TTC Bluish White vs. Gateron Ink Red

Overview

We are pleased to offer two fantastic mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Bluish White and the Gateron Ink Red. If you desire a satisfyingly poppy typing experience, the Bluish White is the switch for you. Its tactile feedback provides a buttery and mild typing experience, with a snappy sound profile that adds a sense of satisfaction to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Ink Red is perfect for those with a lighter typing style. This linear switch has a lower actuation force, making typing effortless. It offers a satisfyingly smooth experience with a crispy and clacky sound profile. While these general pointers can give you an idea of what each switch offers, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.

By the numbers

TTC Bluish White Tactile

Gateron Ink Red Linear

$4.80

$4.18 per 10

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The TTC Bluish White and the Gateron Ink Red have different materials for their top housings. The Bluish White features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is particularly useful for switches with RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for enhanced lighting effects. In contrast, the Ink Red utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. Both materials offer distinct sound profiles, with polycarbonate emphasizing clarity and resonance, while the INK blend provides a satisfying thin sound.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the TTC Bluish White incorporates a nylon material. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that delivers a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to its softer composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Gateron Ink Red also utilizes the proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing, resulting in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, known for being clacky. Both housing materials contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches, with nylon providing a deeper tone, and the INK blend offering a thin and higher-pitched sound.

When comparing the top and bottom housings of these switches, it's important to note that they each have a unique impact on the overall sound and feel. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are more pronounced, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing's attributes are more noticeable when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice of housing material can significantly affect the overall user experience, as it contributes to both the sound and the tactile feedback of the switches. While the specific materials differ between the TTC Bluish White and the Gateron Ink Red, the split between the two housings ensures that both switches offer similar results in terms of sound and feel.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Bluish White has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Ink Red's 45 grams. This means that the Bluish White requires slightly less force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Bluish White is 50 grams, while the Ink Red has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. This indicates that the Ink Red switch provides a more substantial typing experience, as it requires more force to fully press down.

Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter feel may find the Bluish White switch more suitable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. Its lighter actuation force allows for a smoother and more effortless keystroke. However, for individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Ink Red switch may be the better choice. With a heavier bottom out force, it provides a more satisfying and tactile feedback during typing.

While the forces of the two switches differ, both the Bluish White and Ink Red switches offer their unique advantages. The actuation and bottom out forces of each switch contribute to the overall typing experience, allowing users to find their desired level of responsiveness. Therefore, depending on personal preference and typing style, one can achieve similar results with either switch by selecting the appropriate weight and force that aligns with their typing preferences.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, it is clear that there is a difference in their distances. The Bluish White has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Ink Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, the Ink Red falls within the more common range of 4.0 mm, while the Bluish White offers a slightly shallower travel distance. This may make the Ink Red more appealing to those who prefer a deeper key press feel. However, the shorter travel distance of the Bluish White may be favored by gamers or individuals who prioritize faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the shorter travel distance of the Bluish White offering a quicker response and the longer travel distance of the Ink Red providing a more substantial keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch offers a low-pitched sound profile. This means that the switches have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most intents and purposes. Additionally, the Ink Red switch has a unique chirpy characteristic, adding a little squeak to its sound profile. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors, such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. However, based on the provided information, the Bluish White switch will provide a low-pitched sound, while the Ink Red switch will have a neutral sound with a chirpy element.

When it comes to feel, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch offers a range of characteristics. It is described as buttery, which implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. These switches provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. They are also described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Bluish White switch is also classified as stepped, which means it has two stages of tactile feedback. This gives a more mild feel compared to switches with a more pronounced bump. It is also described as subtle, providing a gentle resistance that is not feather-light but still maintains a light typing feel. Additionally, the switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish resulting in a sleek typing experience.

On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience. It enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel and minimizes resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Like the Bluish White switch, the Ink Red switch is also described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that most users will find approachable. It is also classified as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish resulting in a sleek typing experience, thanks to either the materials used or factory lubing.

In conclusion, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch is best known for its satisfyingly poppy typing experience with a snappy sound profile. It offers a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished feel for a smooth and sleek typing experience. The Gateron Ink Red linear switch, on the other hand, is distinguished by its lower actuation force and is perfect for those with a lighter typing style. It offers a neutral sound profile with a chirpy element and a silky, mild, and polished feel for an exceptionally smooth typing experience. While the sound and feel of these switches may differ, both are designed to provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience, allowing users to achieve similar results based on their preferences.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you desire a satisfyingly poppy typing experience with a light bottom out force, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches have a snappy sound profile and provide a seamless and uniform typing sensation. They are described as buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience. On the other hand, if you have a lighter typing style and prefer a lower actuation force, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch is perfect. These switches are satisfyingly smooth, have a crispy and clacky sound profile, and are effortless to type on. They are described as silky, mild, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on whether you prioritize a poppy tactile experience or a smoother linear experience, as well as your preferred bottom out force.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Bluish White Tactile

$4.80

$4.18 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Ink Red Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more