, we cannot provide a direct comparison; however, one could infer that the factory lubrication included in its design means it may also deliver a smooth experience, albeit without the specific characteristics outlined for the Ink Black V2.

In summary, the Gateron Ink Black V2 excels with its rich, low-frequency sound and refined feel, appealing to users who enjoy a mellow, engaging auditory experience coupled with a mild and polished typing sensation. Conversely, while the Huano Matcha Latte V2 may promise a smooth and light typing experience as well, the lack of detailed auditory and tactile descriptions leaves much to be discovered. Ultimately, if you gravitate towards a deep, satisfying sound and a polished feel, the Ink Black V2 is the clear choice, while the Matcha Latte V2 may be appealing for those who favor a more subtle approach, though its overall performance remains less defined.

Conclusion

In closing, your choice between the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switches ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences and use cases. If you enjoy a more tactile push with a heavier resistance, the Ink Black V2, with its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 70 grams, might suit you best. It provides not only a smooth downstroke but also a rich, low-pitched sound that's ideal for those who appreciate a deeper acoustic feedback while typing. This switch is perfect for a mechanical keyboard enthusiast who enjoys the acoustic elements and a slightly more forceful typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and an incredibly smooth typing journey, the Matcha Latte V2 would be the ideal choice. Known for its subtlety and premium linear performance, it combines a light, effortless key press with minimal stem wobble, making it great for extended typing sessions or for those who prioritize speed and softness in their key feel. Selecting between these two ultimately comes down to whether you want an immersive auditory experience and heavier resistance or a smooth, whisper-light action with excellent performance.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Black V2 Linear

$7.50

$7.24 per 10

Learn more

Huano Matcha Latte V2 Linear

$3.99 per 10

Learn more