Gateron Box Ink Pink vs Kailh Box Red
The Gateron Box Ink Pink and the Kailh Box Red are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Kailh Box Red is lighter to actuate (45g versus 50g); travel is 3.4 mm on the Gateron Box Ink Pink and 3.6 mm on the Kailh Box Red; stock they sound different: bright, poppy versus clean, subdued.
- Cheaper per switchKailh Box Red$0.30 versus $0.75
- Lubed from the factoryGateron Box Ink Pinkusable out of the box without lubing
Choose the Gateron Box Ink Pink if
- you want a switch popular for short-travel linears.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (50g).
- you want a factory-lubed switch out of the box.
Choose the Kailh Box Red if
- you want a switch popular for humid climates.
- you want a lighter keystroke (45g).
- you want to spend less per switch.
Gateron Box Ink Pink vs Kailh Box Red, spec by spec
| Gateron Box Ink Pink | Kailh Box Red | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 50g | 45g |
| Bottom-out force | 60g | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 1.2 mm | 1.8 mm |
| Total travel | 3.4 mm | 3.6 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | smoky INK blend | PC |
| Bottom housing | smoky INK blend | nylon |
| Spring | single-stage | single-stage |
| Factory lube | light (stronger spec) | none |
| Pins | 5-pin | 3-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.75 | $0.30 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | bright, poppy | clean, subdued |
| Released | 2021 | 2017 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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
52% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Box Ink Pink; 22% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Kailh Box Red.
13% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Box Ink Pink; 34% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Kailh Box Red.
95% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Box Ink Pink; 24% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Kailh Box Red.
Where to buy the Gateron Box Ink Pink
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Kailh Box Red
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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