Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the TTC Silent Bluish White. The Ink Box Pink is best known for its smooth and lighter typing feel, providing a pleasant and silky experience. Although it produces a higher-pitched clack, it falls under the category of being clacky, high-pitched, silky, and polished. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch offers a medium tactile feel, striking a balance between resistance and comfort. These switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living space use. Categorized as buttery, mild, stepped, muted, subtle, and polished, they offer a satisfying level of resistance without the noise. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
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 TTC Silent Bluish White differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Ink Box Pink features a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housings. This blend creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, giving it a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate, which is a stiffer plastic, contributes to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Therefore, if you prioritize a clacky sound, the Ink Box Pink may be more suitable, while the Silent Bluish White offers a sharper and crisper sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Ink Box Pink and the Silent Bluish White each have unique characteristics. Both switches feature the proprietary INK blend for the bottom housing of the Ink Box Pink, resulting in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer composition. It absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, if you prefer a switch with a deeper and fuller sound, the Silent Bluish White with its nylon bottom housing would be a better choice.
When it comes to the overall sound experience, the differences in top and bottom housing materials play a significant role. The bottom housing influences the sound and feel of the switch when it is pressed down, while the top housing impacts the sound when the key is released. With the Ink Box Pink, both the top and bottom housing contribute to the pointed and relatively high-pitched, clacky sound. Conversely, the Silent Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing enhances the sharpness and higher pitch of the sound, while the nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound upon bottoming out. Therefore, depending on your preference for sound during key presses and releases, you can select the switch that aligns with your desired characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Ink Box Pink requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, while the Silent Bluish White has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams. This means that the Silent Bluish White switch is more sensitive and requires less force to register a keystroke. For individuals who prefer a lighter touch and a quicker response, the Silent Bluish White would be the preferred choice.
In terms of bottom out force, the Ink Box Pink again takes the lead with a heavier force of 60 grams, compared to the Silent Bluish White's bottom out force of 50 grams. This indicates that the Ink Box Pink provides a more substantial typing experience, as it requires more force to fully press the keys down. Some individuals may enjoy the added resistance and tactile feedback that comes with a heavier bottom out force, making the Ink Box Pink a suitable option for them.
Considering the weight, the Silent Bluish White switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force. This makes it a favorable choice for those who enjoy a lighter and more effortless typing experience, ideal for extended periods of typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink switch offers a slightly heavier touch, allowing for a more pronounced keystroke and potentially reducing accidental presses.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch depends on personal preference. If a lighter touch and quicker response are desired, the Silent Bluish White is the way to go. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience with added resistance, the Ink Box Pink would be the better option.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, we can see that the Ink Box Pink has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silent Bluish White has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Though the difference is minimal, it is worth considering the implications it may have on user preferences. Generally, a travel distance of 4.0mm is considered traditional, while 3.0mm is considered shallow. However, the trend towards shorter travel distances has gained popularity, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. In this case, if one prefers a more responsive feel, opting for the switch with the shorter travel distance, the Silent Bluish White, might be the ideal choice. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, in which case the Ink Box Pink with its slightly longer travel distance could provide a more satisfying depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches boils down to personal preference regarding the desired level of responsiveness and feel.
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 TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $4.63.
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 switches are known for their clacky and high-pitched sound. These switches produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, with a crisp and bright quality. If you prefer a lighter and more percussive sound profile, the Ink Box Pink switches would be a great choice. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switches are designed to be as quiet as possible. They have a muted sound, which means they produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. If you are looking for a switch that minimizes noise, especially for office or shared living space use, the Silent Bluish White switches would be the ideal option.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches offer a silky and polished typing experience. These switches are exceptionally smooth, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel. They minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switches provide a buttery and mild typing experience. They offer a smooth and fluid keystroke, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. These switches have a gentle resistance, making them approachable to most users. Additionally, the Silent Bluish White switches have a subtle and polished finish, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Considering the available information, it is evident that the Gateron Ink Box Pink and TTC Silent Bluish White switches have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Box Pink switches offer a higher-pitched and clacky sound, paired with a silky and polished feel. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switches provide a muted sound and a buttery, mild, and polished feel. While the Ink Box Pink switches provide a lighter typing feel, the Silent Bluish White switches offer a precise and comfortable typing experience with their medium tactility. Depending on your personal preferences, you can choose between a more audibly distinct and smoother typing experience or a quieter and effortless typing sensation.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a lighter typing feel and a higher-pitched clack sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch would be a great option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a precise and comfortable typing experience with a medium tactile feel, as well as a quiet sound, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch would be a better choice. Additionally, if you are looking for a switch with a silky or polished feel, the Ink Box Pink offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, while the Silent Bluish White provides a buttery and mild keystroke sensation. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and priorities in terms of typing feel and sound.
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