Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Durock White Lotus. The Gateron Silent Ink Black is a linear switch that is loved for its quiet operation, making it perfect for environments where noise needs to be kept to a minimum. With its pillow-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, this switch delivers a comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus is a tactile switch designed with typists in mind. It offers a delicate tactility, striking the perfect balance between responsiveness and subtlety. Additionally, it features a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects that can add a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
56g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Durock White Lotus switches have distinct characteristics, resulting in different sound profiles and typing experiences. The Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. This creates a satisfying, thin, and clacky sound when typing. In contrast, the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which offers a unique and premium feel. While the White Lotus does not have a specific description of its bottom housing, it can be assumed that it differs from the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Ink Black. This difference may lead to variations in the sound produced when bottoming out or releasing a key.
Regarding the bottom housing material, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend and the White Lotus's nylon materials offer contrasting sound profiles. The INK blend of Gateron provides a pointed, higher-pitched sound that is described as clacky. On the other hand, nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. This means that typing on switches with nylon bottom housing, like the White Lotus, may result in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Silent Ink Black. The choice between these two housing materials depends on personal preference for sound profile.
When it comes to the top housing, both the Silent Ink Black and the White Lotus feature unique materials that contribute to their distinct typing experiences. The Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend top housing creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, similar to its bottom housing. In contrast, the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which offers a premium feel without a specific sound description. It is important to note that the top housing of a switch has more impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Silent Ink Black and the White Lotus may exhibit differences in their top housing materials, the overall sound profile upon key release may still be similar due to the effect of the bottom housing material.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, we can see some key differences. The Silent Ink Black has a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the White Lotus's lighter 46 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Silent Ink Black is 70 grams, while the White Lotus has a lower bottom out force of 56 grams.
For those seeking a lighter typing experience, the White Lotus would be a better choice, as its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for a more effortless keystroke. This can be particularly beneficial for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions where fatigue can set in with heavier switches.
On the other hand, if one prefers a more substantial and tactile typing experience, the Silent Ink Black would be more suitable. Its heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a satisfying push feel, giving a sense of solidity and feedback with each keystroke.
It's worth noting that while the Silent Ink Black may be heavier in both actuation and bottom out forces, and the White Lotus may be lighter, both switches fall within the medium range. Therefore, if one enjoys a medium force for their typing experience, they can achieve similar results with either switch. Ultimately, the choice between the Silent Ink Black and the White Lotus will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience the same distance traveled. Both switches offer consistent and smooth key presses, ensuring a satisfying typing experience. Whether you prefer the linear action of the Silent Ink Black or the tactile sensation of the White Lotus, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
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 Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 Gateron Silent Ink Black switch provides a muted sound profile, offering a softer and quieter typing experience compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches. This makes it a great choice for environments that require minimal noise. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switch has a low-pitched sound, which produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. This creates a soothing and tranquil typing experience, suitable for both work and extended typing sessions. It's worth noting that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch offers a silky and polished typing experience. It is exceptionally smooth and refined, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. This contributes to an overall sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switch provides an easy-to-press feel. It offers gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. This makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The switch also has a mild and subtle tactile feedback, providing a low-impact typing feel that would be approachable to most users.
Taking into account the available information, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch excels in providing a quiet typing experience with a pillow-like bottom-out feel. It offers a muted sound and a silky, polished typing feel. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switch offers a delicate tactility and a low-pitched sound. It provides an easy-to-press feel, along with a mild and subtle tactile feedback. While both switches have their unique qualities, they cater to different preferences. If you are seeking a quieter typing experience with a smooth feel, the Silent Ink Black is the preferred choice. If you prefer a light tactile option with a mellow sound and gentle key press, the White Lotus switch would be a suitable option. Despite their differences, both switches aim to provide a pleasant typing experience, ensuring user satisfaction.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch that provides a quieter typing experience in environments that require minimal audio feedback, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch would be a great choice for you. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, this switch offers a cushiony and pillow-like bottom-out feel. The Silent Ink Black switch is also described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches.
On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch that strikes a perfect balance between tactility and usability, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is an excellent option. With a medium-light bottom out force of 56 grams, these switches offer a delicate tactility that is ideal for work and extended typing sessions. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant RGB lighting effects to enhance your keyboard setup.
In terms of feel, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch is described as easy-to-press, providing a low-impact and responsive typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The White Lotus switch is also considered mild and subtle, offering a gentle and approachable typing experience suitable for most users.
Overall, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience and a medium-heavy actuation force, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is the way to go. However, if you value a delicate tactility, easy-to-press keys, and a lower actuation force, the Durock White Lotus switch would be a better fit. Consider your preferences in sound, feel, and actuation force to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard.
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