KTT Mint vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, there are various options available with unique characteristics. Two popular linear switches to consider are the KTT Mint and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Mint is best known for its satisfyingly smooth linear feel, providing a poppy thockiness and a light and fleeting typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black is a silenced version of the Ink Black switch, ideal for environments that require quieter typing. It offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback. In general, the Mint is categorized as low-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, while the Silent Ink Black is described as silky, muted, and polished. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.

By the numbers

KTT Mint Linear

Gateron Silent Ink Black Linear

$2.91 per 10

$8.50

$8.35 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Mint and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, one can observe several differences. The Mint utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black features Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing. It generates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, characterized as clacky. While both housing materials produce distinct sounds, the Mint's polycarbonate offers a clearer and more resonant profile, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend delivers a unique clacky sound.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Mint incorporates a nylon material, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. The nylon housing's relatively softer nature absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder profile. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's INK blend for its bottom housing, delivering a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. Despite the different materials, both housing types contribute to the overall sound of the switch. The Mint's nylon brings a deeper and fuller profile, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend offers a thinner and higher-pitched clacky sound.

Considering how the top and bottom housings impact the keyboard experience, the differences between the two switches become more apparent. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become evident in the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, the Mint's nylon bottom housing will contribute to a deeper and fuller sound upon keypress, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend will impart a sharper and higher-pitched feel. On the other hand, the sound produced when releasing a key is primarily influenced by the top housing. As such, the Mint's polycarbonate top housing will contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched sound upon key release, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend will offer a relatively high-pitched yet not overly sharp profile. Overall, while the Mint and Silent Ink Black possess distinct housing materials, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with unique sound profiles.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are notable differences between the two. The Mint, with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, falls into the medium-light category. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black has a higher actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it medium-heavy in terms of force required.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Mint switch would be a suitable choice. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a smoother and more effortless keystroke. This is especially beneficial for individuals who require extended typing or gaming sessions, as it reduces finger fatigue.

On the contrary, those who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience might lean towards the Silent Ink Black switch. With its higher actuation and bottom out forces, it requires a stronger push to trigger a keystroke and provides a more satisfying sense of feedback. This can be advantageous for users who enjoy a tactile response and desire a more pronounced keystroke.

Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately depends on an individual's personal preferences. If lighter weight and longer typing sessions are desired, the Mint switch would be the ideal option. However, if a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience are favored, the Silent Ink Black switch would be the suitable choice.

Travel distance

Both the KTT Mint linear 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 of a switch refers to the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed down on a key. With both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect similar results and tactile feedback when using either of them.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the KTT Mint linear switch has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. The low-pitched nature of the Mint switch gives it a bass-heavy and mellow tone, which can be pleasing to the ears. Its neutral sound profile means that it offers a moderate sound level, making it suitable for most environments. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, making it ideal for situations where noise needs to be minimized. Both switches provide different sound experiences, with the Mint offering a low-pitched profile and the Silent Ink Black focusing on creating a muted sound.

When it comes to feel, the KTT Mint linear switch provides a mild and polished typing experience. The mild switch characteristics offer a gentle typing experience, making it approachable and suitable for most users. The switch's polished finish contributes to a sleek typing experience by minimizing friction and providing smooth key travel. Similarly, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is described as silky and polished. The silky feel of the Silent Ink Black enhances the overall smoothness of the typing experience and reduces resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Just like the Mint, the Silent Ink Black also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth keystrokes. Both switches offer a refined and smooth feel, with the Mint focusing on a mild typing experience and the Silent Ink Black emphasizing its silky smoothness.

Taking all the available information into account, the KTT Mint linear switch is best known for its satisfyingly smooth feel and poppy thockiness, along with a light and fleeting typing experience. Its sound profile is described as low-pitched and neutral. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is known for providing a quieter typing experience with its cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback. It is a silenced version of the Ink Black switch, suitable for environments that require reduced noise. The Silent Ink Black has a muted sound profile and offers a silky smooth typing experience. While they may differ in certain aspects, both switches provide a polished feel due to their smooth and refined finishes. Depending on your personal preference for sound and feel, both the Mint and Silent Ink Black switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

Bringing it all together, when deciding between the KTT Mint linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, consider the key factors of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the Mint switch is the way to go. It offers a satisfyingly smooth and poppy thockiness due to its long pole stem, with a light and fleeting type feel. On the other hand, if you require a quieter typing experience in your environment, the Silent Ink Black switch is the better choice. It has a medium-heavy bottom out force, providing a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. The Silent Ink Black switch is also known for its muted sound, making it suitable for those who wish to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. In terms of feel, both switches offer a polished finish, resulting in smooth and refined typing experiences. However, if you prioritize an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance, the silky feel of the Silent Ink Black switch may be more appealing. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches should be based on your preferences for typing force, sound, and feel.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Mint Linear

$2.91 per 10

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Gateron Silent Ink Black Linear

$8.50

$8.35 per 10

Learn more