Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Two popular choices in the linear switch category are the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Jwick Splash Brothers. The Ink Box Pink switches are best known for their smooth and light typing feel, making them a comfortable choice for long typing sessions. Additionally, these switches have a higher-pitched clack, giving them a distinct sound. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switches live up to their name by offering a fantastic typing experience. With a shorter activation and a long pole stem, these switches provide a satisfyingly snappy and bouncy feel. Additionally, they have a creamy sound signature that adds a touch of elegance to your keystrokes. Both switches share the trait of being polished, meaning they have a refined and high-quality construction. 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
48g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Jwick Splash Brothers differ significantly. The Ink Box Pink utilizes a proprietary INK blend top housing, which is known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. This creates a satisfying clacky sound that is not overly sharp. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers feature a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for incorporating RGB lighting effects.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Ink Box Pink and the Splash Brothers continue to showcase contrasting materials. The Ink Box Pink's proprietary INK blend bottom housing mirrors the characteristics of its top housing, delivering a thin and higher-pitched sound that is often regarded as clacky. However, the Splash Brothers opt for a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound.
While the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Jwick Splash Brothers differ, they both offer unique sound profiles. The Ink Box Pink's proprietary INK blend provides a clacky and relatively high-pitched sound, while the Splash Brothers' polycarbonate and nylon combination deliver a sharper, crisper sound with deeper tones. However, it is worth noting that the impact of the housing materials differs between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, whereas the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. Overall, both switches offer satisfying auditory experiences, ensuring users will obtain similar results in terms of sound with their respective housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Gateron Ink Box Pink has an actuation force of 50 grams, which is slightly heavier than the actuation force of the Splash Brothers, which is unknown. This means that the Ink Box Pink requires a bit more force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Ink Box Pink is again slightly heavier, with a bottom out force of 60 grams, whereas the Splash Brothers has a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it lighter.
Considering weight, some individuals may prefer the lighter option, such as the Splash Brothers, as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing or extended gaming sessions. This can be beneficial for those who require a keyboard for work or enjoy extensive gaming. On the other hand, those who prefer a more robust and substantial typing experience may find the slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Ink Box Pink more desirable.
In summary, the Gateron Ink Box Pink has a slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force compared to the Jwick Splash Brothers, which is lighter in both categories. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on individual preferences regarding typing experience and the duration of keyboard usage.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Ink Box Pink has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Splash Brothers has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Neither of these switches falls into the traditional 4.0 mm travel distance range, but both are shorter than that. For gamers who prioritize quick response times, the shorter travel distance of the Splash Brothers may be preferable. On the other hand, individuals who appreciate a more substantial feel when pressing down on keys may lean towards the Ink Box Pink with its slightly longer travel distance. In terms of overall comparison, the difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be significant, and users can expect similar results from both in terms of travel distance.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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 is known for its clacky and higher-pitched profile. This means that when pressed, it produces a sharp and snappy sound with a crisp and bright quality. If you prefer a switch with a more rich and bassy sound, the Ink Box Pink may not be the best choice for you. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound with no particular emphasis on any specific characteristics. It is suitable for most intents and purposes, making it a safe choice whether you are a beginner or advanced user. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be affected by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink is known for its silky and polished qualities. This means that it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The polished finish enhances the overall smoothness, providing a sleek and refined feel. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers offers a mild, snappy, bouncy, and subtle feel. This means that it provides a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It has a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and rebound when pressed. Additionally, it has a gentle resistance while maintaining a light typing feel. Like the Ink Box Pink, the Splash Brothers also has a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Jwick Splash Brothers have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Box Pink is clacky and higher-pitched in sound, providing a sharp and snappy typing experience. It has a silky and polished feel, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing feel. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers have a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes and users. Its feel is mild, snappy, bouncy, and subtle, providing a gentle and lively typing experience. Both switches have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. While they have distinct qualities, if you are looking for a similar result in terms of sound and feel, the Splash Brothers can provide a comparable experience to the Ink Box Pink.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a lighter typing feel, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch is a great choice for you. These switches offer a smooth typing experience with a higher-pitched clack sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is the way to go. These switches have a great typing feel with a creamy sound signature. Additionally, if you prioritize a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, the Ink Box Pink is the better option. However, if you prefer a more neutral sound profile, the Splash Brothers is suitable for most intents and purposes. In terms of feel, the Ink Box Pink provides a silky and polished experience, minimizing resistance and enhancing smoothness. Meanwhile, the Splash Brothers offer a mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished typing experience, catering to various preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your bottom out force preference, desired sound profile, and preferred typing feel.
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