Gateron Ink Red vs. Gateron Jupiter Brown
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Red and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Ink Red and Gateron Jupiter Brown are two popular mechanical keyboard switches with distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Ink Red is a linear switch known for its smoothness and lower actuation force, making it ideal for those with a lighter typing style. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown is a tactile switch that blends tradition with innovation, offering a more classic keystroke feel at a medium-heavy weight. While the Ink Red provides a satisfyingly smooth and clacky typing experience, the Jupiter Brown boasts high-precision molds and softer backlight effects for a reliable performance with aesthetic appeal. 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
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Spring steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Red and the Gateron Jupiter Brown, we see a distinct difference in the top housing. The INK blend top housing of the Ink Red provides a thin and higher-pitched sound profile that is described as clacky, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Jupiter Brown offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the Jupiter Brown switch leads to a more clear and resonant sound due to its stiffness, making it ideal for those who prioritize sound quality in their typing experience. In contrast, the Ink Red's top housing offers a unique sound profile that is slightly less sharp but still satisfying to many users.
Moving on to the bottom housing, we see another distinction between the two switches. The INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Red provides a similar thin and higher-pitched sound profile as the top housing, creating a cohesive typing experience. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Jupiter Brown elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile that is duller and rounder due to its softer plastic composition. This difference in bottom housing material impacts the overall sound and feel of the switch, with the Jupiter Brown offering a more subdued typing experience compared to the Ink Red's slightly more pronounced sound profile.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Ink Red and Gateron Jupiter Brown will come down to personal preference in sound and feel. While the top housing of the switches offer distinct differences in sound profile, the bottom housing also plays a crucial role in the overall typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharper and crisper sound with the Jupiter Brown's polycarbonate housing or a slightly softer and deeper sound with the Ink Red's nylon housing, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different user preferences. Ultimately, both switches provide high-quality housing materials that contribute to a satisfying typing experience, albeit with slightly varying sound profiles.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, it is clear that the Ink Red is the lighter option with an actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Jupiter Brown's 55 grams. The bottom out force of the Ink Red is also lighter at 60 grams, while the Jupiter Brown requires a heavier force of 70 grams. This means that the Ink Red provides a lighter and easier typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown offers a more substantial push feel, which can be preferred by those who enjoy a heavier typing experience. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, providing a balanced typing experience that caters to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience a consistent travel distance of 4 mm. This similarity ensures that you will get consistent results in terms of key press feel and responsiveness, regardless of which switch you choose to use. Having the same travel distance helps maintain a similar typing experience, making them both reliable options for those looking for consistency in their typing or gaming performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Red has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Red for $7.35.
The Gateron Jupiter Brown comes in at $2.80 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 Red linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for various typing styles and environments. This switch also has a unique chirpy characteristic that sets it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch is unknown, but it is important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, both the Gateron Ink Red and Jupiter Brown switches offer a smooth and refined typing experience. The Ink Red switch is described as silky, mild, and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth typing feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Jupiter Brown switch is also described as mild and polished, ensuring a gentle typing experience with a sleek and refined finish. Additionally, the Jupiter Browns offer a stepped tactile feel, giving users the sensation of two stages during key presses.
Overall, both the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch provide satisfying typing experiences with their distinctive qualities. While the Ink Red offers a lighter actuation force and a chirpy sound profile, the Jupiter Brown blends tradition with innovation, featuring a medium-heavy weight and a stepped tactile feel. Whether you prefer a crisp linear switch or a classic tactile switch, both options deliver high-precision molds and enhanced backlight effects for reliable performance and aesthetic appeal. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, consider your typing style and preference for actuation force. If you have a lighter typing style and prefer a lower actuation force, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch may be the best choice for you. It offers a smooth and crisp typing experience with a medium bottom out force of 60 grams. On the other hand, if you prefer a more classic keystroke feel with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch may be more suitable for you. It provides a tactile feedback with a single-stage spring design, offering a mix of tradition and innovation. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preference for actuation force and typing experience.
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