Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Wuque Studio WS Onion
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Onion are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, providing a smooth keystroke experience. However, they offer different advantages depending on your preferences. The Silent Ink Black is perfect for those who require a quieter typing experience, making it ideal for environments where noise might be a concern. It has a comfortable, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. In contrast, the WS Onion features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a satisfyingly buttery smooth keystroke feel. It offers a crisp and responsive experience with a neutral sound profile. However, to make the best decision for your needs, let's delve deeper into the specifics of these switches.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
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
WS CL635 Gold Plated Stainless Spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Onion have different materials for their top housing. The Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend, which creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. Described as clacky, this housing material offers a satisfyingly thin and higher-pitched sound. In contrast, the WS Onion features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound. While both materials produce high-pitched sounds, the INK blend offers a more rounded tone while polycarbonate provides a more distinct and crisp sound.
Looking at the bottom housing, the Gateron Silent Ink Black again utilizes their proprietary INK blend. Similar to the top housing, this material contributes to a pointed and high-pitched sound profile. The thin and clacky sound is consistent throughout the switch. On the other hand, the WS Onion features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the Silent Ink Black has a sharper and higher-pitched bottom-out sound, while the WS Onion offers a more subdued and deeper sound when typing.
When comparing the overall impact of housing materials, it is essential to consider both the top and bottom housings. If the materials differ, the qualities of each material will be split between the top and bottom. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. In the case of the Silent Ink Black, the INK blend contributes to its clacky and high-pitched sound when typing. Conversely, the top housing material plays a more significant role in the sound when releasing a key. Thus, the polycarbonate top housing in the WS Onion enhances the sound when letting go of a key, potentially offering a more satisfying and distinct sound compared to the Silent Ink Black.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Silent Ink Black has an actuation force of 60 grams, which means it requires a moderate amount of force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the actuation force of the WS Onion is unknown, making it difficult to determine how it compares in terms of lightness or heaviness. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Ink Black is slightly heavier, requiring 70 grams of force to fully press down. In contrast, the WS Onion has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is slightly lighter.
Considering weight, the Silent Ink Black may be favored by those who prefer a stronger push feel, as its actuation and bottom out forces are medium-heavy. This can provide a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Onion may be a better choice for those who prefer a lighter switch, allowing them to type for longer periods without excessive fatigue.
While the exact actuation force of the WS Onion is unknown, if it is similar to that of the Silent Ink Black or falls within a similar range, users can expect comparable results in terms of typing experience. Overall, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and the desired weight of the keys for optimal typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch have an equal travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Whether you choose the Silent Ink Black or the WS Onion, 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 Wuque Studio WS Onion has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Onion for $5.53.
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 best described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The Silent Ink Black switch is designed for environments where quieter typing is necessary. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Onion switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. It falls in the middle in terms of sound, neither overly loud nor completely silent. The WS Onion switch's sound is considered to be suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. Do note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. If you want a quieter experience, the Silent Ink Black would be the better choice, while the WS Onion offers a more neutral sound.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch provides a silky and polished typing experience. The term silky refers to an exceptionally smooth typing feel, with reduced resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This enhances the smoothness of each keystroke and minimizes any friction. Additionally, the switches are described as polished, which means they have a smooth and refined finish. This can be a result of the materials used or the factory lubing process. Overall, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a sleek and smooth typing experience.
Similarly, the Wuque Studio WS Onion switch offers a buttery and polished feel. Butteriness refers to a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. It offers a uniform and consistent feel with each press. Like the Silent Ink Black switch, the WS Onion switch is also described as polished, ensuring a sleek and refined typing experience. With reduced friction and smooth key travel, the WS Onion switch offers a satisfying and comfortable typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches offer subjective qualities that cater to different preferences. The Silent Ink Black switch is known for its softer and quieter sound, making it ideal for environments that require a more discreet typing experience. It provides a silky and polished feel, enhancing the smoothness of each keystroke. On the other hand, the WS Onion switch offers a neutral sound profile, suitable for most purposes. Its buttery and polished feel ensures a seamless and effortless typing experience. Depending on your sound and feel preferences, either switch can provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are in need of a quieter typing experience, then the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is the way to go. With its cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, you can type in a quieter environment without disturbing those around you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a buttery smooth keystroke feel that is deeply satisfying, the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch is a great choice. Its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing contribute to a smooth and refined typing experience. In terms of sound, the Silent Ink Black offers a muted sound profile, reducing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. In contrast, the WS Onion provides a neutral sound profile, suitable for various purposes. When it comes to feel, the Silent Ink Black offers a silky and polished experience, enhancing the smoothness and minimizing resistance. Similarly, the WS Onion provides a buttery and polished typing sensation, making your typing experience seamless and effortless. Ultimately, both switches have their unique qualities, so it depends on your specific preferences for typing sound and feel.
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