Gateron Ink Black V2 vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)

Overview

Introducing the Gateron Ink Black V2, a linear switch, and the TTC Silent Bluish White, a tactile switch, two distinct options in the world of mechanical keyboards. The Ink Black V2 is a classic linear switch with a smooth downstroke and a rich clack, making it a long-time favorite within the community. It is categorized as low-pitched, bassy, chirpy, mild, and polished, offering a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White prides itself on a medium tactile feel, providing a satisfying level of resistance when pressed and ensuring a precise and comfortable typing experience. These switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living spaces. Categorized as buttery, mild, stepped, muted, subtle, and polished, the Silent Bluish Whites offer a subtle and refined typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Black V2 Linear

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$7.50

$7.24 per 10

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Black V2 and TTC Silent Bluish White switches have distinct characteristics. The Ink Black V2 features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which offers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. This results in a satisfying thin and clacky sound when typing. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate material allows for RGB lighting to be more prominently displayed due to its translucency. While the sound profiles of these two switches differ, both materials provide a satisfying and distinct typing experience.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Ink Black V2 consists of the same proprietary INK blend as the top housing. As a result, it shares the pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, producing a clacky sound when bottoming out. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Thus, the bottom housing material significantly influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.

In terms of the overall impact on sound, the top housing plays a more significant role in determining the sound when releasing a key. The characteristics of the INK blend top housing in the Ink Black V2 contribute to a relatively high-pitched and clacky sound upon key release. Similarly, the polycarbonate top housing in the Silent Bluish White switch creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound when a key is released. While the materials differ, both switch types offer a distinct sound profile upon key release.

In summary, the Gateron Ink Black V2 and TTC Silent Bluish White switches differ in their housing materials. The INK blend top housing in the Ink Black V2 provides a thinner and relatively high-pitched clacky sound, while the polycarbonate top housing in the Silent Bluish White offers a sharper and higher-pitched sound, complemented by its ability to showcase RGB lighting. The nylon bottom housing in the Silent Bluish White contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, whereas the proprietary INK blend bottom housing in the Ink Black V2 lends itself to a pointed and high-pitched clacky sound. Despite their differences, both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference between the two. The Ink Black V2 requires a heavier actuation force, coming in at 60 grams, compared to the Silent Bluish White's lighter actuation force of 42 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Ink Black V2 is heavier at 70 grams, while the Silent Bluish White has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Bluish White would be the ideal choice. Its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for a more effortless keystroke, making it suitable for longer typing sessions or intense gaming sessions. In contrast, the Ink Black V2 caters to those seeking a more substantial typing experience. With its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a stronger push feel, which some users find more satisfying.

It's worth mentioning that if someone desires a similar typing experience with lighter forces, they can opt for the Silent Bluish White switch. While the exact forces may not match, the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Silent Bluish White will still deliver a comparable result to the Ink Black V2, albeit with a slightly different tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on an individual's personal preferences and the desired typing or gaming experience they are seeking.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, we can see that the Ink Black V2 has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Bluish White has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Ink Black V2 is more traditional, providing a deeper key press experience. This depth can be preferred for those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White's 3.5 mm travel distance is slightly shallower, catering to individuals who desire a more responsive typing experience, such as gamers who prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference - whether one prefers the shorter, more responsive feel or the longer, more substantial depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch offers a low-pitched, bassy, and slightly chirpy sound profile. Its low-frequency range gives it a mellow and rich tone during key presses, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch is described as muted. This means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches. The Silent Bluish Whites are specifically designed to minimize noise, making them ideal for environments like offices or shared living spaces. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch is known for its mild and polished characteristics. The mild typing experience it offers falls into a safe and approachable middle-ground zone. The switch's smooth and refined finish, whether due to materials or factory lubing, results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch is described as buttery and mild in terms of feel. The buttery nature of the switch implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the switch has a stepped characteristic, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. It also offers a subtle resistance, maintaining a light typing feel without being too feather-like. Like the Ink Black V2, the Silent Bluish White switch is also described as polished, ensuring a sleek typing experience with reduced friction.

To summarize, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch is praised for its smooth downstroke and rich clack sound, low-pitched and bassy sound profile, as well as its mild and polished feel. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch offers a satisfying level of resistance, a muted sound profile, a buttery and stepped feel, and a subtle typing experience. While the sound and feel of the two switches differ, they both provide desirable subjective qualities. If you prefer a quieter and more tactile typing experience, the Silent Bluish White switch would be a suitable choice. If you prefer a linear switch with a deeper sound and a smoother typing feel, the Ink Black V2 switch would be a great option.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a classic linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Gateron Ink Black V2 is the way to go. It offers a smooth downstroke and a rich clack sound, making it a popular choice among the mechanical keyboard community. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a lighter bottom out force and a medium tactile feel, the TTC Silent Bluish White is the switch for you. It provides a satisfying level of resistance when pressed, giving you a precise and comfortable typing experience. Additionally, the Silent Bluish Whites are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. In terms of sound, the Ink Black V2 is known for its low-pitched, bassy, and chirpy characteristics, while the Silent Bluish White produces a muted sound to minimize noise. In terms of feel, the Ink Black V2 offers a mild and polished typing experience, while the Silent Bluish White provides a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished sensation. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Black V2 Linear

$7.50

$7.24 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more