Gateron Ink Box Black vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Oil King (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Oil King, both of which are linear switches. The Ink Box Black is renowned for its incredible smoothness and creamy feel. The sound it produces is often compared to the shake of a spray paint can, giving it a unique and clacky signature. On the other hand, the Oil King is considered a favorite among many enthusiasts due to its buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of snapping a dark chocolate bar. This switch is often described as low-pitched, creamy, silky, bassy, and buttery. Choosing between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Oil King both have unique housing materials that contribute to their individual sound profiles. The Ink Box Black utilizes a proprietary INK blend top housing, which results in a thin and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. On the other hand, the Oil King features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material has the ability to absorb more sound, giving the Oil King a duller and rounder sound compared to the Ink Box Black. In terms of feel, the top housing of the Ink Box Black will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key, while the Nylon top housing of the Oil King will contribute to the sound when pressing down on a key.
Moving on to the bottom housings of these two switches, the Ink Box Black and the Oil King actually share the same proprietary INK blend. They both offer a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, which is commonly described as clacky. This suggests that the bottom housing contributes more to the sound when bottoming out a key rather than when releasing it. Therefore, whether you choose the Ink Box Black or the Oil King, you can expect a similar thin and higher-pitched sound when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel of these switches.
In summary, the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Oil King play a significant role in their sound profiles. While the Ink Box Black's proprietary INK blend top housing creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, the Oil King's nylon top housing results in a deeper and fuller sound. The Ink Box Black and Oil King share the same proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which contributes to a clacky sound when bottoming out a key. However, the top housing of each switch has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on whether you prefer a thinner, higher-pitched sound (Ink Box Black) or a deeper, fuller sound (Oil King).
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, there are some noteworthy similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Ink Box Black is slightly heavier than the Oil King. The Ink Box Black has an actuation force of 60 grams, while the Oil King has a slightly lower actuation force of 55 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of actuation force.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Ink Box Black requires a force of 70 grams to fully press down or bottom out, making it slightly heavier than the Oil King, which has a bottom out force of 65 grams. Despite these slight differences, both switches still fall within the medium-heavy range for bottom out force.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Ink Box Black may feel slightly heavier than the Oil King. Conversely, for individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel that requires a stronger push, the Ink Box Black could be the better choice. Overall, while the Ink Box Black is slightly heavier than the Oil King in terms of actuation and bottom out force, the differences are not significant enough to result in drastically different typing experiences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch refers to the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed down. In the case of the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch, it has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Oil King being slightly longer. The preference for shorter travel distances has been growing, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. Therefore, if you prefer a more responsive feel, the Ink Box Black with its shorter travel distance may be the better option. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt and prefer a deeper keypress. In that case, the Oil King with its longer travel distance might be the more suitable choice. Overall, it is a matter of personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Box 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 Ink Box Black for $7.65.
The Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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 Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch produces a clacky and high-pitched sound. The sharp and snappy sound it creates when pressed can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch has a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. This switch offers a deeper and richer tone during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. It provides a more mellow and bass-heavy sound compared to higher-pitched switches. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Oil King switches offer a smooth and silky typing experience. The Ink Box Black is described as silky and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth typing feel with minimal resistance when pressing or releasing keys. The Oil King switch, on the other hand, is described as creamy, silky, and buttery. It offers a smooth and buttery typing sensation, with effortless gliding of fingers across the keys and a seamless, fluid keystroke experience. Both switches provide a refined finish and reduced friction, resulting in a sleek and comfortable typing experience.
Based on the available information, the Gateron Ink Box Black and Gateron Oil King switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Box Black has a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky and polished feel, while the Oil King has a low-pitched and bassy sound with a creamy, silky, and buttery feel. Each switch provides its own unique experience, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences. However, if someone is looking for a smooth and silky typing experience, both switches can deliver similar results. It is important to consider factors such as sound preferences, typing style, and the overall keyboard setup when deciding between these two switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy linear switch with a smooth and creamy feel, the Gateron Ink Box Black switch would be a great choice. It offers a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a satisfying typing experience. The sound signature of the Ink Box Black is described as clacky and high-pitched, giving you a crisp and bright sound when typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a lower pitch and a buttery smoothness, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is worth considering. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, it offers a slightly lighter touch while still maintaining a medium-heavy weight. The Oil King switch provides a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping, characterized as low-pitched and bassy. Both switches offer exceptional smoothness, with the Ink Box Black being silky and polished, and the Oil King being creamy, silky, buttery, and polished. Overall, it ultimately boils down to personal preference and which characteristics align with your typing preferences.
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