Gateron Ink Black V2 vs Gateron Ink Red V2

The Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Gateron Ink Red V2 are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Gateron Ink Red V2 is lighter to actuate (45g versus 60g); stock they sound different: deep, clacky versus smooth, poppy.

Gateron Ink Black V2 Linear · 60g
Gateron Ink Red V2 Linear · 45g

Choose the Gateron Ink Black V2 if

  • you want a switch popular for premium linears.
  • you want a heavier, more deliberate press (60g).

Choose the Gateron Ink Red V2 if

  • you want a switch popular for light linears.
  • you want a lighter keystroke (45g).

Gateron Ink Black V2 vs Gateron Ink Red V2, spec by spec

Gateron Ink Black V2Gateron Ink Red V2
Type Linear Linear
Compatibility Standard MX sockets Standard MX sockets
Actuation force 60g 45g
Bottom-out force 70g n/a
Pre-travel 2 mm 2 mm
Total travel 4 mm 4 mm
Stem POM POM
Top housing smoky INK blend smoky INK blend
Bottom housing smoky INK blend smoky INK blend
Spring single-stage single-stage
Factory lube light light
Pins 5-pin 5-pin
Price / switch $0.75 $0.75
Sound profile deep, clacky smooth, poppy
Released 2019 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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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

Actuation force lightest heaviest
Gateron Ink Black V2 60g
Gateron Ink Red V2 45g

82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 22% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Ink Red V2.

Total travel shortest longest
Gateron Ink Black V2 4 mm
Gateron Ink Red V2 4 mm

57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Ink Red V2.

Price per switch cheapest priciest
Gateron Ink Black V2 $0.75
Gateron Ink Red V2 $0.75

95% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 95% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Ink Red V2.

Where to buy the Gateron Ink Black V2

Where to buy the Gateron Ink Red V2

No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.

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