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The Gateron Black Ink V2 has been gaining a reputation for being an incredibly quiet and seamless switch in the keyboard community for years.
Yet, some people are skeptical about the quality of Gateron Ink Black switches.
With that in mind, we've put up a comprehensive review of Gateron Ink Black switches to answer some frequently asked questions about the switches.
Let's check to determine whether Gateron Ink Black switches are your smart investment!
The Gateron Ink Black V2 switches offer a notably heavy and smooth typing experience, complemented by a deep, muted "thocky" sound that's both pleasant and subdued.
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Gateron Ink Black is produced by Gateron, which is based in Huizhou, Guangdong, China. In the Gateron family series, these switches are regarded as premium switches.
You can see their specs in the table below:
| Specification | Details |
| Switch name | Gateron Ink Black V2 |
| Switch type | Linear |
| Housing material | Nylon |
| Stem material | POM (Polyoxymethylene) |
| Housing color |
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| Pre-travel distance | Distance before actuation: 2 mm |
| Total travel distance | Total distance from top to bottom: 4 mm |
| Actuation force | Force required to actuate the switch: 60g |
| Bottom out force | Force required to bottom out: 70g |
| Operation force | Consistent with the actuation and bottom out forces: 60g (actuation) and 70g (bottom out) |
| Operation life |
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| Finger strike |
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| Feeling |
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| Pin type |
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| PCB compatibility |
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| Sound profile |
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| Lubing |
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| Price |
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| Availability | Limited availability |
For further specification comparison between Gateron and other popular switches like Cherry MX Black and Kailh Black, check out these articles:
The Gateron Ink Black V2 review highlights the typing experience as notably thick and buttery, ideal for users who favor a more substantial feel under their fingers. With a 60g actuation force and a 70g bottom-out force, these switches provide a considerable amount of resistance compared to many other linear switches, such as Reds or Yellows. The switches are designed to deliver a smooth, linear action without tactile bumps or audible clicks, resulting in a "muted butter thocky" sound profile.
Despite their advantages, the Gateron Ink Black V2 switches have some drawbacks. The 60g actuation force may be too heavy for some users, especially those who prefer lighter switches for quicker typing or gaming. Besides, the switches also exhibit a minor amount of wobble, which can lead to a slight scratchiness in the typing experience. Although this can be mitigated with switch films, the issue may still be noticeable to some users and affect overall satisfaction.
The Gateron Ink Black V2 switches are distinguished by their heavier spring weight compared to many other linear switches. While the 60g actuation force requires a more substantial amount of pressure to register a keypress, contributing to a more deliberate and controlled typing experience, the 70g bottom-out force refers to the amount of force needed to press the key all the way down.
This greater force ensures the switch feels more robust and substantial throughout the entire keystroke, providing a satisfying, thick typing sensation. It is undeniable that the combination of these spring weights contributes to the Black V2's characteristic "thick and buttery" typing feel, reducing the likelihood of spring ping.
Among the various linear switches in the Gateron Ink series, the Gateron Ink Black V2 stands out as the only truly silent option. It combines specific characteristics that cater to users seeking a quiet yet smooth typing experience. With a 60g actuation force, the Ink Black V2 provides a heavier and more deliberate feel. This actuation force helps to prevent accidental keystrokes and ensures that each keypress is intentional and controlled.
Unlike many other switches that can produce a more pronounced sound at bottom-out, the Gateron Ink Black V2s remain relatively quiet and only produce a deep, low-pitched sound rather than a high-pitched “clack” or “thock.” This deep sound profile is due to the materials used in the switch construction and the absence of an audible click or tactile bump. These switches are designed to be notably quiet through a smooth, linear action and muted sound profile.
Watching the following video to hear how Gateron Ink Black switches sound:
The Gateron Ink Black V2 switches are notable for their sophisticated appearance with a smokey-transparent housing and black stem, providing a modern and elegant look. They enhance the visual appeal of keyboards, especially with diffused RGB lighting.
However, they may show dust more easily, limit the brightness of backlighting, and may not fit all aesthetic preferences. For users who prefer bright, vivid backlighting, the Gateron Ink Black V2’s diffused lighting effect might be less visually striking compared to switches with clearer housings.
The Gateron Ink Black V2 switches, generally cost around $0.75 to $1.00 per switch, are positioned in the mid-to-high range of the mechanical keyboard switch market. Here’s a detailed comparison of the Gateron Ink Black V2 switches with several other popular products:
| Switch Model | Price per Switch | Type |
| Gateron Ink Black V2 | $0.75 to $1.00 | Linear |
| Boba U4 | $0.65 | Tactile |
| Gateron Brown | $0.35 | Tactile |
| Glorious Pandas | $0.70 | Tactile |
| Akko Silvers | $0.40 | Linear |
The Gateron Ink Box Black and Gateron Ink Black V2 are both part of the Gateron Ink series, known for their smooth and high-quality linear switches. Both are linear switches with a smokey-transparent housing and POM stem, offering a consistent 4.0mm total travel distance and compatibility with 5-pin PCB mounts. Their key different features include Gateron Black actuation force, bottom-out force, sound profile and spring coating.
The Ink Box Black switch features a heavier actuation force (67g) and bottom-out force (80g) with a shorter pre-travel distance (1.9mm), resulting in a more substantial and slightly thocky typing feel. It uses uncoated springs, which may require additional lubing for smoothness. The Ink Black V2 switch, on the other hand, offers a lighter actuation force (60g) and a softer bottom-out force (70g), with a slightly longer pre-travel distance (2.0mm). It has a quieter sound profile and comes with coated springs, often requiring lubing and filming to achieve the best performance.
Therefore, it can be said that Gateron Ink Box Black switches are suited for those who prefer a heavier keystroke with a more pronounced thocky sound and slightly shorter pre-travel while Gateron Ink Black V2 are designed for a lighter, smoother typing experience with a quieter sound profile of a more subdued and effortless keystroke.
While both switches offer similar Gateron Black actuation forces of 60g and travel distances of 2.0mm to provide a moderate level of resistance that appeals to users who enjoy a balanced typing experience, the V2 stands out with different features of spring coating and sound profile, which decides on the distinctive typing feel and smoothness.
The Gateron Ink Black uses uncoated springs leading to spring noise and a less smooth operation. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Black V2 features coated springs. This coating reduces spring ping and enhances the overall smoothness of the switch, providing a quieter sound profile and smoother feel. That is to say, with a quiet, low-pitched sound, the Ink Black offers is ideal for those who prefer a less intrusive typing experience, while the V2 version is even quieter and more subdued for environments where noise reduction is a priority.
While both switches can benefit from lubing and filming, the Gateron Ink Black V2 typically requires these modifications to reach its optimal performance. Without lubing and filming, the V2 may exhibit some wobble and scratchiness. The original Ink Black, though also improved with these tweaks, generally performs well out of the box and might be preferred by users who seek a more straightforward setup.
You may find the weights of the Gateron Ink Blacks spring too heavy causing tired fingers. So if you are looking for a smoother, bassy linear switch feel, Gateron Ink Yellow and Red switches will be the two best alternatives for their Black counterparts.
Aside from Ink Red and Yellow, Gateron has introduced a Grateron family array featuring multiple switch kinds. For more detail, check the article about Gateron Mechanical Switch Color Guide.
Here is a comparison chart for Gateron Ink Black, Gateron Red, and Gateron Yellow switches, highlighting their key differences and similarities along with a brief review to know if they are the best switches in the price range:
| Features | Gateron Ink Black
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Gateron Ink Red
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Gateron Ink Yellow
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| Switch Type | Linear | Linear | Linear |
| Actuation Force | 60g | 45g | 50g |
| Bottom-Out Force | 70g | 50g | 60g |
| Pre-Travel Distance | 2.0mm | 2.0mm | 1.9mm |
| Total Travel Distance | 4.0mm | 4.0mm | 4.0mm |
| Sound Profile | Quiet, low-pitched | Quiet, low-pitched | Quiet, slightly higher-pitched |
| Spring Coating | Coated (V2) / Uncoated (original) | Uncoated | Uncoated |
| Typing Feel | Smooth and deliberate, | Smooth and light | Smooth, firm, but lighter |
You can get Gateron Ink Black Switches from the following websites:
Please keep in mind that the above platforms are trustworthy and reliable, so you can get your preferred Gateron switches from them.
As we have mentioned above, Gateron Ink Black switches initially give a scratchy sound; therefore, lubricating them is an excellent way to improve switches and raise their level of smoothness and feel during typing.
You can lubricate Gateron Ink Black switches with any lubricant; however, a thick lubricant such as Krytox 205g0 is recommended to get rid of the scratchy sound and boost performance.
For filming switches, you can purchase a slightly thinner switch film at the Kebo Store. We found that it helped the Gateron Ink Black switches operate more steadily by enabling the switch to sit more securely on the plate.
If you don't know how to lube or film switches, check out these articles:
In summary, Gateron Black Ink is an excellent switch. The majority of keyboard fans think of them as the next switches thanks to their unique look, great sound, and feel.
The main characteristics that set them to stand out from the others are their heavier actuation and lower-pitched sound.
We recommend lubricating these switches for the optimum experience because using them without lubrication may cause a slight spring crunch and scratchy feeling.
After all, as excellent linear switches, Gateron Ink Black switches will astound you with their outstanding performance and upscale feel.
Gateron Ink Black switches are linear switches that provide a smooth feel when typing with an operating force of 60g, actuation travel of 2mm, and bottom-out force of 4mm.
You should, indeed. The Gateron Ink Blacks are rather scratchy and noisy right out of the box if you use them without lubrication. So lubricate them for a smoother typing experience!
For typists, it truly is a great option. The performance of Gateron Ink Black switches is outstanding across the keyboards. They provide a smooth, relatively heavy, and low-pitched, quiet sound.
The Gateron Black Ink V2 has been gaining a reputation for being an incredibly quiet and seamless switch in the keyboard community for years. Yet, some people are skeptical about the quality of Gateron Ink Black switches. With that in mind, we've put up a comprehensive review of Gateron Ink Black switches to answer some […]
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