Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. HMX Sunset Gleam
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the HMX Sunset Gleam switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the HMX Sunset Gleam present two intriguing options for enthusiasts seeking a linear experience. The Silent Ink Black is designed for those who need a quieter typing environment, delivering a cushy, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, making it an excellent choice for offices or shared spaces. Its silky and muted characteristics allow for a smooth typing experience without disturbing others around you. On the other hand, the HMX Sunset Gleam, also known as the Duck Duck switch, offers a different appeal with its carefully crafted blend of materials that provides a satisfying clack and a delightful top-out feedback, enhanced by HMX's renowned factory lube application. This switch celebrates a more tactile experience while still retaining linear smoothness, making it an attractive option for those who enjoy a bit of auditory satisfaction. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black to the HMX Sunset Gleam, notable differences emerge in both the top and bottom housings, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing that emphasizes a thinner, higher-pitched, and somewhat clacky sound. This specific blend has been designed to optimize acoustics and create an engaging auditory experience without being overly sharp. Conversely, the Sunset Gleam is constructed with a polycarbonate top housing, which, due to its sturdiness and clarity, produces a sharper and crisper sound output. The translucence of polycarbonate also makes it an excellent choice for RGB lighting enthusiasts, enhancing the visual appeal while contributing to a pronounced sound profile. Collectively, while both switches aim for vibrant audio feedback, they achieve this through distinctive material choices that ultimately shape their sound characteristics.
The bottom housing of each switch further emphasizes their contrasting qualities. The Silent Ink Black employs the same proprietary INK blend material as its top housing, maintaining that pointed, high-pitched sound profile throughout the switch's actuation. This consistency likely reinforces the overall sound experience, allowing typists to enjoy a cohesive response from both the pressing down and releasing of keys. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam features a nylon bottom housing, a classic material known for producing a deeper and rounder sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, contributing to a tone that is less sharp and more mellow compared to the sharper characteristics of the INK blend. Thus, the auditory experiences shaped by their respective material choices create a clear differentiation between these two switches.
Ultimately, when evaluating the combined impact of these materials, one recognizes that the sound profiles will be distinctly affected by the specific properties of the top and bottom housings. With the Silent Ink Black, the similarity in the INK blend for both components allows for a unified auditory experience characterized by a clacky, high-pitched tone. Alternatively, the dual-material choice in the Sunset Gleam – pairing polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom – leads to a more complex sound signature where the clear highs of the top housing contrast against the mellow lows of the nylon. Thus, while both switches are designed for a satisfying auditory response, the unique material compositions ensure that their results are both comparable and distinct.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, there is a distinct difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Ink Black has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy option that provides a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam has a significantly lighter feel, with an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. Consequently, users who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions would find the Sunset Gleam more suitable, while those who enjoy a firmer push may gravitate toward the Silent Ink Black. Overall, the Silent Ink Black is the heavier switch, while the Sunset Gleam is the lighter choice, catering to different user preferences regarding typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a traditional depth for keyboard switches, providing a more pronounced feedback with each key press. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, catering to users seeking quicker response times, such as gamers. This shorter distance can enhance responsiveness, while some users may find it feels too abrupt compared to the deeper 4 mm travel of the Silent Ink Black. Ultimately, if you prioritize a more substantial feel while typing, the Silent Ink Black is the better choice, whereas the Sunset Gleam may appeal more to those who favor speed and agility in their 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 Sunset Gleam has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sunset Gleam 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch excels in environments requiring discretion. Its muted nature ensures minimal audio feedback, making it an ideal choice for quiet settings like libraries or shared offices. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam switch features a more pronounced tonal quality, characterized by a subtle top-out and a satisfying clack that can add an enjoyable auditory dimension to typing. While the Silent Ink Black is all about keeping things discreet, the Sunset Gleam leans towards a balance of tactility and sound, offering a more engaging experience for users who appreciate the satisfying clicks that can accompany a linear switch.
In terms of feel, the Silent Ink Black provides a remarkably silky and polished typing experience. The factory lube means that users can expect reduced friction and incredibly smooth key travel, making each keystroke feel seamless and comfortable. The combination of cushy bottom-out feedback enhances this experience, allowing for longer typing sessions with minimal fatigue. Meanwhile, the characteristics of the Sunset Gleam's feel are not specified, leaving an unknown gap in comparison. However, its reputation for factory lube suggests that it may also have a smooth and refined typing experience, likely enhancing the overall tactile sensation during use.
In summary, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch stands out for its muted sound profile and silky, polished feel, making it perfect for quiet environments and prolonged typing comfort. The HMX Sunset Gleam, on the other hand, may provide a more varied auditory experience with its clack and subtle top-out, assuming it matches the smoothness typically associated with factory-lubed switches. While these two switches cater to different preferences—quietness with the Silent Ink Black and a more tactile sound experience with the Sunset Gleam—they can offer satisfying typing experiences depending on what the user values most in their mechanical keyboard setup. If you're considering these options, your choice will hinge on whether you prefer sound discretion or a bit more auditory feedback while typing.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switches, it's essential to consider your personal preferences and typing environment. If you often find yourself in shared spaces where noise is a concern, the Silent Ink Black switch is the ideal choice. Its medium-heavy 70-gram bottom-out force, along with its uniquely muted sound profile, ensures a quiet typing experience with minimal auditory feedback, making it suitable for offices, study rooms, or any quiet setting. Moreover, the silky and polished feel provides a luxurious typing experience, which can be particularly rewarding during long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a more responsive and lighter touch, the HMX Sunset Gleam switch may be the better fit. With a substantially lighter bottom-out force of 48 grams, it allows for faster key presses and a delightful tactile sensation, enhanced by the subtle clack and excellent factory lube that delivers an enjoyable typing performance. Ultimately, your choice should reflect both the noise level you can tolerate and the type of typing experience that excites you.
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