Gateron Ink Box Black vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, both of which are linear switches. The Gateron Ink Box Black is celebrated for its incredibly smooth and creamy feel, giving users a satisfying typing experience. Known for its 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Silky', and 'Polished' sound signature, this switch provides a unique tactile feedback reminiscent of a spray paint can being shaken. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver stands out for its lightning-fast actuation due to its short travel distance. Featuring a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, this switch offers a different typing experience compared to the Ink Box Black. While generalities can offer some insight into which switch may be best for you, diving deeper into the specific details of each switch will ultimately help you make the best decision for your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Black and Gateron Smoothie Silver switches offer distinct differences in sound profiles. The Ink Box Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a thin, higher-pitched clacky sound that is not overly sharp. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver utilizes a POM top housing that creates a deeper, more muted sound profile. This means that typing on the Ink Box Black switches will result in a sharper, higher-pitched sound compared to the smoother, deeper sound of the Smoothie Silver switches.
Additionally, the bottom housings of the two switches also play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switch. The INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Box Black contributes to its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, enhancing the overall clacky feel. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver adds to its deeper and more muted sound, creating a different tactile experience when typing. These differences in bottom housing materials further distinguish the sound profiles of the two switches, catering to different preferences based on sound and feel.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Gateron Ink Box Black and Gateron Smoothie Silver switches, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying typing experience. While the Ink Box Black offers a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile with its proprietary INK blend housing, the Smoothie Silver provides a smoother, deeper sound with its POM housing. Both switches deliver unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, making them suitable options for keyboard enthusiasts seeking a specific typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in sound and feel when typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, there are notable differences. The Gateron Ink Box Black has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. While both switches offer a smooth linear feel, the Ink Box Black requires a bit more force to activate each key compared to the Smoothie Silver. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference - whether one prefers a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or a heavier feel for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. The difference of 0.2 mm between the two switches may not be noticeable to all users, but those who prefer a slightly shorter travel distance may lean towards the Smoothie Silver, while those who prefer a bit more depth in their key presses may opt for the Ink Box Black. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, resulting in comparable results for users.
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 Smoothie Silver has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie Silver for $2.60.
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 Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile reminiscent of a spray paint can being shaken. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offers a thocky sound, characterized by unparalleled smoothness and a feather-light touch. The choice between the two would come down to personal preference, with the Ink Box Black offering a sharper and snappier sound, while the Smoothie Silver provides a smoother and more refined auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch is acclaimed for its silky and polished typing experience, offering minimal resistance and enhanced smoothness during key presses. On the contrary, information on the feel of the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is currently unknown. However, considering the reputation of Gateron switches for their smoothness and lightning-fast actuation, it can be inferred that the Smoothie Silver would also provide a satisfying typing experience.
Overall, the Gateron Ink Box Black and Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Ink Box Black excels in providing a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky and polished typing feel, the Smoothie Silver emphasizes a thocky sound with potential smoothness and quick actuation. Ultimately, the choice between the two would hinge on whether the user prioritizes sound sharpness or smoothness in their typing experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams and enjoy a clacky, high-pitched sound with a silky, polished typing feel, then the Gateron Ink Box Black switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an unknown bottom out force, featuring a thocky sound and lightning-fast actuation, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch might be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal typing preferences and what features are most important to you.
Mentioned in this article
