Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, both the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the SP-Star Meteor White offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Ink Box Pink is best known for its smoothness and lighter typing feel, providing a satisfying and comfortable sensation as you type. Additionally, it boasts a higher-pitched clack, adding an extra touch of auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch offers a subdued and gentle linear feel, making it effortless to push. This switch also produces a soft, pitter-patter sound profile, creating a soothing and subtle typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Box Pink and the SP-Star Meteor White differ in their housing materials, which affects the sound profile they produce when typing. The Ink Box Pink features a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing. This blend creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. On the other hand, the Meteor White utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing. The nylon material absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Therefore, while the Ink Box Pink has a thin and higher-pitched clacky sound, the Meteor White has a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Ink Box Pink and the Meteor White have similar characteristics. The INK blend of the Ink Box Pink creates a pointed and high-pitched sound, which is also described as clacky. The nylon bottom housing of the Meteor White also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. While the specifics might differ slightly, both switches offer satisfying sound experiences due to the properties of their bottom housings.
However, when it comes to the top housing, the Ink Box Pink and the Meteor White provide distinct sound qualities. The INK blend of the Ink Box Pink creates a pointed and higher-pitched sound when releasing a key. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the Meteor White absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and rounder sound when letting go of a key. These differences in the top housing materials directly impact the sound profile and overall typing experience of each switch.
In conclusion, although the Ink Box Pink and the Meteor White both deliver satisfying sound profiles, they diverge in their housing materials. The INK blend of the Ink Box Pink produces a clacky and high-pitched sound due to its proprietary blend, while the nylon material of the Meteor White provides a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches share similar qualities in their bottom housing, offering enjoyable typing experiences. However, the top housing materials differentiate the sound when releasing a key, with the Ink Box Pink creating a pointed sound and the Meteor White offering a rounder sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, there are both similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is 50 grams, while the actuation force of the SP-Star Meteor White switch is not available. This means that if a lighter actuation force is desired, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch would be the better choice. However, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Ink Box Pink requiring 60 grams and the Meteor White requiring 57 grams. Therefore, if a heavier bottom out force is preferred, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch will provide a slightly more substantial typing experience. However, if a lighter bottom out force is desired, the SP-Star Meteor White switch would be the better option. Overall, while the actuation force and bottom out force differ between the two switches, they both fall within the medium weight range, allowing for similar results in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the travel distance of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is 4 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter travel distance range compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. Therefore, if responsiveness is your priority, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the SP-Star Meteor White switch with its longer travel distance may be more preferable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the level of responsiveness or depth desired.
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 SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 switch produces a higher-pitched clack when pressed, giving it a sharp and crisp sound profile. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch offers a gentle and pitter-patter sound, often described as subdued. Therefore, if you prefer a crisper and brighter sound, the Ink Box Pink is the better choice, while the Meteor White provides a softer and more mellow sound. 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.
Moving on to feel, both the Ink Box Pink and the Meteor White switches offer smooth typing experiences. The Ink Box Pink is known for its silky and polished feel, minimizing resistance and offering an exceptionally smooth keystroke. Similarly, the Meteor White has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches provide a refined typing experience, with the Ink Box Pink being slightly lighter in typing feel compared to other mechanical switches. The Meteor White, on the other hand, offers a mild and approachable typing experience suitable for most users.
Considering all the available information, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the SP-Star Meteor White switches have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Box Pink provides a higher-pitched and clacky sound, coupled with a lighter and smoother typing feel. On the other hand, the Meteor White offers a more subdued and pitter-patter sound, along with a mild and polished typing feel. Depending on your personal preferences, you can choose between a crisper and brighter sound with a lighter typing feel or a softer and mellow sound with a mild typing experience. Both switches guarantee a smooth and refined typing experience due to their polished finishes.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and priorities. If you prioritize a lighter typing feel and a higher-pitched clack sound, the Ink Box Pink would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a soft and subdued typing experience with a gentle pitter-patter sound profile, the Meteor White switch would be more suitable.
In terms of sound, the Ink Box Pink offers a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, while the Meteor White provides a neutral and thocky sound. If you prefer a sharper and crisper sound, the Ink Box Pink would be the better option. However, if you enjoy a deeper and more satisfying sound, the Meteor White switch would be more appealing.
In terms of feel, the Ink Box Pink offers a silky and polished typing experience, enhancing the overall smoothness and minimizing resistance. Alternatively, the Meteor White provides a mild and polished feel, offering a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone.
Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound. Consider the characteristics described for each switch and choose the one that aligns best with your desired typing experience. Whether it's the lighter feel and higher-pitched clack of the Ink Box Pink or the soft and subdued typing experience of the Meteor White, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your mechanical keyboard experience. In the end, the choice is yours to make.
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