Gateron Ink Box Pink vs. Gazzew U4

Overview

The Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Gazzew U4 are both exceptional mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique features that cater to different preferences. The Ink Box Pink is beloved for its smoothness and lighter typing feel, making it a popular choice for those seeking a comfortable and effortless typing experience. With a higher-pitched clack, it adds a touch of elegance to every keystroke. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 excites users with its silent tactile bump, providing a satisfying and exhilarating sensation when typing. Its plush, felt-like bottom-out further enhances the typing experience. Merging style with subtlety, the U4s produce a whisper-quiet sound profile. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities, allowing you to make an informed decision about the best switch for your specific needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Box Pink Linear

Gazzew U4 Tactile

$8.50

$7.65 per 10

$6.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Gazzew U4 have different housing materials, which contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Ink Box Pink features Gateron's proprietary INK blend top and bottom housings. The top housing is known for producing a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, resulting in a clacky typing experience. In contrast, the U4 adopts Gazzew's proprietary plastic blend top and bottom housings, referred to as "boba plastic." This material provides a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness.

While the Ink Box Pink's top and bottom housing materials both contribute to its sound profile, with its characteristic clacky and higher-pitched sound, the U4's top and bottom housings also play their respective roles. The U4's top housing enhances the sound when a key is released, giving it a satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the U4's bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a softer and more cushioned typing experience.

Despite the differences in housing materials, both switches offer satisfying typing experiences. The Ink Box Pink's INK blend and the U4's Gazzew blend result in unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. However, if you are looking for a switch with a distinct clacky sound, the Ink Box Pink may be more suitable. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer and deeper sound, the U4 with its "boba plastic" blend is a great option. Ultimately, both switches deliver quality and diverse typing experiences due to their carefully designed housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, it is clear that both switches fall within the medium range in terms of force required for activation. The Ink Box Pink has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the U4 has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams.

In terms of weight, both switches offer a fairly similar typing experience as they both require a medium level of force for actuation and bottoming out. This makes them suitable for individuals who prefer a balance between a light and heavy switch.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gazzew U4 may be the favorable option as it has a slightly lower actuation force of 43 grams compared to the 50 grams of the Ink Box Pink. This lighter actuation force allows for smoother and faster keystrokes, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or longer gaming sessions where finger fatigue may become a concern.

On the other hand, if someone prefers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Ink Box Pink might be the better choice. With its slightly higher bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the U4's 62 grams, the Ink Box Pink offers a bit more resistance and feedback, providing a tactile sensation that some typists find satisfying.

Overall, while the Gateron Ink Box Pink and the Gazzew U4 have different actuation and bottom out forces, they both fall within the medium range and provide a balanced typing experience. The choice between the two would ultimately depend on individual preferences and the desired typing feel.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that both switches will provide a consistent experience in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. When pressing down on a key, users can expect to feel the same travel distance regardless of whether they are using the Ink Box Pink or the U4 switch. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, these two switches offer similar results.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Gazzew U4 switches offer distinct qualities. The Ink Box Pink switches have a higher-pitched and clacky sound profile. The sound produced is sharp, crisp, and percussive, which can add a satisfying touch to the typing experience. On the other hand, the U4 switches are known for their quietness. They have a muted sound profile that minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. The U4 switches produce a softer and more bass-heavy tone, providing a more subdued and calming auditory experience. It is important to note that the sound produced by the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Ink Box Pink switches offer a smooth and refined typing experience. They have a silky and polished feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This smoothness can greatly contribute to a comfortable and effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the U4 switches are known for their sharp tactile bump. The tactile feedback provided by these switches is intense, with a distinct and crisp bump felt with each and every keypress. This intensifies the tactile experience during typing and can be particularly enjoyable for those seeking a more pronounced feedback sensation.

Considering all the available information, the Gateron Ink Box Pink and Gazzew U4 switches offer different subjective qualities. The Ink Box Pink switches provide a higher-pitched and clacky sound profile, along with a silky and polished typing feel. On the other hand, the U4 switches deliver a muted and quiet sound profile, and a sharp and exhilarating tactile feedback. These qualities provide unique typing experiences, catering to different preferences. However, if you are seeking a smoother typing experience similar to the Ink Box Pink switches, you can achieve comparable results by applying lubing techniques to the U4 switches. Overall, both switches offer their own distinct characteristics, allowing users to find the perfect switch that aligns with their personal preferences.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a smoother and lighter typing experience with a higher-pitched clack sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile typing experience with a plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation and a whisper quiet sound profile, the Gazzew U4 tactile switch would be the better option. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so consider the sound and feel descriptions provided to determine which switch aligns better with your preferences. In the end, the choice between the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch will depend on what you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Box Pink Linear

$8.50

$7.65 per 10

Learn more

Gazzew U4 Tactile

$6.50 per 10

Learn more