Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. Outemu Brown
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Ink Box Pink, a linear switch, and the Outemu Brown, a tactile switch, stand out as popular choices among enthusiasts. The Ink Box Pink is praised for its smoothness and lighter typing feel, along with a distinctive high-pitched clack when in use. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown is known for its tactile feedback without any audible click. While the Ink Box Pink offers a unique typing experience with its 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Silky', and 'Polished' characteristics, the Outemu Brown provides a more subtle tactile feel. Each switch has its own appeal depending on personal preferences, but ultimately the choice between them depends on individual typing style and preference. 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
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Brown switches have distinct characteristics that impact the sound and feel of the switches. The Ink Box Pink features a proprietary INK blend top housing that creates a thin, high-pitched, and clacky sound profile. In contrast, the Brown switch has a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, the INK blend gives a more satisfying clack, whereas polycarbonate provides a clearer and resonant sound. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the overall design.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Ink Box Pink utilizes the same proprietary INK blend as the top housing, resulting in a consistent sound profile throughout the switch. The bottom housing's pointed and high-pitched sound complements the top housing, creating an overall clacky typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown switch features a nylon bottom housing known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Ink Box Pink. These contrasting qualities in the bottom housing contribute to the overall sound and feel of each switch.
When considering the impact of housing materials on the typing experience, it's essential to recognize how the top and bottom housings combine to form the overall sound profile of a switch. The qualities of each material are discernible when pressing down on a key, with the bottom housing playing a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. While the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Outemu Brown switches may have different housing materials, understanding how each material contributes to the sound and feel of the switch can help in making an informed choice based on personal preferences.
Weight
The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Outemu Brown tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 53 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ink Box Pink has a lighter force of 60 grams while the Brown requires 65 grams to bottom out. Both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation force, but the Outemu Brown switch leans towards the heavier side when it comes to bottom out force. For those looking for a light and smooth typing experience, the Gateron Ink Box Pink may be the preferred choice. However, if you prefer a more substantial and tactile typing feel, the Outemu Brown switch would be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between the two would depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter than the 4 mm travel distance of the Outemu Brown tactile switch. The shorter travel distance of the Ink Box Pink may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Outemu Brown may provide a more substantial and deliberate pressing sensation. Both switches offer unique benefits based on their travel distances, with the Ink Box Pink being ideal for those who prefer quick keystrokes and the Outemu Brown catering to users who enjoy a more extended keypress experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and the specific typing or gaming experience 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 Outemu Brown comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound, producing a sharp and snappy noise when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown tactile switch does not have any specific sound descriptors provided. It is important to consider that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch is described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. In contrast, there are no specific descriptors for the tactile feel of the Outemu Brown switch provided. Once again, it is crucial to note that the typing feel can also be affected by factors like the keycap material and switch housing.
Taking into account all the available information, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch offers a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky and polished feel, providing a lighter typing experience. Comparatively, the Outemu Brown tactile switch does not have specific sound or feel descriptors provided, making it harder to directly compare the two switches. However, both switches are likely to deliver different typing experiences based on their respective characteristics. If you prefer the sound and feel of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch, you can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel when using it for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a lighter typing feel and a higher-pitched clack sound, the Ink Box Pink may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and are looking for a tactile feedback without a specific sound profile preference, the Outemu Brown switch could be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound characteristics.
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