Gateron Melodic vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Melodic and the Gateron Silent Ink Black offer distinct experiences for users. The Melodic stands out as a clicky switch that rejuvenates this category with smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, ensuring a classic clicky sound with tactile feedback and smoothness. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black is a linear switch designed for quieter typing experiences, offering a cushioned, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. While the Melodic is described as 'Buttery', 'Resonant', 'Invigorating', and 'Crunchy', the Silent Ink Black is characterized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its strengths and appeals to different preferences, but diving deeper into their specific qualities will help you determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Melodic and the Gateron Silent Ink Black are different in terms of their top and bottom housings. The Melodic features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This allows for a more resonant sound and is ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black has a proprietary INK blend top housing that offers a pointed and high-pitched sound without being overly sharp, resulting in a satisfying and clacky typing experience.
On the bottom housing side, the Gateron Melodic utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile than the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. The Silent Ink Black's bottom housing complements its top housing by also providing a high-pitched sound profile that is described as clacky, resulting in a unique typing experience that differs from the Melodic's sound.
Despite their differences in housing materials, both the Gateron Melodic and the Gateron Silent Ink Black offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The split between the top and bottom housings allows each switch to provide a unique typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Whether you prefer the sharper and crisper sound of the Melodic's polycarbonate housing or the satisfying clackiness of the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend, both switches offer high-quality materials that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch has an actuation force of None grams, meaning it does not require any specific force to trigger a keystroke, and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is considered medium. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it medium-heavy in comparison. In terms of weight, the Melodic would be seen as the lighter option, while the Silent Ink Black would be considered slightly heavier. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Melodic switch for longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods, while others may appreciate the heavier bottom out force of the Silent Ink Black for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing their travel distances, both switches offer the same amount of distance for users to feel when pressing down on a key. This means that whether you choose the Melodic clicky switch or the Silent Ink Black linear switch, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance experienced while typing. Thus, the travel distance is not a factor that differentiates these two switches, as they both offer the same travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy experience, with a higher-pitched and immersive auditory profile that is clean and sharp. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch provides a muted sound profile that is softer and quieter, perfect for environments where noise needs to be minimized. Both switches excel in their own way, with the Melodic providing a classic clicky sound and the Silent Ink Black offering a more subdued typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Melodic switch is known for its buttery and invigorating feel, providing a smooth and fluid typing experience with pronounced feedback and a snappy feel. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch offers a silky and polished typing experience, with exceptionally smooth key travel and reduced friction. Both switches deliver a satisfying typing sensation, with the Melodic emphasizing tactile feedback and the Silent Ink Black prioritizing smoothness.
In conclusion, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch cater to different preferences when it comes to sound and feel. While the Melodic offers a resonant and crunchy sound with a buttery and invigorating feel, the Silent Ink Black provides a muted sound with a silky and polished typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style. Both switches guarantee a premium typing experience, so you can expect similar levels of quality and satisfaction regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when you're looking for a clicky switch that provides a satisfying tactile feedback and a classic clicky sound with a medium bottom out force, the Gateron Melodic switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you need a switch for a quieter environment with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a pillow-like bottom-out feel, then the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is the better choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize the auditory experience and tactile feedback of the Melodic switch or the subdued sound and smooth feel of the Silent Ink Black switch. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so consider your typing environment and preferences carefully before making your choice.
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