Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Silent Grey 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 Outemu Silent Grey offer contrasting experiences for users. The Gateron Ink Box Pink is a linear switch that is smooth and light, providing a higher-pitched clack during typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey is a tactile switch that offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. If you are looking for a switch that provides a light and smooth typing feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink may be the way to go. However, if you prefer a switch that offers a satisfying tactile feedback and quiet operation, the Outemu Silent Grey could be the better choice. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 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
Overall, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Silent Grey switches both have unique characteristics in terms of housing materials. The Ink Box Pink features a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, which is known for its thin, high-pitched sound profile that is often described as "clacky." In contrast, the Silent Grey utilizes a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. This difference in materials leads to distinct typing experiences for each switch.
Additionally, the material used in the housing of a switch can also impact its aesthetic appeal. The Ink Box Pink's translucent INK blend top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually pleasing element to the switch. On the other hand, the Silent Grey's use of polycarbonate for the top housing ensures that the switch is clear in appearance, indicating its material composition. While both switches offer unique sound profiles, they also provide users with the opportunity to enhance their keyboard setup visually with the choice of housing material.
In terms of typing experience, the choice between the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Outemu Silent Grey ultimately comes down to personal preference. The INK blend housing of the Ink Box Pink creates a clacky and high-pitched sound that some users may find satisfying, while others may prefer the deeper and fuller sound produced by the Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing. Additionally, the sharp and crisp sound profile of the polycarbonate top housing in the Silent Grey offers a different typing experience compared to the relatively softer and absorptive nylon material. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct characteristics based on their housing materials, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their preferences.
Weight
The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch both have an actuation force of 50 grams, meaning that they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force of the Ink Box Pink is 60 grams, making it slightly lighter than the Silent Grey, which has a bottom out force of 65 grams. This means that the Ink Box Pink provides a slightly lighter typing experience compared to the Silent Grey. For those who prefer a lighter touch and type for longer periods, the Ink Box Pink may be the preferred choice. On the other hand, the Silent Grey offers a more substantial typing experience with a slightly heavier bottom out force, ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirement.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, we find that the Ink Box Pink has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm compared to the Silent Grey's 4 mm travel distance. The shorter travel distance of the Ink Box Pink may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Silent Grey provides a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference, with some preferring the shorter and more responsive feel of the Ink Box Pink, while others may enjoy the deeper travel distance of the Silent Grey.
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 Silent Grey 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched qualities, producing a sharp and snappy sound that is crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is silent with no specific descriptor mentioned, indicating a quieter typing experience overall. However, keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors like the keyboard's construction and keycaps.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This smoothness enhances the overall typing feel, providing a refined and sleek typing experience. On the other hand, there is no specific descriptor mentioned for the Outemu Silent Grey switch, leaving the tactile feel of this switch unknown.
In conclusion, if you prefer a lighter typing feel with a higher-pitched clacky sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you seek a highly tactile and silent typing experience with a pronounced bump, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch might be more suitable. Keep in mind that personal preference plays a significant role in selecting the right switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider your typing preference and environment. If you are looking for a smoother and lighter typing feel with a higher-pitched clack, the Ink Box Pink may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, the Silent Grey switch would be more suited to your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the sound, feel, and overall typing experience that aligns with your preferences and requirements.
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