Gateron Ink Box Black vs. Gateron Quinn

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two standout options are the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Quinn. The Ink Box Black is widely recognized for its incredibly smooth and creamy feel, providing a typing experience reminiscent of shaking a spray paint can. This linear switch falls under the categories of being clacky, high-pitched, silky, and polished. On the other hand, the Quinn switch offers a unique combination of crisp, light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile. The specially designed nylon housings of the Quinn contribute to a rich and immersive typing experience, adding a touch of character to each keystroke. With a precise, clean, and crisp tactile bump, the Quinn switch is known for being snappy, bassy, polished, bouncy, clacky, accented, buttery, creamy, low-pitched, and resonant. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Box Black Linear

Gateron Quinn Tactile

$8.50

$7.65 per 10

$6.00

$5.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Quinn have different housing materials, resulting in contrasting sound profiles. The Ink Box Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. Described as "clacky," this switch creates a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound when typing. In comparison, the Quinn utilizes a nylon top housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics and creates a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the Ink Box Black provides a sharper, clacky sound, while the Quinn offers a deeper and fuller sound.

Similarly, the bottom housing of the Ink Box Black and the Quinn differs in material and impact on sound. The Ink Box Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing contributes to its pointed and high-pitched sound profile, similar to its top housing. In contrast, the Quinn's nylon bottom housing adds to the switch's overall sound profile, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. Given this difference, pressing down on the two switches will yield varying levels of impact and sound. The Ink Box Black's bottom housing has a more pronounced effect on the bottom-out sound and feel, emphasizing its clacky nature. Meanwhile, the Quinn's nylon bottom housing contributes to a smoother and more rounded sound.

In summary, the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Quinn play a significant role in shaping their respective sound profiles. The Ink Box Black, with its proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, delivers a pointed and high-pitched, clacky sound. In contrast, the Quinn's nylon top and bottom housing create a deeper and fuller sound, with a smoother and rounder tone. While both switches provide satisfying typing experiences, the Ink Box Black emphasizes a sharper and more distinct sound, while the Quinn offers a richer and more mellow sound.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, there are notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Ink Box Black requires 60 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Quinn slightly edges it out with 59 grams. Although the difference is minimal, those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Quinn to be more suitable for their typing style.

Moving on to the bottom out force, both switches exhibit medium-heavy forces. The Ink Box Black requires 70 grams of force to bottom out, while the Quinn has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 67 grams. These forces provide a more substantial typing experience, allowing typists to feel a satisfying resistance when fully pressing the keys.

Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer lighter switches may lean towards the Quinn, as it requires slightly less force for both actuation and bottoming out. This lighter touch can be beneficial for individuals who spend long periods typing, such as those using a keyboard at work or engaging in lengthy gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a more tactile typing experience may opt for the slightly heavier forces of the Ink Box Black.

Overall, while the differences between the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Quinn switches may be subtle, individuals seeking a lighter touch may favor the Quinn, while those desiring a more substantial typing experience may be inclined towards the Ink Box Black. Both switches offer medium-heavy forces, ensuring a satisfactory typing experience, albeit with slight variations.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Quinn tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances than the traditional 4.0 mm travel distance, indicating that they are considered to have faster response times. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the shorter travel distance for their need for quick reactions. However, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance to feel too abrupt. If a more responsive typing experience is desired, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch with its slightly shorter travel distance may be the preferable choice. On the other hand, if a deeper and more satisfying key press is desired, the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch with its longer travel distance would be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Quinn switches offer distinct sound profiles. The Ink Box Black is known for its clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. It also has a high-pitched sound, resulting in a crisp and bright auditory experience. On the other hand, the Quinn switch offers a bassy sound that adds depth and richness to each key press. It also has a clacky sound, similar to the Ink Box Black, providing a crisp and percussive tone. Additionally, the Quinn switch has a resonant sound profile, creating a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience. Overall, the Ink Box Black produces a sharper and brighter sound, while the Quinn switch offers a deeper and more resonant sound.

In terms of feel, the Ink Box Black switch offers a silky and polished typing experience. It ensures exceptional smoothness and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The switch has a refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Quinn switch provides a snappy and polished feel. It is super responsive and has a smooth and refined finish, enhancing the typing experience. The switch also offers a bouncy sensation, providing a spring-like feedback and lively feel to the keys. Additionally, it has an accented tactile feedback, offering a medium level of tactility that is prominent but not overwhelming. The Quinn switch can be described as buttery and creamy, providing a seamless and effortless typing experience with a silky sensation. Overall, both switches offer smooth and polished feel, but the Quinn switch provides additional responsiveness and bounce.

In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Quinn switches have different sound and feel qualities. The Ink Box Black produces a clacky and high-pitched sound, while the Quinn switch offers a bassy, clacky, and resonant sound profile. In terms of feel, the Ink Box Black provides a silky and polished experience, while the Quinn switch offers a snappy, polished, and bouncy feel. Both switches offer smooth and refined typing experiences, but the Quinn switch provides additional responsiveness and bounce. Depending on the desired sound and feel preferences, users can choose between the sharper and brighter Ink Box Black or the deeper and more resonant Quinn switch for their mechanical keyboard. It is important to note that the final sound and feel also depend on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and creamy linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Gateron Ink Box Black switch is a great choice. These switches offer a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, adding a sharp and crisp sound to your typing experience. They are described as silky and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth typing feel with reduced friction. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Gateron Quinn switch is the way to go. These switches have a unique combination of crisp and light switch-like tactility, accompanied by a deep and resonant sound profile. With each keystroke, you can expect a precise and clean tactile bump, giving your typing experience a touch of character. The Quinn switches are also described as polished and accented, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Ultimately, the choice between the Ink Box Black and the Quinn switches will depend on your preference for linear or tactile switches, as well as your desired sound and feel.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Box Black Linear

$8.50

$7.65 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Quinn Tactile

$6.00

$5.50 per 10

Learn more