Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Silent Ink Black are two linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct typing experiences. The Lightning Silver V3 is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a unique typing experience that is both satisfying and seamless. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a silenced option for those who value a quieter typing environment, with a cushiony bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback. While the Lightning Silver V3 is categorized as 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', and 'Silky', the Silent Ink Black is categorized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished'. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal, making them suitable for different preferences and needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, it is clear that both switches utilize unique materials to create distinct sound profiles. The Lightning Silver V3 features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, known for its pointed and high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, they cater to different preferences - with polycarbonate sounding sharper and crisper, and the INK blend offering a satisfying, higher-pitched clack.
In terms of bottom housing, the Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Silent Ink Black diverge once again in their choice of materials. The Lightning Silver V3 employs polycarbonate for its bottom housing, generating a sound profile that aligns with its top housing - sharp, high-pitched, and clear. Similarly, the Silent Ink Black uses Gateron's INK blend for its bottom housing, maintaining a consistent sound profile with its top housing characterized by its pointed and clacky sound. This consistency between the top and bottom housing materials ensures a harmonious sound profile throughout the keystroke, offering a cohesive typing experience for users of both switches.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Silent Ink Black showcases how different materials can impact the sound profile and feel of a mechanical switch. While the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate housing produces a sharp and resonant sound, the Gateron Silent Ink Black's INK blend housing offers a unique clacky sound. Whether it's the polycarbonate housing of the Lightning Silver V3 or the INK blend housing of the Silent Ink Black, both switches provide users with distinct auditory cues that cater to individual preferences for typing and gaming experiences. Ultimately, the housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and feel of each switch, highlighting the importance of material selection in the design of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams compared to the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams. The bottom out force of the Lightning Silver V3 is also lighter at 60 grams, while the Silent Ink Black has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that the Lightning Silver V3 provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer typing for longer periods without experiencing fatigue. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range of actuation and bottom out forces, so users can expect similar results in terms of performance and feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and keypress intensity.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Lightning Silver V3 may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Silent Ink Black may appeal to those who prefer a deeper key press. Both switches offer unique benefits, with the Lightning Silver V3 providing a quicker and more responsive feel, while the Silent Ink Black offers a more satisfying depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance in keyboard switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound, providing a sharp and snappy experience when pressed. This can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive, catering to those who enjoy a more distinct auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offers a muted sound profile, ideal for environments where quiet typing is preferred. The muted sound of these switches minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, providing a softer and quieter typing experience.
When it comes to feel, both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches are described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience. This indicates a smooth and refined finish, resulting in sleek key travel with reduced friction. The Lightning Silver V3 specifically enhances the overall smoothness of typing and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys, while the Silent Ink Black provides a cushiony, pillow-like bottom-out feel, adding a comfortable element to the typing experience.
Overall, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. If you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound with a seamless typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a cushiony bottom-out feel and smooth key travel, the Silent Ink Black would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, choosing between these switches depends on individual preferences for sound and feel in mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are looking for a switch with a clacky and high-pitched sound signature along with a silky typing experience, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing environment with a cushioned bottom-out feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound and feel, as both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing experiences.
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