Haimu Orange Sea vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black

Overview

When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, the Haimu Orange Sea and the Gateron Silent Ink Black both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Haimu Orange Sea is celebrated for its impeccably smooth typing feel paired with a neutral sound signature, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize an uninterrupted typing experience. Additionally, its linear design allows for fast and fluid keystrokes, ideal for both gamers and typists. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is designed with quieter environments in mind, providing a plush, pillow-like bottom-out feel coupled with minimal audio feedback. This can be particularly beneficial in shared workspaces or during late-night typing sessions. While both switches offer their own appealing features, they serve distinct purposes that may resonate with different users. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

Gateron Silent Ink Black Linear

$2.79 per 10

$8.50

$8.35 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Haimu Orange Sea and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches both feature unique housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles and typing experiences. The Orange Sea employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffer structure, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is crisp and resonant. This is particularly beneficial for enthusiasts seeking clarity in sound, especially when RGB lighting is involved, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the overall aesthetic appeal. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which similarly delivers a pointed and high-pitched sound profile, described as satisfying and clacky. While both switches prioritize clarity in their top housing designs, the material choice reflects different traditions, with polycarbonate showcasing a robust and translucent character, and the INK blend offering a more tailored yet still expressive auditory experience.

When it comes to the bottom housings, the differences between the two switches become more pronounced. The Orange Sea uses a nylon bottom housing, celebrated for its ability to produce a fuller, deeper sound. Due to nylon's softer characteristics, it absorbs sound more effectively than harder materials, resulting in a sound profile that is rounder and less sharp than that achieved with the polycarbonate top. Meanwhile, the Silent Ink Black also employs a proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing—though it leans towards maintaining a pointed and high-pitched sound without sharpness. This suggests that while both switches may have similar top housing traits concerning clarity, their respective bottom housings impart distinct characteristics to the sound and feel during use.

Ultimately, the interplay between the top and bottom housing materials defines the overall experience of each switch. The Orange Sea, with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom, creates a unique sound signature where the higher frequencies dominate in the release phase, complemented by a fuller sound during bottoming out. Conversely, the Gateron Silent Ink Black offers a more consistent high-pitched character throughout, thanks to the INK blend. While both switches can produce satisfying sound profiles influenced by their structural materials, the differing properties of polycarbonate and nylon in the Orange Sea versus the uniform INK blend in the Silent Ink Black illustrates how the nature of sound can vary significantly even with shared design intentions. Those transitioning between the two may find similarities in clarity, but will ultimately experience distinct auditory sensations shaped by the specific housing compositions.

Weight

The Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch present distinct preferences for typists and gamers due to their differences in actuation and bottom out forces. The Orange Sea features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a softer keystroke, which can help reduce fatigue during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black requires a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, catering to users who enjoy a more substantial push feel and a more tactile typing experience. Consequently, the Orange Sea is better suited for long-term use, while the Silent Ink Black offers a firmer resistance that appeals to those seeking more feedback with each keystroke. Overall, when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces, the Orange Sea is the lighter option, while the Silent Ink Black is the heavier one.

Travel distance

The Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Orange Sea measuring 3.6 mm and the Silent Ink Black at 4 mm. This makes the Haimu Orange Sea the shorter option, providing a more responsive feel that may appeal to gamers seeking quicker actuation times. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black offers a longer travel distance, which may be preferable for those who enjoy a deeper key press, resulting in a more substantial feedback while typing. If a player prioritizes rapid response, the Orange Sea is ideal, while those who appreciate a more pronounced depth would likely favor the Silent Ink Black. Ultimately, these differences in travel distance cater to varying preferences in tactile feedback and response time when using a keyboard.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Haimu Orange Sea switch features a neutral sound signature, providing a balanced auditory experience that doesn't dominate or distract during use. This can be ideal for both casual and professional environments where a more subdued typing noise is preferred. Conversely, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is designed with silence in mind, delivering a muted sound profile that significantly reduces the clicking noise typically associated with mechanical switches. This makes the Silent Ink Black particularly suitable for quiet workplaces or shared spaces, allowing for minimal audio feedback and a more peaceful typing environment.

When it comes to feel, the Haimu Orange Sea switch is celebrated for its impeccably smooth typing experience, offering a consistent and pleasant keystroke that can enhance productivity and comfort during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black excel in providing a cushy, pillow-like bottom-out feel, which adds a unique softness to each keystroke. Both switches aim for smoothness, but the Orange Sea focuses solely on that silky typing sensation, while the Silent Ink Black incorporates a softly cushioned end for a more gentle typing experience.

In conclusion, both the Haimu Orange Sea and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches provide different auditory and tactile experiences to cater to varying preferences. The Orange Sea is a great choice for users who appreciate a smooth typing feel with a neutral sound signature, while the Silent Ink Black is ideal for those needing a quieter option without sacrificing the silky feel of a well-designed switch. Ultimately, either can offer a satisfying typing experience, depending on whether you prioritize sound or feel in your keyboard setup.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch ultimately hinges on your specific typing needs and environment. If you prefer a lighter switch that delivers an exceptionally smooth typing experience with a neutral sound signature, the Haimu Orange Sea would be an excellent option. It’s perfect for a casual typing experience at home or in an office where you want a bit of feedback but don’t require excessive noise. On the other hand, if you find yourself in a quieter setting, such as a library or shared workspace, and you need a more substantial typing feel that dampens sound, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is your go-to switch. With its medium-heavy actuation force and muted sound profile, it provides a cushy, polished typing experience that minimizes distractions. Thus, consider your typing preferences and environment carefully—both switches offer unique advantages that can enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Silent Ink Black Linear

$8.50

$8.35 per 10

Learn more