TKC Kiwi vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the TKC Kiwi and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TKC Kiwi and the Gateron Silent Ink Black offer unique experiences to enhance your typing journey. The Kiwi switches are tactile, providing a medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press. With a satisfyingly snappy sound profile, the Kiwi switches offer an immersive typing experience. Additionally, these switches are lightly factory lubed, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches are linear, offering a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. This makes them perfect for quieter environments where silence is key. Both switches have their own strengths and characteristics, providing options to cater to different preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold coated spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The TKC Kiwi and the Gateron Silent Ink Black differ in their housing materials, resulting in contrasting sound profiles when typing. The Kiwi features UHWMPE material for both its top and bottom housings, which creates a bright and resonant clacking sound. In comparison, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend material for both its top and bottom housings. This material produces a pointed, higher-pitched sound that is described as clacky but not overly sharp.
In terms of the bottom housing, the UHWMPE material of the Kiwi and the INK blend material of the Silent Ink Black both contribute to the overall sound signature. However, the bottom housing has a larger influence on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. The UHWMPE material of the Kiwi likely enhances the impact and resonance of the clacks when typing, while the INK blend material of the Silent Ink Black may provide a satisfying, thin, and higher-pitched sound.
On the other hand, the top housing plays a crucial role in the sound produced when releasing a key. The UHWMPE top housing of the Kiwi is said to create a very bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks when letting go of a key. In contrast, Gateron's INK blend top housing offers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile when releasing a key, which is often described as clacky but not excessively harsh.
In summary, the TKC Kiwi and the Gateron Silent Ink Black showcase different housing materials for their top and bottom housings. While the specific characteristics of UHWMPE and INK blend materials may vary, both switches aim to provide a satisfying and unique typing experience. The Kiwi's UHWMPE housing contributes to bright clacks and resonant sounds, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend material brings a pointed and higher-pitched clacky sound. Overall, these differences highlight the impact that housing materials can have on the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it is evident that the two switches have different weight specifications. The Kiwi has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, while the Silent Ink Black requires a slightly heavier force of 60 grams to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Kiwi has a weight of 67 grams, while the Silent Ink Black is slightly heavier at 70 grams.
The lighter actuation force of the Kiwi switch makes it more suitable for those who prefer a gentler typing experience or need to type for longer periods of time. This could be ideal for individuals who use their keyboard extensively at work or engage in lengthy gaming sessions. However, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a stronger push feel with its higher actuation force, which can provide a more substantial typing experience.
For individuals who prioritize a heavier typing experience, the Silent Ink Black switch may be the preferable choice due to its comparatively higher actuation force and bottom out force. On the other hand, those in search of a slightly lighter typing feel may find the Kiwi switch more suitable for their needs.
Overall, while the actuation force and bottom out force of the TKC Kiwi and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ, both options fall within the medium-heavy weight range. This means that regardless of choice, users can expect similar results in terms of typing feedback and resistance.
Travel distance
Both the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. The travel distance refers to the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom, and it is the distance that is felt when the key is pressed. Therefore, when using either switch, you can expect a similar experience in terms of the travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
The TKC Kiwi comes in at $8.00 per 10 switches.
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
The subjective qualities of the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch differ in terms of sound and feel. The Kiwi switch has a low-pitched sound profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It is also described as having a neutral sound, meaning it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile suitable for a variety of users and environments. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes it ideal for environments that require quieter typing.
In terms of feel, the Kiwi switch is described as stepped, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback. It offers a mild bump, allowing users to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during keystrokes. Additionally, it is considered an accented switch, providing a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The Kiwi switch is also polished, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience. It enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Similar to the Kiwi switch, the Silent Ink Black switch is also polished, ensuring a sleek typing experience with reduced friction.
Based on the available information, the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch differ in terms of sound and feel. The Kiwi switch provides a low-pitched sound profile with a medium to medium-strong tactile feedback, while the Silent Ink Black switch offers a muted sound profile with a cushion-like bottom-out feel. The Kiwi switch has a stepped and accented feel with a polished finish, resulting in a mild bump, smooth key travel, and reduced friction. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a silky feel with a polished finish, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience. If a newcomer wants a tactile experience with a low-pitched sound, they should go for the TKC Kiwi switch. However, if they require a quieter typing experience without sacrificing smoothness, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch would be a suitable choice.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a tactile typing experience with a medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press and a satisfyingly snappy sound profile, the TKC Kiwi tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches also come lightly factory lubed, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. On the other hand, if you require a quieter typing environment, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch would be the better option. With a cushy, pillow-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, they are perfect for environments where noise is a concern. Additionally, both switches offer polished finishes, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on whether you prioritize a tactile typing experience or a quieter typing environment.
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