Cherry MX Black vs Gateron Ink Black V2
The Cherry MX Black and the Gateron Ink Black V2 are often cross-shopped. The main differences: stock they sound different: deep, muted versus deep, clacky; the Cherry MX Black costs less per switch ($0.35 versus $0.75).
- Cheaper per switchCherry MX Black$0.35 versus $0.75
- Lubed from the factoryGateron Ink Black V2usable out of the box without lubing
Choose the Cherry MX Black if
- you want a switch popular for heavy linears.
- you want a switch popular for vintage feel.
- you want a switch popular for spring swaps.
- you want to spend less per switch.
Choose the Gateron Ink Black V2 if
- you want a switch popular for enthusiast builds.
- you want a switch popular for premium linears.
- you want a factory-lubed switch out of the box.
Cherry MX Black vs Gateron Ink Black V2, spec by spec
| Cherry MX Black | Gateron Ink Black V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 60g | 60g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | 70g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | nylon | smoky INK blend |
| Bottom housing | nylon | smoky INK blend |
| Spring | single-stage | single-stage |
| Factory lube | none | light (stronger spec) |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.35 (stronger spec) | $0.75 |
| Sound profile | deep, muted | deep, clacky |
| Released | 1984 | 2019 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Cherry MX Black; 82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Ink Black V2.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Cherry MX Black; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Ink Black V2.
30% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Cherry MX Black; 95% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Ink Black V2.
Where to buy the Cherry MX Black
Where to buy the Gateron Ink Black V2
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