Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Wuque Studio WS Morandi
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi. The Silent Ink Black is an excellent choice for those who prioritize a quiet typing experience, making it ideal for environments where noise is a concern. With its cushiony and pillow-like bottom-out feel, this linear switch provides minimal audio feedback. On the other hand, the WS Morandi switches offer a unique combination of innovation and visual aesthetics. These ultra-smooth linear switches feature a light column that diffuses light, creating a mesmerizing effect and enhancing RGB visuals. The UPE stem of the WS Morandi switches provides a distinct dry, airy, and wispy smoothness, setting it apart from the creamy feel of factory-lubed switches. With a medium weight, slightly shortened total travel, and a long pole design, these switches strike a perfect balance between form and function. While both switches offer their own set of advantages, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best switch choice for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
UPE
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
18mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi differ in their housing materials, which ultimately affect the sound profiles they produce. The Silent Ink Black utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housings. This blend creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, resulting in a satisfyingly clacky typing experience. In contrast, the WS Morandi features POM top and bottom housings. These POM housings produce a deeper and more muted sound, offering a unique and pleasing typing experience.
While both switches have distinct sound profiles, they also share some similarities. Both the Silent Ink Black's INK blend and the WS Morandi's POM housings bring a sense of satisfaction to typing. However, the Silent Ink Black's INK blend leans more towards a thinner and higher-pitched sound, while the WS Morandi's POM housings offer a deeper and more muffled sound.
The difference in the top and bottom housings for each switch also plays a role in the overall typing experience. The qualities of the INK blend used in the Silent Ink Black's top housing contribute to the sound when a key is released, adding to the clacky sensation. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the WS Morandi impacts the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Understanding these nuances allows users to choose the switch that aligns best with their preferred typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch, they exhibit some similarities but also notable differences. In terms of weight, the Silent Ink Black is the heavier option, with an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category. On the other hand, the WS Morandi's actuation force is unknown, but it has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is considered medium.
For users who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, the lighter actuation force of the Silent Ink Black may be more suitable. This switch allows for more effortless keystrokes, making it ideal for those who use their keyboards extensively, be it for work or extended gaming sessions. On the contrary, individuals who enjoy a more substantial push and a pronounced typing sensation may lean towards options with heavier forces. In this case, the WS Morandi offers a slightly lighter bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a noticeable difference in the typing experience compared to the Silent Ink Black's heavier bottom out force. However, it is important to note that since the actuation force of the WS Morandi is unavailable, it is difficult to draw direct comparisons.
Overall, while the Silent Ink Black exhibits a medium-heavy actuation force and bottom out force, providing a more robust typing experience, the WS Morandi offers a medium bottom out force with an unknown actuation force, making it slightly lighter. Depending on the individual's preference for typing weight, both switches can offer a satisfactory typing experience, albeit with slight variations.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is 4.0mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5mm. Both switches offer a tactile feeling when pressed down on, but the Silent Ink Black provides a slightly deeper travel distance compared to the WS Morandi.
The Silent Ink Black with its 4.0mm travel distance falls into the category of a more traditional switch, offering a deeper keypress experience. On the other hand, the WS Morandi with its 3.5mm travel distance provides a shallower, yet still satisfying keypress.
Gamers seeking faster response times may prefer the WS Morandi due to its shorter travel distance, allowing for quicker activation of keys. However, those who prefer a more substantial and hearty keypress experience may lean towards the Silent Ink Black with its longer travel distance.
Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired feel when typing or gaming. The Silent Ink Black offers a deeper travel distance, while the WS Morandi provides a slightly shallower experience. Both switches are capable of delivering satisfying results, but it is important to consider factors such as typing style and personal preference to make an informed decision.
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 Wuque Studio WS Morandi has an MSRP of $4.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Morandi for $3.90.
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 is known for its muted profile. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches, effectively minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switch offers a more subdued sound when pressed. While it is not completely silent, it provides a dampened and subtle sound signature compared to most switches. Additionally, the WS Morandi switch is also described as having a low-pitched and thocky sound, giving it a bass-heavy and satisfying tone. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is often described as offering a silky and polished typing experience. These switches are known for their exceptionally smooth feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. As for the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switch, it is described as having a buttery and creamy feel. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, where the keys provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The WS Morandi switch achieves this through either factory lubing or specific materials, resulting in a sleek and uniform typing experience. It is worth mentioning that both switches are referred to as silky, further emphasizing the smoothness and lack of resistance in their feel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Silent Ink Black and Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Ink Black provides a muted sound profile and a silky, polished feel, prioritizing a quieter typing experience. Meanwhile, the WS Morandi switch offers a more subdued, low-pitched, and thocky sound, accompanied by a buttery and creamy typing feel. Though they may have distinct characteristics, both switches aim to enhance the typing experience with their smoothness and minimal resistance. Depending on your personal preferences, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience, and you can expect similar results in terms of smoothness and lack of friction.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are in need of a quieter typing experience and value a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, then the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is the one for you. Its medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams provides a satisfying typing experience while keeping noise levels low. On the other hand, if you prioritize visual aesthetics and desire an ultra-smooth linear switch that enhances RGB visuals with a mesmerizing effect, the Wuque Studio WS Morandi linear switch is a great choice. With its light diffusing column and unique UPE stem, these switches strike a perfect balance between form and function. The WS Morandi switches offer a slightly more muted sound profile, making them suitable for those who prefer a more subdued and low-pitched sound. Their medium weight and long pole design contribute to a buttery and silky typing experience, providing effortless and smooth keystrokes. Ultimately, the best choice between the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Morandi switches depends on your specific preferences and needs.
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