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Gateron Ink Red vs. HMX Vintage Citrus

An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Red and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that often come up are the Gateron Ink Red and the HMX Vintage Citrus, both linear switches that cater to unique user preferences. The Ink Red is celebrated for its silky smoothness and moderate actuation force, making it an excellent choice for typists who favor a lighter touch and enjoy a satisfying, clacky sound profile. Its polished feel is perfect for those who spend long hours typing or gaming, striking a balance between comfort and responsiveness. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus is designed with gamers in mind, featuring an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm, which allows for rapid-fire key presses essential in high-speed gaming scenarios. Its bright and clacky sound profile delivers an engaging auditory experience, while the remarkably smooth push feel ensures quick reactions during intense gameplay. Both switches shine in their specific areas—whether you prioritize typing comfort or gaming speed. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

45g

Actuation force

48g

Bottom-out force

60g

Bottom-out force

53g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.00 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

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Proprietary INK blend

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Gold-plated

Spring

22mm single-staged spring

Housing materials

The Gateron Ink Red and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches exhibit distinct differences in their housing materials, which significantly influences their overall sound profiles. The Ink Red utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a consistent high-pitched and clacky sound characteristic. This unique blend is designed to produce a pointed sound that is not overly harsh, creating a typing experience that feels lively and engaging. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus incorporates nylon for its top and bottom housings, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The inherent softness of nylon allows it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics, leading to a rounder and more subdued auditory feedback when typing.

When comparing the sound profiles elicited by the housing materials of each switch, the contrast becomes even more apparent. The Ink Red's high-pitched sound is a result of its INK blend's properties, leading to a more pronounced top-out sound when the key is released. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus's nylon composition results in a sound that is deeper and mellower, particularly noticeable in the bottom-out sound as the softer material dampens the impact noise. This disparity makes for different auditory experiences when typing, catering to varying user preferences regarding key feedback and overall sound comfort.

Although the Gateron Ink Red and HMX Vintage Citrus switches employ different materials for their housings, it is worth noting that both can deliver an enjoyable typing experience. While the INK blend tends to produce a more energetic and bright sound, the nylon housing creates a softer and more muted effect. For users who appreciate both styles, variations in typing technique can result in somewhat similar audible experiences; for instance, varying the force with which a key is pressed or adjusted can blend the sound qualities from each housing, allowing typists to enjoy aspects of both switches' characteristics. Ultimately, understanding the fundamental differences between housing materials enables users to make informed choices based on desired tactile and auditory feedback.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, we see notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, which significantly affect the typing experience. The Ink Red has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it the lighter option for users who prefer less resistance during typing. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus requires a slightly higher actuation force of 48 grams and has a lower bottom out force of 53 grams. This positioning makes the Vintage Citrus a medium-light switch overall, offering a bit more push but still maintaining a relatively comfortable experience. While the Vintage Citrus has a lighter bottom out force, the Ink Red's higher bottom out force contributes to a more substantial feel when fully pressed. Ultimately, those looking for a lighter switch for extended work or gaming sessions may favor the Ink Red, whereas users seeking a touch more resistance might appreciate the Vintage Citrus.

Travel distance

When comparing the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, the difference in travel distance is notable. The Ink Red switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the more traditional depth often favored by those who appreciate a hearty feel when typing. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch offers a shallower travel distance of 3 mm. This shorter travel distance tends to appeal to gamers, as it allows for quicker keystrokes and faster response times. While the 4 mm depth of the Ink Red switch provides a substantial and satisfying tactile experience, the 3 mm depth of the Vintage Citrus may feel more immediate and responsive. Therefore, if you're looking for a more conventional typing experience, the Ink Red is the choice to make, while the Vintage Citrus is suitable for those who prioritize speed and quick responses.

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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.

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 linear switch produces a satisfying, clacky auditory experience that is enhanced by its crispy characteristics. While described as having a neutral sound profile ideal for various settings, the presence of a slight chirp adds a distinctive charm to typing without being overly distracting. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch also emphasizes a bright, clacky sound profile, although its specific descriptors are not provided. Both switches will likely deliver an enjoyable sound when paired with compatible boards and keycaps, ensuring a lively typing atmosphere.

In terms of feel, the Ink Red is lauded for its silky smoothness, mild resistance, and polished finish, offering a lovely typing experience that minimizes friction during key presses. This quality gives beginners and experienced typists alike a comfortable and refined feel that encourages swift typing. The Vintage Citrus switch, on the other hand, is specifically designed for gamers and provides an exceptionally low actuation force ideal for rapid key presses, emphasizing speed and responsiveness. Details on the tactile feel of the Vintage Citrus are not available, but its intent as a speed switch suggests it will provide a distinct and quick feedback that may differ from the smoother feel of the Ink Red.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Ink Red and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches present their own unique advantages, with the Ink Red focusing on a smooth and polished typing experience complemented by a crispy sound, while the Vintage Citrus targets gamers with its rapid-fire capability and bright sound profile. Although the specifics of the Vintage Citrus's feel remain unknown, both switches promise to deliver high-quality performances, appealing to different preferences in terms of sound and typing interaction. As a newcomer, you could expect similar enjoyable experiences with either switch, depending on whether you prioritize smoothness or speed in your typing endeavors.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch should ultimately reflect your specific use case and typing style. If you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force and enjoy a smooth, polished typing experience, the Ink Red may be ideal for you. Its neutral sound profile strikes a good balance for both work and casual use, while its silky feel makes it accessible for long periods of typing without fatigue. On the other hand, if you are focused on gaming and require quick, responsive inputs, the Vintage Citrus is designed for you. Its lighter 53-gram actuation force and rapid feedback will cater to your need for speed during intense gaming sessions, and its bright, clacky sound profile adds an exciting auditory element to your gameplay. Thus, consider how each switch aligns with your personal preferences and activities—whether you're looking for a versatile all-rounder or a specialized gaming switch—to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard experience.

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