Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g can significantly impact your typing experience. The Silent Ink Black is celebrated for its silenced design, making it an ideal option for environments where quiet typing is essential. It offers a cushy, pillow-like feel with minimal auditory feedback, making it perfect for users who favor a smooth and subdued keypress, be it in an office or during late-night gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura - 43g stands out with its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, providing a unique typing sensation that is both delicate and tranquil, reminiscent of gentle raindrops. This switch caters particularly to light typists who appreciate a subtle, serene atmosphere while typing. Both switches prioritize quietness but cater to different preferences in typing feel and actuation force. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g, notable differences emerge in the composition and acoustic profiles despite certain similarities in sound characteristics. The Gateron Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend for its top and bottom housings, which contributes to a pointed, high-pitched sound that can be described as clacky. This unique material is designed to enhance the clarity of sound produced upon keystroke, lending a satisfying auditory experience. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g utilizes a nylon top housing that provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic composition. This divergence in materials implies that while both switches produce distinct auditory experiences, the Silent Ink Black is more likely to deliver a crisper and sharper sound, whereas the Silent Sakura tends to offer a rounder tone.
The differences in the bottom housings further accentuate their respective sound profiles. The Gateron Silent Ink Black continues its theme with a proprietary INK blend, ensuring that the bottom-out sound is consistent with the overall clackiness of the switch. Conversely, the Silent Sakura - 43g employs a polycarbonate bottom housing which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer material, enhances resonance and clarity leading to a more vibrant auditory feedback. In this sense, while both switches are designed for a silent experience, the inherent material choices significantly influence the type of sounds produced during typing. This implies that users may experience a more pronounced sound differentiation based on the bottom housing material selection.
Despite these differences, if both switches are fitted under similar typing conditions, they can yield comparable results in terms of overall sound dampening. The Silent Ink Black's higher-pitched and clacky nature could resonate well for users seeking more auditory feedback, while the Silent Sakura’s fuller sound profile may appeal to those preferring a quieter, more subdued experience. Notably, since the housing materials affect specific sound elements based on their placement, users may find that their choice of switch may cater to their typing style and sound preferences. Ultimately, while the two switches contrast significantly in materials and acoustic qualities, they serve to illustrate the diverse range of tactile and auditory experiences achievable with mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, the key difference lies in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Ink Black boasts a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, alongside a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it more suited for those who prefer a substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g features a notably lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, catering to users who favor a lighter touch ideal for long typing sessions and gaming. This significant difference in actuation and bottom out forces means that the Silent Sakura is the lighter option, while the Silent Ink Black is the heavier one. As a result, users will likely find that their typing experience varies considerably, with the lightness of the Silent Sakura providing ease of use and the weight of the Silent Ink Black delivering a more tactile feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch both feature a travel distance of 4 mm, which means that when pressing down on either switch, you will experience the same amount of travel from the top to the bottom. This identical travel distance ensures that users can expect similar typing experiences in terms of key feel and feedback. Consequently, whether you opt for the Silent Ink Black or the Silent Sakura, you can anticipate comparable results in terms of how each switch responds to your keystrokes.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 43g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Sakura - 43g for $2.99.
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 sound profile of the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is characterized by its muted tones, designed to produce softer and quieter sounds than typical mechanical switches. This quality makes it particularly suitable for environments where discretion is paramount, as it minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. In contrast, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switch is engineered to deliver a whisper-quiet typing experience evocative of gentle raindrops, specific sound descriptors are not provided. It would be fair to expect some similarities in sound reduction, given both switches aim for a quieter typing experience, but exact comparisons cannot be drawn without additional information on the Sakura's sound characteristics.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Ink Black switch excels with its silky and polished operation, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. This refined feel is augmented by the switch’s cushioning, which ensures a gentle bottom-out sensation that many users find pleasurable. On the other hand, there is no specific information about the feel of the Silent Sakura - 43g switch, which leaves a gap in understanding how it compares in terms of overall typing experience. Therefore, while both switches promise a comfortable user experience targeted at reducing typing fatigue, the exact tactile feedback of the Silent Sakura remains unknown.
In summary, while both the Gateron Silent Ink Black and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches are crafted for quieter typing environments, their distinct qualities set them apart. The Silent Ink Black offers a muted sound and a silky, polished feel, making it well-suited for those who appreciate a refined typing experience. Conversely, the Silent Sakura - 43g’s specific sound and tactile feedback will require further exploration to understand its full potential. Users looking for a tranquil typing setup will likely find satisfactory results with either switch, though preferences may ultimately hinge on the tactile sensations and sound profiles that resonate with them personally.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch depends largely on your personal typing style and the environment in which you'll be using them. If you prefer a sturdier typing experience and are looking for a switch that offers a muted sound profile along with a silky and polished feel, the Silent Ink Black is an excellent choice. Its heavier actuation at 70 grams makes it suitable for users who enjoy firmer feedback and vectors well for more deliberate typing tasks. In contrast, if you're a light typist or you value a softer key press, then the Silent Sakura with its 43g bottom-out force is perfect for you. It provides a whisper-quiet experience, allowing you to type gently with ease, which is great for shared workspaces or quiet environments. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing preferences and the setting in which you’ll be using the keyboard, ensuring that your switch choice enhances your overall typing experience.
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