TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) 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 to consider are the TTC Silent Bluish White and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. Both switches offer the advantage of being silent, making them ideal for quiet environments such as offices or shared living spaces. The Silent Bluish White is a tactile switch, providing a satisfying level of resistance and a precise typing experience. Despite its medium tactility, this switch is designed to be as quiet as possible. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black is a linear switch, offering a plush, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. Its linear design ensures a smooth keystroke without any tactile bump. While these general pointers can help you start to narrow down your preference, let's delve deeper into the characteristics of each switch to help you make the best decision based on your specific preferences and typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The TTC Silent Bluish White and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches have different housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Silent Bluish White switch features a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper and higher-pitched sound. This material is relatively stiffer, leading to a clear and resonant sound that is especially useful for RGB lighting. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black switch utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing. It offers a pointed and high-pitched sound without being overly sharp, which is often described as clacky. While both switches provide unique sound profiles, the Silent Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing generates a sharper tone and is more versatile with RGB lighting setups.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Silent Bluish White switch adopts a nylon material, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder materials, creating a duller and rounder tone when typing. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch incorporates Gateron's proprietary INK blend bottom housing. Similar to its top housing, it produces a pointed and high-pitched sound that is characterized as clacky. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the Silent Bluish White's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller tone, providing a satisfying typing experience.
When considering the overall sound and feel of a switch, it is important to recognize the impact of both the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. In this regard, the Silent Bluish White and Silent Ink Black switches will have different characteristics due to their unique housing materials. While the Silent Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing enhances the sound when keys are released, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend top housing offers a distinctive clacky sound. Similarly, the Silent Bluish White's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller bottom-out sound, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend bottom housing maintains a pointed and high-pitched clacky tone. Therefore, these two switches provide contrasting sound profiles based on their individual housing materials.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch provide distinct experiences for typists and gamers. The Silent Bluish White switch features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This lighter force allows for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming sessions without causing excessive finger fatigue. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black switch possesses a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a more substantial and deliberate typing experience. This heavier force may be preferred by individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a sense of solidity while typing. In summary, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch offers a lighter actuation and bottom out force, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch provides a medium-heavy force, catering to those who prefer a more weighty and intentional keystroke.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have different travel distances. The Silent Bluish White has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Silent Ink Black has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Silent Ink Black has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Bluish White.
When it comes to travel distances, 4.0 mm is the most traditional and 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, there is a growing trend towards shorter travel distances in recent times. Gamers especially prefer switches with shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. So, if you prioritize quick responsiveness, the Silent Bluish White may be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, some individuals find short travel distances to feel too abrupt, preferring a more substantial key press. In this case, the longer travel distance of the Silent Ink Black may be more suitable.
Overall, the choice between the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch depends on personal preference. Those seeking faster response times may opt for the Silent Bluish White's shorter travel distance, while others who prefer a more substantial key press might lean towards the Silent Ink Black's longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $5.35.
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, both the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch are described as "muted." This means that they produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches, helping to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps. Therefore, while both switches are designed to be quiet, the overall sound experience may vary depending on the specific setup.
Moving on to feel, the Silent Bluish White switch is described as having a "buttery" and "mild" feel. The buttery characteristic implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the mild nature of these switches offers a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe and comfortable middle-ground zone. The Silent Bluish White switches also have a subtle resistance and a polished finish, contributing to their overall lighter and smooth typing feel. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is specifically described as "silky" and "polished." This indicates that these switches offer an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The silky characteristic enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
In conclusion, both the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch are ideal choices for those seeking a quieter typing experience. They are both considered muted switches, producing softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches. In terms of feel, the Silent Bluish White switches provide a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished typing experience, while the Silent Ink Black switches offer a silky and polished feel. Depending on personal preference and typing style, either switch can deliver a precise and comfortable typing experience. Furthermore, it is important to consider other factors such as keycap and keyboard choices, as they can significantly influence the overall sound and feel of the switches. Ultimately, both switches provide similar results in terms of sound and feel, and it would be advisable to try them out firsthand to determine which suits your preferences best.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium tactile feel and a precise and comfortable typing experience, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch would be a great choice. These switches offer a satisfying level of resistance when pressed, making them perfect for those who prefer some tactile feedback. Additionally, they are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them suitable for office or shared living space use. On the other hand, if your priority is to have a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch would be an ideal option. These switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, resulting in an exceptionally smooth typing experience. Furthermore, both switches have a muted sound, which minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on whether you prioritize a tactile feel or a silky smooth typing experience.
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