Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are many options to choose from, each offering a unique typing experience. Two popular switches in the market are the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both of which fall under the linear switch category. The Silent Ink Black is known for its silenced version of the Ink Black switch, making it perfect for environments that require quieter typing. Not only does it provide a cushiony and pillow-like bottom-out feel, but it also minimizes audio feedback. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With its lengthened single-stage spring, it provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke, striking a balance with its standard spring weight that makes it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Silent Ink Black Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$8.50

$8.35 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue have different housing materials, which results in variations in their sound profiles. The Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This gives the switch a satisfying thin and clacky sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the polycarbonate top housing is beneficial if you plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency.

Similarly, the Silent Ink Black has a proprietary INK blend bottom housing, contributing to its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. This adds to the overall clacky sound experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue comes with a polycarbonate bottom housing. Like the top housing, this material enhances the switch's sound profile with a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper tone. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate aids in creating a clear and resonant bottom-out sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate bottom housing complements the translucent top housing, making it ideal for users who want to showcase RGB lighting effects.

Although the housing materials of the Silent Ink Black and the Tourmaline Blue differ, both switches provide a similar experience in terms of their sound profiles. Both the proprietary INK blend and the polycarbonate material result in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. However, the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly sharper and crisper sound due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. Both switches offer a pleasing clacky sound when typing. The choice between the two would depend on personal preference in terms of sound characteristics and aesthetic preferences, such as the desire for RGB lighting effects.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that both switches have similar characteristics. The Silent Ink Black has a slightly higher actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams, while the bottom out force of the Silent Ink Black is 70 grams and the Tourmaline Blue is 67 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-heavy range, providing a substantial typing experience.

Considering the weight of the switches, some users may prefer a lighter option like the Tourmaline Blue for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions. The lighter actuation force allows for easier keystrokes, reducing fatigue and strain on the fingers. This makes it an ideal choice for those who require prolonged typing.

On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for the Silent Ink Black switch. With its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force, it provides a more substantial typing experience. This can be beneficial for those who prefer a tactile feedback and a feeling of solidity while typing.

Overall, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer similar results, with slight differences in actuation and bottom out force. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference, with the Silent Ink Black providing a slightly heavier option and the Tourmaline Blue offering a lighter alternative for extended typing sessions.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same 4mm travel distance. Therefore, the travel distances of these two switches are equal, ensuring a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch you choose to use.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is known for its quiet and subdued sound profile. It produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches, making it ideal for environments where minimal noise is desired. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile. It immerses the user in a satisfying typing experience with its rich and resonant sound. The Tourmaline Blue strike a balance with their moderate sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users.

In terms of feel, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a silky and polished typing experience. It is exceptionally smooth, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This smoothness is achieved through the use of refined materials and potentially factory lubing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a buttery and easy-to-press feel. It offers a seamless and effortless typing sensation with its smooth and fluid keystrokes. The light actuation force and gentle resistance make typing comfortable and reduce finger fatigue.

Considering the available information, the Gateron Silent Ink Black and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer different subjective qualities. The Silent Ink Black excels in providing a quiet and cushiony bottom-out feel, with minimal audio feedback. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch delivers a deep and thocky typing experience, with a bouncy feel due to its lengthened single-stage spring. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.

However, it is important to note that the sound and feel of a switch are also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, individual experiences may vary. If you are looking for a quieter typing experience with a smoother feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is a suitable option. Alternatively, if you prefer a deeper and more satisfying sound profile along with a buttery and easy-to-press feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch would be a great choice. Overall, both switches offer their own distinct qualities to enhance the typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is a great choice. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, it provides a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. The Silent Ink Black is best known for its muted sound profile, making it ideal for environments that require quieter typing.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more immersive typing experience with a satisfying thocky sound, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the way to go. With a slightly lighter bottom out force of 67 grams, this switch offers a bouncy feel with each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. Its sound profile is described as neutral, which means it has a moderate sound profile suitable for most purposes.

In terms of feel, if you prioritize smoothness and refined typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is a silky and polished switch. It offers exceptionally smooth key presses with reduced friction, resulting in a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is buttery and easy to press. It provides a seamless and effortless typing sensation with gentle resistance and minimal force required for activation. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue is considered mild, offering a gentle typing experience that most people will find approachable.

Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue depends on your preference for sound and feel. If you value a quieter typing experience and a smooth, polished feel, the Silent Ink Black is the way to go. If you prefer a more immersive typing experience with a thocky sound and a buttery, easy-to-press feel, the Tourmaline Blue is the better choice. Consider your typing environment and personal typing preferences when making your decision.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Silent Ink Black Linear

$8.50

$8.35 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more