SP-Star Meteor Orange vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Meteor Orange switch is praised for its exquisitely gentle nature, combining a soft and seductive tactility with a neutral sound profile. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', this switch is perfect for those who prefer a smoother typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a silenced version of the Ink Black switch, making it ideal for environments that require quieter typing. With a cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, this switch, categorized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished', provides a comfortable typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you choose the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Nylon
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 SP-Star Meteor Orange and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Meteor Orange utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound. This is attributed to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black features Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, described as having a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. This blend produces a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, often described as "clacky." Therefore, the top housings of these switches provide distinct sound characteristics.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Meteor Orange and Silent Ink Black switches also differ in material and resultant sound profiles. The Meteor Orange employs a nylon bottom housing, which, due to its softness, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound. The nylon absorbs sound more than harder plastics, thus resulting in a rounder sound profile. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black incorporates Gateron's INK blend bottom housing, characterized by a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This material blend adds to a thin and higher-pitched sound profile, often referred to as "clacky." Consequently, the bottom housings of these switches offer different sound experiences.
In terms of overall sound production, the housing materials of the SP-Star Meteor Orange and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches contribute to varied sound profiles. The Meteor Orange, with its nylon top and bottom housings, provides a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black, featuring Gateron's proprietary INK blend top and bottom housings, produces a thinner and higher-pitched sound that is often described as "clacky." While these materials result in different sound profiles, both switches offer unique and satisfying typing experiences. Thus, users can expect distinct auditory feedback when using the Meteor Orange and Silent Ink Black switches, further enhancing their typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The actuation force of the Meteor Orange remains unknown, while the Silent Ink Black requires 60 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. As for the bottom out force, the Meteor Orange has a lighter 57-gram requirement, whereas the Silent Ink Black is slightly heavier at 70 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Meteor Orange seems to be a suitable choice as its bottom out force is medium-light, allowing for extended typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black provides a medium-heavy bottom out force, giving a more substantial push feel during typing and potentially enhancing the typing experience for those seeking a stronger keystroke sensation.
In terms of weight considerations, those who prefer a lighter switch would benefit from the Meteor Orange, as it allows for longer typing periods without strain. This makes it a suitable option for professional environments or extended gaming sessions. However, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing experience and appreciate a stronger push feel may gravitate towards the Silent Ink Black switch, which provides a heavier actuation force for enhanced feedback.
While it is challenging to directly compare the actuation force of the Meteor Orange and the Silent Ink Black due to the unavailable information for the Meteor Orange, it can be presumed that both switches may offer similar results in terms of actuation force. However, the bottom out force undoubtedly differentiates the two, with the Meteor Orange being lighter and the Silent Ink Black being heavier. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, whether one prioritizes a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the key travel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the travel distance of both switches is the same, ensuring that you will get similar results in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor Orange has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor Orange for $5.00.
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
In terms of sound, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch is known for its neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound level. This makes it suitable for various purposes, whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. The sound produced by the Meteor Orange switch can be described as thocky, with a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released.
On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is designed for environments where quieter typing is necessary. It has a muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The Silent Ink Black switch is ideal for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, both the Meteor Orange and Silent Ink Black provide a polished typing experience. A polished switch indicates that it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness is achieved through the use of high-quality materials and/or factory lubrication, reducing friction and providing smooth key travel.
The Meteor Orange switch offers a mild typing experience, with a gentle tactile feedback that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone. It is approachable to most users, striking a balance between having pronounced characteristics and being too subtle. Combined with its polished feel, the Meteor Orange switch provides a comfortable typing experience.
Similarly, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a silky typing experience, with exceptional smoothness and minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel, allowing for effortless typing sessions. The switch's polished finish further contributes to the sleekness of the typing experience.
In conclusion, while the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch differ in their sound profiles, with the Meteor Orange being thocky and the Silent Ink Black being muted, they both provide a polished typing experience. Both switches offer a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Whether you prefer a softer and quieter typing experience with the Silent Ink Black switch or a more tactile and rich sound with the Meteor Orange switch, you can expect similar results in terms of their overall feel and polish.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a gentle and tactile switch with a soft and seductive tactility, the SP-Star Meteor Orange is a great choice. With a bottom out force of 57 grams, it offers a medium-light feel that is approachable to most typists. The Meteor Orange also has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. Additionally, the Meteor Orange is described as having a mild and polished feel, providing a refined and smooth typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience, especially for environments that require minimized noise, the Gateron Silent Ink Black would be the better option. With a bottom out force of 70 grams, it offers a medium-heavy feel. The Silent Ink Black is a silenced version of the Ink Black switch, providing a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. It is described as having a muted sound profile, reducing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Furthermore, the Silent Ink Black is also described as having a silky and polished feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Meteor Orange and the Gateron Silent Ink Black depends on your preference for tactility and typing sound, as well as the level of noise tolerance in your environment. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different needs. Whether you prioritize a gentle and tactile typing experience or a quieter and smoother typing experience, you can make an informed decision based on these considerations.
Mentioned in this article
