Gateron Ink Red vs. TTC Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Red and the TTC Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that often come up are the Gateron Ink Red and the TTC Speed Silver. Both switches fall into the linear switch category, offering a smooth keystroke experience. The Gateron Ink Red is known for its lower actuation force, making it ideal for those with a lighter typing style. The Ink Reds not only provide a satisfyingly smooth experience but also have a crispy and clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver is designed for those who prioritize speed and precision. With a reduced travel distance, these switches allow for quick and effortless actuation, perfect for high-speed typing sessions. While both switches share the qualities of being neutral, mild, and polished, they differ in terms of the chirpy sound profile of the Ink Reds and the tactile feedback provided by the Speed Silvers. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can compare and decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Red and the TTC Speed Silver switches offer distinct characteristics that contribute to their unique sound profiles. The Ink Red features a proprietary INK blend top housing which creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. On the other hand, the Speed Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The transparent quality of the polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting effects to be more pronounced. While both top housings contribute to a satisfying sound experience, the Ink Red's INK blend offers a slightly less sharp sound compared to the polycarbonate of the Speed Silver.
Moving to the bottom housings, the Ink Red and the Speed Silver again differ in their material choices. The Ink Red utilizes the same proprietary INK blend in its bottom housing, providing a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile that complements the top housing. In contrast, the Speed Silver employs a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Ink Red's bottom housing. Therefore, the Ink Red's bottom housing enhances the clacky sound experience, while the Speed Silver's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and more resonant tone.
When considering the overall sound and feel of the switches, it is important to note that the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom housings. While pressing down on a switch, you will primarily experience the qualities of the bottom housing, which impacts the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in their housing materials, both switches offer an enjoyable typing experience with their unique sound profiles, providing satisfaction to users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, we can observe some similarities and differences. Firstly, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is equal for both. This suggests that users will have a similar tactile experience when initially pressing the keys on either switch. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a distinction. The Gateron Ink Red has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is slightly heavier than the TTC Speed Silver's bottom out force of 55 grams. This indicates that the Gateron Ink Red provides a slightly more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the TTC Speed Silver offers a lighter bottom out force, making it a suitable choice for individuals looking for a lighter switch that allows for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Overall, while both switches share the same actuation force, the Gateron Ink Red is slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force, while the TTC Speed Silver is lighter.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the TTC Speed Silver linear switch, it is clear that the Ink Red has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Speed Silver has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Ink Red's 4.0 mm travel distance is more traditional, providing a deeper and more substantial feeling when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Speed Silver's 3.4 mm travel distance is shallower, making it a popular choice among gamers who prioritize faster response times. For those who prefer a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the shorter travel distance of the Speed Silver would be the preferred option. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt, in which case the Ink Red with its longer travel distance would be a better fit for those desiring a more substantial key press.
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 TTC Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
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 Red and TTC Speed Silver switches offer similar qualities. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, meaning they have a moderate sound level that is suitable for various typing purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you use them at home or work. However, the Ink Red switch has an additional descriptor of "chirpy," which means it has a slight squeak to its unique acoustic signature, setting it apart from other switches. This slight difference in sound can add some character to the typing experience with the Ink Red switch, while the Speed Silver switch offers a straightforward and clean sound profile.
In terms of feel, both the Ink Red and Speed Silver switches provide a smooth typing experience. The Ink Red switch is described as silky, meaning it offers an exceptionally smooth feel when typing. This switch minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience. It is also classified as mild, which means it offers a gentle typing experience without any pronounced characteristics. The Ink Red switch is further categorized as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Speed Silver switch is also classified as mild and polished, providing a safe middle-ground typing experience with smooth and refined key press movements.
Overall, both the Gateron Ink Red and TTC Speed Silver switches offer subjective qualities that make them suitable for different typing preferences. If you prefer a lighter typing style and enjoy a crispy and clacky sound, the Ink Red switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a fast and precise typing experience with reduced travel distance, the Speed Silver switch would be more suitable. Both switches have neutral sound profiles and provide a smooth typing feel, although the Ink Red switch has a specific chirpy sound characteristic. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing style.
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 the ideal choice for you. These switches are satisfyingly smooth, have a crispy and clacky sound profile, and offer an effortless typing experience. Additionally, if you value a fast and precise typing experience, the TTC Speed Silver linear switch is the one for you. With a reduced travel distance and a light-medium level of resistance, these switches allow for quick and effortless actuation. Both switches have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. However, if you prefer a switch with a little squeak to them, the Ink Red would be the better option. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a more gentle typing experience and a sleek typing feel, the Speed Silver would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Red and TTC Speed Silver switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style.
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