Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. Everglide Oreo
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that often come to mind are the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Everglide Oreo. The Ink Box Pink switches are best known for their beautiful translucent design and smooth operation, with a lighter typing feel compared to other switches. The higher-pitched clack they produce adds a unique touch to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo switches offer a delectable treat for your fingertips with a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a delightfully cushioned sensation when bottoming out. These switches strike the perfect balance between satisfying keystrokes and a comfortable typing experience, with a subtle, mellow sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the most suitable switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Everglide Oreo switches have some similarities and differences. Both switches have a unique and distinctive sound profile. The Ink Box Pink's proprietary INK blend top and bottom housings offer a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This creates a clacky and satisfying thin sound when typing. Similarly, the Oreo's polycarbonate top and bottom housings contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the Oreo switch creates a clear and resonant sound, especially when RGB lighting is utilized. Therefore, both switches offer a satisfying sound experience, although the Ink Box Pink may lean towards a slightly clackier sound, while the Oreo may have a crisper sound.
One significant difference between the Ink Box Pink and the Oreo is the material used in their top housings. The Ink Box Pink features its proprietary INK blend, while the Oreo utilizes polycarbonate. The INK blend produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, which is clacky and satisfying. On the other hand, polycarbonate, due to its stiffness, produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound with enhanced clarity and resonance. Additionally, polycarbonate is translucent, making it ideal for RGB lighting effects. Therefore, the Oreo's top housing offers a potentially clearer and more visually appealing experience when combined with RGB lighting.
Another difference lies in the impact on sound and feel when pressing down or releasing a key. The qualities of the bottom housing are more pronounced during key presses, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. This means that the bottom housing material of both switches will play a significant role in the typing experience. Conversely, the top housing material will primarily impact the sound when a key is released. Therefore, the choice of housing material for the top and bottom parts of a switch will determine the overall typing sound, with the bottom housing having more influence on the overall feel.
In summary, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Everglide Oreo switches offer different experiences in terms of sound and feel due to the materials used in their housings. While both switches have their unique sound profiles, the Ink Box Pink leans towards a clackier sound, while the Oreo produces a crisper tone. The properties of the top housing materials also differ, with the Ink Box Pink featuring a proprietary blend and the Oreo utilizing polycarbonate. Additionally, the bottom and top housings play distinct roles in shaping the typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting key presses and the top housing influencing key release sounds. Nonetheless, both switches promise a satisfying sound experience when typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, there are notable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, both switches fall within the medium range, although with slight variations. The Ink Box Pink has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a consistent and balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the Oreo offers a slightly lighter touch with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a suitable option for those who prefer a lighter keystroke.
The actuation force, which is the force required to trigger a keystroke, is lighter in the Everglide Oreo compared to the Gateron Ink Box Pink. This lighter actuation force allows for smoother and potentially faster typing, making it ideal for extended usage periods or intense gaming sessions where endurance is key. On the flip side, the Ink Box Pink requires a slightly stronger push to activate a keystroke, providing a more substantial and deliberate typing experience for users who enjoy a bit more resistance.
When it comes to bottoming out, or pressing the keys all the way down, both switches have similar bottom out forces. With the Ink Box Pink having a bottom out force of 60 grams and the Oreo with a bottom out force of 55 grams, users can expect a satisfying and tactile moment when fully pressing the keys regardless of the switch chosen. Therefore, those seeking a consistent and tactile typing experience can achieve similar results with both switches.
In summary, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch offers a slightly heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Everglide Oreo tactile switch. The Ink Box Pink provides a more substantial typing experience while the Oreo offers a lighter touch, suitable for prolonged periods of typing or gaming. However, bottoming out on both switches results in a satisfying tactile experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Oreo tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Oreo switch is the longer option. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered to be the most traditional, while a distance of 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, shorter travel distances have become more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Ink Box Pink would be the better choice with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, some people may find short travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer a deeper key press. In that case, the Everglide Oreo switch with its longer travel distance would be a more suitable option. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
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 Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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 Pink switch is known for producing a higher-pitched clack when pressed. This creates a crisp and bright sound profile, which some users find satisfying. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo switch has a subtle and mellow sound profile, with a unique chirpy characteristic that sets it apart from other switches. It is worth noting that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is described as silky and polished. This means that it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, minimizing 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 Everglide Oreo switch provides a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It is referred to as an accented switch, offering a prominent amount of tactile feedback without being scratchy. Additionally, it has a stepped feel, meaning you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during the keystroke.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Everglide Oreo switches offer different subjective qualities. The Ink Box Pink provides a lighter typing feel with a higher-pitched clack sound and a silky, polished feel. On the other hand, the Oreo switch delivers a crisp and responsive tactile bump accompanied by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. It has a mellow sound profile and is described as accented and stepped in terms of feel. Both switches offer unique experiences, and it ultimately depends on individual preferences. However, if you enjoy a smooth typing experience, both switches would provide similar results in terms of feel, with the Oreo having slightly more tactility.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and priorities. If you value a smoother typing experience with a lighter feel, the Ink Box Pink is a great option. These switches have a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and offer a silky and polished feel, enhancing the overall smoothness and reducing resistance when typing. They also produce a higher-pitched clack sound, which can be crisp and bright.
On the other hand, if you prioritize tactility in your typing experience, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is worth considering. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches strike a balance between satisfying keystrokes and a comfortable typing experience. The Oreo switches provide a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a delightfully cushioned sensation when bottoming out. They have an accented tactile feel, prominent enough to be noticeable but not overwhelming. The sound profile of the Oreo switches is described as subtle and mellow, with a unique chirpy quality.
Overall, both switches have their unique characteristics and advantages. The Ink Box Pink offers a lighter typing feel and a higher-pitched clack sound, while the Everglide Oreo provides a satisfying tactile bump and a mild chirpy sound. Consider your preferences in terms of typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force when making your decision. Happy typing!
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