Gateron Quinn vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Gateron Quinn 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 Quinn and the Gateron Silent Ink Black offer two distinct options to suit your typing preferences. The Quinn switch is praised for its unique combination of crisp tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile, thanks to its specially designed nylon housings. With each keystroke, users can expect a precise and clean tactile bump accompanied by a rich and immersive sound that adds character to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is specifically designed for those seeking a quieter environment. With a pillow-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, this switch provides a silenced typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Gateron Quinn and Gateron Silent Ink Black differ in their housing materials, which significantly contribute to the sound profiles of the switches. The Quinn uses a nylon top housing, known for its ability to absorb sound and create a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black features Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a relatively high-pitched, yet not overly sharp, sound profile described as clacky. While these materials result in different sound profiles, they both offer satisfying typing experiences.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Quinn and Silent Ink Black utilize nylon as their material choice. Nylon is known for its absorbent properties, effectively muffling sound and creating a duller and rounder sound profile. This translates to a deeper and more satisfying typing experience with both switches. Consequently, the similarities in bottom housing material result in similar sound profiles, providing users with a consistent sound experience across the switches.
The distinction in housing materials between the top and bottom influences the sound produced when pressing and releasing keys. The bottom housing, which is consistent between the Quinn and Silent Ink Black with their nylon components, primarily impacts the sound and feel of bottoming out the switches. It contributes to the overall deeper sound profile elicited when typing on these switches. In contrast, the top housing material plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Although the Quinn's nylon top housing produces a deeper, fuller sound, the Silent Ink Black's INK blend top housing creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky.
In summary, the housing materials of the Gateron Quinn and Gateron Silent Ink Black differ, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The nylon top housing of the Quinn offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the INK blend top housing of the Silent Ink Black produces a higher-pitched sound described as clacky. However, both switches share the same nylon bottom housing, providing a consistent deep sound profile when typing. Regardless of the differences, both options offer satisfying typing experiences, making them suitable choices for individuals with varying sound preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are some similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. Both switches have similar actuation forces, with the Quinn requiring 59 grams and the Silent Ink Black requiring 60 grams. This means that the force required to trigger a keystroke is almost the same for both switches, allowing for a similar typing experience in terms of actuation.
However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Quinn and Silent Ink Black differ slightly. The Quinn has a bottom out force of 67 grams, while the Silent Ink Black has a slightly higher bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that the Silent Ink Black requires a slightly heavier force to press all the way down compared to the Quinn.
In terms of weight, both switches can be considered medium-heavy. Some individuals may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Quinn and Silent Ink Black, as it allows for extended typing sessions without causing strain or fatigue. This lighter actuation force is ideal for those who use their keyboards for work or engage in long gaming sessions. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing feel and enjoy a stronger push, the heavier bottom out force of the Silent Ink Black may be more suitable.
Overall, while the actuation forces are similar between the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, the Silent Ink Black has a slightly higher bottom out force. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference, with the Quinn offering a slightly lighter typing experience and the Silent Ink Black providing a bit more resistance and feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it is evident that the Quinn has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Silent Ink Black has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Quinn falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, making it suitable for those who value faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black provides a more substantial depth with its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by individuals who enjoy a more solid and pronounced feel when pressing down on a key. While both switches have their own unique travel distances, it is important to consider personal preference and the desired responsiveness when making a decision.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
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
The Gateron Quinn tactile switch is known for its crisp, light switch-like tactility and deep, resonant sound profile. When typing on the Quinn switches, users can expect a precise, clean, and crisp tactile bump. The sound produced by the Quinn switches is described as bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant. These switches offer a rich and immersive auditory experience, adding a touch of character to the typing experience.
On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is designed for quieter typing environments. It offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. The sound produced by the Silent Ink Black switch is described as muted, which means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches.
In terms of feel, the Quinn switches are known for being snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy. These switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The keys have a lively feel, offering rebound when pressed. Typing on the Quinn switches feels like gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly, as they melt into each keystroke.
Similarly, the Silent Ink Black switches offer a silky and polished typing experience. These switches are exceptionally smooth and minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys. With reduced friction and smooth key travel, typing on the Silent Ink Black switches feels sleek and refined.
In conclusion, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Quinn switches provide a deep, resonant sound profile and a precise, crisp tactile bump. The Silent Ink Black switches, on the other hand, offer a quieter typing experience with minimal audio feedback. Both switches provide smooth and refined typing experiences, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Whether you prefer a rich and immersive sound or a muted and quiet typing experience, both switches offer top-notch quality and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it ultimately depends on your preferences for sound and feel.
If you enjoy a unique combination of crisp, light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch is a great option for you. These switches offer a precise, clean, and crisp tactile bump, accompanied by a rich and immersive sound that adds character to your typing experience. The sound profile of the Quinn switches can be described as bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant.
On the other hand, if you require a quieter typing experience in certain environments, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is the way to go. This switch offers a cushiony, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, making it perfect for situations where noise reduction is important. The Silent Ink Black switch is described as muted in terms of sound.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch provides a range of sensations. It is snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy, offering a responsive and smooth typing experience. The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, on the other hand, is silky and polished, delivering an exceptionally smooth and sleek typing feel with reduced friction.
In conclusion, if you prioritize a unique tactile experience with a rich sound profile, go for the Gateron Quinn tactile switches. However, if you value a quieter typing experience without sacrificing smoothness and sleekness, opt for the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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