Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. Keygeek Keygeek Raw
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw both offer unique qualities that appeal to different preferences. The Ink Box Pink is known for its smooth and lighter typing feel, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a higher-pitched clack when typing. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw switches stand out with their unique material blend, offering a creamy yet lightweight typing experience with a slightly textured feel right out of the box. Each switch is categorized with distinct characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
57.5g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Nylon & UPE blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
UMPE & Si blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switches offer unique qualities that impact the overall sound and feel of the keyboard switches. The Ink Box Pink features a proprietary INK blend top housing known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, resulting in a satisfying and clacky typing experience. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw switch utilizes a Nylon & UPE blend top housing exclusive to Keygeek Raw switches, which likely offers a different sound profile and typing feel compared to the INK blend of the Ink Box Pink.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Keygeek Keygeek Raw switches also differ in their materials. The INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Box Pink contributes to the overall sound profile and feel of the switch, adding to the clacky typing experience that users appreciate. In contrast, the UMPE & Si blend bottom housing of the Keygeek Raw switch offers a unique feel and sound profile exclusive to this particular switch variant. These differences in bottom housing materials can significantly impact the overall typing experience and may result in varying levels of satisfaction for different users.
While the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Keygeek Keygeek Raw switches are different, they both aim to provide a unique and enjoyable typing experience for users. The top housing materials of each switch may influence the sound profile when typing, with the INK blend of the Ink Box Pink offering a clacky sound compared to the Nylon & UPE blend of the Keygeek Raw. Similarly, the bottom housing materials contribute to the overall feel and sound when bottoming out keys, with the INK blend of the Ink Box Pink likely providing a distinctive typing experience compared to the UMPE & Si blend of the Keygeek Raw.Overall, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in typing feel and sound.
Weight
The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ink Box Pink requires 60 grams, while the Keygeek Raw needs 57.5 grams. Both switches fall into the medium range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gateron Ink Box Pink may be the better choice, as it requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a bit more resistance and a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Keygeek Keygeek Raw with its slightly heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. The slightly shorter travel distance of the Keygeek Raw may provide a slightly quicker keystroke compared to the Gateron Ink Box Pink. However, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may find the 3.6 mm travel distance of the Gateron Ink Box Pink to be more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Box Pink 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 Pink for $7.65.
The Keygeek Keygeek Raw has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keygeek Raw for $3.51.
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 Pink linear switch provides a higher-pitched and clacky typing experience, offering a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp and bright. On the other hand, the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. The choice between the two would depend on personal preference for sound, taking into consideration the keyboard, keycaps, and overall setup.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is known for its silky and polished typing experience, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined feel with minimized resistance during key presses. In contrast, the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switch provides a slightly textured feel right out of the box, catering to enthusiasts who prefer to hand-lube their switches. The Keygeek Raw switch also falls under the category of mild switches, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gateron Ink Box Pink provides a higher-pitched and clacky sound with a silky and polished typing feel, while the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switch offers a more neutral sound profile with a slightly textured feel and mild characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, as both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles. If similar sound and feel are desired, you can expect comparable results from both switches with slight variations in texture and pitch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 60 grams and a higher-pitched clacky sound, the Ink Box Pink may be the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 57.5 grams and a neutral sound profile, along with a slightly textured and creamy feel due to the unique material blend of Nylon, UMPE, and Silicon in the Keygeek Raw, then this switch may better suit your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and the overall typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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