Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Jwick Splash Brothers are two mechanical keyboard switches that provide unique experiences for different preferences. The Silent Ink Black is perfect for those who require a quieter typing experience, making it suitable for environments where noise reduction is a necessity. With its pillow-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, this switch offers a soothing and muted typing experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switches are reminiscent of the dynamic duo, Steph and Klay, with their "speed" switch design. These linear switches have a shorter activation combined with a long pole stem, resulting in a great typing feel. Additionally, the Splash Brothers switches have a distinct creamy sound signature, adding an extra layer of satisfaction to each keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used for the Gateron Silent Ink Black and Jwick Splash Brothers switches differ in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing, while the Splash Brothers utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The INK blend top housing of the Silent Ink Black produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Splash Brothers creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Both materials offer distinct sound profiles, but the Silent Ink Black's INK blend provides a slightly softer sound compared to the Splash Brothers' polycarbonate.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Silent Ink Black and Splash Brothers also differ in this aspect. The Silent Ink Black utilizes its proprietary INK blend bottom housing, matching its top housing's sound profile. Similarly, the Splash Brothers adopts a nylon bottom housing. The INK blend bottom housing of the Silent Ink Black contributes to its characteristic pointed and clacky sound. On the other hand, nylon, as a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile for the Splash Brothers. Comparatively, the Silent Ink Black offers a thinner and higher-pitched sound, while the Splash Brothers provides a deeper and rounder sound due to the nylon bottom housing.
It is essential to note that the impact of the housing materials differs depending on the part of the switch being pressed. The bottom housing significantly affects the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on the switch, while the top housing influences the sound when you release the key. Therefore, the choice of housing material in both the top and bottom can significantly impact the overall sound experience of the switch. Although the Silent Ink Black and the Splash Brothers have distinct housing materials, they both offer satisfying sound profiles, with the Silent Ink Black delivering a slightly softer sound and the Splash Brothers providing a crisper and resonant sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Silent Ink Black requires a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, while the Splash Brothers' actuation force is unknown. However, both switches have a lighter bottom out force compared to their respective actuation forces. The Silent Ink Black has a bottom out force of 70 grams, whereas the Splash Brothers has a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams.
Considering weight, the Silent Ink Black provides a medium-heavy typing experience with its actuation and bottom out forces. This may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial push feel while typing. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers offers a lighter and potentially smoother typing experience due to its lighter bottom out force. Some individuals may find this particularly beneficial during longer typing sessions or intense gaming sessions, as it reduces the fatigue associated with pressing down on the keys.
In terms of actuation, the Silent Ink Black requires a comparatively higher force to trigger a keystroke, whereas the actuation force of the Splash Brothers is unknown. However, both switches allow for the keys to bottom out, meaning they can be pressed all the way down. Therefore, if one desires a similar result in terms of bottoming out, both switches will provide a similar experience.
Overall, those seeking a heavier and more substantial typing experience may prefer the Gateron Silent Ink Black, while individuals looking for a lighter and potentially smoother typing experience may find the Jwick Splash Brothers to be more suitable.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch have different travel distances. The Silent Ink Black has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Splash Brothers has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, 4.0 mm is the most common and 3.5 mm falls on the shallower end. However, shorter travel distances have become more popular, particularly among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Splash Brothers with its shorter travel distance would be the preferred choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper keystroke, the Silent Ink Black with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or a more substantial keystroke experience.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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 described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. It minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making it ideal for environments that require quieter typing. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch is described as neutral, which means it has a moderate sound profile. It does not have any extreme characteristics in terms of noise, making it suitable for most situations. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch offers a silky and polished typing experience. It is designed to be exceptionally smooth, reducing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The switch's materials and possible factory lubing contribute to its sleek and refined finish, resulting in a smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch provides a mild and snappy typing experience. It offers a gentle and approachable feel, making it suitable for most users. Additionally, it has a bouncy quality that provides a spring-like feedback sensation and an overall lively feel when keys are pressed. Similar to the Silent Ink Black, the Splash Brothers switch also has a polished finish, ensuring reduced friction for a smooth typing experience.
Considering the available information, the Gateron Silent Ink Black and Jwick Splash Brothers switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Ink Black is best known for its muted sound and silky, polished feel, providing a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch has a creamy sound signature and offers a mild, snappy, and bouncy typing experience. While the Silent Ink Black prioritizes quieter typing environments, the Splash Brothers switch stands out with its unique characteristics. However, it's important to mention that individual preferences may vary. If you are looking for a switch with similar qualities to the Silent Ink Black or Splash Brothers, you can achieve comparable results by selecting switches with similar descriptors and descriptions in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are in need of a quieter typing experience in your environment, 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 cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback. Additionally, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as having a muted sound profile, producing softer and quieter keystrokes. In terms of feel, this switch is both silky and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a linear switch with a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams and a unique typing feel, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch might be the one for you. These switches are known for their shorter activation and long pole stem, enhancing the typing feel and providing a creamy sound signature. Described as having a neutral sound profile, the Splash Brothers switch offers a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user.
Overall, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is ideal for those seeking a quiet environment and a silky, polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch is a great choice for those who prefer a lighter feel with a snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your specific preferences and typing needs.
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