Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, two options worth considering are the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Shadow switch is a tactile switch, offering a medium level of tactility and a lower actuation and bottom-out force. It's known for its approachable tactility and deep thocky sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black is a linear switch designed for quieter typing environments. It provides a cushiony, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. While these general pointers give you a good idea of what each switch has to offer, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ in their composition. The Shadow (Ink) Single Spring features a polycarbonate top housing, which gives it a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that results in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate housing allows for the use of RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black uses Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its top housing. This blend produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky, without being overly sharp. Thus, both switches offer distinct sound characteristics due to their different top housing materials.
In terms of the bottom housings, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring and the Silent Ink Black share similar features. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their bottom housings, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Like the top housing, the bottom housing's stiffer plastic composition enhances the overall sound and feel of the switch. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for compatibility with RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches provide a consistent sound experience influenced by their polycarbonate bottom housings.
When considering the overall typing experience, the bottom and top housings play different roles. While pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are more prominent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. The impact and resonance of the bottom housing contribute to the overall satisfaction of typing on the switch. Conversely, when releasing a key, the sound is primarily influenced by the top housing. The sharper, higher-pitched characteristics of the top housing material create a distinct sound when a key is let go. Therefore, the choice of housing materials significantly affects the typing experience, allowing users to customize their switch sound by selecting switches with different top and bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Shadow (Ink) Single Spring has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke without exerting too much pressure. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams. This means that typing on the Silent Ink Black may require a bit more effort to register each keystroke.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring has a relatively light bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that when fully pressing down on the keyboard, less force is needed compared to the Silent Ink Black. The Silent Ink Black, on the other hand, has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
In summary, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch offers a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch. This makes it a suitable choice for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer periods of typing without fatigue. The Silent Ink Black, on the other hand, is designed for those who prefer a heavier actuation and bottom out force, providing a more substantial and tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. Both switches provide a similar tactile feedback and smooth keystrokes. Therefore, whether you choose the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring or the Gateron Silent Ink Black, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring for $3.57.
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 Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch is best known for its deep and thocky sound profile, which adds a satisfying auditory experience to your typing. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as producing a muted sound, which is softer and quieter compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes it an excellent choice for environments where noise reduction is essential. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch offers a bouncy tactile sensation, resembling a spring-like or elastic feedback. This lively feel results in a sense of rebound when keys are pressed, enhancing the typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience. These switches minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys, contributing to an overall smooth and polished feel. The Silent Ink Black switch is also described as polished, further emphasizing its smooth and refined finish. This smoothness is attributed to either the materials used or factory lubing, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Taking into account the available information, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch is recommended for those seeking a tactile switch with a medium level of tactility and a deep, thocky sound. Its bouncy feel adds an extra touch of liveliness to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is an excellent choice for those looking for a silenced switch that offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback. Its silky and polished feel ensures smooth and refined typing.
If you are looking for a similar experience in terms of sound, the Silent Ink Black switch can provide results that are similar to the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch. Both switches offer a muted sound profile, with the Silent Ink Black switch prioritizing noise reduction. However, the Silent Ink Black switch lacks the tactile feedback found in the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preferences and requirements, such as the desired level of tactility, sound preferences, and noise considerations.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium level of tactility and a deep, thocky sound profile, we highly recommend the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring. With its lower actuation and bottom-out force, it provides a very approachable tactility while typing. On the other hand, if you require a quieter typing experience, especially in environments where noise is a concern, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is the ideal choice. It offers a cushiony, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, thanks to its silenced design. Additionally, the Silent Ink Black provides a silky and polished typing experience with its exceptionally smooth feel and reduced friction. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for tactility and sound, as well as the need for a quieter typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
