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

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Yellow and the TTC Silent Bluish White. The Gateron Ink Yellow is a linear switch renowned for its shorter travel, offering a typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. This switch boasts a pleasant smoothness and a satisfying clackiness, making it an ideal choice for those who want an enjoyable and efficient typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White is a tactile switch that provides a medium level of resistance when pressed, giving users a precise and comfortable typing experience. Despite their tactile feedback, these switches are specifically designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for environments such as offices or shared living spaces. Both switches offer their own unique features and advantages, however, 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 Yellow 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 Yellow and TTC Silent Bluish White switches have distinct characteristics. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. This blend creates a satisfying thin and clacky sound, offering a unique 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 amplifies the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it particularly suitable for switches with RGB lighting.

In terms of the bottom housing, both the Ink Yellow and Silent Bluish White switches offer different materials. The Ink Yellow utilizes its proprietary INK blend, similar to its top housing. Consequently, users can expect a pointed and high-pitched sound profile that is often described as clacky. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of the Silent Bluish White adds a duller and rounder sound element to the typing experience.

Although the top and bottom housing materials offer distinct characteristics, they both play a crucial role in determining the overall sound and feel of the switch. Pressing down on either the Ink Yellow or Silent Bluish White switch will primarily showcase the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Meanwhile, the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound when releasing a key. Despite their differences, both switches provide satisfying sound profiles that enhance the typing experience, albeit in their own unique ways.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there are significant differences to consider. The Ink Yellow has a higher actuation force, requiring 60 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Silent Bluish White requires a lighter touch with only 42 grams. This means that the Ink Yellow switch will provide a slightly more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White switch offers a lighter actuation force, which may be preferred by individuals who desire a smoother and more effortless typing experience.

When considering the bottom out force, the Ink Yellow switch requires 67 grams of force while the Silent Bluish White switch requires 50 grams. This establishes the Ink Yellow as the heavier option, providing a more weighty feel when pressing the keys all the way down. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch offers a lighter bottom out force, allowing for a gentler touch and potential benefits for typing for extended periods of time.

In summary, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch provides a medium-heavy actuation force and a heavier bottom out force, making it suitable for those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Conversely, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch offers a lighter actuation force and a lighter bottom out force, appealing to those who prefer a smoother and lighter typing experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch is the same, both measuring 3.5 mm. When pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent travel distance of 3.5 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, regardless of whether you choose the Gateron Ink Yellow or the TTC Silent Bluish White, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance. Neither switch is shorter or longer than the other, as both offer the same level of tactile feedback during keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch can be described as having a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This makes it suitable for a wide range of purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or in a work environment. Additionally, the Ink Yellow switch has a clacky sound when pressed, producing a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch is designed to be as quiet as possible. It has a muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular or clacky switch. This makes the Silent Bluish White perfect for office or shared living space use where minimizing noise is important. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. It falls in a safe, middle-ground zone with its gentle typing feel and sound. The Ink Yellow switch is also described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This is achieved through either the materials used or factory lubing, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel. Conversely, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch provides a buttery typing experience. It offers a smooth and fluid keystroke, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Silent Bluish White switch is also described as mild, similar to the Ink Yellow switch. It offers a gentle typing experience with a subtle resistance, making it suitable for shared spaces. The Silent Bluish White switch is also considered stepped, meaning it has a tactile feel with two stages. While it is not as pronounced as a hypertactile switch, there is some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation.

Overall, both the Gateron Ink Yellow and TTC Silent Bluish White switches offer unique qualities that are suitable for different preferences and environments. The Ink Yellow switch provides a moderate actuation force requirement and a clacky sound, making it suitable for various purposes. It offers a mild typing experience with a polished finish. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch offers a satisfying level of resistance and is designed to be as quiet as possible. It provides a buttery typing experience with a mild feel and stepped sensation. Depending on personal preference, both switches can provide a pleasant typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a shorter travel distance, the Gateron Ink Yellow is a great choice. It offers a typing experience between that on a laptop and on a standard mechanical keyboard, with a pleasant smoothness and clackiness. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a "medium tactile" feel, the TTC Silent Bluish White is the switch for you. It provides a satisfying level of resistance when pressed, giving you a precise and comfortable typing experience. Moreover, these switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living space use. Ultimately, the Ink Yellow is characterized by a neutral sound profile with a clacky sound, while the Silent Bluish White has a muted sound profile. In terms of feel, the Ink Yellow offers a mild and polished typing experience, while the Silent Bluish White provides a buttery and mild feel with a stepped option. Consider these factors when deciding on the perfect switch for your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more