Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that offer a quiet and smooth typing experience are the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the TTC Silent Red. The Silent Ink Black switch is known for its cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, making it ideal for environments that require quieter typing. With its silky, muted, and polished categorization, this switch provides a comfortable and serene typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch from TTC delivers a seamless typing experience without the noise. Its muted sound profile makes it perfect for office or shared living spaces. This switch offers a consistent feel from top to bottom and features a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. Categorized as buttery, mild, muted, and polished, the Silent Red switch provides a smooth and quiet typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the TTC Silent Red differ significantly. The Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing from Gateron, which creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. This gives the switches a satisfying thin and clacky sound that is not overly sharp. In contrast, the Silent Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing from TTC, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, produces a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the Silent Red switches.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend and the Silent Red's nylon material offer distinct sound profiles. With the INK blend, the Gateron switches deliver a pointed and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Red switches elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder sound, enhancing the typing experience.
While the top and bottom housing materials differ between the Silent Ink Black and the Silent Red, both switches aim to provide a satisfying yet distinct sound and feel. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when the key is released. Both switches are designed to offer a premium typing experience, although the Silent Ink Black favors a thinner and clacky sound profile, while the Silent Red provides a sharper and crisper sound. Despite these differences, both switches deliver excellent performance and can enhance any keyboard setup.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, notable differences can be observed. The Silent Ink Black switch has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch has a lower actuation force of 45 grams and a slightly lighter bottom out force of 63.5 grams, also falling into the medium-heavy range. While both switches share a medium-heavy classification, the Silent Red switch is lighter in terms of actuation force. This attribute may appeal to individuals seeking a lighter typing experience, enabling them to type for longer periods without fatigue. Conversely, those desiring a more substantial push feel may prefer the Silent Ink Black switch's heavier actuation force. Overall, the decision between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Silent Red linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. These travel distances indicate how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. 4.0 mm is considered a more traditional travel distance, while 3.7 mm is slightly shallower.
In terms of personal preference, gamers often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. So, if you prioritize quick and responsive key presses, the TTC Silent Red with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. On the other hand, some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt or lacking in depth. For those who prefer a more satisfying depth to their key press, the Gateron Silent Ink Black with its longer travel distance would be a suitable choice.
In summary, the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the TTC Silent Red differ in their travel distances, with the Silent Ink Black offering a longer distance of 4 mm compared to the Silent Red's 3.7 mm. Based on personal preference and the specific needs of the user, one can choose between the shorter and faster response time of the Silent Red or the slightly deeper and more satisfying key press experience of the Silent Ink Black.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black and TTC Silent Red switches are described as muted. This means that they produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches. Muted switches are designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them ideal for office or shared living spaces. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. Therefore, with either of these switches, you can expect a similar muted sound profile.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is described as silky and polished. A silky switch offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, enhancing the overall smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the polished finish of the switch further contributes to a sleek typing experience by reducing friction and ensuring smooth key travel. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as buttery, mild, and polished. A buttery switch implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The mild characteristics of these switches make for a more gentle typing experience, appealing to a wide range of users. Similar to the Gateron Silent Ink Black, the TTC Silent Red also features a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. Therefore, both switches offer a similar smooth and refined typing feel.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black and TTC Silent Red switches are excellent choices if you're looking for a quiet and smooth typing experience. They share similar qualities in terms of sound, with a muted profile that minimizes noise. Additionally, both switches offer a silky/polished finish, resulting in a sleek and refined typing feel. Whether you choose the Gateron Silent Ink Black or TTC Silent Red, you can expect a cushiony bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback. The choice between the two would come down to personal preference, as they provide similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is a great choice. It offers a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a slightly heavier switch. Additionally, the Silent Ink Black provides a muted sound profile, ensuring a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, if you value a smooth and seamless typing experience without the noise, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is ideal. With a bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, it offers a slightly lighter feel. The Silent Red also delivers a muted sound, allowing for a quieter typing experience in office or shared living space settings. Overall, both switches provide a polished feel due to their smooth and refined finishes, resulting in a sleek typing experience. Consider your preferred bottom-out force, desired level of audio feedback, and typing smoothness when making your decision between these two switches.
Mentioned in this article
