Gateron Ink Red vs. Durock Sea Glass

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Sea Glass. The Gateron Ink Red is a linear switch that is perfect for those with a lighter typing style, thanks to its lower actuation force. It offers a satisfyingly smooth typing experience, with a crispy and clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass is another linear switch that sets itself apart with its captivating selection of five pastel colors. These switches have a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, making them unique in their typing experience. The Sea Glass switches also possess a frictionless nature, defying expectations despite their 62g bottom-out force. Typing on them reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches have their unique characteristics that may appeal to different users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Red Linear

Durock Sea Glass Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Sea Glass switches have different housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Ink Red utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing. This blend produces a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, commonly described as "clacky." In comparison, the Sea Glass switches feature a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both their top and bottom housing, offering a unique sound profile that is pleasant and slightly brighter. Overall, both switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience but with differing nuances in sound.

When it comes to their bottom housings, both the Ink Red and Sea Glass utilize their respective blends. The impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is greater with the bottom housing. The Ink Red's proprietary INK blend results in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, while the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend offers a more moderate sound, not specifically sharp but brighter. Therefore, the bottom housing determines the overall sound produced when pressing down on the keys, with subtle variations between the two switches.

In contrast, the top housings of the Ink Red and Sea Glass switches play a more significant role in the sound when releasing a key. The Ink Red's INK blend provides a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, but not overly sharp. Meanwhile, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend contribute to a similarly pleasant sound profile, leaning towards the brighter side. Despite using different housing materials, both switches offer satisfying sound characteristics upon key release.

In summary, while the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Red and Durock Sea Glass keyboards differ, they both strive to create pleasant sound profiles. The Ink Red utilizes its proprietary INK blend, resulting in a clacky sound with both its top and bottom housing. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch combines Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for a sound that is brighter but still satisfying. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound when keys are released. Despite these differences, users can expect similar results with both switches, providing an enjoyable typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, both switches have a similar actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the force required to trigger a keystroke on both switches is the same, providing a consistent typing experience. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a slight difference. The Gateron Ink Red has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Durock Sea Glass has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the Sea Glass switch offers a slightly more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In terms of weight, both switches fall into the medium category, making them suitable for a variety of users. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preference and whether one prefers a lighter actuation force or a slightly heavier bottom out force.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Ink Red has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Glass has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, 4 mm is considered the standard, while 3.8 mm is slightly shallower. However, shorter travel distances have become more popular, particularly among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the shorter 3.8 mm travel distance of the Sea Glass switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, some individuals find short travel distances to feel abrupt and prefer a deeper, more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. In this case, the 4 mm travel distance of the Ink Red switch would be the better choice. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and whether you prioritize a quicker response or a more robust typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Red switch has a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This means that it provides a satisfying and balanced sound that is suitable for most users, whether they are beginners or advanced typists. Additionally, the Ink Red switch has a unique chirpy characteristic that gives it a slight squeak, setting it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch does not have any specific information provided about its sound qualities. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Red switch offers a silky and polished typing experience. It is exceptionally smooth, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The overall feel is mild, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The Durock Sea Glass switch, on the other hand, is described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. This means that there is minimal sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, resulting in a fluid travel. The Sea Glass switch is also mild in feel, similar to the Ink Red switch, which means it provides a comfortable and approachable typing experience. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is described as feathery, indicating that it is exceptionally light to press and reduces finger fatigue. It is also easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions.

In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Red and Durock Sea Glass switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Red switch has a crisp and clacky sound profile with a unique chirp, while the Sea Glass switch has a uniquely hollow sound signature. In terms of feel, the Ink Red switch is silky and polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience, while the Sea Glass switch is frictionless and feathery, offering an effortless and light typing experience. Both switches have a mild overall feel that is approachable to most users. While specific sound qualities are not mentioned for the Sea Glass switch, it is expected to provide a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness based on its proprietary material blend. Overall, users can expect relatively similar results in terms of sound and feel between the two switches, with slight variations based on personal preferences and the setup used.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you have a lighter typing style and prefer a switch with a lower actuation force, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a satisfyingly smooth typing experience, have a crispy and clacky sound profile, and are effortless to type on. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a unique sound and feel, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch series would be worth considering. These switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness due to their proprietary material blend. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, they possess a weightlessness that defies expectations and offer a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches have their strengths, so it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Red Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Durock Sea Glass Linear

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

Learn more