TTC Silent Brown vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Brown 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 that offer different experiences are the TTC Silent Brown and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Silent Brown is a tactile switch praised for its comfortable typing experience and satisfying rounded tactile bump. It provides a light-medium level of resistance and has a muted sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a buttery and mild typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black is a linear switch that offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback. It is specifically designed for quieter environments and is categorized as silky, muted, and polished. While these generalities can help you get an idea of each switch's characteristics, let's dive in a bit deeper so you can decide which switch best suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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 Brown and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ in their housing materials, which affects their sound profiles. The Silent Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper and higher-pitched sound. This material is relatively stiff, resulting in a clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate is translucent, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing. It produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, which is described as clacky. While both switches have distinct sound profiles, they share a similarity in creating a satisfying, thin, and higher-pitched sound.
When it comes to the bottom housings, the Silent Brown uses a nylon material. This classic housing material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Unlike the stiffer polycarbonate, nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the Silent Ink Black features Gateron's proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which maintains a pointed and high-pitched sound. This bottom housing, although different from nylon, contributes to the overall sound profile that is often described as clacky. Thus, while the bottom housings differ, both switches deliver a similar thin and higher-pitched sound.
The split design of the top and bottom housings in these switches allows for distinct contributions to the overall sound profile. The qualities brought by the bottom housing materials, such as nylon or Gateron's INK blend, strongly influence the sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Conversely, the top housing materials, be it polycarbonate or the proprietary INK blend, play a significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. This division in housing materials allows for a dynamic auditory experience, where the bottom-out and key release sounds have unique characteristics. Despite this contrast, both switches offer satisfying sound profiles, providing options for users with different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are some notable differences in terms of their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Brown requires an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Silent Ink Black has a slightly higher actuation force of 60 grams. This means that the Silent Ink Black will require a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke compared to the Silent Brown.
In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Brown requires 63.5 grams, while the Silent Ink Black requires 70 grams. This indicates that the Silent Ink Black has a slightly heavier bottom out force compared to the Silent Brown.
Considering weight as an important factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the TTC Silent Brown switch, as it requires less force for both actuation and bottoming out. This lighter feel can be more comfortable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods.
On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and heavier typing experience may opt for the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch. With its higher actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a stronger push feel, which can enhance the overall typing experience and give a more satisfying tactile feedback.
Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference. While the Silent Brown offers a lighter actuation and bottom out force, the Silent Ink Black provides a stronger and heavier feel. It is worth mentioning that individuals seeking similar results in terms of force may find that both switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have different travel distances. The TTC Silent Brown has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Gateron Silent Ink Black has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the TTC Silent Brown.
In terms of preference, shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the TTC Silent Brown with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. However, for those who enjoy a bit more depth and a less abrupt feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black with its longer travel distance might be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience one is looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $3.68.
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 Silent Brown and Silent Ink Black switches both offer a muted sound profile, which means they produce softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches. This makes them perfect for environments that require quieter typing. However, it is important to keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Brown switch is described as having a buttery, mild, and polished feel. The buttery characteristic implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The mild quality means that the switch offers a more gentle typing experience, suitable for most users due to its safe middle-ground zone. The polished aspect indicates that the switch has a refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black offers a silky and polished feel. The silky attribute means that the switch provides an exceptionally smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Just like the Silent Brown, the Silent Ink Black switch also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In summary, both the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch provide similar qualities in terms of sound and feel. They both offer a muted sound profile and a polished finish, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience. While the Silent Brown has a buttery and mild feel, the Silent Ink Black offers a silky typing experience. Depending on personal preferences, both switches can provide a comfortable typing experience with their specific tactile and linear characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is a great choice. These switches offer a buttery and mild typing feel, with a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the Silent Browns have a muted sound profile, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is the way to go. These switches provide a silky smooth typing experience, enhancing the overall smoothness and reducing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Similar to the Silent Browns, the Silent Ink Blacks also have a muted sound profile, making them suitable for quieter environments.
Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Silent Brown and Gateron Silent Ink Black will depend on your personal preferences. If you prefer a tactile typing experience with a rounded bump, go for the Silent Browns. However, if a linear switch with a cushion-like feel is more your style, opt for the Silent Ink Blacks. Both switches offer a polished finish for smooth key travel, ensuring a sleek typing experience.
In closing, whether you choose the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch or the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, you can expect a high-quality mechanical keyboard switch that provides a comfortable typing experience and minimizes noise. Both switches are excellent options for different preferences, so consider your typing style and environment when making your decision.
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