Gateron Ink Red vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options are the Gateron Ink Red and the TTC Silent Bluish White. The Ink Red is a linear switch, known for its lower actuation force, making it ideal for those with a lighter typing style. These switches offer a satisfyingly smooth feel and produce a crispy and clacky sound. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White is a tactile switch with a medium level of resistance when pressed, providing a precise and comfortable typing experience. These switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living space use. While both switches have their own distinct qualities and advantages, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Red Linear

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Red and the TTC Silent Bluish White switches have distinct differences in their sound profiles and physical characteristics. The Ink Red's proprietary INK blend top and bottom housings result in a relatively high-pitched sound that is not overly sharp, creating a clacky and satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the Nylon bottom housing of the Silent Bluish White switch adds depth and fullness to the sound, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile.

However, despite their differences, both switches offer unique advantages. The Ink Red's INK blend top housing provides a thin and higher-pitched sound, while the Silent Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing is more translucent, making it ideal for RGB lighting effects. In terms of the bottom housing, the Ink Red and Silent Bluish White differ significantly, with the Ink Red featuring its proprietary blend and the Silent Bluish White incorporating nylon. These differences affect the bottom-out sound and feel, with the bottom housing playing a larger role. Comparatively, the top housing impacts the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the materials vary, both switches offer their own distinct sound characteristics and user experiences.

In terms of sound, the Ink Red and Silent Bluish White switches have contrasting qualities due to their distinct housing materials. The INK blend top and bottom housings of the Ink Red produce a relatively high-pitched, clacky sound that is described as satisfying. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing in the Silent Bluish White switch generates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This difference in sound profile is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances clarity and resonance. Furthermore, the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Bluish White switch absorbs more sound than the Ink Red's INK blend, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Overall, while both switches provide a pleasant typing experience, their housing materials contribute to distinct acoustic characteristics.

In summary, the Gateron Ink Red and TTC Silent Bluish White switches differ in their housing materials and the resulting sound profiles. The Ink Red utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a pointed, relatively high-pitched, and clacky sound that is highly satisfying. In comparison, the Silent Bluish White switch employs a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of the Silent Bluish White switch contributes to a deeper and fuller sound due to its ability to absorb more sound. Despite these differences, both switches provide their own unique typing experiences, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has an impact on the sound when releasing a key.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Ink Red switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Bluish White switch's 42 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Ink Red is heavier at 60 grams compared to the Silent Bluish White's 50 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Bluish White switch would be more suitable as it has both a lower actuation force and bottom out force. This lighter touch can be beneficial for long typing sessions or extended gaming sessions, as it allows for less finger fatigue over time. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger and more substantial typing experience might favor the Ink Red switch. With its higher actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a more significant push feeling, which some find satisfying.

Although the forces of the two switches differ slightly, the overall experience of using them may have similar results. The small variation in actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches may not be significantly noticeable to most users. Additionally, both switches fall within the medium to light range, indicating that they are generally suitable for most typists. Ultimately, the decision between the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, which is a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The difference of 0.5 mm may not seem significant, but it can have an impact on the overall feel and response of the switch. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the shorter travel distance of the TTC Silent Bluish White switch may be more suitable for you. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer a more substantial keystroke. In such cases, the Gateron Ink Red switch with its longer travel distance would be a better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Red switch is characterized by a neutral sound profile with a moderate level of actuation force requirement. This means that it produces a satisfyingly crisp and clacky sound without being too loud or obnoxious. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch is specifically designed to be as quiet as possible. It is described as producing a muted sound, which means it is softer and quieter compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes it an ideal choice for office or shared living spaces where noise can be a concern. However, it's important to note that the sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Red switch offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience. It is described as silky and polished, resulting in a sleek and refined typing feel. The switch's smoothness enhances the overall typing experience and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. In addition, the Ink Red switch falls into the mild category, meaning it offers a gentle typing experience that can be enjoyed by most users. Similarly, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch is also categorized as mild and polished. It provides a buttery and stepped typing experience, which implies a smooth and fluid keystroke with subtle pre-travel and/or post-travel. The switch's gentle resistance ensures a light typing feel, and it produces a subtle sound that is suitable for shared spaces.

To summarize, the Gateron Ink Red and TTC Silent Bluish White switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Red switch provides a neutral sound profile with a crisp and clacky sound, while the Silent Bluish White switch offers a muted sound that is quieter and suitable for office or shared living spaces. In terms of feel, the Ink Red switch is silky, mild, and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with a gentle resistance. The Silent Bluish White switch is buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and also polished, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with a light typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preference and the specific requirements of the user. However, it's worth noting that both switches offer similar characteristics in terms of being mild and polished, ensuring a comfortable typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you prefer a switch with a lighter actuation force and a smoother typing experience, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches are known for their effortless typing and satisfyingly smooth feel. They also produce a crispy and clacky sound profile, which adds to the overall typing experience. However, if you value a switch with a medium tactile feel and a quieter sound profile, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch would be more suitable for you. These switches offer a precise and comfortable typing experience with a satisfying level of resistance. They are specifically designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living space use. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your typing style, desired sound profile, and preference for actuation force.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Red Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more