Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Wuque Studio WS Yellow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow. The Silent Ink Black is a linear switch that stands out for its silent operation, making it ideal for environments where quiet typing is necessary. It offers a comfortable and cushion-like feel with minimal audio feedback, resulting in a peaceful typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Yellow is also a linear switch, but it takes a different approach. It combines classic materials with cutting-edge engineering, resulting in a delightful typing experience with a satisfying bounce. Its material blend also gives it a familiar sound signature that many enthusiasts adore. Additionally, these switches are designed to be lightweight, ensuring effortless keystrokes and a smooth typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Nylon
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 double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches have notable differences. Starting with the top housing, the Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend, which gives it a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the WS Yellow utilizes nylon, a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The Silent Ink Black's top housing provides a clacky and higher-pitched sound, while the WS Yellow's nylon top housing creates a duller and rounder sound.
Moving to the bottom housing, both switches have distinct characteristics. The Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing contributes to its satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, described as clacky. On the other hand, the WS Yellow's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound due to its relatively softer plastic composition, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. While the Silent Ink Black's bottom housing emphasizes a pointed and high-pitched sound, the WS Yellow's nylon bottom housing creates a more rounded and duller sound.
It's important to note that if a switch has different materials for the top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material will affect different aspects of the switch's sound and feel. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing will have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Thus, while the Silent Ink Black and WS Yellow differ in housing materials, their overall performance may present similar results depending on how the switch is used.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, there are some key differences to consider. The Silent Ink Black has an actuation force of 60 grams, providing a medium-heavy feel, while the WS Yellow's actuation force is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare. However, the bottom out force of the Silent Ink Black is 70 grams, slightly heavier than the WS Yellow's bottom out force of 53 grams, which gives it a medium-light feel.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the WS Yellow may be the preferable option. Its lower bottom out force can provide a smoother typing experience and may be more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming activities. However, if someone is seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Silent Ink Black's heavier actuation and bottom out forces may be more appealing.
Considering weight is essential when choosing a keyboard switch as it can significantly impact the user's typing experience. Some individuals prefer a lighter switch to reduce fatigue during longer periods of typing or gaming, making it ideal for work or intense gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who seek a more substantial and tactile feedback often prefer switches with heavier forces.
In summary, while the actuation force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the WS Yellow is not directly comparable due to limited information, the Silent Ink Black is generally heavier with its medium-heavy actuation force and slightly heavier bottom out force. The WS Yellow, with its medium-light bottom out force, provides a lighter typing experience. Depending on personal preference, one may opt for the lighter WS Yellow for prolonged typing sessions, while those desiring a more substantial feel may gravitate towards the heavier Silent Ink Black.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, we can see that the Silent Ink Black has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the realm of traditional travel distances, with the Silent Ink Black being the longer option. Gamers, who often prioritize faster response times, tend to prefer shorter travel distances. Therefore, if you are seeking a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the WS Yellow with its 3.8 mm travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper keystroke may find the 4 mm travel distance of the Silent Ink Black more appealing. Ultimately, it depends on personal preference and whether you prioritize a shorter or longer 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 Yellow comes in at $3.50 per 10 switches.
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 known for its muted characteristics. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches, making it an ideal choice for environments where minimal noise is necessary. On the other hand, the sound signature of the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switch is unknown, as no specific information is provided. However, it should be noted that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is described as silky and polished. Silky switches are known for offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience, reducing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the polished finish of these switches results in a sleek and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switch offers a creamy and mild typing experience. Creamy switches provide a smooth and buttery sensation, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys. The mild characteristics of these switches make for a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Similar to the Silent Ink Black, the WS Yellow switch also boasts a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction.
Overall, the Gateron Silent Ink Black and Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Ink Black focuses on providing a quieter typing experience with a cushion-like bottom-out feel, while the WS Yellow emphasizes a delightful typing experience with a satisfying bounce and effortless keystrokes. Although the sound signature of the WS Yellow switch is unknown, both switches share the polished characteristics that result in smooth and sleek typing experiences. Depending on individual preferences, either of these switches can be chosen to suit specific typing needs.
Conclusion
In closing, to choose between the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, you should consider the environment in which you will be typing and your personal preferences. The Silent Ink Black is an excellent choice for those who need a quieter typing experience, making it suitable for office or shared spaces. Its cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback create a pleasant and muted typing sound. On the other hand, the WS Yellow offers a delightful typing experience with its lightweight construction and satisfying bounce. It provides effortless keystrokes and a smooth and fluid typing experience. If you prioritize a silky and polished typing feel, both switches offer these qualities, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on whether you prefer the medium-heavy bottom-out force of the Silent Ink Black or the medium-light bottom-out force of the WS Yellow. Both switches have their unique strengths, so choose the one that aligns with your specific preferences and typing environment for the best mechanical keyboard experience.
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